Summary
- Third-party physical game sales on Nintendo Switch 2 in the US nearly doubled compared to the original Switch launch.
- During its first week, third-party titles made up about 40% of Switch 2’s physical sales, compared to less than 20% during Switch 1’s first month.
- Top sellers include Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
- Analysts caution it’s too early to draw firm conclusions due to the small sample size and evolving market trends.
Third-Party Game Sales Showing Improvement on Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 has made a record-breaking launch in the US, selling over 1.1 million units in its first week alone, becoming the fastest-selling console in American history.
One notable trend has been the improved performance of third-party games compared to the original Switch’s debut.
According to Mat Piscatella, Executive Director and Video Game Industry Analyst at Circana (NPD), the share of third-party physical software sales for Switch 2 reached nearly 40% in its first week. This is a significant increase from the less than 20% share observed during the original Switch’s first month on the market.
However, Piscatella advises caution in interpreting these numbers too quickly. The Switch 2 has only been available for a few weeks, and the sample size of games is still relatively small. Early third-party game sales might not yet fully reflect longer-term trends or the true market potential for these titles on the new hardware.
Context and Challenges for Third-Party Games
While third-party sales show promise, they are still overshadowed by Nintendo’s first-party titles, which account for 62% of physical game sales in the US.
Leading this charge is Mario Kart World, followed by heavy hitters like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
Looking back, the original Switch’s launch featured many third-party games with niche appeal and less mainstream popularity. Titles such as The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth and Disgaea 5 Complete struggled to capture wide audiences. In contrast, the Switch 2’s early lineup includes blockbuster third-party games with broad recognition like Hogwarts Legacy and Street Fighter 6.
Still, many of these third-party games were available on the original Switch or other platforms for months or years before Switch 2’s launch. This availability may have tempered demand at Switch 2’s debut, as players often prioritize new, exclusive titles or major Nintendo releases.
As the Switch 2’s game library expands and more fresh content arrives, third-party game sales could continue to grow and solidify their presence in the platform’s ecosystem.
