Nintendo Reveals How Much Better Its Smaller Games Sell on Switch Than Past Systems

Nintendo Reveals How Much Better Its Smaller Games Sell on Switch Than Past Systems

As a long-time Nintendo fan and collector of their consoles since the days of the NES, I can’t help but be thrilled by the recent surge in popularity for some of their lesser-known franchises on the Switch. It’s heartening to see the success of games like Metroid Dread, Pikmin, Xenoblade, and Kirby, which have all seen a significant boost compared to their previous generations.


It’s no secret that Nintendo software has sold very well in the Switch era. More than 146 million console units have been sold over nearly eight years, and those system owners have sought out a lot of games to play. Nintendo franchises have always been the main incentive of owning the company’s gaming systems, but it’s not just Mario and Zelda that have been selling; some of Nintendo’s smaller series have suddenly seen a huge surge in interest. As part of the company’s Corporate Management Policy Briefing, Nintendo shared a chart highlighting how Pikmin, Metroid, Xenoblade, and Kirby have all seen significant growth on Switch when compared with games released on Wii U and 3DS.

In the table provided, you’ll find parallel representations of various items. It’s important to keep in mind that these figures exclude software that can only be downloaded and not physically purchased. This likely means that Nintendo is tallying up digital sales for games such as “Kirby and the Forgotten Land,” but it does not include titles like “Kirby’s Dream Buffet” because it did not have a physical release version available.

Nintendo Reveals How Much Better Its Smaller Games Sell on Switch Than Past Systems

Arranging things this way gives us a clearer understanding of how Nintendo’s franchises have flourished over time. The upcoming console from Nintendo, tentatively called “Switch 2”, is causing excitement, as we wonder if the sales trends will persist. Historically, Nintendo has found it challenging to sustain success after a hit system; for instance, Wii U was a significant disappointment compared to Wii, and 3DS didn’t achieve the same level of sales as DS. Yet, the increasing popularity of their franchises could boost console sales. Unlike PlayStation and Xbox, which support multiplatform gaming, Nintendo consoles are the sole platforms where you can enjoy Nintendo games. Anticipated titles such as Pikmin 5 or Xenoblade Chronicles 4 won’t be available on PS5 or Steam.

The numerical performance of these games offers a tantalizing peek into Nintendo’s potential future. While it’s improbable that Pikmin or Xenoblade will ever attain the same magnitude as Zelda or Mario, who would have thought Animal Crossing: New Horizons would manage to sell an astonishing 46 million copies? This game’s success was influenced by several unique factors, and it remains uncertain if these conditions can be replicated on another platform. Yet, one thing is clear – there are significantly more fans for Animal Crossing now compared to before.

RELATED: Nintendo President Gives Update on Switch 2 Announcement Window

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been following Nintendo closely, and I’m wondering if their game series will maintain their fanbase across future console generations. It seems they’re placing a big bet on this assumption, which is why we’ve seen them expanding their horizons lately. From Switch software to movies, theme park attractions, merchandise, and mobile apps, Nintendo is putting all their chips on these ventures to keep their properties relevant. As we approach 2025, when their next system might launch, we’ll have a clearer picture of whether they can sustain this current wave of popularity.

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2024-11-06 19:41