2021 was an interesting year for not only the world of gaming and the world as a whole. While the COVID-19 pandemic raged on and many people continued to stay home, Sony and Microsoft were fresh off the release of the two hardware juggernauts' newest consoles, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. With chip shortages and other materials making vital console components scarce, the newest PlayStation and Xbox consoles saw significant shortages and supply issues throughout the year. However, with Sony and Microsoft struggling to keep up with demand, Nintendo reigned as one of 2021's biggest winners.
Nintendo saw several high-profile titles hit stores over the course of last year with some of the developer's biggest franchises and several third-party blockbusters hitting the console. Pokemon, Metroid, and Super Mario Bros. saw major releases hit the console with Metroid Dread and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury being some of the most highly-anticipated games of the year, while Monster Hunter Rise saw massive success for Capcom as a Switch exclusive. Now, a recent report from GSD shows that Nintendo's hybrid console dominated the market throughout 2021.
A recent report from the European GSD detailed that the Nintendo Switch was the best-selling game console in Europe during 2021, coupling with earlier reports that listed the Switch as the number-one console in both Japan and the United States. The report goes on to note that, while the Switch was the best-selling European console throughout the calendar year, sales for the Switch actually went down by 6% from 2020, following a year that saw not only the release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons but the onset of the previously mentioned pandemic.
The GSD report also lists the top 20 best-selling games in Europe throughout 2021 with several Nintendo properties slotting in amongst gaming's elite for the year. While new titles like 3D World and Pokemon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl did make the cut, Switch staples once again remain as popular as ever, with console mainstays like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe cracking the top 5 and Animal Crossing: New Horizons falling just outside the top 10. It should be noted that, due to Nintendo not disclosing digital sales data, Nintendo's placements on the list include only physical versions.
While Nintendo saw a 2021 jam-packed with plenty of high-profile releases, 2022 looks to be another strong year for the iconic Japanese developer. The Switch recently saw the high-profile release of Pokemon Legends: Arceus and is currently scheduled to welcome even more new entries into some of its biggest franchises with Kirby and the Forgotten Land and the highly-anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel set to arrive in 2022. 2021 was a year filled with success for one of gaming's biggest names and 2022 is looking to be much of the same for Nintendo.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz