Nintendo Switch's Best-Selling Games Since Launch Includes Big New Debut

Nintendo has released its latest financial statements for the quarter ending December 31, 2019, with continued booming success for its console-portable hybrid, the Nintendo Switch. Alongside the financial data is the company's updated list of its best-selling first-party software, and two new additions--Pokemon Sword and Shield and Luigi's Mansion 3--have each made big entrances that have pushed other, older games off the top ten.

The biggest new addition is Pokemon, which rocketed to the number five spot despite being on the market for just six weeks. That strong start of 16.06 million has already almost caught up with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which has been out since the Switch launch. It also rose above several games that have been out much longer, like Splatoon 2. The other new addition, Luigi's Mansion 3, made a respectable debut in tenth place with 5.37 million since its Halloween launch.

Those two new additions displaced a few other games that had appeared in last quarter's charts--namely, Super Mario Maker 2 and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. As of September 30 they had sold 3.93 million and 3.13 million, respectively. They've certainly added to those totals since, but with something less than Luigi's 5.37 million. Nintendo noted in its earnings statement that Mario Maker 2 has sold more than 5 million.

Strong sales for Pokemon aren't surprising, though, as the long-running franchise often dominates Nintendo's best-seller charts. The 3DS charts, for example, show Pokemon composing three of the top five all-time best-sellers. Notably, the top-selling 3DS Pokemon game is Pokemon X/Y with 16.44 million, which means Sword and Shield almost caught up with its lifetime sales after just six weeks on the market.

All of the 3DS Pokemon games are topped by Mario Kart 7, similar to how Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has remained steadily atop the Switch charts. But with such a strong debut, Sword and Shield may eventually topple it.

Best-Selling Switch Games (As of December 31)

1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe -- 22.96 million
2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate -- 17.68 million
3. Super Mario Odyssey -- 16.59 million
4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild -- 16.34 million
5. Pokemon Sword/Shield -- 16.06 million
6. Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee -- 11.76 million
7. Splatoon 2 -- 9.81 million
8. Super Mario Party -- 9.12 million
9. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe -- 5.85 million
10. Luigi's Mansion 3 -- 5.37 million