According to IGN, Nintendo’s Switch 2 has crossed 10 million units sold, continuing its run as the biggest console launch ever. The new console has significantly outperformed both the original Switch, which sold 4.7 million units in its first six months, and PlayStation 5, which moved 7.8 million units in the same timeframe. Nintendo has raised its hardware forecast and now expects to sell 19 million Switch 2 units by the end of March 2026. Meanwhile, the U.S. Patent Office is reexamining Nintendo’s “summon character and let it fight” Pokémon patent, which could impact its lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair. And Microsoft has revealed its Game Pass Wave 1 offerings for November, with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 leading the charge.
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<h2 id="switch-2-dominance”>What This Launch Means
Ten million units in six months is absolutely staggering. Think about it – that’s nearly double what the PlayStation 5 managed, and more than twice the original Switch’s launch numbers. Nintendo has basically proven that when they get the hardware right and have the software lineup to back it up, they can dominate the console space like nobody else.
But here’s the real question: can they maintain this momentum? The raised forecast to 19 million by March 2026 suggests they’re confident, but that’s a lot of consoles to move. They’ll need consistent big releases and maybe some price flexibility down the line. Still, this launch basically cements Nintendo’s position as the king of accessible, family-friendly gaming.
Nintendo’s Patent Headache
That patent reexamination is potentially huge. Nintendo’s been pretty aggressive about protecting its IP, especially when it comes to Pokémon-style mechanics. If the U.S. Patent Office decides this “summon character and let it fight” patent isn’t valid, it could completely undermine their case against Palworld.
And let’s be honest – Palworld’s success probably has Nintendo feeling some type of way. The game basically took the monster-catching concept and added guns and survival elements, and it sold like crazy. Now Nintendo might be facing a situation where their legal leverage disappears. This could set a precedent that makes it harder for them to protect similar game mechanics in the future.
Microsoft’s Counter-Move
While Nintendo’s crushing hardware sales, Microsoft’s playing the subscription game. Putting Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 on Game Pass day one is a massive move. They’re basically telling players: “Why buy a $70 game when you can get it as part of your subscription?”
It’s interesting to see how these companies are approaching the market from completely different angles. Nintendo’s all about that hardware and first-party software synergy, while Microsoft’s betting big on services and accessibility. Both strategies are working in their own ways, but they’re fundamentally different approaches to the same business.
The console wars have never been more fragmented – and honestly, that’s probably good for gamers. We get choice, competition, and different companies playing to their strengths rather than trying to copy each other.
