The Nintendo Switch has been around since March 3rd, 2017. In that time, the little hybrid “console that could” has had some great games. Nintendo is known for its first-party games like Mario, Metroid, Zelda, and more, but some of the best-selling games on the console might surprise you. They’re all straight from Nintendo or another company that’s adjacent to Nintendo, whether that’s for a fitness game or a cartoonish shooter.
The Nintendo Switch just celebrated passing up the Sony PlayStation 1 as the fifth highest-selling game console of all time. With a console that’s selling over 100 units, there’s sure to be some high-selling games. This data is all straight from Nintendo.
Here are the Top 10 Highest Selling Nintendo Switch Games.
10. Ring Fit Adventure – 12.21 Million Units
This is the biggest surprise on the list. Ring Fit Adventure took the world by storm in 2020. It was sold out everywhere and it tapped into the budding COVID-19 pandemic at-home exercise market. This one echoes the WiiFit craze a bit. Playing this one now, it’s a bit gimmicky, but it does the job of actually getting your blood pumping a bit. Nintendo has been about crazy peripherals for their consoles since they started, so this one makes complete sense.
9. Splatoon 2 – 12.68 Million Units
Splatoon 2 is the closest thing you’re going to get to an FPS shooter with online multiplayer on the Switch. This is the newest of the first-party Nintendo IPs as well. So for Splatoon to get here in just its second game is pretty impressive. We’re all still waiting to see what’s next for this series, but they’ve got big shoes to fill when it comes to sales.
8. Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu/Let’s Go, Eevee! – 13.83 Million Units
While we waited for a legit, new Pokemon game on the Switch, we got halfway between Pokemon Go and Pokemon Yellow remake with Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee. These might not satisfy the hardcore Pokemaniacs out there, but for the time, this was all we had in regards to Pocket Monsters on the Switch. The casual audience ate this one up with almost 14 million units sold.
7. Super Mario Party – 16.48 Million Units
Mario Party had a rough couple of years there. The games on the Wii and WiiU weren’t as well-received as the Gamecube installments. Super Mario Party didn’t reinvigorate the series as much as some would hope, but the games are now back on track with the release of Mario Party Superstars.
6. Super Mario Odyssey – 21.95 Million Units
Speaking of returns to form, Super Mario Odyssey brought the series back to the 3D worlds we knew and loved from Super Mario 64. Odyssey added more than enough original content to the Super Mario formula and it reflected in massive sales on the Nintendo Switch. We’re still waiting to see what Nintendo’s follow-up to this game is.
5. Pokemon Sword/Shield – 22.64 Million Units
Now for the first true, new, 3D Pokemon games on the Switch. Taking the series from 2.5D into the third dimension was a boon for the series. Pokemon Sword and Shield gave us tons of new Pokemon to play around with, and a grand story with quality of life improvements that stick with the series to this day. Pokemon Legends Arceus looks to take the series to a new state of play later this month.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 24.13 Million Units
Is it the greatest game of all time? The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a force of nature when it launched with the Nintendo Switch in March 2017. There’s still no better way to experience the majesty of Breath of the Wild than on the Nintendo Switch. The long-awaited sequel should release later in 2022.
3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 25.71 Million Units
Every Smash Bros. Character ever. That’s the selling point for what could be the best party game ever. Simple controls, recognizable characters, and addictive gameplay make Super Smash Bros. Ultimate the biggest game in the series, and one of the best for any kind of gamer to pick up and play. It’ll be hard for Nintendo to top this one whenever they decide to continue the Smash Bros. series.
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 34.85 Million Units
Did you live through 2020 without Animal Crossing: New Horizons? This game helped millions through the darkest days of the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a part home simulator, and just an all-around relaxing game. It’s simple and it lets you live out your dreams of being with anthropomorphic animals on an island resort of your building.
1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 38.74 Million Units
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is a lot like the Smash Bros. Ultimate of Mario Kart games. It’s a remaster of the previous game on the WiiU, but it also adds more content and makes the experience that much better. Combined with the WiiU sales, this juggernaut of a game is the 8th highest selling video game of all time. Animal Crossing could beat this one out eventually, but if you own a Nintendo Switch, you kind of need to have Mario Kart.
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