2020 may have had its low points for many, though gaming certainly wasn’t one of them. With a slew of awesome new games andnext-gen console releases from SonyandMicrosoft— not to mention people spending more time at home — gaming was riding high in ‘20.
This extends to Nintendo’s hybrid console, which, despite being years old, still managed to excel with a number of popular titles. Thanks to the timeless appeal of many, Nintendo managed to move tons of software this year, both oldandnew.
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This list will highlight theSwitch’s ten best sellers in North America, as perThe NPD Groupandreported by VG247.
10Super Mario Odyssey
Kicking things off at the number ten spot is the latest mainlineMarioepic.Super Mario Odyssey’s appeal and quality have given the game a mushroom boost of massive staying power despite dating back to October 2017.
Thanks to some enjoyable 3D platforming, fantastical worlds, and robust content - along with the add-on “Luigi’s Balloon World” - the game’s been able to keep its momentum going, selling over 20 million copies to date. It’s made for quite the memorable odyssey, and it shows no signs of reaching its end anytime soon.
9Super Mario Party
For manyNintendofans, the long-runningMario Partyfranchisewas in need of some sort of makeover. For most, NDcube and Nintendo managed to deliver with this charming new spin on the series. With more streamlined gameplay as well as refined, creative use of motion controls,Super Mario Partybreathes new life into the series.
The game offers a slew of fun new minigames that range from flipping meat cubes to riding tiny tricycles. New game modes also round out the experience, including a thrilling new co-op romp and solid online mode.
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While this delightful sequel diverges a bit from the beaten path, it still taps into the traits that made the series so appealing in the first place, with its whimsical themes and party gameplay.
8Luigi’s Mansion 3
As a rare series starring Mario’s often-neglected brother,Luigi’s Mansionseemed to be a dormant relic of the early GameCube days untilreemerged on the 3DSover a decade later. Off the heels of that hit came what’s widely considered its strongest effort yet,Luigi’s Mansion 3.
Nintendo and Next Level Games adhere to the unique traits the series is known for, including spooky indoor locales and Luigi’s ghost-busting vacuum. At the same time, the game is fleshed out with new ghost-catching moves, a vast hotel setting, and a robust multiplayer mode.
Local and online faceoffs have players taking on the role of Luigi and his ectoplasmic assistant Gooigi as they traverse areas to solve puzzles and catch ghosts together. The new mode known as ScreamPark brings an added element of excitement and thrills, as players can square off in competitive team battles.
7New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Not to be outdone by its epic 3D counterpart, classic sidescrollingMariocontinues to go strong with this game, selling close to 6 million units to date. The fact thatNew Super Mario Bros. Uhas existed in some form since 2012 is a testament to the timeless fun and appeal of 2DMario.
With its solid platforming, vibrant worlds, and thrilling 4-player co-op, NSMB U remains an appealing title for a wide range of Switch players. Its sharpened visuals and added content, mainly theNew Super Luigi UDLC, serve to entice Wii U vets and newcomers alike.
6The Legend of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
While momentum for The Big N’s hit fantasy series marches on withgames likeHyrule Warriors: Age of CalamityandLink’s Awakening, the mainlineZeldaepic has continued to shine in terms of sales. With the anticipated sequel on the horizon and a trickling of DLC content, theBreath of the Wildhype machine has continued to churn.
Breath of the Wildhas become one of the most renowned games in this storied franchise, thanks to its gripping fantasy aura, gorgeous visuals, and dynamic, open-world gameplay.
The robust environments, rewarding progression, and thrilling combat have kept gamers coming back for more. In this expansive version of Hyrule, there are seemingly always new areas to explore, new shrines to solve, and more foes to slay.
5Ring Fit Adventure
Nintendo managed to strike gold by offering a suitablyfun way to get in shapewithWii Fit. Fast forward a decade, and this spiritual successor makes that effort look tame, with it amping things up with surprisingly tough resistance training and cardio.
2019’sRing Fit Adventureturns a player’s game space into a home gym, which was an enticing perk in a year riddled with lockdowns andsocial distancing. It excels with its blend of nuanced and accessible gameplay, which offers tons of versatility in terms of difficulty and areas one wishes to target.
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The Leg Strap and resilient Ring-Con serve as immersive tools that allow players to take on various fun workouts with an RPG-adventure overlay. Though other options exist for those who’d rather forgo the campaign, including customized workouts, a dance romp, andparty-esque minigames.
4Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Nintendo’s latest rendition of this party-fighter has remained a smash-hit since its December 2018 debut.Smash Bros. Ultimatetakes the approach of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” sticking to the formula of the previous entry on Wii U in particular.
At the same time, Bandai Namco and Nintendo amp things up with tons of new content and refined gameplay. This includes a robust campaign, uniquely fun multiplayer options, and a huge, expanding lineup of fighters. The game also features a super-addictive online mode and the favoredMelee-esque mechanics which are tighter and swifter.
With over 22 million units now sold,Smash Bros. Ultimatecontinues to reign as an undisputed champ on Switch, especially when it comes to esports and social gaming.
3Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Despite being a compilation of older games,Super Mario 3D All-Starsmanages to outdo even most new titles on Switch, reminding gamers of the timeless charm ofMarioplatforming.
Though it’sgotten mixed receptionfor its lack of refinement or added content,3D All-Starsstill holds the distinction of offering three of the best 3DMariogames in their most appealing form ever.
Super Mario 64takes gamers back on a nostalgic trip to 3DMario’s roots and introduces newcomers to a'90s classic. Then there’s the plumber’s somewhat overlooked stint on GameCube, which shines brighter than ever in 1080p. Finally, there’s the epicSuper Mario Galaxy, which looks and plays stupendously on Switch.
2Mario Kart 8: Deluxe
Despite being another converted Wii U title, this latest entry in the hitMario Kartseries continues to speed forward, selling over 41 million copies combined.
It certainly helps that the game’s rife with fun, addictive content, including an improved Battle Mode, a slew of DLC content, and ultra-vibrant visuals. Its fast-paced, pick-up-and-play nature also lends itself to the Switch’s handheld sensibilities.
Dating all the way back to mid-2017,Mario Kart 8 Deluxeremains one of Switch’s ultimate go-to’s for parties and exciting online showdowns.
1Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Timing can be big in art and entertainment, and the pandemic of 2020 offered a favorable dynamic for this whimsical, socially-oriented game from Nintendo. After all,Animal Crossing: New Horizonsoffers a fun, laid-back platform from which to mingle with friends and family.
Of course, that’s not to take away from the merits of this appealing game, as it’s widely considered the best version of the franchise. The game provides a unique charm with its rewarding, versatile gameplay that allows players to construct and manage their unique island paradise,collect goodies, and hang out with human and AI villagers.
