Here Are The Top Ten Best-Selling Nintendo Switch Games As Of September 2018

Some great games there! Glad that XC2 has sold that much, it bodes well for the future of that franchise.

Dat gap between Splatoon 2 at 4 and 1-2 Switch at 5 is gargantuan and quite telling about Nintendo's output.

ARMS, Mario Tennis Aces, and Kirby, all had the potential to do better (and still might obviously, particularly MTA), but each game was missing something to drive it to the next tier.

LOL 1-2-Switch !
Never Ever Underestimate that "Tech Demo" game.
For Casual lover, that game might be better than AAA games.

My personal guess would be smash will end up below Zelda and above splatoon, whereas let’s go (combining the two) would end up just below Splatoon. I imagine Pokémon 2019 will end up beating splatoon and Zelda though. Proper Pokemon always gets numbers

Nice to see an rpg gets in at no. 10 as the only 3rd party game

I reckon MK8D will eventually pass Odyssey and go on to become the best selling Switch game. The only thing that will stop it from doing so is a new entry.

Mario Odyssey will outsell Mario Galaxy by the end of the year to become the top-selling 3D Mario entry in just over a year after its launch. Very impressive.

Mario Kart 8 DX and Zelda Breath of the Wild are selling more this year than they did last year during Q3. Amazing legs for both games. Breath of the Wild will sell more copies this calendar year than many other Zelda games have sold during their entire lifetimes.

@Dazzle Yep definitley. Seems like a no brainer but it's Nintendo so who knows if it'll ever come. A new Mario Kart for Switch also seems like a no brainer, it's a guaranteed 20+ million seller at this stage but again who knows.

Happy to see Xenoblade with 1.5 million copies, This game is epic, it worth a little bit more to I think. I hope to see a sequel soon.

Super Mario Odyssey is amazing !

Seems like Nintendo were stupid to release Mario kart 8 again,how will these Wii U ports sell any copies.

@OorWullie Given what we've seen with the likes of MK8, Zelda TP, BotW, and GTA5, The Last Story etc., I wouldn't be surprised to see more marquee series bridging generations, thus a MK9 releasing towards the latter end of Switch's cycle, with an MK9D releasing on the next hardware.

Surprised Mario Rabbids wasn't in the list, since we keep hearing how well it has done since release. But yes, a lot of great titles in there. I own 1 to 4 and 9.

Nice to see my favorite game on Switch, and my all time second favorite JRPG, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, on that list one last time. Before more mainstream games like Pokemon, Animal Crossing and Smash knock it off the list.

1-2 Switch is only so high because it was a launch title. I am pretty sure it belongs in the bargain bin now that most of us know it was nothing but a pile of so-so mini games.

All Nintendo games. I thought Mario rabbids and Fifa 18 might’ve sold good

Sad to see this list, as 3 of its titles are ports from Wii U (I know that BotW was released in the same time for Switch but still this game is developed for Wii U at first), and some are poor representatives of their series (Kirby & Tennis). Also 1-2-Switch, it's fun only for few hours, when you play all minigames for 1-2-Times you hardly want to touch it again. But I must admit that other four entries are new & shiny, Xeno 2, Odyssey, ARMS & Splatoon 2 all are great exclusives. Wish people give more love to another Switch only game, Mario + Rabbids. And looking forward for upcoming announced games for this & next years.

These are just Nintendo first and second party titles.

Ubisoft confirmed Mario and Rabbids had passed 2m, Octopath Traveller had also passed 1m quite quickly after release and I believe Super Bomberman R also achieved that.

0. Pikmin 4 - 9000 mellion

@Medic_alert

I am 99% sure this is 1st party games only, given that mario plus rabbids has been confirmed to sell over 2mil units

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/09/mario_plus_rabbids_on_nintendo_switch_has_sold_more_than_two_million_copies

#7 is pretty shocking though! lol

Is this the top selling first party games list or the top selling list overall?

Because if it is the overall list, that's gotta be concerning for third party developers. Not even a single third party game in the Top 10? You'd think Mario + Rabbids at least would have made the list.

Maaaaaan I'm glad ARMS and Xenoblade 2 made that list.

Xenoblade deserved more
Unless it's a Square game people won't be particularly interested. A shame.

@BladedKnight Actually I just played it two days ago with my brother. We have a lot of fun in it

@Octane Just looked at the release schedule Nintendo posted in their quarterly review.

Metroid Prime 4 and Bayonetta 3 were both 'TBA' rather than '2019' and, funnily enough, I saw no reference to Pikmin 4 at all

@Qwiist I think its more likely Mario Kart 9 will be an expanison for Mk8 deluxe. Maybe not called Mario kart 9 but theres not much a new installment could bring and new characters, courses and costumes are always welcome.

@oji
And I personally talk even about 4 games because Splatoon 2 is really a 1.5 version of the Wii U one.

After 20 months of existence, I think its a really sad "TOP 10".
Without the Wii U catalogue, the Switch librairy is really not great at all in terms of big hits !

