The Nintendo Switch: A Record-Breaking Year in 2023
A look at the record-breaking year of 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, featuring a strong lineup of game releases, unexpected hits, and a promising outlook for 2024.
Record-Breaking Year for the Nintendo Switch
According to recent data, the Nintendo Switch had a record-breaking year in 2023 in terms of game releases on the hybrid handheld console. 2023 saw 2360 games released on the Nintendo Switch, a record for the console. Nintendo's hybrid handheld console entered its sixth year in 2023, with plenty of fans having high expectations, and it seems like those expectations were met. While the system has had strong years before, 2023 might have been the strongest year for the Nintendo Switch.
The Nintendo Switch's 2023 first-party lineup was a mix of pleasant surprises and highly anticipated releases. While The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was likely the game many fans thought would become Nintendo's game of the year (and for many, it was), other games like Super Mario RPG, Pikmin 4, and Metroid Prime Remastered caught fans off-guard. Third-party AAA releases and indie games have also bolstered the console's lineup, so much so that according to sales analyst Mat Piscatella of the NPD group, the Switch came second in terms of most released games in 2023.
This information was provided in a tweet on Piscatella's account, where he discusses Steam's roaring success in 2023, based on numbers from SteamDB and a report posted by GamesRadar. He notes that a record-breaking 14,532 titles were released on the platform, with the closest that any other platform in the US has come to reaching that number being the Switch at 2360. While that figure is much smaller than Valve's output in 2023, it's still an impressive record.
Twitter article posted by Mat Piscatella
Nintendo eShop Success and Game Sales
The Nintendo eShop has seen some unexpected Switch digital hits like Suika Game, which managed to outsell Tears of the Kingdom in Japan due to its low price point and breakout popularity as a result of Japanese streamers playing the game online. Other games that take up the top five in terms of digital sales include Pikmin 4, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince. According to a recent report released by Famitsu, in terms of physical game sales in Japan, Tears of the Kingdom was 2023's best-selling game in the region.
Best Selling 2023 Switch Games in Japan (Physical Sales, Period of December 26-31):
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Pikmin 4
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
- Momotaro Dentetsu World
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Kirby’s Return to Dreamland Deluxe
- Dragon Quest Monsters 3: The Dark Prince
- Splatoon 3
- Super Mario RPG
Outlook for 2024 and Beyond
Nintendo's 2024 Switch lineup is looking particularly strong as well, with highly anticipated first-party titles like a remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, a game starring Princess Peach, and a remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. Third-party games like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy also provide a strong start to 2024, with both releasing in January. There are also rumors of a successor console to the Switch currently being worked on, though no official details have been announced. Nintendo could also have some more surprise titles to announce this year. Ultimately, the continued success of the Switch likely means Nintendo's not slowing down in terms of supporting the system just yet.
