Nintendo’s Switch 2 has exploded onto the scene, quickly earning the title of the company’s “fastest-selling hardware ever.” Yet, while the console itself flies off shelves, early reports suggest a surprisingly challenging start for most third-party game sales, painting a less rosy picture beyond Nintendo’s dominant first-party lineup.
Industry analyst Chris Dring of TheGameBusiness compiled initial sales data indicating that third-party titles are currently struggling to find traction on the new console. One unnamed third-party publisher candidly described their launch sales performance as “below our lowest estimates,” underscoring the challenge.
First-Party Dominance in Early Sales
Data points to a significant skew towards Nintendo’s own games in the crucial launch window. Physical game sales in the UK saw 48% being first-party titles when excluding the bundled Mario Kart World game. However, when that incredibly popular bundle is included, Nintendo’s share of UK physical sales soared to a dominant 86%. In the US, first-party games accounted for 62% of physical sales (excluding the bundle).
At launch, Nintendo had three physical titles available: the bundled Mario Kart World, plus Switch 2 editions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom. In stark contrast, third-party publishers collectively released 13 physical games, including notable names like Civilization 7, Split Fiction, Street Fighter, and Hogwarts Legacy. While this 86% first-party share in the UK is a slight improvement over the original Switch launch (where first-party hit 89%), the numbers for most individual third-party games were reportedly quite low.
Cyberpunk 2077: A Notable Exception
Not every third-party title faced disappointment. CD Projekt’s Cyberpunk 2077 emerged as the best-selling third-party game during the Switch 2 launch period, achieving “reasonable numbers.” This relative success is noteworthy, and Dring highlights that CD Projekt was one of the few publishers not to use Nintendo’s controversial Game Key Cards, which require a full digital download despite a physical purchase. This aligns with previous sentiment from CD Projekt’s Jan Rosner, who emphasized the importance of “physical editions that are done right” for Nintendo players who appreciate tangible cartridges.
Why the Slow Start for Third Parties?
Several potential factors could be contributing to the weak initial third-party performance:
Enhanced Backward Compatibility: The Switch 2’s ability to play original Switch games means many early adopters might be busy revisiting or catching up on the extensive legacy library rather than buying new titles.
Limited Review Visibility: Nintendo’s decision not to provide early consoles to press may have hindered review coverage for third-party games at launch.
Port-Heavy Lineup: The majority of third-party launch titles are ports of older games already available on other platforms, which core players may have already experienced or purchased elsewhere.
The Mario Kart World Effect: The immense popularity and bundling of Mario Kart World likely consumed a significant portion of early player spending and gaming time.
Looking Ahead: Promise for Third-Party Support
Despite the challenging launch figures for many, publishers reportedly indicate that Nintendo is “actively trying to push third-party games this time around.” While the initial sales paint a difficult picture, there’s potential for improvement as the launch dust settles and players look for new experiences beyond the initial wave.
Looking further out, the future third-party landscape for Switch 2 shows promise. Microsoft has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing the Call of Duty franchise to the platform, with both teams actively working on it, despite the latest installment, Black Ops 7, not being a launch title. Furthermore, acclaimed developer FromSoftware is set to bring their hit Elden Ring to Switch 2 and is even developing a brand-new, unique IP, The Duskbloods, slated as a timed exclusive for the console in 2026, blending Soulborne elements with unexpected features like jetpacks and dinosaur transformations. Other confirmed third-party games like EA Sports Madden 26 and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 are also on the horizon.
Ultimately, the Switch 2 launch is a story of contrasting fortunes: phenomenal success for Nintendo’s console and key first-party titles, juxtaposed with disappointing early sales for most third-party games. The coming months will reveal whether third-party publishers can overcome the initial hurdles and capitalize on the Switch 2’s clear market momentum, buoyed by future high-profile releases.
