
Core Viewpoint - The recent launch of Nintendo's Switch 2 has exceeded sales expectations, selling over 3.5 million units within four days, marking the best launch performance in the company's history despite initial skepticism about its hardware and pricing [3][10][12]. Group 1: Sales Performance - Nintendo's Switch 2 sold over 3.5 million units in just four days, surpassing the previous record set by the original Switch, which sold 2.7 million units in its first month [3][10]. - The company has increased its monthly production from 2 million to 3 million units due to high demand, particularly in the North American market [10]. - Despite the high sales, the Switch 2's pricing has been criticized, with the Japanese version priced at 49,980 yen and the multilingual version at 69,980 yen, which is significantly higher than its predecessor [10][12]. Group 2: Historical Context - Nintendo has a long history, founded in 1889, and has evolved from producing traditional playing cards to becoming a giant in the gaming industry with iconic products like the Famicom and the Nintendo Switch [5][6]. - The original Switch, launched in 2017, has sold over 102 million units globally, becoming Nintendo's best-selling home console [6][7]. Group 3: Market Challenges - The gaming console market is facing challenges, with a general decline in sales as the lifecycle of consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X is nearing its midpoint [8]. - Nintendo's sales for the fiscal year 2024 are projected to decline by 30.3% year-on-year, indicating a tough market environment [7]. Group 4: Hardware and Chipset Changes - The Switch 2's hardware cost is not yet fully disclosed, but it is suggested that the profit margins are very slim, with reports indicating a retail profit of only $4 per unit sold in the U.S. [14]. - The chipset configuration has changed significantly, with the memory chips now sourced from Micron and SK Hynix instead of Samsung and Toshiba, and the Bluetooth SoC has switched from Broadcom to MediaTek [16][17]. - The new chipset includes various brands, with notable changes in components such as the application processor from NVIDIA and the addition of new brands like Renesas and Genesys Logic [17][18]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The release of Switch 2 is expected to rejuvenate the console market and reignite interest in handheld gaming devices [35]. - Although there are currently no domestic chips used in the Switch 2, the potential resurgence of handheld gaming could create opportunities for domestic chip manufacturers in the future [35].