Key Takeaways
1. Sales of the Switch 2 are leading globally, but the PS5 is gaining traction in Spain, outperforming the Switch 2 in sales over the last six weeks.
2. Third-party game sales for the Switch 2 are lagging behind those on the PS5, with notable low sales figures for new releases on the handheld.
3. Despite strong global sales, the Switch 2’s performance in Spain is unexpectedly low, with fewer buyers for third-party titles impacting overall sales.
4. The PS5 has a strong presence in Spain, and concerns about game performance and large download requirements may be affecting Switch 2 sales.
5. Nintendo plans to release highly anticipated first-party titles during the holiday season, which may improve sales and interest in the Switch 2.
Since its launch on June 5th, sales of the Switch 2 have been leading the market. Nevertheless, signs suggest that the PS5 might be gaining ground against the handheld in one specific country. A recent episode of the Vandal Radio podcast disclosed that, over the last six weeks, the PlayStation has outperformed its Nintendo competitor in Spain. Furthermore, the uptake of third-party games for the Switch 2 is falling behind that of the PS5.
Retail Insights
The hosts of the Vandal podcast frequently provide insights into retail statistics within the gaming sector. During a segment found on the ResetEra forums, around the 30-minute point, they made an unexpected comparison. After noting that the PS5 had once again taken the lead in console sales, the discussion shifted to physical game sales.
In a translated comment from Spanish, one of the podcast guests noted, “I also don’t believe Nintendo is particularly pleased with the performance of games that aren’t theirs. Aside from Cyberpunk, third-party titles haven’t been doing well.” To put this into perspective, the newly released Cronos: The New Dawn managed to sell just 300 copies in its first week on the Switch 2, whereas PS5 players picked up 2,800 units of the survival horror game. Other ports, such as Star Wars: Outlaws and Daemon x Machina, sold only 600 and 700 copies, respectively, within their first week as well.
Global Trends vs. Local Sales
The sales for Switch 2 in Spain are unexpectedly low, especially when compared to global patterns. According to VGChartz, Nintendo’s handheld sold 1,594,817 units in July, more than doubling the PS5’s sales of 787,722. Additionally, the Switch 2 achieved records in Spain for the most successful launch of a console, with similar achievements reported across the EU.
PlayStation consoles have a firm presence in Spain, and there are not yet as many prospective buyers for Switch 2 titles. However, the hesitance to buy third-party games could be impacting sales for the handheld device. Many of these titles utilize controversial Game-Key Cards, necessitating large downloads. Furthermore, mixed feedback before the release about how games like Star Wars: Outlaws perform on the console may have dissuaded potential buyers.
Future Outlook for Nintendo
Any challenges Nintendo faces in Spain may only be short-lived. The company plans to release a lineup of highly anticipated first-party Switch 2 titles during the holiday season. Additionally, as one of the top franchises in Europe, EA Sports FC 26 is set to launch on the console on September 26th.
Source:
Link












