The Nintendo Switch has only been out a little over two weeks, but it feels like it's already settled into the market. The launch buzz has naturally faded and, as a result, some of the second tier launch day titles - to use a slightly unfair term - have started to lose steam.
That's the tale told in the latest UK top 40 charts, in any case. In the third set of results including Switch games only two titles on the system are still found in the list. Unsurprisingly The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is hanging in there in 6th place (down from 4th); in the single format charts the Switch iteration leads in 9th, with the Wii U version still a creditable 12th.
The only other Switch title in the all-format top 40 is 1-2-Switch in 17th position, a drop of eight places overall. Just Dance 2017 is in the all-format top 40, but we can't assume that's due to the Switch version as none of the Ubisoft's IP's iterations are in the single-format top 40.
With that we move onto 3DS, with little to shout about. Pokemon Sun is still a respectable 24th place, though its sibling Moon is still struggling down in 39th place. Mario Sports Superstars did manage to climb four spots to hit 32nd in its second week, which is better than a punch on the nose.
There isn't an abundance of retail content coming to the UK on Nintendo systems in the next few weeks, so it's likely to be quiet for a little while.
[source chart-track.co.uk]
Comments 68
Zelda leading the way, come on Nintendo get a few more releases out!
Sounds like a familiar situation... New content needed.
That's a good thing to have for 3 weeks in a row on the top 10. Normally we would see a Wii U game drop out the second week then drop out of the top 40 by the 3rd.
UK chart is so predictable, shooters, GTA and Fifa all year round.
Occasionally there will be a new game for about a month before it's long lost. But people still buying GTA is impressive, I know it's a good game, but surely anyone who wants GTA has it by now?
Zelda's got legs, and she knows how to use them.
I would buy it, if I could find it. Same goes for the Switch. I placed my order on Amazon Germany in the second week but there isn't even mention of a date when either will be available again.
I can imagine that hurting the sales a bit.
Nothing until MK8D. I also think the shortage of Switch in some areas led to BotW falling, because if you already bought it, you probably wouldn't buy it again. If you don't have a Switch, you probably wouldn't buy it (BotW) until you could get the system.
Maybe the limited stock has something to do with it?
As here Zelda retail version has been sold out since 3rd of March and they hardly received any new stock so far.
I can understand the Switch console being sold out, but this has to be a first (in a long long time) that a game is sold out and hard to restock.
To the surprise of absolutely no one, really!
@Flanktwo
Close to finishing it!?!
I haven't even fought my first boss yet, maybe I'm slow (doesn't help that my whole family won't let me play it without them) and I've put in some serious hours.
Although, I am a completionist and I'm doing side quests before I even look at the main quests, I'm searching every inch and making my time last as long as I can with this game.
Games like this only come along every so often so to just race through it would be doing myself and the people who worked on it an injustice.
But that's just me.
@H1B1Esquire Yes, I'm holding off BotW (on WiiU) at present to see if I decide to get a Switch.
@Spoony_Tech It depends on the game. There was quiet a few Wii U games that stayed in the Top 40 for a while. Nintendo should have printed more copies of Zelda: BOTW for both platforms. They also should have made a Collector's Edition for Wii U.
I wonder where the zelda sales are coming from. Generally most places in the uk are out of stock of the consoles. Now I know some are getting limited supplies in dribs and drabs and zelda has a high attach rate to console but enough to keep it so high in the charts?
P. S. I wonder if someone will contradict me by saying there's loads of switch consoles to be had in the u.k?
@BigBadJohn Well not many (if any) high street retailers have Switch consoles in stock at the moment, but the Official Nintendo Store has had stock for a while now and not sold out yet.
Once most buy Zelda, there's nothing really to buy. Yes...people here will buy some of those games....but these titles don't compete with the rest of the market. Mario Kart will see nice initial sales, but it's not a new title. I think that if you buy a Switch, you have already accepted game droughts.
@Loui I'm not sure why but people don't seem to buy from the official store but this is exactly my point. How has zelda maintained good sales with not many consoles sold. I'd be interested to see hardware sales beyond the initial launch.
The UK is unbelievably 'meh' towards nintendo. I never hear nintendo on top of the charts. Maybe a title here or there but those are far and few in between
There won't be great sales until they stock more consoles. My girlfriend STILL can't get a Switch. Nintendo.co.uk, Amazon and ARGOS are all saying end of March at the earliest.
