These Are The Nintendo Switch's Million-Selling Games

Some great numbers here and all well deserved.

I know it's not for everybody, but Arms deserved more.

Impressive numbers for ARMS.

1-2 Switch only did as well as it did due to the sparse launch line-up (and certainly more than it deserved). I've only ever played it ONCE with friends, and with so many great multiplayer games available now and on the way, I'm finding it harder and harder to imagine a time that I'll ever play it again. I'll still keep it for the novelty factor, but its very existence has been rendered almost completely redundant except to the partiest of animals.

A WarioWare game with a similar multiplayer focused motif would have been far more preferable (and a full sequel couldn't come soon enough!). Hell, I'd be chuffed just to have a VC release of Smooth Moves on Switch.

They should give 1-2 Switch for free...its a tech demo more than anything. And why there's no Switch Sports?

Some impressive numbers. The original Splatoon recorded 4.83 million by June of this year so at 3.61 million is already approx 3/4 of the way there.

Doesn't say whether Breath of the Wild sales are for purely the Switch version or Multiplatform sales but with Switch sales of the game being 3.92 million in July and the Wii U version having more than 1 million sales, 4.7 million would seemingly suggest be for Switch only; although approx 800,000 sales in 2-3 months!? Not exactly impossible but surprising even for such an amazing game.

Wonder if Odyssey has broken the 1 million sales yet?

Can’t believe ARMS sold more than a million!

@Dev I'm sure that Mario Odyssey has already joined the club. We just need to wait for official confirmation.

I love the fact that 1-2-Switch sold over a million.

A diverse range of games is good.

Soooooo basically every big first-party title? Surely this is expected...

I have all of these minus Arms. I tried so hard to get into that game, but I just wasn't feeling it. It looks like people can have a lot of fun with it though so I'm glad it's doing alright!

EDIT: Oh, right. I don't own 1-2 Switch either. But that didn't look like it'd be fun for one person. 😅

To anyone who bought 1,2 Switch you have my deepest sympathies. Good sales for BOTW and MK8 even if they are Wii U ports.

I like to see some of the 3rd party sells

@Zyph over one million for a new IP on a new system is very impressive

I just clicked on the article b/c the pic made think it was about Zelda DLC.

@rjejr That weirdo guy is never coming back to sit outside my house again. If you don't talk to him, he'll stay in Tarrey Town.

Jolly good sales. I bet all these titles will get a big bump at launch, especially Zelda and Mario Kart 8.

Oh, Fire Emblem Warriors and Pokken - you may be the poor relations of the first-party library. SMO is probably already in the millionaire's club. Wonder how much Stardew Valley has sold - it hasn't left the top 2 in the downloads chart since release.

I expected Mario Kart 8 to sell more than Breath of the Wild because both are available on Wii U but Mario Kart has been Nintendo's greatest hit since the GameCube days (Super Smash Bros. Melee). In the portable market, Pokemon is the only game that can beat Mario Kart.

I have the feeling that no game will surpass Breath of the Wild on Switch. I don't think that Super Mario Odyssey will do it in spite of the high early numbers. Will Pokemon sell more or the Switch market is not exactly the same as the DS and 3DS?

I own both Breath of the Wild and Splatoon 2. They were both kind of disappointing to me.

I know I'm probably the only one, but Breath of the Wild is too "open" for me. I still haven't completed it, because I'm bored when I play. I can't think of anything to do, so I just scan my Amiibos...

Splatoon 2 kind of put me off, I loved the original Splatoon so much and the controllers on the Wii U version are so amazing. It's not that Splatoon 2 doens't have good controls, it's just that the original have so amazing controls.

And I miss Miiverse. I liked how it made it possible to discuss games with other people that are actually playing the same game as you. Let's face it, I don't know anyone on Twitter of Facebook or on Youtube that plays Nintendo games, so the new share feature is just kind of a waste...

I bought Super Mario Odyssey in the weekend and I got kind of pissed off, because some moves are almost impossible to pull off in handheld mode... I always use handheld mode when I play on my Switch, so I hope Nintendo consider this for future games.

It's great that Nintendo are having a good time selling games though, it's well deserved. They worked hard to make this happen. I'm happy for them. I might get Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the end, but not right now. I own the Wii U version and I never really play it anyway.

