Third-party video games for the recently launched Nintendo Switch 2 are struggling to find their audience, with at least one publisher reporting sales “below our lowest estimates.” Industry site The Game Business broke the news that multiple publishers are seeing disappointing numbers for their Switch 2 offerings during the console’s launch window.
The underwhelming performance stems from several factors. Most third-party releases are ports of older titles like Yakuza 0, Street Fighter 6, and Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 rather than fresh experiences. These games are often priced at premium rates—sometimes higher than on other platforms—despite being years old.
Adding to consumer frustration is the widespread use of “game key cards” instead of traditional cartridges. These physical cards contain only download codes, offering neither the convenience of digital purchases nor the collectibility of true physical media.
“Why would I pay $70 for Yakuza 0 on a game key card when I already bought it for $5 on Steam?” This sentiment echoes throughout the gaming community as early Switch 2 adopters—many of whom own multiple gaming platforms—see little value in rebuying older games at full price.
The new console’s strong first-party lineup is another complicating factor. Nintendo’s flagship titles, such as Mario Kart, have dominated consumer attention and spending, leaving third-party offerings in the shadows. With the substantial investment required for the new console itself, many players have limited budgets for additional games.
Not all third-party titles are struggling equally. Games offered as complete cartridges with all downloadable content included, such as Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, have performed relatively better. The port’s surprisingly strong performance on Switch 2 hardware has helped justify its price point to consumers.