Surely, everyone with a Switch already has Zelda? I'm surprised it's still in the top 10.
Each time I see the UK game charts, I wonder whether I actually am British or not. Then again I have the same thought when I walk around any city/town centre **cough** sportswear chavs **cough**.
That's really good considering it's near impossible to get a Switch in the UK.
This is because it is the only game worth buying.
Come on Nintendo!!! Get some games out for gods sake
When I got the Switch last week, I had to go digital for BOTW because I couldn't get a physical copy cheaper or delivered quickly!
@BigBadJohn Ah, it appears they're just taking orders for when they get more stock in. So yeah, how on earth is Zelda still selling?
@DESS-M-8 Only retail game, arguably.
@Stubi
Yeah, it's crazy Nintendo is in the same boat again. 3rd parties aren't going to help either...at best will be some OK ports. But even if 3rd parties get interested, it will be years before we see an original title.
@eltomo Pesky kids keep scratching their discs, haha. XD
Heck, the game digitally's always on offer. You'd think everyone had a physical and digital copy.....both past and current gen by now. XD
Just Dance 2017 has continued base sales across Wii, PS4 and all the other platforms, so the Switch version isn't contributing much there. JD2017 has been keeping on the charts this year even before the Switch launch, so it just seems to be continuation of that.
It looks like the Switch outsold Nintendo's expectations (again), and were perhaps just looking for a decent amount of early adopters before things start heating up around Xmas. It's pretty obvious the UI isn't finished, there are droughts on the horizon (especially for those refusing to double dip on Wii U titles), the eShop is fairly empty at the moment (with just a demo and 20 year old title last week in Europe), etc.
So yeah, a rushed launch with an unexpected demand. Fortunately I'm still taking my time with BotW... This isn't meant to be read as me being critical by the way, it's just that things haven't gone to plan for Nintendo in terms of timing. Most of us early adopters knew what we were signing up for, but those not in the know may end up disappointed sooner rather than later.
It's all upto Nintendo if they want success
@GravyThief
Sadly but true. Some of UK gamers really adore pathetic games like typical boring football games, pathetic fps games, disastrous adult games, Minecraft clones, etc. Those games are just Too Overwhelming, Too Mainstream, Very Unattractive, Pathetic as real. And they play it like a Real Zombie.
Sorry, no offense. I don't mean all UK gamer are suck. Just only some of them.
There are also some Great UK gamers with very great of gaming taste.
Positive Spin: Switch only has four games on the market (retail). 25% in the top 10!
Negative Spin: Zelda was basically a pack in title for a system launch. Everyone pretty much had to buy it to play something decent on their new console.
@8itmap_k1d same thing. People aren't gonna buy a console for a few digital only titles, its AAA prominent retail shelf games that get attention.
I've got 5 games for Switch. Only 1 retail though. And they really need to stop showing 1 2 Switch. It's appalling and instantly gives a bad image that this is ANOTHER Wii.
@eltomo consoles sell even outside holidays, and GTA 5 is a famous game with an experience ranging from the usual controversial mayhems to the open world with first person camera driving to chill out in (which is what I've been doing in GTA 5 since getting it in December myself - the story's still at 1.6% XD). Lately there should also be folks motivated to upgrade since the multiplayer is being discontinued on PS3.
@Anti-Matter no offence taken by me, as I think we're in agreement! 😀
@DESS-M-8 You said Zelda is the only game worth buying. I'm simply clarifying that it's (arguably) the only retail game worth buying currently.
Yet another negative slur on a article from NL. I got some pills to help with that, but sorry I don't have enough to cover the amount required round here. Sorry
Should still be hovering in the top 40 for the next few weeks, expect sales to jump when MK8 is released.
Stock issues continue to plaugue the Switch in the UK.
That explains why almost half of all Zelda BOTW sales came from the Wii U version of the game last week.
Difficult to analyse given Zelda has been out of stock for most of that period, and for most retailers completely out, kinda surprised it's as high as it is, and personally haven't seen Bomberman R in stock anywhere for the last week or 2 online or physical.
@dew12333 how is this a negative article from their part. They just stating the uk charts. Would you rather they be a Nintendo propaganda machine
I see tons of all titles in stock. No systems.