Awesome, my sons Switch, Splatoon 2 and Super Mario Odyssey are safely tucked away for Christmas & I will pick up ARMS before the big day too, it was his number one most wanted game until the recent launch hype over Odyssey got to him lol. He has told me he'll scream if he gets a Switch on Christmas morning... I cannot wait 💕

Really glad to see Splatoon 2 up there. Obviously Zelda and Mario are on a lot of people's lips for 'game of the year' and even 'game of all time', but I think Splatoon 2 is a really phenomenal video game worth shouting about.

Yes, it doesn't reinvent its series in the same way Odyssey and Breath reinvent theirs, but when you consider how heavily its predecessor flipped the entire genre on its head in the first place, I think that's forgivable.

As well as the Switch having one of the best adventure games and one of the best platformers of all time, Splatoon 2 gives it one of the best shooters I've ever played too. One which only gets better as the stages and weapons increase.

Admittedly, I'm not someone with the broadest experience in shooters, but I still feel its existence is important in making the Switch much more than just 'that console with Zelda and Mario on it'.

Go Splatoon!

With the success of the deluxe editions, I'm surprised we haven't seen a steady stream of Wii U ports.

@Phle "I can't think of anything to do (in BotW), so I just scan my Amiibos..."

I think you and I have very different tastes, which is ok...but still...wow.

Breath of the Wild-must have-5 stars.
1,2 Switch-sold it a few months ago since 3 play sessions was all my friends and family could stand.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe-5 stars, near endlessly entertaining!
Splatoon 2-Beat single player, progressed to level 12 in multiplayer, and had some fun with Salmon Run-Sold because I never feel a want to play it, great game, just not for me.
Arms-Played all the global tests, glad its doing alright, but no sale from me.
Super Mario Odyssey- At Bowser's Castle, seems like a keeper to me!-4.9 stars.

It looks like sales for Arms has fallen pretty fast, it passed 1 million I want to say maybe 1 or 2 months after launch, meaning it only sold ~300k in September and October

People are surprised 1-2-Switch sold 1 million? It was a flagship launch title that Nintendo put a huge marketing push behind. Though considering this, they're still probably pretty disappointed that it didn't have a much bigger impact (as they clearly wanted it to be a viral Wii Sports-style phenomenon).

@BlueOcean
Mario Kart 8, Mario Odyssey, and any Pokemon game will comfortably outsell Breath of the Wild. Though that doesn't take away from the fact that BOTW is the fastest selling Zelda game ever.

Good numbers all around, really. I do wish ARMS did better, but at least BOTW and MK8 Deluxe got a chance to shine, unhindered by Wii U install base.

I actually think ARMS did reasonably well for what it is, meaning a new IP, a 3D fighting game and content-wise a bare bones offering. I enjoy the game very much, but I would really hope any future installment would see a bit more content in terms of single-player options for sure, as well a bit more variety beyond just switching out ARMS.

I'm kinda shocked to say, but I would really love to see some Amiiboo for this game. By saying that, I mean that I'd really love to see a Min Min amiibo happening. Hell, if it means, we'd get a Min Min amiibo, I'd almost be willing to commit to buying the whole set (which I only did for FE otherwise).

There are some really fun and likeable and colorful character-designs Nintendo came up with here, esp. if they had bend-able arms like BotW Guardian one, that would be amazing actually.

Good job ARMS!!

@Phle you’re not alone, I felt that BotW was very disappointing too.

Pokemon Switch and Animal Crossing Switch will surpass 1 million sales easily.

I only bought 1-2 Switch because it was a new system launch and I like checking out the game which showcases system features.

But it was bad. And if they continue with a Switch line of casual games I can assure you I will not be buying them.

@sillygostly I'm not at all surprised by the sales of 1 2 Switch. I agree, it's not a game for gamers and I also don't enjoy it, but my wife is there one that begged me to buy it and she likes to pull it out when non-gaming family comes over and my kids still pull it out and play it quite frequently (just yesterday as it just so happens)

@Mr_Zurkon really?

I'm happy to hear about ARMS. It was a game I purchased early on, played for a while, didn't quite get into it, and put to the side. Later on, I picked it up again and it somehow clicked for me. I've been hooked on it since, and have put a considerable amount of time into it. Really happy with the new content they've pushed out for it, including Lola Pop and the badge system. Online matches have been fun!

