While Nintendo hasn’t yet released any official sales numbers for its upcoming console, the early word from at least one major European market suggests that the device is already off to a hot start.

Several newly surfaced images have given us a rare peek at the Nintendo Switch 2 development kit, highlighting how it compares to the final retail model. Shared by Nintendeal on Twitter, the shots of the NDK Core Ounce devkit show that, surprisingly, the unit doesn’t look all that different from the consumer version. The only notable distinctions are the dual USB-C ports on the bottom and a sleek, all-black exterior—something some users might even prefer over the retail look.

This marks the first time Nintendo has produced a system that natively supports features which have become standard since the original Switch launched. That said, implementation still falls short in places. HDR support, for instance, is underwhelming in handheld mode due to the screen’s mediocre quality. On a brighter note, the system reportedly supports native mouse and keyboard input, a major plus for FPS games and strategy titles like Sid Meier’s Civilization VII.

Switch 2 dev kits use some kind of custom cable to connect on the bottom (USB-C and something else? double USB-C?) pic.twitter.com/LSxefZuwth

— Nintendeal (@Nintendeal) June 8, 2025

Given all the excitement surrounding the Switch 2, it’s no shock that expectations are sky-high—and in France, it looks like early sales might already be breaking records. According to insider GyoJvfr and verified in English by well-known sales tracker Pierre485, the Switch 2 has become the fastest-selling console in French history. Over one weekend, it moved more than 200,000 units, doubling the PlayStation 5’s launch record. Pierre485 cautioned that these are still unofficial numbers until confirmed by Nintendo France, but they suggest the system could be heading for the biggest global console debut in history. It could also mark the strongest Mario Kart launch to date, with nearly every unit reportedly sold as part of the Mario Kart World bundle.

While nothing is confirmed yet about whether the Switch 2 will deliver the blockbuster first year some had predicted, early signs suggest that Nintendo is firmly on the right path.

Source: WCCFTech, WCCFTech, Bsky