In the five years since the Nintendo Switch first hit the market, the company has moved a remarkable 1.036 billion game units. This figure comes from Nintendo’s financial report covering the fourth fiscal quarter of 2022, which concluded in March 2023, as reported by The Gematsu publication. The milestone reflects broad consumer engagement across handheld and docked play, underscoring the system’s enduring appeal in North American markets and beyond.
According to the same report, the Switch achieved more momentum this year, selling 3 million copies in the first quarter alone. This rapid pace helped push the overall software library beyond the 125 million mark in lifetime sales. Nintendo also outlined its expectations for continued growth, aiming to reach an additional 15 million units over the remainder of the year, highlighting both software-led momentum and continued hardware demand in the United States and Canada as well as other regions.
Nintendo also shared the performance figures for its top titles. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe topped the charts with 53.8 million copies sold, followed by Animal Crossing: New Horizons at 42.2 million. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate posted 31.1 million copies, securing third place on the list. These figures illustrate how enduring franchises and evergreen titles can sustain interest in a console years after its initial release, particularly in markets that prize family-friendly, multiplayer, and social gaming experiences.
The company’s top ten lineup continues with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at 29.8 million copies, Pokemon Sword and Shield at 25.8 million, Super Mario Odyssey at 25.8 million, and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet at 22.1 million. Rounding out the list are Super Mario Party at 19.1 million, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe at 15.4 million, and Ring Fit Adventure also at 15.4 million. These numbers illuminate the breadth of the Switch ecosystem, where first-party exclusives, remasters, and innovative peripherals collectively drive sustained sales across diverse audiences in North America and beyond.
In related coverage, outlets have discussed practical considerations for buyers, such as choosing the most suitable Switch model and optimizing battery life for extended play sessions. Guides and comparisons frequently highlight the differences between the original model, the Nintendo Switch Lite, and the OLED model, noting battery capacity, screen quality, and portability as key decision factors. For buyers in Canada and the United States, a practical takeaway is to assess how often portability matters, whether multiplayer on the go is essential, and how the ecosystem aligns with preferred games and family usage patterns. These insights help prospective purchasers balance cost, performance, and long-term satisfaction when selecting a version that best fits their lifestyle and gaming library.