On the time of writing, the Swap has the very best variety of software program gross sales of any Nintendo console, ever, with over one billion video games offered on the platform since March 2017. What’s extra, its lead is so commanding that it’s going to doubtless maintain this pole place for a very good few years to return (except there’s a sudden surge in gross sales for DS video games across the nook that no person noticed coming).
Of all the video games obtainable on the Swap, a choose few have been in a position to make it into the elite membership of surpassing a million items offered. It is a feat that has solely been achieved by 69 first-party video games as of December 2023, with titles ranging throughout the breadth of the Swap’s lifespan.
With the discharge of the most recent Nintendo monetary report, we have now collected collectively all the Nintendo-printed video games (together with ones that had been solely printed by the Massive N in sure areas — hello, Octopath Traveler!) to have reached the massive ‘one milly’ — with a lot of them hitting a number of ‘millys’ [Stop saying ‘milly’ – Ed.] — and laid them out beneath so as of lifetime gross sales. We have additionally added our abstract of every recreation to jog your reminiscence if, , maybe you want a reminder about what little-known curios like Mario Kart or Animal Crossing are about.
Most of the following video games’ whole lifetime gross sales figures have come from the most recent monetary report, although we have now needed to look to earlier experiences for some video games that have not offered as effectively in recent times. It is value taking into account that whereas we have now used the newest knowledge obtainable to us, a few of the following totals might differ barely at this time.
This rating is assured to alter considerably with the subsequent monetary report, so we can be protecting the standings up to date each time we get one other take a look at the official gross sales knowledge.
Till then, you’ll find all the first-party Swap video games to have offered a minimum of a million copies beneath…
Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2023): 60.58 million
Mario Kart 8 delivered an enormous quantity of racing goodness proper out of the field on Wii U and was solely a correct Battle Mode away from being high of sophistication. The massive twist this time round was the introduction of ‘anti-gravity’ sections which permit tracks to bend and twist on themselves in shocking methods. This does not impression the gameplay all that a lot however throughout anti-grav sections it is potential to collide with different racers and acquire a small velocity enhance, including a welcome layer of tactical play. It is a recreation that frequently raises a smile and, often, induces that trademark Mario Kart rage as shells strike and positions are misplaced. It is addictive, unifying, unfiltered enjoyable that pulls in anybody daring sufficient to take up the wheel.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe repackaged the unique for the hybrid handheld for all the thousands and thousands of people that did not play on Wii U and added in that glorious (and sorely missed) Battle Mode for good measure. That is the top of the whole collection; a quick, enticing, sublimely playable romp which has to rank as among the best racing video games of all time. It is the definitive Mario Kart expertise, content-rich and a pleasant feast of comedic, cartoonish karting motion. Important.
And the addition of 48 extra programs with the awkwardly named Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Move DLC? Effectively, that is simply extra icing on an already-grand cake, is not it?
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Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2023): 44.79 million
Animal Crossing: New Horizons takes the collection and never solely drags it again onto residence consoles, however improves upon each single side conceivable. There’s extra to do, extra to see, extra to alter, extra to mould, and extra to like; followers and first-time gamers are going to seek out themselves dropping hours at a time gathering supplies, creating new furnishings, and making their island undeniably theirs. Each second is unashamedly blissful, with excellently-written characters that really really feel alive and an island paradise that provides again infinitely greater than you set in. Again when Animal Crossing: New Leaf hit the cabinets all these years in the past and created an entire new technology of followers, many individuals had been questioning how Nintendo might presumably high it, however right here we have now our reply. It is a masterpiece that it is value shopping for a Swap (or two) to play.
Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2023): 33.67 million
How does this ‘final’ model of Smash stack up towards the remaining? Vocal considerations about previous video games had been actively addressed. Each single fighter from the collection is current (even Pichu) and joined by a colossal roster of DLC characters from the annals of gaming (let’s not overlook that this is the sport answerable for bringing Banjo and Kazooie again residence to a Nintendo console). The customisability is overwhelmingly huge, and it’s all topped off with super-solid single-player modes besides.
We’re undecided how you possibly can make a extra sturdy or pleasing Smash recreation. Tremendous Smash Bros. Final really is the final instalment within the collection, and it makes you marvel the place Masahiro Sakurai can presumably take this franchise subsequent.
![Super Smash Bros. Ultimate [Download Code - UK/EU]](https://images.nintendolife.com/products/25512/100x100.png)
Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2023): 31.61 million
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a landmark launch, each for its franchise and Nintendo. It was the primary time that Nintendo really took on the open-world style, and by arriving late to the social gathering it embraced the strengths from top-of-the-class video games whereas additionally forging its personal distinctive id. This recreation was a revolution for the collection, however the Legend of Zelda essence remains to be there — its soul stays, and the tip result’s charming. After years of following the identical outdated template, Nintendo bravely took Zelda in a brand new path, and delivered an absolute triumph which nonetheless has us frequently revisiting its iteration of Hyrule.
Breath of the Wild solid a brand new and thrilling path forward and we can’t wait to see the place it takes the collection.
Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2023): 27.65 million
There’s an argument to be made that Mario 64 by no means bought a ‘true’ sequel till this recreation: Sunshine’s FLUDD muddied the waters with its characteristic set; the Galaxy video games cleverly eschewed giant open worlds for impeccably crafted planetoids designed round particular gameplay components; 3D Land and 3D World had been intentionally constrained with linear design to draw gamers of 2D Mario into the third dimension.
