The Nintendo Switch 2 brings a lot of new power and speed, promising better graphics and bigger experiences. Yet, it seems third-party games aren’t catching on as well as first-party hits like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza. That’s kinda surprising, right?
According to The Game Business, most third-party games on Switch 2 have posted very low sales numbers. One publisher even said the results were “below our lowest estimates,” despite the console itself selling strongly. Wow, that’s a tough spot for those developers.
Third-Party Games Not Doing Great on Switch 2
Even though the Switch 2 is much better equipped to handle big third-party games, the sales numbers don’t show it yet. One factor might be the launch libraries. The original Switch launched with only five physical games, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and 1-2-Switch. In contrast, Switch 2 started with 13 physical games available. You’d think more options would mean better sales, right? But here’s the catch: many of those third-party games are ports that have been out for years. So, a lot of players already tried them earlier, which probably hurts sales.
Another thing that might be holding back third-party sales is the Switch 2’s backwards compatibility. Popular older games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet run better on the new hardware. So, if you just got a Switch 2, why buy a third-party game when you can play a polished favorite instead?
Plus, it looks like a lack of reviews at launch made players a bit hesitant about third-party titles. Reviews can really tip the scales, and without them, people might wait or skip buying altogether. Yikes, that’s rough for those publishers trying to get attention.
