It’s been four days since Nintendo unleashed the full power of their latest console/portable hybrid system the Switch upon the world. Already the number of games available on the platform has multiplied, along with new versions of game titles from older consoles that have been re-released. For example, the Wii U’s “Mario Kart 8” is back as “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe”, repackaged with new tracks and characters. And despite the unexpected rush of problems and bugs such as dead pixels in the display, sales haven’t been affected. In fact, this past March weekend has proven to be the most successful two days’ worth of console sales in Nintendo’s American history.
Outselling a predecessor
The big news has come in that during March 4 and 5 the Nintendo Switch smashed the figures of all launch sales records for every single Nintendo console that has ever come before it. This came from the mouth of Nintendo Of America president Reggie Fils-Aime, in an interview with “New York Times” reporter Nick Wingfield, the short of it would then later be posted on his Twitter account. Another record that was set in this momentous weekend was that a Switch launch title, “Legend Of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” has since surpassed “Super Mario 64” of the 1996 console Nintendo 64 as the company’s best-selling standalone launch game.
2. Fri-Sat sales for Nintendo Switch exceeded first 2-day sales in Americas for any system in Nintendo history. Next biggest was Wii.
— Nick Wingfield (@nickwingfield) March 6, 2017
Wingfield notes that the closest comparable sales figures to the Switch’s runaway success would be the launch of the original Wii console in 2006, which saw about 600,000 units in one region over a period of six days.
Unfortunately no solid sales figures from Nintendo have been forthcoming regarding the Switch launch weekend. But an independent count by Gamebizindustry.biz on sales of the system in the UK has reported about 80,000 units sold Saturday and Sunday, which is said to be double the number of units from the not so popular Wii U console on its own opening weekend.
Can still get better
As of now, some initial reviews of the hybrid game system have been positive, with the running theme being how some of the reviewers were once solid Nintendo gamers who have lapsed out of disappointment in past released platform only to change their minds with the Switch. The idea of having a console-quality videogame that can be picked up and played on the move was a magnificent concept that drew people in. About the only problems that have surfaced were the pixel display glitches on some screens as well as the comparably small library of launch games, though hopefully that will change soon.
