Unveiling the Ultimate Ranking of Nintendo Switch's Hottest Sellers: The Must-Play Games You Can't Miss!

The Nintendo Switch's potential to become the highest-selling video game console of all time is still uncertain. However, it remains evident that the console still has a strong following. Two of the most popular Switch games were released within the past nine months, indicating that many users continue to actively engage with the handheld system.

While the top-selling Switch games are not particularly recent, they have consistently accumulated sales over several years. Together, they have shipped over 250 million units, largely due to the console's dominant presence in various regions worldwide. It is worth noting that all of the best-selling games on the Switch are developed by Nintendo themselves, as is often the case with their consoles.

The following is a list of the best-selling games for the Nintendo Switch and uses sales data provided by Nintendo.

10 New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (16.17 Million Sales)

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, one of the initial Wii U games to receive upgraded versions on the Switch, made its debut in early 2019. This enhanced edition introduced additional features such as an all-new playable character, improved graphics, and the expansion pack, New Super Luigi U.

Thanks to the significantly larger install base of the Switch,

9 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (18.51 Million Sales)

the game has achieved considerably higher sales compared to its Wii U counterpart. It reached an impressive milestone of three million units sold within its first three months on the market. Even after this initial surge, sales have steadily continued to come in, solidifying its position as one of the top-selling games on the Switch.

With the previous installment's unprecedented acclaim and financial triumph, it comes as no shocker that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has achieved astounding sales figures. In the span of merely three days, it surpassed the ten million copies milestone and swiftly approached the remarkable mark of 20 million soon after.

In many ways, Tears of the Kingdom serves as the ideal sequel, expanding upon the elements that contributed to the original game's greatness, while also incorporating its own fresh concepts. Moreover, the game's expansive world is significantly larger, with verticality playing a crucial role in this beloved action-adventure game.

8 Super Mario Party (19.39 Million Sales)

Super Mario Party, released over three years prior, continues to be one of the best-selling Switch games, despite the majority of players and critics favoring Mario Party Superstars. This could be attributed to its frequent availability on sale.

7 Pokemon Scarlet & Violet (22.66 Million Sales)

Despite lacking in content, Super Mario Party remains a commendable game. It surpasses Mario Party 10 by placing greater emphasis on enjoyment and fostering both competitive and amicable rivalries among players.

Overcoming technical constraints, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet represents a significant advancement for the enduring franchise that revolves around collecting creatures. It presents a generously expansive open world, enabling players to explore and enjoy their experiences without limitations. The main story is refreshingly distinct, granting players the flexibility to tackle any of the three primary storylines in their preferred order.

A significant portion of the games' triumph can be attributed to the solid groundwork established by Pokemon Legends: Arceus and the previous Pokemon games of the same generation. While Scarlet & Violet do encounter their fair share of challenges, it is evident how they managed to secure their position as two of the best-selling games for the Switch.

6 Pokemon Sword & Shield (25.92 Million Sales)

While the Pokemon series isn't renowned for its innovation, titles within the franchise usually undergo only a handful of changes. Considering its position as one of the top-selling video game franchises ever, it's understandable that developers may be hesitant to tamper with a successful formula. However, it's always refreshing when they make the bold choice to deviate from the norm.

Pokemon Sword & Shield may not be as groundbreaking as the upcoming Gen 9 Pokemon games, but they have introduced significant enhancements. Notably, the games have completely transformed the concept of DLC content and revolutionized the Wild Area, thus laying the foundation for immersive open-world experiences in future games.

5 Super Mario Odyssey (26.44 Million Sales)

Super Mario Odyssey with Cappy is a remarkable game that rivals the success of its predecessor, Super Mario 64. Despite the slim odds of surpassing the best-selling record on a Nintendo home console since 1996, this dynamic game remains undeniably exceptional.

4 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (30.65 Million Sales)

Few could genuinely argue about the quality of the content offered here, although it may not quite reach the level of excellence seen in the Mario Galaxy titles. The capture mechanic adds a refreshing twist to the formula, and the abundance of content guarantees that the fun continues well beyond the end of the game.

Contrary to popular belief, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is not the initial open-world installment in the Zelda game series. In fact, it follows a lineage of predecessors. Nevertheless, none of its predecessors managed to resonate with the broader gaming community to the extent that this one did. The captivatingly designed surroundings of this game have contributed to its unprecedented success, resulting in over 30 million units being sold worldwide, and the numbers keep growing.

3 Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (31.77 Million Sales)

Not only did Hyrule undergo significant changes in Breath of the Wild, but the game also revolutionized the series' familiar formula in several ways. Traditional dungeons were replaced by shrines, heart pieces became obsolete, and weapons now deteriorate after only a few strikes, much to the dismay of certain players.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate truly lives up to its name, epitomizing the very essence of the franchise in every aspect. It boasts an unparalleled roster, encompassing all the beloved fighters from previous entries, while also introducing a multitude of fresh faces for added excitement.

2 Animal Crossing: New Horizons (42.79 Million Sales)

Nintendo may struggle to surpass the success of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate without implementing significant changes, although the likelihood of this remains low considering the series' consistent popularity. The fact that Ultimate ranks among the highest-selling games for the Switch and continues to attract numerous players remains unsurprising.

The launch of Animal Crossing: New Horizons coinciding with the onset of a worldwide pandemic, resulting in countless individuals being confined indoors, undoubtedly played a role in its remarkable sales figures. However, this game's exceptional quality and unwavering appeal secure its rightful position as one of the top-selling Nintendo Switch games to date.

1 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (55.46 Million Sales)

Animal Crossing: it's one of the most content-rich games in the series so far, and it has received exceptional post-release support during its first year or two on the market. Although it would have been preferable if Nintendo had continued supporting the game for a longer period, it still remains an essential title for fans of social simulation games.

The fact that two out of the top ten best-selling Switch games (or three, if we include Breath of the Wild) are essentially Wii U games speaks volumes about the overlooked success of Nintendo's ill-fated system. It is important to note that while New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are technically enhanced ports, their fundamental mechanics have remained largely unchanged.

When it comes to local co-op and split-screen games, the Mario Kart series has always been highly regarded. However, among them all, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is undoubtedly the top choice. Packed with an abundance of content, it offers an insane number of racers, tracks, and tournaments for players to relish.