This year was big for the Nintendo Switch with plenty of major titles both from Nintendo and a variety of third-party developers. Nintendo saw many of its first-party franchises receive new games during the calendar year includingSuper Mario 3D WorldandMetroid Dreadwhilethird-party titles likeAmong UsandStory of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Townsurged to popularity over the course of the year. However, amidst fierce competition from some of Nintendo’s biggest heavy-hitters, Capcom would ultimately emerge victorious asMonster Hunter Risewould lead the charge for the Switch in 2021.
Monster Hunter Risesaw massive success following its release in March of this year. The game quickly climbed to the top of Nintendo’s sales charts after its launch and has become the best-selling entry in the long-running monster slaying franchise, selling over 7.5 million copies as of October.Rise’s massive success was followed up with the announcement of its first major expansion,Sunbreak, revealed to be releasing during the summer of next year. Now, Nintendo’s end-of-year sales rankings confirmRise’s massive popularity with the newest main-seriesMonster Huntersitting as Japan’s most downloaded Switch game of 2021.
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Nintendo of Japan officially revealed its annual download ranking on Tuesday, featuring the Top 30 most downloaded games on Switch during 2021, withMonster Hunter Risetaking the crownas Japan’s most downloaded game of the year. FollowingMonster Hunter Riseat the #2 spot was the breakout hit indie gameAmong Uswith Nintendo’s ownPokemon Brilliant Diamondtaking 3rd place in the annual ranking.Brilliant Diamond’s counterpart inShining Pearlwould follow two places behind landing at the #5 spot.
Alongside severalnew games likeMario Party SuperstarsandGame Builder Garagewere several Switch staples withMario Kart 8 Deluxe,Minecraft, andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimateall finishing within the Top 10 most downloaded games. Several games exclusive to Japan also finished high in the developer’s end-of-year rankings with the Japan-onlyMomotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban!placing just outside the Top 3 at #4 ahead of major 2021 titles likePokemon Shining PearlandSuper Mario 3D World.
Monster Hunter Rise’s finish atop the Japanese download rankings for Switch caps off a banner year for one of Capcom’s premier franchises.Risewas joined by the release ofMonster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruinin July, which finished at #18 in the rankings.Riseis set to receive a PC versionscheduled to come next month. With the release of the highly-anticipatedSunbreakexpansion on the horizon andaPC version releasing early into 2021,Monster Hunter Risewill look to carry its success from 2021 into the next year as well.
Monster Hunter Riseis available now on Nintendo Switch, with a PC version is scheduled to release on January 12.
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