So you're hunting for the best sell Switch games? Man, I remember when I first unboxed my Switch – that red-blue joy-con combo just screams fun. But then came the real question: which games are actually worth my cash? After digging through sales charts and playing more hours than I'd like to admit, here's the real deal on what's crushing it in the sales department.
Why These Switch Games Dominate Sales Charts
Ever notice how some games just keep selling year after year? It's not just hype. These best sell Switch games usually nail three things: massive replay value (I've put 300 hours into Animal Crossing... don't judge), pick-up-and-play design perfect for portable mode, and that Nintendo magic that makes you feel like a kid again. Oh, and holidays? That's when these things fly off shelves – seen it every Christmas since 2017.
Pro tip: Watch for Nintendo Selects re-releases! They drop older hits like Mario Kart to $30. Saved me $40 last birthday.
The Top 10 Best Selling Switch Games (Actual Sales Data)
Nintendo's official numbers don't lie – these are the monsters that keep printing money. I've tracked these since the Switch launched, and some surprises popped up (looking at you, Ring Fit Adventure).
| Game Title | Release Year | Copies Sold | Current Price | Why It Sells |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 2017 | 61.97 million | $59.99 (physical/digital) | Perfect party game - 4 players on one console |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons | 2020 | 45.36 million | $59.99 | Escapism masterpiece during lockdowns |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | 2018 | 33.67 million | $59.99 | Biggest crossover roster in gaming history |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 2017 | 31.61 million | $59.99 (often $40 on sale) | Revolutionary open-world design |
| Pokémon Sword/Shield | 2019 | 26.02 million | $59.99 | First mainline Pokémon RPG on console |
| Super Mario Odyssey | 2017 | 26.44 million | $59.99 | Pure platforming joy - hat mechanics rule |
| Pokémon Scarlet/Violet | 2022 | 24.36 million | $59.99 | Open-world Pokémon despite performance issues |
| Super Mario Party | 2018 | 20.34 million | $59.99 | Best minigame collection for groups |
| Ring Fit Adventure | 2019 | 15.38 million | $79.99 (includes ring peripheral) | Genius fitness-RPG hybrid |
| New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | 2019 | 17.20 million | $59.99 | Classic 2D Mario with extra characters |
Notice something? Seven of these are Nintendo first-party titles. That "N" logo moves units like crazy. But here's the kicker – Mario Kart STILL sells 5+ million copies annually six years later! Makes you wonder why other companies can't replicate that staying power.
Surprise Best Sellers You Might've Missed
Not every chart-topper has Mario in it. These wildcards shocked everyone (including me when I first saw the numbers):
- Minecraft ($29.99) - Sold 8+ million physical copies alone (digital unknown!)
- Stardew Valley ($14.99) - Over 3 million sales proving farming sims rule
- Hades ($24.99) - 1 million+ and still counting - rogue-lite perfection
- Among Us ($5.00) - Viral hit moved 3.2 million digital units in 6 months
I bought Hades on a whim during a sale and lost three weekends to it. Worth every penny for how tight the combat feels.
Why Indies Can Outperform Blockbusters
Lower price points ($10-25 range) mean way more impulse buys. Plus, Switch is the perfect indie machine – playing Dead Cells on the toilet beats PC gaming any day. Digital sales help too; no cartridge production costs.
When to Buy These Best Selling Switch Games
Timing matters! From tracking eShop sales for two years:
- First-party Nintendo games rarely drop below $40 (except during Black Friday)
- Wait for "Deku Deals" alerts (that site saved me $120 last year)
- Physical copies drop faster – found Breath of the Wild for $35 at GameStop last March
- Biggest eShop sales: July, Black Friday, post-Christmas
Seriously though, unless it’s an emergency, never pay full price for a game over 18 months old. Patience pays.
Physical vs Digital for Best Sellers
Let's settle this debate once and for all:
| Format | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Cartridges | Resell value ($25-40 back), share with friends, cool collections | Can get lost/damaged, swapping carts annoying | Big single-player games (Zelda, Mario Odyssey) |
| Digital Downloads | Always available, no cart swaps, frequent sales | Zero resale value, fills SD card | Multiplayer staples (Animal Crossing, Smash Bros) |
I learned this the hard way – bought Mario Kart digital because "I'll always play it." Now I'm stuck while my buddy traded his physical copy for $35 credit. Choose wisely!
Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
Thinking $60 is the whole story? Think again. Actual expenses for best sell Switch games:
- Online subscription ($20/year) - Mandatory for Mario Kart online play
- DLC expansions - Zelda's $20, Pokémon's $30, Smash Bros fighters $6 each
- Accessories - Extra Joy-Cons ($80) for 4-player Mario Party
- SD cards - 256GB recommended ($35) if going digital
My full Smash Bros setup cost nearly $200 with fighters and controllers. Still cheaper than a night out though!
Controversial Take: Overrated Best Sellers?
Not every hit deserves the hype. Fight me on these:
- Pokémon Scarlet/Violet - Amazing open world BUT glitchy as hell. Felt unfinished at launch.
- Super Mario Party - Fun but only 4 boards? Come on Nintendo... DLC helped though.
- Ring Fit Adventure - Genius concept but gets repetitive after month 2.
That said, even "flawed" best selling Switch games still offer crazy value compared to $70 PlayStation titles.
Best Selling Switch Games FAQ
Do best selling games ever get discontinued?
Rarely for digital. Physical prints might stop - saw this with Xenoblade 2. Grab it while you can!
Why are Nintendo games still $60 after years?
Simple: they keep selling. Mario Kart moved 5 million copies LAST YEAR. No incentive to drop prices.
Can I trust eShop sales rankings?
Sort of. They reset weekly and favor new releases. For true best sellers, check Nintendo's official quarterly reports.
Do all these require Nintendo Switch Online?
Only for online multiplayer (Mario Kart, Smash). Offline gems: Zelda, Mario Odyssey, Hades.
What's the cheapest way to collect best sellers?
Buy physical used on Facebook Marketplace. Scored Mario Odyssey + Breath of the Wild for $45 total last month.
Personal Recommendations Beyond Sales Charts
Look, sales numbers don't tell the whole story. After reviewing 100+ Switch titles, here's what deserves your cash:
- If you love exploration: Breath of the Wild (obviously) but also Dragon Quest XI
- For short play sessions: Hades runs (30 mins) or Stardew Valley days (12 mins)
- Co-op with kids: Super Mario 3D World (way better than New Super Bros)
- Solo challenge seekers: Metroid Dread or Hollow Knight
Fun story: convinced my non-gamer wife to try Animal Crossing during lockdown. She's put in 400+ hours now. These best sell Switch games have weird magic like that.
Where to Find Reliable Sales Data
Ignore sketchy sites. These proved most accurate in my research:
- Nintendo Investor Relations - Official quarterly sales figures
- VGChartz (with skepticism) - Tracks physical shipments
- GamesIndustry.biz - Professional market analysis
Pro tip: If a site claims Ring Fit sold 30 million, they're lying. Always cross-reference sources.
The Future of Switch Best Sellers
With Switch successor rumors swirling, what happens to these games? History shows:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe will likely get ported AGAIN (crazy, right?)
- Prices won't drop immediately - Wii U games stayed expensive for years
- Digital libraries may carry forward (PS4 to PS5 style)
My advice? Keep those cartridges safe. Nintendo's awful about backward compatibility.
Anyway, hope this helps you navigate the wild world of best sell Switch games without wasting cash. Still think Mario Kart is worth every penny though – nothing replicates that blue-shell rage at family gatherings!