On June 5th, Nintendo released its Switch 2, its new video game console that would have the difficult task of successor to the original Switch. Unlike its previous machine, Nintendo opted for a new strategy with relatively few exclusive games (apart from Mario Kart World) but a huge number of third-party games at the console's launch. Nintendo is also offering new versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom with a special upgrade for the Switch 2.
With this strategy, which extends the one started by the first Switch at the end of its life, Nintendo wants to reach even more players by offering games available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, such as CyberPunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy, which are the main launch games for the console. Later this year, Star Wars Outlaw and Elden Ring will be added to the console's catalog.
Unfortunately, the initial sales figures are not great and are forcing most third-party publishers to revise their forecasts downwards.
Third-party games are not popular on Switch 2
In a recent report, the media The Game Business has confirmed that sales of third-party games on the Switch 2 are disappointing and below expectations. The console is a real success, selling over 3.5 million units in one week. But behind this immense success lies another reality: third-party games are not selling well.
According to The Game Business, CyberPunk 2077 is the only exception that has managed to find an audience: "Most of the third-party games on the Switch 2 have posted very low numbers. A third-party publisher said the numbers were “lower than our lowest estimates,” despite the console’s strong sales.”
The Game Business also reports that 62% of physical games sold on the Switch 2 in the US are Nintendo games. The week of the console’s release, the best-selling games in the US were Mario Kart World, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. In the UK, it was 82% of physical games sold, which were Nintendo exclusives.
This is probably due to several factors: firstly, not all third-party games are present on Switch 2 cartridges and require downloading.
The other point is that the Switch 2 is a console with modest capabilities that can run recent games, but in the worst configurations and resolutions, compared to the PS5, Xbox and PC. The problem? This is because currently, most Switch 2 games are the most expensive games on the market (at new price).
- CyberPunk 2077 is available at 69.99 euros on Switch 2, compared to 59.99 euros* on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
- Hogwarts Legacy is available at 59.99 euros on Switch 2, compared to 39.99 euros* on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
*Price based on the official publisher's price at the moment.
High prices for the "worst on the market" versions and games that have been available for 2, 3, 4 or even 5 years. This is perhaps what puts many players off.
0 Comments