According to a recent financial report by Nintendo, The Legend of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom continues to break sales records. The Breath of The Wild sequel has reportedly sold 18.51 million units in the first two months since its initial May 2023 release. With record-breaking 10 million units sold in a matter of days, Tears Of The Kingdom is tracking to be one of the best-selling games in Nintendo’s history alongside Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Zelda: Breath Of The Wild and Super Mario Odyssey.
Additionally, Nintendo reported the positive impact of The Super Mario Bros. Movie in the increase in sales of “Mario-related titles”, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe selling a recorded 1.67 million units with a cumulative sales of 55.46 million units. Nintendo noted that other related titles have “continued to sell steadily.” Nintendo Switch hardware and software also saw an increase, reaching a total of 129.53 million units sold and 1,088.35 million units sold respectively. Overall, Nintendo’s total net sales this financial period hit 461.3 billion yen with operating profit coming to 185.4 billion yen and ordinary profit resulting in 253.7 billion yen.
Despite the increase in profit, thanks to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Nintendo has acknowledged downward trajectory in Nintendo Switch hardware sales as it enters its twilight years. The financial report forecasted Nintendo’s plan to stimulate more Switch sales in the meantime with new software releases including Pikmin 4, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, the Super Mario RPG remake, and waves of additional content for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet alongside titles from “other software publishers.”
That said, the falling Nintendo Switch sales have increased speculation on its next-gen successor. Recent rumors alleged that some key industry partners have already obtained development kits with a possible release slated for late 2024.