Nintendo Co. projected weaker-than-expected initial sales of the Switch 2, a reflection of how uncertainty around US tariffs is weighing even on a company fielding record-setting demand.

Furukawa said that Nintendo's goal is make the Switch 2 very popular. "The launch of Switch 2 and the early spread of the hardware are our top priorities," he said. With that will come an increase in marketing expenses, which Nintendo expects to make by selling more software (games).

Nintendo on Thursday said it expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 units and for operating profit to rise 13% to 320 billion yen ($2.22 billion) in the year ending March.