10 Games That Sold Better on Switch Than Any Other Platform
Celeste
Celeste is one of 2018’s earliest games, launching back in January for the PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. At first glance, the game might seem like any other normal platformer; the protagonist, Madeline, tests herself by scaling a large mountain and weaving through different hazards and traps along the way. However, Celeste managed to find its own identity thanks to its engaging narrative on mental health, simple controls, and its intuitive and challenging level design.
While Celeste has garnered plenty of attention across all platforms, the game sold exceptionally well on the Nintendo Switch. In a previous interview, creator Matt Thorson revealed that the Switch version was selling the best compared to the PC, PS4, and Xbox One. He added that they were actually anticipating these numbers on the Switch, stating that they believed that the hybrid console was the perfect platform for the game.
“The Switch version of Celeste has sold the most, and that’s what we were expecting. We feel like Celeste and the Switch are a perfect fit for each other,” he said. “We are glad we launched on all consoles though, and we really appreciate the support we’ve seen across the board.”
We also loved Celeste and the many challenges that came along with it. If you’re interested in Madeline’s journey, be sure to check out our full review.
10 Games That Sold Better on Switch Than Any Other Platform
Dead Cells
The Nintendo Switch has been an amazing home for indie games over the past year, with titles such as Celeste and Dead Cells under its belt. Unlike Celeste, Dead Cells is a roguelite adventure that takes plenty of inspiration from the Dark Souls series, particularly when it came to combat. Thanks to its challenging fights and gruesome difficulty, Dead Cells managed to pick up plenty of steam when it launched a few months back across all platforms.
Dead Cells has been selling pretty well, especially on the Nintendo platform. In fact, the Switch version has outsold the PS4 version on a four to one basis. With those numbers in mind, it seems like Dead Cells players prefer to take the action wherever they go instead of simply sitting in front of a big screen. This pick-up-and-play aspect is probably the best reason why the Nintendo Switch has become one of the best platforms for indie games. In our review, we also loved how Dead Cells played on the Nintendo Switch.
10 Games That Sold Better on Switch Than Any Other Platform
Disgaea 5 Complete
Disgaea 5 is the latest entry in the tactical series, having initially launched years before it even made its way to the Nintendo Switch. This time around, the plot centers around a group of Overlords who create their own army to put an end to the evil Void Dark’s scheme. While the story doesn’t take itself too seriously, Disgaea 5 is packed with plenty of new tactical mayhem on the battlefield. Aside from new classes and character combos, the new Revenge system gives players a major power boost when party members are fallen.
In spite of the two-year gap between the PS4 and Nintendo Switch release, Disgaea 5 still sold more on the latter platform. In a previous interview, NIS America President Takuro Yamashita revealed that the Nintendo Switch version sold twice as many as the PS4 version, adding that the Switch market still had plenty of room for publishers to make money. Interestingly enough, these sales even seemed to be one of the main reasons why SNK Heroines has been released as a Nintendo Switch exclusive despite being initially signed on the PS4. For more details on Disgaea 5 Complete, you can check out our full Nintendo Switch review.
10 Games That Sold Better on Switch Than Any Other Platform
Little Dragons Cafe
Apart from indie games, the Nintendo Switch has also become the perfect platform for more relaxing and laid-back titles, such as Stardew Valley. While Little Dragons Cafe is far from the farming adventure, it’s a cute little game that has you caring for your dragon while taking over the family cafe. Its simplicity is its strength, letting fans play at their own pace without having to worry too much about time limits nor pressing issues.
Unsurprisingly, the Nintendo Switch version of Little Dragons Cafe has managed to outsell the PS4. In a recent Tsutaya&COMG ranking, the Switch version of the game peaked at number four on the list, while the PS4 counterpart was nowhere to be found. Plenty of factors could have influenced the Switch version’s popularity, although portability could very well be the biggest reason. You can check out our full thoughts on the game in our Switch review.
10 Games That Sold Better on Switch Than Any Other Platform
Just Dance 2017
Just Dance 2017 was one of the Nintendo Switch’s launch titles, letting fans take full advantage of the Joy Cons. Like all other games in the Just Dance series, this one was about following the dancers on-screen and, well, dancing. The 2017 edition came packed with new tracks such as Sorry from Justin Bieber, Cake by the Ocean by DNC, and Cheap Thrills by Sia. For what it’s worth, the Just Dance series is definitely one of the best party games you can have on your Nintendo Switch.
