Nintendo is turning up the heat in the console wars, forecasting a bold 15 million sales for the new Switch 2 in its first fiscal year-even with a higher price tag that’s turning industry heads. Announced in their latest financial report, Nintendo’s target matches the original Switch’s launch window but comes at a time when the Switch 2 will retail for a premium compared to its predecessor.

So, what’s behind this ambitious number? According to Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa, it’s not about production bottlenecks or tariff fears. “Nintendo Switch 2 is priced relatively high compared to Nintendo Switch, so we recognize that there are corresponding challenges to early adoption,” Furukawa explained, adding that the company is “taking steps like bundling software with the hardware to accelerate adoption in the first fiscal year”.

Industry analysts call the forecast “conservative,” but still massive-especially given the Switch 2’s $450 price point and strong pre-order buzz in Japan. Nintendo is banking on backward compatibility and blockbuster bundles (like Mario Kart World) to keep momentum high, aiming for a launch as strong as the original Switch.

With 45 million software sales also projected, Nintendo is betting that fans will see the value-even as the price climbs. Will the Switch 2’s premium approach pay off? The next year will be one to watch for gamers and investors alike.