Nintendo Switch and Zelda storm Japan

Horizon Zero Dawn makes a strong showing

At last, we have hard data on opening week sales for the Nintendo Switch and it’s launch titles in Japan. The Switch console moved over 329,000 units. That is an improvement over the Wii U, which sold just 311,000 in its first week. Although the Switch didn’t match original Wii’s 350,000+ sales, this is solid start.

Naturally, Switch games littered the software sales ranking, which The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild predictably topped. Zelda sold well over 200,000 copies if you combine Switch and Wii U version sales. Sadly, a great number of people bought 1-2-Switch whereas Snipperclips didn’t even make the list. It is understandable though; ample advertising, a physical release, casual gameplay, and utilization of all the console’s promoted features appeals to a wider audience more than a co-operative puzzle game. 

Looking at the rest of the list, Horizon Zero Dawn had an excellent showing despite the Switch craze, Pokémon Sun & Moon sold less than a billion for once, and Grand Theft Auto V is still going strong four years later. I, too, am starting to feel like picking up a copy since every time I blink it seems something amazing has been added to GTA Online.

Media Create Sales 2/27/17-3/05/17 [4gamer]

Top game sales. Lifetime sales in parentheses.

1. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 186,379 (New)
2. [PS4] Horizon Zero Dawn – 116,997 (New)
3. [NSW] 1-2-Switch – 79,536 (New)
4. [WIU] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 44,602 (New)
5. [PS4] NieR: Automata – 38,002 (236,545)
6. [NSW] Super Bomberman R – 36,623 (New)
7. [NSW] Dragon Quest Heroes I-II – 25,606 (New)
8. [PS4] Super Robot Wars V – 15,321 (115,475)
9. [3DS] Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 Professional – 13,426 (163,058)
10. [NSW] Puyo Puyo Tetris – 12,854 (New)
11. [PSV] Super Robot Wars V – 12,813 (96,546)
12. [3DS] Pokémon Sun & Moon – 12,292 (3,189,271)
13. [PS4] Nioh – 10,210 (128,824)
14. [PS4] Grand Theft Auto V (4,990 Yen Edition) – 7,357 (291,327)
15. [PS4] Resident Evil 7 – 7,176 (291,666)
16. [3DS] Super Mario Maker for 3DS – 7,042 (983,867)
17. [PS4] For Honor – 6,435 (59,700)
18. [3DS] Yo-kai Watch 3: Sukiyaki – 5,980 (681,240)
19. [PS4] Winning Post 8 2017 – 5,793 (New)
20. [3DS] Doraemon the Movie: Nobita no Nankyoku Kachikochi Daibouken – 5,481 (New)

Top console sales. Prior week’s sales in parentheses.

1. Switch – 329,152 (New)
2. PlayStation 4 – 31,065 (37,008)
3. New 3DS LL – 18,433 (15,984)
4. PlayStation Vita – 9,889 (10,704)
5. PlayStation 4 Pro – 6,742 (6,481)
6. 2DS – 4,147 (4,303)
7. New 3DS – 1,268 (1,254)
8. PlayStation 3 – 615 (505)
9. Wii U – 565 (464)
10. Xbox One – 147 (469)