Nintendo Switch 2 Sales Fall Short of Developer Expectations

The Nintendo Switch 2 has seen impressive hardware sales, but third-party game developers report disappointing early performance for their titles. According to anonymous sources, several studios claim launch window sales fell short of even their most conservative projections. This comes despite a strong lineup of third-party releases, including high-profile titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD Remaster.

Industry tracking firm Circana revealed that first-party Nintendo games dominated physical sales, accounting for 81% of purchases. Mario Kart World and enhanced versions of The Legend of Zelda titles led the charge, while Cyberpunk 2077 emerged as the top-selling third-party release. Sega also performed well, ranking as the third-largest publisher on the platform.

Mat Piscatella of Circana noted that third-party games captured nearly 40% of physical sales in the first week, a significant jump from the original Switch’s launch. However, some developers argue these figures still fall short of expectations, especially given the Switch 2’s record-breaking console sales. One anonymous publisher described the results as “underwhelming,” suggesting even their lowest forecasts were too optimistic.

The debate has also turned toward Game-Key Cards, a controversial format where physical cartridges require additional downloads. Retailers like Pink Gorilla Games reported minimal interest in these products, with owner Kelsey Lewin stating, “No one is buying these.” Yet industry analyst Daniel Ahmad downplayed concerns, arguing that demand for fully physical games will continue to shrink over time.

While early third-party performance has been mixed, the long-term outlook remains uncertain. As more exclusive titles arrive and the Switch 2’s install base grows, developers hope to see stronger engagement. For now, the disparity between first-party dominance and third-party struggles highlights the challenges of competing with Nintendo’s iconic franchises.

(Source: Game Spot)