Nintendo Switch 2 surpasses GameCube lifetime sales in the UK
Game Business editor Christopher Dring reported that Nintendo's Switch 2 has exceeded the lifetime sales of the GameCube in the United Kingdom after just over a year on the market. The GameCube, launched in Japan in 2001, sold 21.74 million units worldwide and was Nintendo's least‑sold conventional console until the Wii U arrived.
Dring also noted that Xbox is the only platform holder that sold more consoles in the first half of 2026 than in 2025, while PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 sales are declining and Xbox Series S/X sales are rising. He cited the release of Forza Horizon 5 and an announced price increase for the Switch 2 as factors encouraging consumers to purchase before the hike takes effect.
Entities: Christopher Dring · Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 · Forza Horizon 5 · GameCube · Guillaume Broche · Nintendo Co., Ltd. · Nintendo Switch 2 · Sandfall Interactive · Tom Guillermin · Xbox · Xbox Series S/X
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 11 SOURCES] PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 sales are declining while Xbox Series S/X sales are growing. (Christopher Dring, citing US market trend)
- [● 11 SOURCES] Nintendo's Switch 2 has surpassed the lifetime sales of the GameCube in the United Kingdom after just over a year on the market. (Christopher Dring, Game Business)
- [● 11 SOURCES] Nintendo launched the Wii in 2006 as a successful response to low GameCube sales.
- [● 11 SOURCES] Xbox sold more consoles in the first half of 2026 than in 2025. (Sharma's efforts for Xbox, as reported by Christopher Dring)
- [● 11 SOURCES] The release of Forza Horizon 5 contributed to increased console sales.
- [● 11 SOURCES] The GameCube’s lifetime global sales were 21.74 million units.
- [● 11 SOURCES] A forthcoming price increase prompted many consumers to purchase consoles before it takes effect.
- [● 10 SOURCES] Nintendo Switch 2 has surpassed the lifetime sales of the GameCube in the United Kingdom after just over a year on the market. (Game Business editor Christopher Dring)
- [● 10 SOURCES] The GameCube was Nintendo's least‑sold conventional console until the Wii U.