Note that Nintendo’s list of first-party exclusives ranked by sales includes games packaged into bundles. That should help explain why Super Mario Kart Deluxe is so dominant. It’s like the Nintendo Entertainment System’s Super Mario Bros. What’s more is that it’s not the only Nintendo Switch game to get a huge bundle boost.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - 15. 02 Million Super Mario Odyssey - 13. 76 Million Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - 12. 08 Million The Legend of Zelda:  Breath of the Wild - 11. 68 Million Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu / Pokemon Let’s Go Eeevee - 10. 00 Million Splatoon 2 - 8. 27 Million Super Mario Party - 5. 30 Million 1-2 Switch - 2. 86 Million Mario Tennis Aces - 2. 53 Million Kirby Star Allies - 2. 42 Million

Six games, in particular, make up the bulk of Nintendo’s first-party success, though Super Mario Party seems to be coming on strong since its release in October. Five of those games–excluding The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild–have been offered as part of special Nintendo Switch console bundles. That should make clear just how heavily Nintendo is prioritizing selling its hardware alongside new major game releases.

According to Nintendo’s recently released financial reporting, first-party releases accounted for over 84% of software sales in 2018. The Nintendo Switch may have stronger third-party support than the Wii U, but that’s not why it’s so successful (or at least not the main reason why). That should hopefully lend some perspective towards why Nintendo is so focused on building up its game development pipeline. The only thing that can slow Nintendo’s momentum this point is if the company doesn’t keep putting out more first-party games.

2019 looks to continue the Nintendo Switch’s upward climb. Animal Crossing, Yoshi’s Crafted World, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Fire Emblem, and Bayonetta 3 are all likely to compete for a spot in the top 10, so long as they aren’t delayed. But the true star of 2019 for the Nintendo Switch remains the as-yet-unveiled main franchise Pokemon game said to launch later this year. If Pokemon Let’s Go can manage 10 million sales, imagine what the “core” title from Game Freak could do. Of course, if that Pokemon game gets delayed, then Nintendo might have a worrying 2019 on its hands–that is, compared to 2018 and 2017 at least.

For now, however, the Nintendo Switch is coming off yet another outrageously successful year and has nothing but a strong future ahead. It’s a great time to be a Nintendo fan.

Source: Nintendo