Tremendous Mario Odyssey was a return for the ‘sandbox’ model of Mario journey gamers had been pining for since 1996, and it delivers every part you possibly can need and extra. Cappy’s seize talents hold issues contemporary in a recreation which blends all kinds of concepts and artwork kinds into an improbably coherent, compelling complete. It actually should not work, however New Donk Metropolis’s human inhabitants are in a position to co-exist with the anthropomorphic cutlery of the Luncheon Kingdom and the big-eyed cute characters of the Mushroom Kingdom clan thanks solely to the builders’ impeccable execution. The mechanical mastery on show right here is breathtaking; there is a joyful abandon to the sport which carries by each kingdom you go to, with so many distractions and issues to find. We do not envy the designers who should provide you with Mario’s subsequent recreation, but when Mario Odyssey’s something to go by, completely something is feasible.
An completely exceptional entry on this most celebrated of collection, then, and an important buy whether or not you want Mario or not.
Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2023): 26.17 million
Pokémon Sword and Protect achieve bringing some new concepts to the desk, though there are areas the place it might be pushed additional. What’s performed proper is finished proper, however there are additionally components that really feel like they’ve come from a decade-old design doc. There are moments contained inside which can be the most effective the collection has ever been, however this pleasure is often spoiled by contrasting moments that left us disenchanted. It is an expertise stuffed with highs and lows, from the unadulterated marvel and pleasure of seeing a brand-new Pokémon in a stadium stuffed with cheering crowds, to the monotonous and dragged-out dialogue we simply wished to skip. The wonders of exploring the Wild Space really feel just like the true evolution of the collection.
On the entire, Pokémon Sword and Protect had been a really stable begin to the HD technology of Pokémon video games, though there’s room for enchancment.
Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2023): 24.36 million
There are nonetheless lots extra methods we’d prefer to see the Pokémon franchise evolve however regardless of some obtrusive technical hiccups, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet has us excited in regards to the collection’ future. We actually hope Recreation Freak can determine methods to clean out the collection’ ongoing efficiency points on Swap as a result of they’re going to change into a critical detriment over time.
Scarlet & Violet is most enjoyable and thrilling while you’re simply exploring the world, and whereas there are lots of small new particulars and enhancements to the Pokémon components, it nonetheless performs it secure in a couple of areas. Regardless, issues level towards a promising future for Gen 9 and past. It’s a smaller step than many might have hoped for, particularly contemplating what Pokémon Legends: Arceus did, however it’s undoubtedly one in the best path.
Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2023): 20.34 million
Current Mario Get together video games have had a considerably sterile really feel to them, however with Tremendous Mario Get together (the Swap’s first Mario Get together outing), that merely isn’t the case. This isn’t a money seize with Mario’s face on the entrance; this can be a well-constructed and superbly realised Mario Get together recreation which takes the collection proper again to its roots, however with out being an easy rehash.
There are a couple of fascinating concepts that really feel slightly bit underdeveloped — such because the overhyped Problem mode — however on the entire Tremendous Mario Get together is a real return to type after it felt just like the collection was sagging on the Wii, Wii U, and DS consoles.
![Super Mario Party [Download Code - UK/EU]](https://images.nintendolife.com/products/25513/100x100.png)
Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2023): 20.28 million
It’s unattainable to speak about every part that makes The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom so unimaginable, and making a lot of these discoveries yourselves is a part of the magic. It’s additionally unattainable to overstate simply how a lot there’s to do in Hyrule this time round. Very like its predecessor, that is your playground for the subsequent nevertheless a few years to return, with slightly sprinkling of that older Zelda fairy mud blended into Breath of the Wild’s components. It’s an excellent, triumphant sequel to among the best video video games of all time; absolute unfiltered bliss to lose your self in for tons of of hours. We will’t wait to see what the world will do with the sport.
Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2023): 17.20 million
New Tremendous Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a powerful bundle, providing the most effective of modern-era 2D Mario, madcap multiplayer and glimpses of the outrageous invention that was to return in Tremendous Mario Odyssey. It is a top-drawer Mario recreation and arguably the most effective of the ‘New’ department whether or not you play on Wii U or Swap, though ageing visuals and the irritation of being kicked again to the world map after each loss of life stand out as issues that might have been finessed on this Deluxe model. Nonetheless, with New Tremendous Luigi U included, this can be a very high quality 2D Mario (and Luigi) bundle.
Lifetime gross sales (as of March 2023): 15.38 million
If you happen to’re a fitness center addict you in all probability should not throw out your membership card simply but, however for everybody else trying to get fitter, Ring Match Journey is a incredible option to do it that will not bore you mindless. Play it correctly and you will undoubtedly really feel it the subsequent morning – a positive signal that it is a minimum of doing you some good – whereas the compelling journey mode with its RPG components will be certain that you will hold coming again for extra.
Lifetime gross sales (as of December 2022): 15.07 million
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Let’s Go, Eevee! are stunning reimaginings of a online game basic, updating a 20-year-old recreation in methods which make it infinitely extra accessible and user-friendly for a contemporary viewers, whereas protecting the magic first found all these years in the past. On the draw back, the movement management mechanic is enjoyable however flawed, forcing you to shift from one play model to a different to get the most effective expertise. Nonetheless, the sport does an excellent job of putting a steadiness between being a straightforward route of entry for newcomers and providing simply sufficient post-game problem and aggressive play components (and nostalgia, in fact) to please collection veterans; consequently, these new titles actually do supply one thing for everybody, which may’t all the time be stated of the mainline Pokémon entries. They may not be an absolute masterpiece, however we’d urge any Poké-fans on the market to provide these ones a go.