@Reignmaker a solid stream of Wii U ports would be great for me. If they'd just announce a Xenoblade X port I'd finally be emotionally able to sell my Wii U

??? I thought Mario+Rabbids had already crossed a million as well.

@leo13 yep, I thought the lack of story, epic music, bad voice acting, repetitive shrines, lack of complex dungeons, empty overworld, and weapon durability all combined to make a very disappointing Zelda title.

I wonder how Fire Emblem Warriors, Pokken Tournament and Mario+Rabbids did if they didn't make it to the million sellers list

1 2 Switch. Mmm. Well, I had a fair bit of fun playing it with my little one but it was pretty short lived. I don’t have buyers remorse as it served a purpose and was an entertaining experience.

I wouldn’t buy a sequel though...

1-2 switch is my biggest regret.

Splatoon 2!!!

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Tarrey Town

Got a little confused there for a second as that's a real town near me and I thought some NL commenter was stalking you in real life. Would have explained you not commenting for a week while you hid.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE I like to think of him as Tingle, but all grown up.

@dimi I guess it was a good business decision. That's $60mm. I am usually on board with Nintendo as far as their pricing and overall value that this provides. But 1 2 Switch looks like it would be overpriced at $10. The one thing I didn't like about the Switch was that it did have a good general launch title like Nintendo Land or WiiU Sports. I hope they come out with something cool eventually.

Those numbers (Zelda/MK) outsell most exclusives on PS4/X1, some 4 years later.

Shows that 3rd parties do sell consoles, if Nintendo could get everyone to favor their 3rd parties games, PS and xbox would be in Nintendo's position.

I bought 1-2 Switch (used) as it was the best demo of how awesome HD rumble can be. Plus, it's fun to play with kids.

@Phle They needed to break up the world better into smaller snadboxes of various sizes - the Yiga Clan fortress, Hyrule castle, the labyrinths, the coliseum and Event Tide Island are all good examples of this, but given the sheer size of the game, it needed more of this or straight up dungeons that use map coverage.

Being underpowered and exploring all the paths in Hyrule castle for the first time is some of the most fun I ever had in a Nintendo game, btw.

@nab1 Has it really been used similarly in other Switch games you've played - or felt comparable in other games to that of 1-2? I have, last count, 51 games on Switch and haven't yet felt any rumble that feels particularly descriptive, save for some parts of Odyssey (mini games), like they were touting as "unbelievable". I know Tumbleseed has it too,.

That's nice and all but what about the other games? Nintendo diehards need to stop losering along and buy some third party games or damned history will be doomed to repeat itself.

@Dang69 The only one which comes to mind is Shantae, where while the HD rumble isn't as cool as it is on 1-2 Switch, it uses it in novel ways like feeling the water flow when you swim.

But FYI, I haven't played that many Switch games, I hear MK8D supposedly has some cool HD rumble effects too.

It will be interesting to see how the first holiday season treats the big titles. Does ARMS have a chance yet of catching on with some?

Will it be all about Mario? ...and Zelda?

Time shall tell.

@SLIGEACH_EIRE Thanks - when we got the Switch, I got Zelda and my sister got 1-2 Switch. I have since sat through less than 5 hours of that game and whenever my sister suggests playing it, I suggest a different game. It really should be free.

How did ARMS manage to get less sales then that of 1,2 Switch o.O

@SLIGEACH_EIRE - I dunno. I bought it and it has proven to be a non-gamers' game for when the GF and I have people over. Literally paid itself off a few times over with it paired with Jackbox 2. A lot of people enjoy it.

I'm interested in how 1-2 Switch sales do over time. Whilst interested in it I refuse to pay any more than £20-£25 New for the game as it feels like the Wii Sports of the Switch. A pack-in version or download code should have been offered as an SKU option. Or even opportunities to buy the individual games.

@rockodoodle i'm not sure. Its short term profit versus long term gain. Many if it was bundled with Switch it would push sales of the console even more.

@Pod They should put out new ARMS content as one big promotable "thing" around December to get the buzz up and then push a big retail push for it one last time.

