Nintendo Switch 2 Sales Show Franchise Gaps
Splatoon Raiders tops the list with 2.42 million units, but readers question where the next major franchise title will come from.
By Jonathan Reed ·
Nintendo disclosed its latest Switch 2 sales figures on Friday, revealing a hierarchy of titles that ranges from strong performers to modest sellers.
Splatoon Raiders leads the current lineup with 2.42 million units sold since its July release. The figure stands in contrast to its predecessor, Splatoon 3, which sold over 11 million copies. Despite the top ranking, some observers note the gap between the two entries in the series.
Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave has moved 1.34 million copies since September. The title carried a higher price tag than most Switch 2 games, suggesting a healthy profit margin for the company. Star Fox has sold 1.17 million units since late June. That number is considered acceptable but may not be enough to secure funding for a brand new entry in the series, given that only remakes of SNES titles remain viable options.
The upcoming slate includes Metroid, Kirby, and Xenoblade, all of which are scheduled for release next year. Pokémon is also expected in the same period, though it is technically a partnership title. Readers argue these are secondary franchises that do not carry the same commercial weight as first-party tentpole games.
The absence of a confirmed Super Mario title for the next generation has prompted debate about the console's future. While rumors circulate, no official proof or strong evidence supports a Mario release in the immediate future. This leaves a vacuum in the A-list category of Nintendo’s published schedule.
Nintendo’s practice of publicly releasing sales data distinguishes it from competitors. The company has maintained this transparency even during weaker periods, such as the Wii U era. Sony does not always publish similar figures, and Microsoft has not released specific sales numbers for any title in over a decade. This openness allows for a clearer view of which franchises are driving revenue on the new hardware.
The data suggests a steady but uneven growth pattern for the Switch 2 library. While the top sellers are performing well, the reliance on established but non-flagship franchises raises questions about the pipeline for future major releases.
