The Nintendo Switch 2 has made a strong entrance into the gaming market, with 3.5 million units sold since launch. While many players are diving into *Mario Kart World*—especially since it's bundled with around 80% of Switch 2 console purchases—questions remain about the adoption of other titles, particularly those not developed by Nintendo.
Sales data from the console’s launch week reveals a familiar trend: Nintendo’s first-party titles continue to dominate. In the UK, first-party games accounted for 86% of physical game sales during launch week, according to NielsenIQ data reported by The Game Business. This figure includes bundled copies of *Mario Kart World*, and aligns closely with the 89% first-party share seen during the original Switch’s debut week.
The picture in the US is somewhat more balanced. Circana data shows that 62% of Switch 2 physical game sales in the US during launch week came from first-party titles. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella noted this is a notable shift compared to the original Switch, where first-party titles held over 80% of sales in its first month.
Despite the dominance of Nintendo’s lineup, third-party representation isn’t absent. The top-selling non-Nintendo title during the Switch 2’s first week was *Cyberpunk 2077* from CD Projekt Red. Sega also made a strong showing, launching *Yakuza 0: Director's Cut*, *Sonic x Shadow Generations*, and *Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S*, securing its position as the platform’s third-largest publisher during launch week.
However, not all third-party publishers are celebrating. As The Game Business reported, one unnamed publisher described their Switch 2 launch sales as “below our lowest estimates,” despite the console's strong hardware performance. With *Mario Kart World* driving most early purchases and no pre-launch reviews available for third-party games, limited visibility may have impacted consumer choices.
Another factor diluting individual game performance is the broader launch library. While the original Switch launched with just five physical games, the Switch 2 entered the market with 13 available titles, naturally spreading consumer spending across more options.
As Mat Piscatella emphasized, it's still far too early to draw definitive conclusions about third-party success on the platform. With the console only recently released, the full impact on third-party developers and publishers will become clearer in the coming months.
20 Overlooked Nintendo Switch Games
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While the spotlight remains on flagship titles, a wealth of hidden gems continues to thrive on the Nintendo Switch. From indie darlings to under-the-radar adventures, these overlooked games offer rich experiences that deserve more attention. With the Switch 2 now on the market, revisiting these underrated titles could reveal unexpected favorites ready for a second wave of appreciation.