@nab1 I have both those games and haven't noticed anything that significant. Have checked rumble settings to the max when applicable in games too. Maybe having it in the grip numbs it a bit? Been playing Odyssey as split joycons and I guess I feel it more.

@Dang69 In Shantae it's pretty subtle but noticeable, but yeah, nothing like 1-2 Switch where it really does feel like the joycons have balls inside them like they talked about on the Jan/17 presentation, or the safe-cracking mini-game which is my second favorite. But overall I think the size of the joycons makes the rumble in most games not that noticeable unless you focus on it.

@DrJoson Actually, in the case of Mario and Rabbids, those sales numbers wouldn't show up here either way. This a list of first-party releases (developed or published) and Kingdom Battle is solely 3rd party made and published, so hopefully Ubisoft gives us some sales info on that game eventually. Either way, it's a safe bet that it sold over a million. It should also be noted that Pokken came out like a week before Q2 ended, so it could also have sold a million by now. FE warriors likely didn't do very well though unfortunately

Arms really didn't do as well as I thought it would have. I thought it would have crossed 2 million by now. I guess Splatoon 2 stole a lot of its thunder

@Reignmaker I should mention two things that will help you understand my feelings of BotW a little better: I’m a huge Zelda games fan, my favorite Zelda game is Twilight Princess. I have very poor imagination, so much so that when I play Minecraft, I just build a square house to hide in, plant wheat everywhere and I feel like I completed the game. I have a house and food. Of course I could build something else, but it seems pointless, the results might be awesome but the road there is boring. It’s the same as cleaning the bathroom in real life, only cleaning the bathroom is also useful later.

@Klunk23 Ahh good point regarding Mario+Rabbids, must have read the headline and accidentally skipped the first line about including only 'first party'. If they've done well then maybe Pokken and FEW will show up in the Q3 results then, though I don't think either of them have exactly set the world on fire

@Damo So these are only (worldwide) numbers for physical retail sales, right?
I wonder how many digital copies were sold on top of that. Actually, in my opinion the numbers should include the combined number of physical and digital sales.

I'm also surprised that 1.37 million people spent their money on 1-2 Switch. I get what Nintendo were trying to do here, but I can't imagine that many people having fun with it. Well, maybe I'm wrong.

@Phle Yeah, that makes more sense. Open world isn't for everyone. Curious if you like the other extreme though, which is adventure games - similar to what Telltale puts out.

@Reignmaker I love games that tell a story without giving me too many options! I even like the ones that are almost like a book. Like Steins;Gate! I do however enjoy puzzles, and even pretty difficult ones. I’m not the kind that gives up on a puzzle! I can stay awake all night if I need it.

@JaxonH "And if they continue with a Switch line of casual games I can assure you I will not be buying them."

Interesting because if they came out with "Nintendo Sports Unlimited" (lose the Wii branding obviously) or something along those lines I would buy it in a heartbeat. Wii Sports + HD Rumble? Yes please. Keep the Miis, they were great. It may not have been the greatest game ever but it set the world on fire for a reason.

@TheLobster
Sports is the exception. I would definitely buy that. But anything that's in the vein of Wii Play, Wii Fit, Wii Music, 1-2-Switch... not a chance.

Was looking at Wii U all time top five. Not only there's no third party games. But in all 5 games you can play as Mario (or dressed like Mario on Nintendo Land). Nintendo need more diversity and games that are not Nintendo or feature the plumber.

Mario Kart 8 – 8.38 million
New Super Mario Bros. U – 5.73 million
Super Mario 3D World – 5.70 million
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U – 5.26 million
Nintendo Land – 5.18 million

@JaxonH It's funny because I definitely won't buy Fifa or NBA 2K but put out a cartoony sports game and I will play that all day.

Actually I have considered buying Fifa just to support EA putting more games on Switch soooooo... I might be nuts.

I’m glad ARMS is in that list. Fantastic game and I hope it keeps its LEGS.

@DrJoson I think Pokken might have big enough of a following to have done good. Unfortunately I can't the same about warriors, which is sad since I'm a huge Fire Emblem fan.

@BlueOcean Apparently Odyssey has already passed 2 million sales so it could well surpass BOTW in a matter of weeks.Considering 3D Mario's don't normally sell as well as the 2D ones,we may see an even bigger seller than Odyssey in the Switch's lifetime.

