The Nintendo Switch & ‘The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’ Enjoy A Strong Launch
by Matt Reisine
The Nintendo Switch launched to the excitement of fans back on March 3. A console and a portable, the Switch blends the two formerly separate hardware divisions. Furthermore, the NPD Group has released March’s sales data, and Nintendo’s new system and its flagship game broke records.
NINTENDO SWITCH & THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD
While March is usually a quiet month, the Switch managed to sell “more than 906,000 units.” The hardware manufacturer billed their new product as the “fastest-selling video game system in Nintendo history.”
Moreover, The Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild performed well too. In fact, with “more than 925,000 units sold,” it’s outselling the Switch. Additionally, the latest Zelda sold “nearly 460,000 units” on the Wii U. Consequently, Breath of the Wild has become the “fastest-selling Nintendo launch game of all time” and the fastest-selling entry in its series. However, Nintendo does add that some of this could “be attributed to people who purchased both a limited edition of the game to collect and a second version to play.”
Breath of the Wild earned a lot of praise, including a thumbs-up from our own Sean Fahey, affirming its status as the Switch’s must-own title.
However, not everyone who wants a Switch could purchase one due to the supply issues. The Wii and the soon-to-be-discontinued NES Classic Edition infamously suffered through similar shortages. (Personally, I’ve yet to see a Switch or an NES Classic Edition in stores.) Nintendo asserts that they’re working to meet demand.
While this early victory doesn’t necessarily mean the platform will remain successful, it is encouraging, especially after the stillborn Wii U. As games sell hardware, Nintendo plans to keep up this momentum with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS and Splatoon 2.
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