It's a good thing Nintendo consolidated their development teams years ago to account for this situation and have a steady stream of new software to release while avoiding droughts.
Wait...
@Flanktwo You're playing open world games wrong.
@Anti-Matter It's like the UK borrowed all the bad aspects of American gamers and ignored any of the good ones
All those trends are true here too, but in the UK it seems like it's magnified under a microscope!
@UK-Nintendo As is the trend these days with a lot of NL headlines the tone and language used in the article signals a negative slant. Like political "journalism" these days, it's not about stating facts, but "guiding the narrative" by creating the news rather than reporting it via the inclusion or exclusion of details and choice of words. NL USED to just post the charts. "Last Switch game standing in UK top 10" and the omission that it remains the ONLY major retail game for the 3-week old system are all carefully slanted to present a negative image specifically to produce a certain effect in terms of click-in habits and in the conversation here.
Yay Zelda, Boo not having more retail games at the moment, but wagging finger of shame at NLs recent trends. Knock it off guys, REPORT the news, write thoughtful feature stories, just as you used to do and built a vibrant community here in doing. Don't go down the IGN drain of baiting arguments for the short-term revenue!
Edit:: TWO week old system, not three week.
@KiWiiU_Freek I'm at 50 hours, and I haven't even attempted a Divine Beast yet! I'm too busy exploring, collecting and upgrading all the armour sets, filling up the map, expanding my inventory and increasing hearts and stamina. So much to do!
@NEStalgia zelda dropping down the charts is not the fault of the people. It's the fault of Nintendo.
There is just not enough stock. You will not find the game anywhere. Bomberman is sold out everywhere too. Would it have done better in the charts if it was available to purchase, hell yeah. Again these problems are nintendos.
The Wii u failed because of Nintendo not none of us
Um... Still no stock in the USA
@WOLF1313
Hard to argue that at this point especially because there are so few games announced and all the must-haves are Nintendo games. Any console has to fill it's calendar with must-haves from other companies.
Hopefully these are just early droughts from the weird decision not to send out more devkits and as devs catch up we'll get more announcements toward Christmas. Never know how it will go for a mid-cycle system launch because so many have 5-10yr plans invested in other systems.
Zelda is the only game I have for the Switch and right now the only game I need.
I've played it pretty constantly for a few hours to several hours a day depending on my commitments. Yet I'm not bored of it and all I want to do is play it more.
If others are like me then that's a reason why other games are not holding chart position as people don't need any other games right now whilst they have Zelda. I certainly don't.
The only other game I have is the downloaded test fire for Splatoon 2.
@Laxeybobby
That's great for you and me. Zelda is all I'm playing currently. But there has to be a variety of quality games for consumers. What if a FIFA fan says all he is playing is FIFA so there's no need to release anything else?
@WOLF1313
Fair point. I wasn't trying to excuse the lack of titles. Just provide a view as to why what there is isn't being purchased in the same quantities a BotW.
@UK-Nintendo Sure Zelda could have been even higher in the charts. Low supply is definitely a consistent problem (though I really don't think anyone at Nintendo is seeing 100% sell-through with ongoing demand as a problem in any way, that's a boardroom dream right there.) But my point wasn't about Zelda selling out of all copies or about WiiU having failed.
My point wasn't on zelda "dropping" in the UK charts, the headline "Zelda on Switch still in top 10 in UK charts!" is one way to run the headline. "UK charts week of Mar 18 (Zelda'a hanging on)" is another run the headline. "Zelda is the last switch game standing in UK top 10" is, however, the headline they chose. Did anybody expect Just Dance and Skylanders were going to make the top 10? Or the party/coop spectacles that are 1-2-S and Bomberman? You can interperet the info as positive, negative, or neutral, and NL is becoming consistently negative in its spin.
Imagine Push Square running headlines with "UK Charts: PC outsells PS4 3:1. Again. (Is PS4 still relevant?)"
@gatorboi352 But.. but.. Zelda is enough, right?
@UK-Nintendo
The article could have easily praised Zelda for still being in the charts despite the lack of availability, and this also applies to other titles being hit by the lack of consoles about. It didn't do that, but they don't have a problem bigging up something with a sponsored link on it!
