One of the biggest debates surrounding the Switch 2 has been whether the console has a strong enough library of games to warrant the upgrade. As Xbox and Playstation have moved toward multi-platform releases (and even a potential PC-console hybrid), Nintendo has remained firm in producing games exclusive to their own hardware.
Now, almost a year into the console’s life cycle, the top three best-selling physical games on Amazon are all Nintendo exclusives. Are Switch 2 owners just at the ready to buy any game that releases on the console? Or are these games particularly big hits for the gaming giant? I have a suspicion it’s a mix of both.
Top 3 Best-Selling Video Games on Amazon Right Now
Amazon’s approach to product categories is… interesting, to say the least. If you go straight to the video game bestsellers list, you’ll find a mix of Roblox gift cards, controllers, and even the Switch 2 itself. These are the top actual video games on that list, which are technically ranked at #5, #6, and #18 at the time of writing.
1. Star Fox
Up top we have the most recently announced Switch 2-exclusive, which certainly has some hype behind it. The Star Fox 64 remake will feature a significant graphical overhaul, including new character designs, while keeping the same level design as the original game. It will also include some funky Switch 2 camera integrations.
2. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
The one game on this list that isn’t a Switch 2-exclusive also happens to be the game that you can buy and play right now. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream released earlier this year, with IGN’s review calling it “a deeply funny and equally personal civilization simulator.”
While Nintendo opted not to offer any online features for sharing, the game has turned into a social media darling, with everyone and their grandma seemingly sharing screenshots of what their eclectic crews of Miis are getting up to.
3. Yoshi and the Mysterious Book
Yet another preorder, Yoshi and the Mysterious Book will be the first Yoshi game to release since Yoshi’s Crafted World in 2019. Leanne Butkovic’s preview of the game for IGN notes that the gameplay may be designed for the younger generation of gamers, but that hasn’t stopped it from climbing the charts.
It’s worth highlighting that more and more developers are reporting that the overwhelming majority of game purchases are digital. The Nintendo eShop doesn’t rank its best-selling list, but it currently features Pokémon Pokopia, the FireRed and LeafGreen remakes, and the Switch 2’s accompanying launch title, Mario Kart World.
Unlike the original Switch, the Switch 2 has also been getting non-Nintendo AAA releases like Resident Evil: Requiem and Pragmata at launch. Upcoming exclusives include a new Fromsoftware game, The Duskbloods, while questions remain about major Nintendo mascots like Mario and Zelda.
How does the Switch 2 library stack up at this stage? Well, I think that’s for you to decide.
Switch 2 Console Price Hike Incoming
One of the biggest Nintendo announcements of late is that the Switch 2 will be increasing in price this September. When that price hike takes effect, every current-generation console will officially be more expensive in 2026 than it was at launch, an unfortunate trend tied to memory shortages and tariffs. The price increase followed reports of pressure from investors, and may also be related to the relatively soft Switch 2 sales over the holidays.
Aside from accompanying the announcement with an apology, Nintendo announced a new “choose your own game” Switch 2 bundle that will be available this summer. The company recognizes that the console’s appeal depends on its library of games, with Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa expressing that “the most important thing in the gaming console business is to provide engaging gameplay that offers value beyond the price.”
Blythe (she/her) is an Audience Development Coordinator at IGN who spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.
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