@RushDawg It would if it wasnt only for 1st party games. M+R has sold over 2 mil

@gcunit Do you have a link? Not that I don't believe you, but since they changed their site layout I can't find it anymore...

Yeah, Metroid and Bayonetta were both two ''now in development'' announcements. Pokemon 2019 too, but at least we now know that's coming next year. Pikmin 4 has never been on their release schedule AFAIK.

@lumothesinner @Medic_alert Yeah.. And Pokken is not on the list either, nor is Minecraft or Octopath (which I would think would be on the list)

Happy for Mario Odyssey, but also a shoutout to Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze. I finally got my hands on it and well... Retro Studios, please keep on being you. Your work is exceptional to the point that it is almost hard to believe at points.

Anyway. It's a real shame that.... Sonic Mania Plus is still swirling in the Phantom Ruby's Void.

@gcunit know what you mean but I think those numbers for Mario tennis and Kirby are pretty good and already more than those franchises usually sell. Think if there had been a new donkey king country game that would def occupy that middle ground.

@Cobalt
"After 20 months of existence, I think its a really sad "TOP 10"."

And then what do you expect ?

@roboshort Pokken I think would have dropped off now, it hit 1.1 back in march but I don't see it getting much higher. Minecraft I don't know about, I think we would have heard it it hit a mil, but octopath definitely has hit 1 mil and probably on its way to 2

Kinda sad to see Tropical Freeze missing out on it's sales potential - that game is really good

@Anti-Matter

I expect more "real Switch games". Games that I never played in the previous generation...

For me, it's a shame to have in your TOP 10 of best selling games, 4 ports that come from the "so bad previous system"... A real shame !

@BladedKnight 1-2-Switch sure but ARMS? Nah...

@bolt05 it's a 2nd party game. Nintendo owns Monolith Soft.

I hope they are cooking a new DLC for Super Mario Odyssey. Also, where is the GotY Edition of BotW?

@RushDawg it's only first party games, like others have pointed out games like Mario and Rabbids have surpassed 2 million

@Cobalt I only see two? MK8DX and DK Tropical Freeze.

Breath of the wild is a multi platform release on the same day, you know like assassins creed odyessey and call of duty black ops are, they release on multiple consoles but are designed with the lowest spec in mind but run better on the newer hardware. Its not a late port like mk8dx, dk, pokken etc

@Octane https://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-release-schedule-october-2018/

@bolt05 this list is only of first party titles. Nintendo does not share numbers of third parties

@Cobalt
My Switch games are REAL !!
Lower your expectation.
Smaller games will NOT killing you.
Even the games like 1-2-Switch, Yonder, Overcooked, LABO, those smaller games are Really Interesting once you engaged.
Real games is NOT always Full Action with OMG Ultra HD Graphics.
Just look at Animal Crossing New Leaf 3DS.
That the example of REAL Games.
Not by Graphic, Not by Actions, Not by Violence, Just by their Charming and Cuteness.

Btw, even Ports, did you EVEN EVER play those games before ?
Don't tell me you HATE ports before even playing the games.

@OorWullie Yep, I agree. If we do end up getting a Super Mario Odyssey 2, which I believe is very likely, then that will split sales for Mario and give Mario Kart 8 Deluxe breathing space at the top of the chart.

In terms of a new Mario Kart game launching... I think it's going to happen, but holiday 2020 the earliest. I'm hoping they will take on a similar approach to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and flesh it out with loads more Retro tracks and characters (as well as all new tracks of course). I'm thinking a spiritual successor to Double Dash could be on the cards, with dual joy con for dual kart riders somehow being a key feature...

Wait—I thought that Octopath AND Rabbids + Mario each sold over 2 million

Get ready for sales POKEMON.

@BanjoPickles This is just 1st and 2nd party games showing.

@lumothesinner I just checked and Pokken DX had sold 1.3 mil in April so 1.5+ seems realistic for it's present sales. Nintendo wouldn't report it, though.. Pokemon Co would. Not sure about Minecraft but it's apparently sold 330K+ in Japan alone so I would be surprised if it hadn't sold 1 million worldwide

It always amazes me whenever this list goes up after the financial report concerning 'Nintendo developed' games people bemoan no 3rd party games. Please Nintendo Life staff can u make this clearer somehow after future reports so we don't have to sit through all these comments.

@roboshort wouldn't it be BandaiNamco?

Just like Mario&Rabbids would be in Ubisofts financials for all the people questioning where that game is on the list.

I laughed out loud at the 'number seven will shock you' line, but then I was actually shocked at number 7 😂

I enjoyed my time with Odyssey (yes-see) but I have no urge to go back and play it. Still haven't played XC2 even though I love that series. With a wife, three kids and working from home I just can't have a timesink like that in my life. Sad to say but times change.

@The_Mysteron
Well, Unique Boxing games ARMS is Perfect for gamers who have interest about Boxing like me.

@toffeecrit My understanding is that it is usually whoever financed the project (and owns the IP) that reports on its sales... In this case, I think that it is Nintendo and the Pokemon Co so I think Pokemon Co would probably report its sales since Nintendo didn't.

