The Nintendo Switch has had another strong year of game sales, cementing its position as one of the most popular consoles on the market. Going into the 2022 holiday season, longtime Nintendo franchises like Pokémon and Mario continue to drive sales, but new IP like Splatoon 3 and Sonic Frontiers have also performed well this year.
When analyzing the top-selling Nintendo Switch games, it’s important to look at year-to-date sales rather than just monthly numbers. This gives a better representation of the games that have consistent, sustained popularity rather than those that may have spiked around launch. The year-to-date approach also smooths out seasonal variation around the holidays.
One key caveat is that these rankings do not include digital sales from the Nintendo eShop. So franchises with a greater digital presence like indie games will be underrepresented. With those considerations in mind, let’s countdown the top 10 best-selling Nintendo Switch games year to date through November 2022.
1. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
The latest entries in the beloved Pokémon franchise, Scarlet and Violet were released on November 18, 2022 as Nintendo Switch exclusives. Thanks to sky-high anticipation built up over three years since Pokémon Sword and Shield, Scarlet and Violet quickly shot to the top of the year-to-date sales chart.
Bringing the total number of Pokémon to nearly 1,000, Scarlet and Violet introduce the new Paldea region based on the Iberian Peninsula. The games are noted for their shift towards open-world gameplay, doing away with barriers and allowing players to explore freely. This represents one of the biggest changes in 25 years of Pokémon games.
Scarlet and Violet sold over 10 million copies worldwide in their first three days, making them the fastest selling launch ever for Nintendo. The appeal of catching new Pokémon combined with the free-roaming world has resonated with fans old and new. And Nintendo will likely continue updating Scarlet and Violet post-launch, further extending their longevity.
Pokémon Scarlet & Pokémon Violet Double Pack
2. Sonic Frontiers
Speeding into second place on the year-to-date chart is Sonic Frontiers, released as a Nintendo Switch exclusive on November 8, 2022. Sonic Frontiers represents a bold new direction for the franchise, dropping Sonic into a nonlinear open zone format for the first time.
Set across five islands with varied biomes, Sonic Frontiers empowers players to explore the open environments however they choose rather than forcing them down particular paths. The game also includes traditional Sonic components like high velocity platforming and ring collecting.
Reviews praised the open world freedom but cited some issues like camera problems and lack of difficulty. Still, Sonic remains a popular gaming icon and the novelty of an open world Sonic adventure resonated with Nintendo fans. Sonic should also benefit from holiday sales momentum in the coming months.
3. Mario Party Superstars
This reboot of the beloved Mario Party series brands itself as a “greatest hits” compilation, bringing together fan favorite boards and minigames from past games. Originally launched in October 2021, Mario Party Superstars has shown surprising staying power over a year later.
The minigames strike a nice balance between classic titles from the Nintendo 64 era and more modern entries. And the ability to save progress both locally and online caters well to the Nintendo Switch’s hybrid console/handheld nature.
While some critiqued Superstars for playing it safe rather than bringing bold new ideas, fans clearly still have an appetite for the familiar Mario Party formula. The family friendly accessibility and multiplayer focus should continue driving sales over the holiday season as well.
4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The relaxed, community-building gameplay of Animal Crossing: New Horizons proved to be a balm for many during the height of pandemic lockdowns. Originally released in March 2020, New Horizons continues to chart over two years later thanks to regular content updates from Nintendo.
As the first mainline Animal Crossing game on a home console since 2008’s City Folk, New Horizons made the most of the Nintendo Switch’s capabilities. Features like terraforming your own island and snapping photos bring the world to life like never before. And up to eight players can inhabit an island together online.
While the initial explosion of interest has tapered off, Animal Crossing still draws in gamers through special events and holidays synced to real world calendars. Nintendo will likely continue supporting New Horizons for the foreseeable future.
5. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
A masterclass in iterating on a proven formula, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains one of the Nintendo Switch’s killer apps over five years after launch. As an enhanced port of 2014’s Mario Kart 8, Deluxe includes all tracks, characters, and DLC from the Wii U original.
Nintendo continues adding to the experience with Booster Course Pass DLC, which brings remastered classic tracks from past Mario Kart games. Local and online multiplayer for up to four players also bolster the pick up and play appeal.
