Nintendo Switch 2: First-Party Titles Soar in Sales, Third-Party Games Struggle to Gain Traction

Impressive Start for Nintendo Switch 2: 3.5 Million Units Sold

Nintendo’s new console, the Switch 2, launched with remarkable success, achieving sales of 3.5 million units worldwide within its first four days. This impressive figure indicates a strong demand for the console, highlighting Nintendo’s effective marketing and appeal.

Disparity in Game Sales: Focused on First-Party Titles

Despite the impressive hardware sales, the momentum has not neatly transferred to game sales, particularly concerning third-party titles. According to The Game Business, a staggering 62% of physical game sales in the United States were attributed to first-party Nintendo titles, and this number soars to 86% when including Mario Kart World. A similar trend is observed in the UK, where 48% of physical sales are attributed to Nintendo games, escalating with the inclusion of Mario Kart to a notable 86%.

Physical vs. Digital Game Sales

While this focus on physical sales might appear limiting, interestingly, when digital and physical sales were evaluated, it was found that over 80% of Switch 2 game sales originated from physical retail outlets. This emphasizes the robust consumer preference for physical games over digital formats at this launch phase.

Challenges for Third-Party Publishers

Feedback from third-party publishers indicates a rocky start, as one publisher stated their sales fell “below our lowest estimates” for the Switch 2. The only standout in the third-party category seems to be Cyberpunk 2077, which was reported as the third best-selling game during the launch week, according to Circana.

Encouraging Signs for Third-Party Software

On a global scale, it’s evident that first-party Nintendo games dominate consumer interest and sales. Nevertheless, there’s a silver lining for third-party developers. Circana analyst Mat Piscatella noted that third-party games achieved nearly 40% of physical software sales during the first week, a significant improvement compared to less than 20% during the initial month of the Switch’s launch.

Third party unit share of Switch 2 physical software during week 1 reached just shy of 40%.For month 1 of the Switch launch it was less than 20%.

— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2025-06-19T17:15:19.742Z

Looking Ahead: The Future of Third-Party Games

Piscatella cautions against jumping to conclusions about the long-term prospects for third-party titles on Switch 2 since the console has only recently launched. A key difference in this generation compared to the first Switch is the significantly higher initial stock available, providing more consumers with access to the console and subsequently, third-party games.

Moreover, there’s a trend where Nintendo consoles attract buyers seeking to play Nintendo-exclusive games. With the Switch, though, third-party developers experienced increased success, leading Piscatella to highlight that by March 2025, roughly half of U. S.owners of either the PS5 or Xbox Series also owned a Switch, indicating a potential market for multiple platforms.

Gamers who previously couldn’t access titles like Cyberpunk 2077 due to hardware limitations may find the Switch 2 a compelling option for revisiting these experiences, especially if they primarily purchased the console for Nintendo’s lineup. Nevertheless, the performance of third-party titles hinges heavily on the availability of high-profile Nintendo releases, as these often drive console interest.

While it’s early days, the Switch 2 holds promise for future third-party success, particularly with its enhanced capabilities allowing for more demanding titles. If popular franchises begin to release on the Switch 2 alongside PS5 and Xbox Series X/S counterparts, it could pave the way for a thriving third-party ecosystem.

However, the acid test remains whether Nintendo chooses to release new major titles that could impact the market dynamics significantly.

Source & Images