My predictions for Next Quarter
1.MK8D
2.SMO
3.BOTW
4.SU
5.S2
6.PLG (P&E)
7.1-2SWITCH
8.MTA
9.SMP
10.KSA

This is all well and good, but can we talk about the new dislike button?! Finally, a way for ignorant jerks to see that more people disagree with them than the 1, maybe 2 people that liked their comment. I say that knowing fully well that I spout some crap every now and then.

@roboshort maybe, but Bandai did mention Pokemon revenue in their last financial results. If that is Pokken I don't know, it doesn't specify.

The same old story every quarter. Again: these numbers are from Nintendo's financials and include only their own games. This is not the Switch top 10, this is the top 10 of Nintendo games on the Switch. Nintendo never announces numbers for third parties, therefore you won't see anything about Minecraft, FIFA, 2K, or anything else here unless their publishers choose to do so in their own earnings reports. Also, can somebody tell the purple haired resident troll to play some Splatoon 2 before he spouts his idiocy yet again?

@Anti-Matter I don't think casuals are buying a $300 system to play basic games. They already have a phone.

The Wii u had more games to offer then the switch has,

I'm actually disappointed that Xeno 2 is being best by some of those games. But I guess RPGs are for more hardcore players.

Good to see BOTW going up. Interesting to see Mk8 almost overtake Odyssey. But a MK game is a must buy.

@Trajan
Oh, don't underestimate Casual gamers.
Once they can be convinced to try Switch games, they can switching from mobile gamers into Switch gamers.

I want to know what the half of Switch owners that haven’t bought Mario Odyssey or Zelda are playing 🤔 I think those are definitely must play on Switch.

@lumothesinner @Vapeguy

Appreciate the clarification! Unfortunately, the original article was not clear. In fact, the article suggests that it is a list of the Top 10 best selling Switch games, period, when fact it is only a list of first party games.

We’ve been through this before, there isn’t going to be a Mario Kart 9 on the Switch. Live by portbegging, die by portbegging.

@Anti-Matter Yes, but then they wouldn't be getting 1-2 switch.

I'm convinced most purchases of 1-2 switch are done by accident.

Xenoblade deserves so much more.

The sales show down problem is clear to see!

Last year's software lineup was great!

This year?
Not so much.

@BladedKnight

I don’t get why so many people buy overpriced tech demos in the first place. I’m sure people will enjoy the mini games, but it never should have been priced at AAA game prices to begin with.

@3rdParty on Reddit threads about regretting a purchase, there were hundreds who said 1-2 switch.

So maybe a little bit of both.

Nice to see ARMS isn't selling much anymore. I was right it only sold because there were no other games to buy at the time.

@BladedKnight
I do! Booze, friends & 1 2 Switch are always a great time. Just played it a month or so ago.

@Medic_alert this is from Nintendo financial report, so would assume it's Nintendo games only

Xenoblade 2 is fantastic. I've just started the Torna expansion and I am loving it as well. So much story in these games. After Torna I will go back and play Xeno 2 thru again

And here are how those top 10 games preformed in the last 3 months:

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 1.36 million (Up from 1.13 million between April & June 2018)

Super Mario Odyssey – 1 million (Up from 0.76 million between April & June 2018)

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 0.96 million (Up from 0.84 million between April & June 2018)

Mario Tennis Aces – 0.16 million (Down from 1.38 million between April & June 2018)

Splatoon 2 – 0.71 million (Down from 0.74 million between April & June 2018)

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – 0.27 million (Down from 1.40 million between April & June 2018)

Kirby Star Allies – 0.21 million (Down from 0.63 million between April & June 2018)

1-2-Switch – 0.21 million (Up from 0.16 million between April & June 2018)

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – 0.11 million (Same from 0.11 million between April & June 2018)

ARMS – 0.09 million (Down from 0.16 million between April & June 2018)

@KayFiOS Woohooo! Finally!

So, basically the same as 2017 except for 3.

@Cobalt Given how Splatoon 2 turned out. It definitely is not a 1.5 game. People are still trying to use this argument lol.

@SuperGhirahim64
The Wii U version of Breath of the Wild has shipped ~2 million copies.

At 12 million copies shipped globally, Breath of the Wild has comfortably outsold every other Zelda game is less than a year. I'm not sure how much more you were expecting this game to sell such a time-frame.

Great Splatoon 2 numbers, with Arms breaking the 2 Million hopefully we will get a sequel.

I am just glad to see that for a new IP ARMS pulled some decent numbers. I still hope for a sequel one day.

@gcunit I was about to mention something to that effect. It really is shocking to see that much of a drop in sales between those games. Like theres BOTW, MK8, Odyssey, and then basically everything else. The bigger shock for me is the sales disparity between Splatoon 2 and ARMS. Arms (while it has sold well) has sold nowhere close to Splatoon 2 despite being a new ip released around the same time. Even when compared to splatoon 1 sales it still seems disappointing.

@Toph6661 What is "proper Pokémon" to you?