Since time immemorial, the axiom has been that you buy a Nintendo console to play Nintendo games. Third-party games made by other publishers are worth a look, but typically those are the kinds of experiences you can find on other platforms as well. For Nintendo’s latest hardware, the Switch 2, things are trending in a similar direction — at least for now.
As reported by The Business of Gaming, early Nintendo Switch 2 stats show that early adopters in the US and UK are primarily buying the console for games like Mario Kart World and The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom Tears . Apparently, most games outside of those developed by Nintendo are selling at “very low” numbers. The Business of Gaming quotes an anonymous publisher as saying that the numbers are coming in below expected estimates.
The one exception is Cyberpunk 2077, a long-awaited port of a game that stands head and shoulders above other third-party options. CD Projekt Red’s futuristic RPG had a mixed bag of a launch, and over the course of several updates and expansions, it’s enjoyed a renaissance over the past couple of years that closely resembles the original vision pitched to fans. Cyberpunk 2077 is also beautifully packaged with a cartridge that references something in the actual game. Plus, the neo-noir adventure has the benefit of acting as a showcase for the Switch 2’s power, especially since it wasn’t available for the first console. The success of Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2 was practically preordained.
The “very low” sales of other third-party games contrasts with the eyeballs for, say, Mario Kart World, where 80% of console sales had Nintendo’s racer at purchase. There’s a good chance that the other 20% also received Mario Kart, just bought separately.
There are a few reasons why things might be unfolding this way, beyond the obvious factor that the reason to buy a Nintendo console is for the Japanese developer’s exclusive games. Many of the titles available at launch are ports of games that are already playable on all major platforms, including the original Switch. The Switch 2 and its pricing initially caused some outrage when users balked at the $449.99 price tag, which makes it more expensive than some PS5 and Xbox models. Combined with higher prices for gaming accessories like the Joy-Con 2, there’s a real possibility that some consumers will be selective in their purchases. The Switch 2 launched during a time when the price of eggs is a regular talking point, and the reality is that the console is a luxury item.
Personally, I’ve only bought Mario Kart World so far, but that’s not because I don’t want other games. It helps that backwards compatibility means my choices don’t feel limited on the Switch 2 – if anything, the increased power is giving me more reason to revisit the games I already own. I imagine I’m not alone in this, though, interestingly, a lot of the older games I’m drawn to are, you guessed it, made by Nintendo.
The TGB also points out that consumers may experience friction with the confusing concept surrounding game key cards. There’s evidence that people are accidentally buying the wrong version of a Switch game now that some titles are available on both current and previous generations. No doubt some are also fed up with the notion that key cards require you to download the game, despite buying a physical copy.
Amid all of these considerations and asterisks, it’s worth noting that the Switch 2 numbers are generally promising. The console’s sales were breaking records just days after its launch, and it’s been weeks since that point. Still, there’s no easy way to cut through the narrative surrounding the console, is there? It’s hard to say how this compares to Switch or competitors when Nintendo had far more units available to buy from the start. Would the PS5 have fared better if people had been able to find it in the first two years?
The first Switch also had far fewer physical games at launch than its younger sibling. And Nintendo didn’t make review units for the Switch 2 available to major publications, including Polygon, which affects coverage of the games as publications have to scramble to write about more big-ticket items in a timely manner. Consumers may not know what else is worth playing beyond Mario Kart World , and thus may not care — the racer hasn’t lost its luster yet.
As time goes on, the narrative around the Switch 2 and third-party options may change. People may buy Nintendo consoles for Nintendo games, but the first Switch was still a favorite repository for indie games. Then again, things worked out that way because of the times. In 2017, most major games were handcuffed to TVs and monitors. These days? The number of high-powered portable machines is getting hard to keep up with, and there are only more coming.
Correction (June 19) : This story originally stated that Cyberpunk 2077 was released for Switch. We’ve updated it to clarify that it was only released for Switch 2.
