Nintendo Switch 2 is selling well, but third-party games are still stalling: what's the problem?

The Nintendo Switch 2 promised to be a significant step forward: more power, faster speed and incredible graphics. And so it did, but according to recent reports, Nintendo's commitment to third-party titles on the Switch 2 hasn't been justified yet. It seems that something is preventing third-party developers from taking full advantage of the new platform.

Here's What We Know

Currently, Switch 2 is dominated by Nintendo games. Such hits as Mario Kart World or Zelda are leading the sales. These games have one thing in common: they are first-party releases, i.e. developed or published by Nintendo directly. For third-party games, the situation is reportedly quite different.

The Switch 2's significantly improved performance means that the device is well suited for large third-party games. However, according to The Game Business: "Most third-party games for the Switch 2 have seen very low numbers. One third-party publisher described the numbers as 'below our lowest estimates' despite strong sales of the console itself."

The data showed that third-party games received more attention initially. However, these figures are skewed by certain factors. The original Switch 1 had only five physical games at launch: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, 1-2-Switch, Just Dance 2017, Skylanders Imaginators, and Super Bomberman R. In comparison, the Switch 2 had a much wider selection, with 13 physical games available at launch.

It is believed that the lack of sufficient reviews at launch created a sense of discomfort and distrust of third-party content on the Switch 2, which likely drove consumers away. Without the proper marketing hype and trusted reviews, players simply didn't know what to choose.

The Game Business continues: "One drawback for third-party publishers is that the Switch 2 is backwards compatible, with some older games (including popular titles like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet) receiving technical improvements on the new hardware. In other words, even if Switch 2 owners are looking for other games to play after Mario Kart, they have other options besides the third-party lineup." This creates internal competition, as players can simply return to old favourites that now look better on the new console.

It's also worth keeping in mind that many of these Switch 2 ports have already been out for a few years, and they're not new games. Many people have already played them on other platforms, which reduces the desire to buy them again. Probably newer third-party titles designed specifically for the Switch 2 will do much better.

Source: The Game Business