According to IGN, Nintendo’s Switch 2 has crossed 10 million units sold and continues its run as the biggest console launch ever. The console surpassed 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 now raised its hardware forecast, expecting to sell 19 million units by the end of March 2026. Meanwhile, the U.S. Patent Office will reexamine Nintendo’s ‘summon character and let it fight’ Pokémon patent, potentially undermining its lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair. And Microsoft revealed its Game Pass Wave 1 offerings for November, with Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 leading the charge.
<h2 id="switch-2-dominance”>Switch 2’s Unstoppable Momentum
Look, 10 million units in six months is absolutely insane. The Switch 2 isn’t just beating its predecessor – it’s crushing it. Basically, Nintendo learned all the right lessons from the original Switch’s supply chain nightmares and came out swinging. And here’s the thing: raising the forecast to 19 million units by March 2026 shows they’re not just confident, they’re practically certain this momentum will continue. When you outsell the PS5’s launch numbers by nearly 30%, you’re doing something very right.
Nintendo’s Patent Headache
Now this patent reexamination is fascinating timing. Nintendo’s been going hard after Palworld, that game everyone called “Pokémon with guns.” But if the U.S. Patent Office decides Nintendo’s ‘summon character and let it fight’ patent isn’t valid… well, that lawsuit against Pocketpair basically falls apart. I mean, think about it – how many games have creature collection and battling mechanics? This could open up a whole can of worms for Nintendo’s legal strategy. They’ve been notoriously protective of their IP forever, but this might force them to rethink their approach.
Microsoft’s November Moves
And then there’s Microsoft, quietly dropping Black Ops 7 on Game Pass day one. This is exactly why they spent $69 billion on Activision – to make Game Pass the undeniable value leader. But here’s what’s interesting: they’re still doing these “Wave” announcements. Why not just put everything up at once? Probably testing what drives subscriber engagement throughout the month. Still, getting a brand new Call of Duty without paying $70 is a massive win for subscribers. Makes you wonder how Sony will counter this move.
The Big Picture
So where does this leave us? Nintendo’s absolutely dominating the handheld space while Microsoft leverages its acquisition war chest. The console wars are heating up in ways we haven’t seen in years. And with the Switch 2’s record-breaking performance, Nintendo’s proving that dedicated gaming hardware is far from dead. Actually, it’s thriving. The question is whether they can maintain this pace once the initial hype dies down. Given their track record with the original Switch, I wouldn’t bet against them.