That being said, the game has sold more on the Nintendo Switch than it did on any other platform. While portability might have played a big part in these sales, another reason could be because it was a launch title. On the other hand, the gimmick of dancing around while waving the Joy Cons might have also been a selling factor, compared to just swinging and grabbing air.
10 Games That Sold Better on Switch Than Any Other Platform
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2
Before FighterZ, Switch fans had to stick with Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 as their go-to DB fighting game. The Xenoverse series didn’t have any of the flashy, anime-style 2D combat, but featured 3D open arena battles. Players could still pick some of the fan-favorite characters from the series, or they had the option to build their own fighter from the ground up. Each character has their own set of special skills that still make battles fresh and exciting, and coupled with a serviceable story mode, Xenoverse 2 was still a pretty solid entry in the fighting game series.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 sold exceptionally well on the Nintendo Switch, to the point that it overtook PS4 sales in Japan. It’s an impressive feat, especially considering the fact that it’s a one-year port. The game did manage to sell 500,000 copies worldwide as of January, and the Switch sales could possibly be the reason why Bandai Namco decided to port FighterZ to the hybrid console, too. Check out what we thought of Xenoverse 2 in our full review.
10 Games That Sold Better on Switch Than Any Other Platform
Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas
Originally launching on smartphones, Oceanhorn has found its way to PC and consoles, including the Nintendo Switch. The Zelda-inspired adventure follows a young man on his journey to find his lost father and defeating the living fortress, Oceanhorn. As an adventure game, there are plenty of dungeons to explore and enemies to fight.
While the Nintendo Switch version did launch years after its console counterparts, it still managed to outsell all other platforms. However, it’s worth noting that FDG Entertainment had excluded the PC and mobile releases from their announcement, which may have been where the game sold the most copies. If you’re interested in the game, you can check out our thoughts here.
10 Games That Sold Better on Switch Than Any Other Platform
Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight was bound to show up on this list sooner or later, given how the knight himself has built a huge presence on Nintendo platforms. Despite being a multiplatform game, Shovel Knight has always shined brightest on Nintendo systems. This challenging platformer has earned plenty of acclaim throughout the years for its challenging puzzles and 2D art style that’s reminiscent of classic titles.
While the PC version of the game sold the most copies, the Nintendo Switch version still managed to make the most revenue out of all platforms. While both games are fairly priced at nearly the same range, the PC version has seen plenty of sales throughout the year. Meanwhile, the Switch version has hardly dropped in price, hence why Yacht Club has gotten more out of the hybrid console version. You can read up on our review for our thoughts on this classic game.
10 Games That Sold Better on Switch Than Any Other Platform
Sonic Mania Plus
A follow up to last year’s classic take on the series, Sonic Mania Plus is an expanded version of the original game. The re-release comes with a few new elements, including Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Flying Squirrel as playable characters. Both fans and critics praised the expansion for its new playstyles and additional multiplayer modes, chalking up to be one of the better Sonic releases over the past few years.
Sonic Mania Plus sold a good handful of copies, with the Nintendo Switch accounting for over half of the sales. Around 52 percent of sales fell on the hybrid console, while the PS4 the Xbox One had about 34 and 15 percent respectively. Sonic Mania Plus has spurred a resurgence in the series, and we can only hope that Sega keeps up the trend for later installments. We loved Sonic’s latest adventure, which you can read about in our review.
10 Games That Sold Better on Switch Than Any Other Platform
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap
Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is a quirky little adventure that centers around an adventurer who suddenly becomes afflicted with a curse. To return to human form, the adventurer must travel around the world and defeat the other dragons to remove the curse. This version is actually a remake of the 1989 classic, Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap.
While the game launched on the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One last year, most of the sales came from the hybrid console. As with almost all of the other games that have sold exceptionally well on the hybrid console, we can probably assume that portability is the main selling factor. Having the option to stop the adventure and continue at any time is the main reason why the Nintendo Switch version manages to stand out from its competition.
Published: Sep 11, 2018 09:10 am