Pokemon Winds and Waves Could Become Nintendo’s Biggest Switch 2 System Seller

Nintendo may have bigger plans for the Switch 2 than it's publicly admitting. A new report suggests the company could be preparing far more systems than expected, and if that's true, one big question immediately follows: what exactly is going to sell all of that hardware?

Because if Nintendo really intends to push production beyond current forecasts, there has to be some serious software firepower waiting in the wings. And looking ahead to the next year, there are a few titles that could easily explain why.

Nintendo's Official Forecast Might Be Conservative

Right now, Nintendo's public projection sits at 16.5 million Switch 2 systems sold during the current fiscal year. If those numbers hold, the console would reportedly surpass 36 million units by March 2027.

That alone would be impressive.

We're talking about potentially nearing 40 million systems in just two years, all while being Nintendo's most expensive console launch to date. Those numbers are already huge.

But according to a recent report, Nintendo's internal expectations may actually be higher.

Reports indicate Nintendo has asked manufacturing partners to assemble roughly 20 million Switch 2 consoles during the year ending in March—around 20% higher than the publicly stated outlook.

Of course, plans change.

Production numbers aren't fixed, and demand will ultimately decide whether those figures remain realistic. Still, the idea that Nintendo could be preparing millions more systems than expected is difficult to ignore.

Japan's Upcoming Price Increase Could Be an Early Test

The next major indicator arrives very soon.

Switch 2 pricing in Japan is reportedly set to increase, and not by a small amount either. The jump appears significant enough that the Japan-only Switch 2 model could become more expensive than the region's PS5 equivalent.

That changes things.

Previously, Nintendo had the advantage of offering a relatively affordable flagship system in the market. Now they'll be testing demand at a noticeably higher price point.

And early signs suggest players may already be reacting.

Ahead of the increase, Japan has reportedly experienced a surge in Switch 2 demand, with recent sales numbers crossing 200,000 units in a single reporting period. Assuming inventory remains available, another strong week wouldn't be surprising.

Nintendo Could Also Be Stockpiling Hardware

There may be another angle here beyond simple demand.

Hardware manufacturing is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Memory prices have been fluctuating, supply chains remain sensitive, and component costs continue rising.

Nintendo might simply be looking at the current market and thinking:

"This may be the cheapest we'll be able to build these systems for a while."

If component prices continue climbing into 2027, locking in production earlier could make a lot of financial sense.

Instead of scrambling later, Nintendo could be building inventory now while costs remain manageable.

A Nintendo Direct Could Reveal the Bigger Picture

This is where things get interesting.

If Nintendo truly plans to sell closer to 20 million systems, software becomes incredibly important.

And conveniently, a summer presentation seems increasingly likely.

With Sony showcases, Summer Game Fest, and Microsoft's events crowding the early June calendar, Nintendo could easily slide into the following week with a major Direct presentation.

That timing feels right.

And if it happens, we may finally see Nintendo begin outlining not only late-2026 releases but perhaps games that are further away as well.

Because right now, the lineup still has some major blanks.

The Switch 2 Release Calendar Has Plenty of Questions

There are known titles on the horizon.

Games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continuing onto Switch 2 are notable. Nintendo also has projects like Splatoon Raiders, Rhythm Heaven, and several rumored titles expected throughout the year.

But fans aren't talking most about those.

They're talking about the games that haven't been officially announced.

And one rumor continues to dominate conversations.

Could an Ocarina of Time Remake Be Nintendo's Secret Weapon?

If Nintendo announces an Ocarina of Time remake, the reaction would be enormous.

Yes, it's a remake of a game that's decades old.

But this isn't just any game.

Many players still consider Ocarina of Time one of the greatest games ever made. Depending on the ranking site or publication, it often appears near the top of all-time lists.

And the timing actually makes sense.

The Zelda franchise is arguably more popular now than ever after the massive success of Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

An Ocarina remake would offer something completely different too:

• Traditional dungeon progression
• A more classic Zelda structure
• Huge nostalgia appeal
• Strong interest from older Nintendo audiences

For many players, the title alone could move hardware.

Dusk Bloods Could Bring In New Players

Nintendo may also have another interesting card to play.

If Dusk Bloods ends up delivering as a major multiplayer-focused experience from FromSoftware, it could attract an audience Nintendo traditionally doesn't reach.

That matters.

A successful FromSoftware release doesn't just appeal to Nintendo fans—it brings in players who may otherwise never consider buying Nintendo hardware.

If quality lands where people expect it to, that audience could be substantial.

Pokemon Might Be the Real Game-Changer

But when looking at system-selling power, one franchise still towers over everything else:

Pokemon.

Pokemon wins repeatedly, and it does it at a scale few franchises can match.

Rumors and discussion around Pokemon Winds and Waves increasingly suggest this could become Nintendo's biggest push of early 2027.

And perhaps even more importantly:

Nintendo may pair it with hardware bundles.

Why Pokemon Bundles Could Be Massive for Switch 2

Nintendo already knows bundles work.

We've seen themed systems before, and Pokemon has historically been one of Nintendo's strongest bundle opportunities.

Imagine something similar:

• Custom Joy-Con colors
• Exclusive dock artwork
• Limited-edition packaging
• Special console designs

Even at a premium price, collectors and longtime fans would absolutely show up.

And for a $500 system, bundles become even more valuable because they help justify the higher entry point.

Nintendo could easily lean heavily into this strategy.

Pokemon Winds and Waves Looks Surprisingly Promising

There is also another factor: the game itself.

Pokemon's visuals haven't exactly received universal praise in recent years.

Titles like Scarlet and Violet struggled technically and left plenty of players disappointed.

But early footage of Winds and Waves seems different.

The first trailers looked noticeably stronger. Visual quality appeared improved, and there were moments that genuinely felt like a step forward.

Cautious optimism feels fair here.

People still remember Scarlet and Violet.

But first impressions for Winds and Waves have been stronger than expected.

And if Pokemon lands alongside hardware bundles and a larger holiday lineup, Nintendo suddenly has a very convincing sales strategy.

A Huge Holiday Could Explain Everything

Now imagine this lineup:

• Ocarina of Time Remake
• Dusk Bloods
• Existing first-party releases
• Pokemon Winds and Waves

That starts looking like a serious holiday season.

Suddenly, a goal of 20 million Switch 2 systems doesn't seem unrealistic anymore.

Even with a $500 starting price.

And Nintendo may not just be preparing for this fiscal year either. Manufacturing extra systems now could help support early 2027 demand as well.

Because building consoles, shipping them globally, and getting them onto store shelves takes time.

Nintendo may simply be preparing early.

Final Thoughts

Right now, Nintendo officially says 16.5 million.

But if internal production plans really point closer toward 20 million units, then something larger could be happening behind the scenes.

And if Pokemon, Zelda, major bundles, and surprise announcements all align?

Nintendo may not be aiming for a normal second year at all.

It may be planning another phenomenon.