Skip to main content

Time for a Switch? Nintendo dominated Amazon’s best-selling games list for 2017

Nintendo Switch review
Nate Barrett/Digital Trends
Nintendo dominated 2017, thanks to the new Switch console, as well as the plug-and-play SNES Classic, but it wasn’t just the hardware that sold like hotcakes. Amazon has released its list of the best-selling games from 2017, and Nintendo managed to take seven of the top 10 spots.

The top three games sold on Amazon in 2017 were Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, all for Nintendo Switch. Other Nintendo games in the top 10 include Splatoon 2, Pokémon Ultra Sun, Pokémon Ultra Moon, and the Wii U version of Breath of the Wild. Horizon Zero Dawn for PlayStation 4 and both console versions of Call of Duty: WWII also made the list.

Recommended Videos

Lower down the best-seller list, we see games like Destiny 2 and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, but several more Nintendo Switch games had strong sales figures as well. Ubisoft’s strategy game Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and the unique fighting game Arms were high on the list, and Nintendo fans haven’t abandoned their 3DS systems just yet, either — Metroid: Samus Returns had stronger sales on Amazon than Assassin’s Creed Origins and was just behind the surprise hit Nier: Automata.

Given the Nintendo’s Switch’s small internal storage space, it’s likely that games for Switch have sold better physically than they do on other consoles. With only 32GB of space without a microSDXC card, certain third-party games aren’t even playable digitally.

Still, one has to give Nintendo credit for supporting its new system with an awesome library of games in just its first year. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was Digital Trends’ game of the year in 2017, and we also loved Super Mario Odyssey and Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle for their innovative takes on the Mario formula. Next year, PlatinumGames’ Switch exclusive Bayonetta 3 will release, as will new entries in the Fire Emblem, Kirby, and Yoshi series. New Metroid Prime and Pokémon games are also in the works.

Unsurprisingly, the Nintendo Switch was also the best-selling console of the year on Amazon, despite issues with supply earlier in 2017. Both the gray and the neon versions sold better than the PlayStation 4, which sold significantly better than the Xbox One S.

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
The best single-player games
The Master Sword in Tears of the Kingdom.

It's never been a better time to be a multiplayer gamer, with fantastic titles such as Fortnite, GTA Online, and Call of Duty: Warzone taking the industry by storm. However, the same can be said about single-player experiences, especially in recent years thanks to the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Dedicated single-player games are some of the richest, most beloved experiences in the medium, and in this list, we'll go through the very best. These are the best single-player games.

Read more
The best indie games for 2023
darkest dungeon ii preview 2 storms early access

The best indie games push the boundaries of what's possible in a video game. From party experiences like Among Us to wonderfully unique narrative adventures like Lake, there's an endless sea of excellent indie games to choose from. Sorting through the massive pile is a chore, though, which is why we rounded up the top indie games you should play in 2023.

From gritty detective dramas to farming simulators, there's an indie game for everyone. If you're shopping for a specific platform, make sure to read our dedicated guides:

Read more
The best Nintendo Switch games for adults
bayonetta

At first glance, the Nintendo Switch seems like a kid's system. The platform has, historically, been considered for children. However, as Nintendo has grown, so has its fan base. The company has worked to change this perspective and try to garner adult viewership. They've primarily done this by focusing on creating games and bringing in ports that focus on adult audiences.

Although the system may not have all the capabilities of the PlayStation or Xbox, the Nintendo Switch can still bring any adult joy. Adults can, and should, pick up the switch, not just for its portability but also for the awesome games you can play. If you're looking for a more grown-up-centered game for your Nintendo Switch, you've come to the right place!

Read more