It’s been two very big and packed years for the Nintendo Switch. Two years full of massive sales both on the hardware and software side of things. It’s blown past every expectation put past it, and year three looks to be even bigger with titles like Fire Emblem Three Houses, Pokemon Sword and Shield, Luigi’s Mansion 3, and more on the way. But it makes you wonder, what were the best-selling titles in certain parts of the world? Famitsu decided to answer that question for Japan, and at present, Splatoon 2 is the top dog in terms of Switch game sales.
Here is the top 20 Switch games (based on sales) in Japan, and Splatoon 2 beat out some truly heavy hitters.
1. Splatoon 2 – 2,980,986
2. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 2,885,281
3. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 2,185,049
4. Super Mario Odyssey – 1,940,587
5. Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu / Eevee – 1,425,935
6. Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 1,244,404
7. Super Mario Party – 950,068
8. Kirby Star Allies – 695,303
9. Minecraft – 651,275
10. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe – 465,742
11. 1-2 Switch – 449,437
12. ARMS – 425,881
13. Mario Tennis Aces – 400,018
14. Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! – 306,250
15. Pokken Tournament DX – 301,429
16. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate – 254,017
17. Dragon Quest Builders 2 – 249,889
18. Nintendo Labo Variety Kit – 240,926
19. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – 227,296
20. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 – 221,234
Now, of course, it’s very likely that Super Smash Bros Ultimate will overtake Splatoon eventually, but for now, that’s a comfortable lead.
What’s interesting here is that Splatoon is still a relatively new franchise. It was only born on the Wii U, and the sequel didn’t DRASTICALLY improve the first game, it just refined it heavily. Which may be why Japan loves it as not many people bought the Wii U, and thus, didn’t get the original Splatoon.
Either way, this is acknowledgement that their new franchise are just as popular as the older ones, and that’s good news good forward.
To hear our thoughts on the 2-year anniversary of the Nintendo Switch, check out our recap piece on why we think it excelled!
