Nintendo has been enjoying consistently strong sales results around the world, and one small example is the UK market. We have the benefit of regular data for UK game sales, and now GamesIndustry.biz has put together an interesting summary of results for 2021, which brings more positives around the Switch and its ongoing popularity.
The Switch was the UK's best-selling console in 2021, an impressive achievement up against PS5 and the Xbox Series consoles. It passed PS5 in 'the final weeks of the year', with half a million systems sold in just November and December - with major game releases alongside the OLED model launch there's little doubt that the Switch was a notable success in the lucrative Holidays shopping period.
It was the system's second-biggest year by 'quite a large margin', but unsurprisingly was down on 2020 when demand for the console and at-home entertainment was at such a high. It's also worth noting that both PS5 and Xbox Series X have remained limited by stock levels, whereas the Switch has been far easier to buy.
A lot of the statistics around game sales, in particular those that include download sales data, aren't applicable to Nintendo titles as the company doesn't make its figures available. The Switch does have a strong presence in the physical-only chart for the year, however, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still leading the way courtesy of its evergreen qualities and its presence in hardware bundles.
- FIFA 22
- Call of Duty: Vanguard
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Minecraft: Switch Edition
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
- Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- FIFA 21
- Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
- Grand Theft Auto 5
Some interesting outcomes, all told. We'll get Nintendo's official global sales data soon, too, with its financial results due to be issued on 3rd February.
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 22
Nice to see Nintendo dominating without buying everyone, or anyone for that matter
I’m glad Nintendo did so well, but I’m getting itchy feet for what is next for Nintendo.
@UltimateOtaku91 Well they did buy Next Level Games last year.
The guy who reported this said there was no way Switch would end up on top by the end of December. In fairness to him, he admitted to being wrong.
I thought the Switch was doomed to failure if Nintendo did not bring out a Switch pro.
Having endured the Minecraft marketplace on Switch on a regular basis, I'm stunned that Microsoft/Mojang are seemingly content with just leaving it largely broken for a game that is selling so incredibly well on one system.
Our workaround in the end was to fire up the Android version, log in to the same account, buy stuff, then (eventually, after many attempts) download it on the Switch version.
@johnvboy
This was proclaimed by idiots and clickbait artists that didn’t actually understand that ports of PS/Xbox/PC games aren’t actually the lifeblood of Switch and are actually a small niche compared to Nintendo’s own titles which are what’s driving hardware sales.
Find it really strange that Diamond & Pearl are listed as separate entries, listed together they may be a top 3 spot easy
@johnvboy chip shortage worked in Nintendo’s favor. And since nobody owned the WiiU, it seems like everything is new, especially Mario Kart
@IronMan30 Yeah, he said the PS5 had a huge lead and then the Switch still surpassed it. Wow
Global domination
It's nice that 3D World managed to stay in the top 10, easily my favourite game of 2021. It was games like 3D World and MK8 at E3 2013 that convinced me that the Wii U was a must have purchase back then.
Fifa on top?
When’s Microsoft going to buy EA?
Awesome to see Nintendo Dominating! Now that Microsoft has purchased Activision, maybe we can finally play a call of duty game on Nintendo Switch?? Wouldn't hold my breath, but then then again sony fans can say goodbye as well. Glad I have an Xbox Series S!
@rockodoodle,
I think we are not giving Nintendo enough credit here, sure the chip shortage and pandemic helped, but the Switch has been in demand since launch, and has pretty much carved out it's own market.
@johnvboy I am sure it would be doing well if we were under normal conditions. It just plays into Nintendo’s hands ATM. No shame in that or apologies needed. No different than Animal Crossing tripling sakes of the New Leaf during the pandemic. It just happened.
@rockodoodle,
True enough, was not having a go at you by the way.
@johnvboy oh yeah, I didn’t take it as such. Nintendo has obviously done a great deal right with this generation. The WiiU got me back into gaming and it was sad to see them go through that period. So I am very happy for Nintendo to rebound like it has…
@johnvboy I thought the Switch was doomed to failure if Nintendo did not bring out a Switch pro.
That was from NintenDoomed fandom a Pro coming out isn't going to doom the Switch. That's what NintenDoomed fandom wanted others to think. NintenDoomed fandom was predicting 2017 was the death of Nintendo Switch. Oh, they couldn't be so wrong and wrong again.
@rockodoodle to be fair im more with you on this too, the fact that you can't just walk into a Walmart and purchase a PS5 off the shelf on a whim, over 1 year after release has definitely played into Nintendo's favour here.
Also Nintendo have done well with the games too which obviously matters but id put a vast majority of the reason down to sheer luck.
@rockodoodle,
I think it's just such a good turnaround from the Wii U, and who knows where it will end up, as the console seems to have strong legs.
Number one in the world
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