Splatoon 3 adds 7.9 million copies and Nintendo forms a joint venture with mobile gaming giant DeNA

In addition to updating the number of Switches sold, in its latest financial report Nintendo has updated software sales, which during the last quarter were driven by the launch of Splatoon 3. The Japanese company has also announced the formation of a joint venture (joint venture) with mobile gaming giant DeNA to strengthen the digitization of its business.

Splatoon 3 went on sale on September 9 worldwide and in three weeks it managed to sell 7.9 million units. In the West this franchise is not the most valued of Nintendo, but in Japan it is very popular. For sample, a button. In the Asian country Splatoon 3 shipped 3.45 million copies in three days, a figure that as of September 30 had already risen to 5 million. The rest of the units belong to the international market. The title still has a way to go to reach 13.30 million copies of Splatoon 2.

During the past quarter, Nintendo also put Xenoblade Chronicles 3 on sale, which despite its good grades at the moment is content to sell 1.72 million copies. It is not a bad figure for a game of these characteristics, but Nintendo titles usually handle higher numbers. For example, Nintendo Switch Sports accumulates 6.15 million units shipped, while Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Mario Strikers: Battle League add up to 5.27 and 2.17 million copies, respectively.

As of September 30, 2022, Nintendo Switch had sold 917.59 million games and the ten first-party that have had the most success by number of copies placed are:

1. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 48.41 million
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 40.17 million
3. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – 29.53 million
4. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 27.79 million
5. Pokemon Sword / Pokemon Shield – 25.37 million
6. Super Mario Odyssey – 24.40 million
7. Super Mario Party – 18.35 million
8. Pokemon Shiny Diamond / Pokemon Shimmering Pearl – 14.92 million
9. Ring Fit Adventure – 14.87 million
10. Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Pokemon: Let’s Go, Eevee! – 14.81 million

According to the joint venture With DeNA set to launch on April 3, 2023, Nintendo’s goal is to harness the experience and resources of this mobile gaming giant to deliver enhanced experiences and services that go beyond its platforms. This includes the development of titles for mobile devices and the creation of value-added services that “further strengthen Nintendo’s relationship with consumers.”

The affinity between Nintendo and DeNA is not new. For seven years Nintendo has been one of the main shareholders of DeNA with a 12.72% stake and this company has developed the mobile games Miitomo, Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and Mario Kart Tour. In addition, DeNA is one of those responsible for the cross-platform account system Nintendo Account, which is the foundation on which the relationship between Nintendo and players is built.