@OorWullie That was just a feeling, it's possible that SMO will end up selling more than MK8 and BotW but it won't sell 2 millions per week, that's for sure. It will be much slower from now on. It's Switch's biggest launch and that makes clear that Switch owners are longing for new games and that Mario (and likely Pokemon) still are Nintendo's best-sellers. If SMO surpasses MK8 even Nintendo will be surprised, MK sold 8 millions to 13 Wii U owners. That attach rate is really remarkable.

@Mr_Zurkon I agree. Breath of the Wild is a very disappointing Zelda game.

@tanookisuit The Switch version of FIFA18 is not even in the UK charts anymore. If other third-party games sell like that on Switch, it will become another Wii U, only supported by Nintendo early on (multiplatform indie games aside).

@Dang69
True, it would look great on shelves among the holiday selection.

@kevtabone I think that Arms is overpriced and bare-bones, even though Nintendo is adding content like they did with the Wii U version of Splatoon that also was bare-bones. If it was cheaper more people would have tried it but a new kind of Wii Boxing fighting game needed to be more appealing for higher sales.

Anyway, I like when Nintendo does something different that is not Mario: Splatoon, Arms... But where are the classic franchises? I hope that Metroid Prime 4 is a "hardcore" shooter like MP1-3.

@Matthew010
While 1-2-Switch might not be worth full price, we all know what it would have done to the system's image if that title had come with it for free.

@BlueOcean Agreed though in all fairness EA didn't try either, they did a minimum shipment to the UK and it was an incomplete game compared to other releases which was unnecessary.

@tanookisuit Yep, let's see how other third-party games sell now. There is a decent amount coming in the next months.

@Pod Absolutely. It should have been Switch's Wii Sports, even though it's not at its level they have more reason to include it "for free".

@BlueOcean
I kind of meant that it would have impacted the image of the system negatively with the intended target audience.

The Switch would have become a "silly machine for crappy party games" and many of those that wanted one would have complained about having to pay for 1-2-Switch as a pack-in.

@Pod Do you think so? I know it's shallow, has received negative reviews and everything but as a "free" game with a £279.99 / €$330 hybrid console at least it would have shown some of the features like HD rumble. For being Switch's flagship (Zelda was a multiplatform release) and all the marketing that it got it's been a huge disappointment but that's probably because it was sold separately. It's like Wii Play Motion, a low quality collection of mini games, but without any add-on included.

@BlueOcean
I think the upsides you're listing are exactly what would act as its downfalls.

Nintendo's strategy with touch and motion controls on Switch is a lot more stealthy, and they're deliberately avoiding forcing it on anyone, as they don't want to be seen as another flimsy fad.

I agree that the game should be available for much cheaper on the eShop. It ought to be almost a no-brainer. But nobody will be convinced that it's really "free", and they will complain if they are forced to buy it with the system.

@Pod Yep, if it had to exist it should have been a cheap eShop download, but obviously Nintendo thought it would be better received than it was.

@BlueOcean I can understand that but, cut BOTW some slack, it was the FIRST atempt at open world.

@Pod Made it look mainly family-friendly?

@Matthew010
Precisely. And with reports coming in that owners are mainly male age 20-34, that could potentially have been devastating.

And seeing as the system was a little bit pricier than many expected, an included game that you might not want could sour the deal regardless of public perception.

@Neferupitou Yes, in that sense Breath of the Wild reminds me of Assassin's Creed, reaching bunches of enemies to kill them and climbing towers; and Monster Hunter, collecting, cooking and hunting monsters... Two games that I like in their own universe, but The Legend of Zelda has always been about narrative and dungeons and that's exactly what long-time fans love about it, at least the fans I know and myself.

@Zyph Considering it's both a new IP and a fighting game, I'd say that those numbers for Arms are mighty impressive indeed. A fighting game breaking the million mark today is a rare sight indeed.

@kevtabone Yep.

@dimi Teue, but Nintendo was surprised by sales. Hindsight is 20/20. That said, 1 2 Switch could not have taken much to develop, so yeah, a pack in game would have been a good idea, IMO.

Xenoblade X doesn't get a million sales but Arms does?