@dew12333 they are a company
Zelda will move back up the charts once they re-supply retailers with the game and switch units. In this country of mine if you sell 10 thousand software units,it will usually take it to the top or near the the top. Anyways I am reading comments about droughts and I will repeat what I have said before. Switch owners will just have to suck it up,you made your bed now lie in it just like wii u owners did with their droughts and let's face it the gaps In-between are nowhere near as bad as the unfortunate wii u owners went through,should be happy with what you have and what's coming in the future and yes I was one of those wii u owners with no regrets buying it
I wonder when a new direct comes?
Also when that DLC comes out zelda will be first again lol
@samuelvictor That sounds pretty excessive, and I've heard that France and Italy are the two biggest Nintendo locations in Europe so that doesn't surprise me too much.
In the US it's hit or miss. If you go into the big stores like Best Buy, Nintendo has a reasonable presence but it's also clear it's "second tier" to Sony/MS (at least in the WiiU/3DS era, I haven't been there yet in the Switch era), boutiques like GameStop are hit or miss. Some locations have a row of Nintendo on the back wall, other locations have the full front of the store as a Nintendo paradise with the back counter of the cashier's stand filled with Amiibo. Target has always been pretty balanced with all 3 consoles sharing equal presentation.
I STILL don't get how the Nintendo situation is so bad in the UK. Whoever was in charge of marketing there for the last 30 years really needs to be shipped to a "window office" in Kyoto. I know in the NES era it never made it big, but, really in the last 20 years they haven't managed to fix that?
@NEStalgia
No they've never fixed it. They farmed everything out to third party companies until the Gameboy Advance which left the field clear for first SEGA (who used a third-party but a much better one) and Sony (who went full on with marketing and presence in the UK from Day 1) to dominate.
The mistakes are endless-the SNES didn't come out until April 1992 giving the Megadrive an 18-month, two Christmas head start. They then repeated that mistake with the N64 but compounded it by launching at £249 with PlayStation at £129 (had to drop the price by £100 only 8 weeks after launch!). They then did the same with Gamecube which even launched after the OG Xbox.
The N64 didn't have an RGB SCART output. They never released Super Mario RPG. Or StarCraft 64. Or Custom Robo. Or Excitebots. Animal Crossing on the GameCube was 2 years behind the US version. Excitebike 64 was delayed over a year. Metroid Prime missed Christmas 2002. They got into trouble with an advert for Ocarina of Time that was criticised for being sexist. They put out an ad for the Wii U that suggested you could play any game Off TV, which promptly got banned. The list goes on.
Their handhelds have always done really well though. And the Wii. They just gave Sony a huge headstart.
@electrolite77 Sheesh. I mean I can get it that they messed up in MOST countries in the NES era. The only way the US got so into Nintendo was the efforts of Arakawa who built the whole US Nintendo presence from scratch pretty much with his own bare heads and sense of destiny. Without him Nintendo would have probably been Japan-only for many years more. But AFTER that era, when his NoA proved Nintendo could be huge in the west....most other countries, even backwater countries seemed to sort things out for Nintendo sales. How the UK got that badly behind Nintendo's tailwind is baffling. I swear the much have hired a Sony subsidiary for their marketing & sales office.
Bomberman appears to be out of stock everywhere which would explain why it's vanished from the charts
@Flanktwo
I can understand that.
But like I said, I can't help but complete a game, I've done it on nearly every game I play.
And a world as good as this deserves exploring
The damn completionist in me isn't happy until I do.
@LandOfZeldtir
I know!
How can a world look so minimal yet have so much to do around every corner.
Incredible design, makes me appreciate every little detail.
@NEStalgia
I just don't think they were that bothered. They had their hands full in the US and Japan. By the time they dealt with the shock of a new competitor getting its feet under the table it was too late. There have been plenty of times as a British Nintendo fan where you knew you were an afterthought.
@KiWiiU_Freek you and me the same. I'm savouring this game and soaking up all the goodness. It's so big, I'm exploring every nook, doing the side quests and filling up my compendium before moving through the quest. Seriously guys don't rush through, Zelda games are always packed full of little touches. Try feeding the wildlife for example and see what happens...
The Switch is mostly sold out so you won't see any big resurgence in Switch games until more stock hits. Also, physical high street copies of games are surprisingly low.
Unexpected that the wii-u botw is in 12th
@eltomo I don't usually go "waah they only want bad games" on regional charts, but yeah, UK's are always bloody awful.
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