To start off the new year, Nintendo did very well in software, but not so much in hardware.
For the first time in awhile, Nintendo finished in third place for hardware. Matt Piscatella of NPD revealed that PlayStation 5 was the best-selling hardware platform for January in both units and dollar sales while Xbox Series ranked 2nd across both measures. Through process of elimination, Nintendo Switch ranked in 3rd place. Overall, hardware sales increased 22% when compared to January 2021; however, the semiconductor shortage continues to be an obstacle.
For software, Nintendo took the #1 spot for the Top 20 of January 2022 with Pokémon: Legends Arceus. It should come as no surprise since the game already sold over 6 million units worldwide during its first week. The rest of the Top 20 is as follows for Nintendo software: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was at #8, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl at #11, Mario Party Superstars at #15, Animal Crossing: New Horizons at #16, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at #19.
Third-Party Switch software includes Monster Hunter Rise at #3, FIFA 22 at #7, Minecraft at #13, and NBA 2k22 at #14.
Finally, here are the Top 10 best-sellers for Switch:
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl
- Mario Party Superstars
- Animal Crossing New Horizons
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Just Dance 2022
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Dave’s first Nintendo platform was the GameCube when he was age 7; however, he was introduced to Nintendo through Duck Hunt on NES.