Switch 2 Third-Party Launch Titles: Newzoo Reveals the Winners
▼ Summary
– Deltarune and Hogwarts Legacy were the top-selling third-party Switch 2 launch titles by units sold in June 2025, based on US eShop data.
– Fortnite led in total revenue despite being free-to-play, while Deltarune ranked second in revenue and first in units sold.
– Fast Fusion, a Switch 2-exclusive racing game, outsold Cyberpunk 2077 in units but generated less revenue due to pricing differences.
– Survival Kids and Sonic X Shadow Generations were the lowest-performing titles in both units sold and revenue, despite Survival Kids featuring GameShare functionality.
– Newzoo’s analysis suggests the Switch 2 offers broader opportunities for third-party developers, especially for well-optimized, genre-expanding games.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has seen impressive third-party launch performance, with indie darling Deltarune and free-to-play giant Fortnite emerging as clear frontrunners in digital sales. Market intelligence firm Newzoo recently analyzed US eShop data from June 2025, revealing which titles resonated most with players during the console’s critical first month.
Toby Fox’s long-awaited Deltarune claimed the top spot in units sold, outperforming even major franchises. Hogwarts Legacy secured second place despite being a re-release, demonstrating strong demand for upgraded Switch 2 versions of popular games. The analysis excluded physical sales and treated upgrade packs as DLC rather than new purchases.
The revenue rankings told a different story, with Fortnite generating the highest earnings despite not appearing on the units-sold chart. Cyberpunk 2077 showed remarkable staying power, placing third in revenue despite launching years earlier on other platforms. The Switch 2-exclusive Fast Fusion proved particularly interesting – while it outsold Cyberpunk in unit volume, its lower price point meant it couldn’t match CD Projekt Red’s title in total revenue.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Survival Kids and Sonic X Shadow Generations struggled to gain traction. Survival Kids’ innovative GameShare feature – allowing multiplayer with a single copy – wasn’t enough to overcome its premium $49.99 price point in a competitive launch window.
Newzoo’s findings highlight several key trends for the Switch 2 ecosystem. Technical enhancements appear crucial for attracting returning players, with upgraded versions of existing titles performing strongly. While Nintendo’s first-party games continue to dominate, the data suggests third-party developers now have greater opportunities than on previous Nintendo consoles, particularly for well-optimized games that expand beyond traditional Switch genres.
The performance gap between unit sales and revenue underscores how business models impact success metrics. Free-to-play titles like Fortnite can dominate earnings while barely registering on unit charts, whereas premium-priced games need exceptional engagement to compete. This dynamic creates multiple pathways for developers to find success on Nintendo’s latest platform.
(Source: Games Industry)