Mario Kart stands as one of Nintendo’s crown jewel franchises, appealing to casual and more serious gamers alike with its polished arcade racing action. Mario Kart 9 will likely come eventually, but Deluxe still offers more than enough content to satisfy fans for now.
6. Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
This crossover tactical RPG mashup combines Nintendo’s Mario cast with Ubisoft’s unhinged Rabbids. Direct sequel to 2017’s Kingdom Battle, Sparks of Hope adopts a more open world structure compared to the linear original.
With a greater emphasis on exploration, Sparks of Hope has players visiting different planets to rescue Sparks and solve environmental puzzles. Battle mechanics have been streamlined as well.
Critical reception praised the wacky Rabbid humor and strategy-lite combat, though some felt Sparks of Hope played it too safe. Unfortunately sales have underperformed expectations so far. But the family friendly style still holds crossover appeal.
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope
7. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Boasting over 27 million copies sold to date, Breath of the Wild remains one of Nintendo’s tentpole system-sellers five years post-launch. The open world reinvention of the Zelda franchise arguably laid out a blueprint that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are now following.
Breath of the Wild propels Link out of traditional dungeons and into a fully interactive Hyrule without boundaries. Players can ignore the main quests entirely and forge their own path through exploring, puzzle solving, and experimenting with game physics.
Redefining expectations of what a Zelda experience could be, Breath of the Wild benefits both from enduring fan appreciation and interest from those new to Nintendo. And with sequel tears of the Kingdom due out next year, Breath of the Wild should continue selling well.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
8. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
The Switch’s take on Nintendo’s signature mascot fighting series brings together over 80 playable fighters from gaming history. Just like Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros. has become one of those immutable Nintendo franchises synonymous with their consoles.
Ultimate lives up to its name in sheer volume of content, though the fundamentals stick to what has worked so well in the past. The enormous roster pulls together fan favorites spanning decades of Nintendo consoles, obviously a huge selling point.
Local and online multiplayer cater perfectly to the party fighting game format as well. Between casual friendly chaos and high skill tournament play, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has incredible mass appeal that should sustain sales momentum.
9. Splatoon 3
The brilliantly bizarre multiplayer shooter series starring squid kid Inklings returned this year with another fresh installment. Released as a Switch exclusive in September 2022, Splatoon 3 iterates on the formula with some key upgrades.
These include expanded movement abilities for Inklings, new weapons types, and a deeper single player campaign. The signature turf war battles also return bigger than ever, with Splatsville offering a lively hub world to explore.
Reviews praised Splatoon 3’s fun new ideas but still found it quite similar to its predecessors overall. However, for fans already invested in Splatoon’s colorful post-apocalyptic setting and addictive ink-based arena battles, more of the same isn’t a bad thing.
10. Nintendo Switch Sports
Attempting to recapture the magic that made 2006’s Wii Sports a breakout hit, Nintendo Switch Sports pulls activity games into the modern era. It focuses on dynamic motion control via the Joy-Cons to simulate actions like bowling, tennis, and volleyball.
Compared to Wii Sports, Nintendo Switch Sports felt quite pared back to many, lacking scope and polish. But ongoing updates have brought new sports like golf that better utilize the controllers.
Approachable motion-based party games still hold appeal when they hit the mark. And the ability to play Switch Sports both locally and online speaks perfectly to the Switch’s portable nature. With the right post-launch support, Nintendo may whip Switch Sports into shape yet.
Nintendo Switch Sports Standard
Key Takeaways
- Long-running Nintendo franchises continue driving Switch game sales, but fresh IP like Splatoon keeps things interesting
- Some launch Switch titles enjoy incredible longevity thanks to sustained updates and accessbility
- Digital eShop sales could shuffle these rankings, particularly for niche and indie games
- Holiday discounts on evergreen franchises should propel legacy games up the chart through year’s end
Even over five years into its lifecycle, the Nintendo Switch continues humming along with stellar game sales momentum. Nintendo can always be counted on to deliver updated takes on cherished franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Pokemon. 2022’s breakthrough launches Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and Sonic Frontiers show there’s still room for big new hits as well.
And Nintendo’s commitment to updating games with new content years after release gives their staple titles incredible staying power. There remains no shortage of incredible games to enjoy on Switch, whether your tastes run towards powerhouse exclusives like Breath of the Wild or party-ready multiplayer in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. With a deep bench of favorites to please all gamers, don’t expect sales on the Switch or its landmark games to cool off any time soon.
