Smash

With Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! launching tomorrow - the latest entries into the super-popular Pokémon franchise, and first mainline games to appear on Switch - and the hotly anticipated Super Smash Bros. Ultimate launching just 21 days after, it's pretty safe to say that this is an incredibly important period for Nintendo.

You might think that releasing your two biggest games of the year at almost the same time would be an odd move, but Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime believes it will help the company to secure a strong end to the year, no doubt providing a significant boost of sales through the always-important holiday season. Speaking to The Verge, Reggie says, “this year, we think that we’re exceptionally well prepared for the holidays and truly have something for every type of gamer and every type of household”.

Of course, with the console now having more than 1,000 games available to purchase, he's probably right with that last statement, but it's the major first-party titles that bring in the seriously high numbers and help to sell the system to new consumers.

“As we look at our momentum right now that we’ve been able to drive with Super Mario Party, as we look at Pokémon about to launch this Friday, Super Smash Bros. on December 7th, we believe we’re exceptionally well positioned to drive through the holiday season to have a very strong quarter. That’s the key for us.”

As it turns out, relying on these games to boost profits for this quarter sounds like a pretty good idea; the Switch saw a significant jump in sales last week in Japan, likely thanks to new players getting ready for the new Pokémon games this week, and Reggie goes on to confirm that pre-orders for the two upcoming releases are the best ever seen on Switch.

“The pre-sale trends for both of these titles are tracking to the best we’ve ever seen on Nintendo Switch. The consumer engagement through all of our digital activity has been exceptionally strong.”

Have you pre-ordered Pokémon: Let's Go or Smash Bros. Ultimate? Are you likely to pick up one or both of these major releases? Let us know with a comment.

[source theverge.com]