What Was The Best-Selling Switch Game In 2019?

Man, 2019 was a wild year for the Switch! I remember being glued to my screen for 'Fire Emblem: Three Houses'—that game completely stole my summer. The way it blended tactical RPG elements with deep character relationships had me hooked for weeks. And then there was 'Pokémon Sword and Shield,' which sparked endless debates about the Dex cuts but still delivered that classic monster-catching magic. 'Luigi’s Mansion 3' was another gem, with its gorgeous animation and co-op chaos. Oh, and let’s not forget 'Astral Chain,' a stylish action game from PlatinumGames that felt like playing an anime. Honestly, the Switch’s 2019 lineup was stacked—I barely had time to sleep! Smaller titles like 'Cadence of Hyrule' also surprised me. A rhythm-based Zelda spinoff? Genius. And 'The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening' remake was pure nostalgia candy. Even indie darlings like 'Untitled Goose Game' became viral hits. It’s crazy how diverse the library was that year, from epic RPGs to quirky indies. My backlog still hasn’t recovered.

The Nintendo Switch is a goldmine for bite-sized fun, and I've sunk way too many hours into mini-game collections. My all-time fave has to be 'Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics'—it's like a cozy blanket of nostalgia with everything from chess to hanafuda. The physics-based chaos of 'Overcooked 2' with friends turns my living room into a screaming match (in the best way), while 'Snipperclips' makes me feel like a genius when we finally solve those paper-cutting puzzles. For solo play, 'WarioWare: Get It Together!' is pure distilled madness—those microgames hit like espresso shots. 'Big Brain Academy' tests my fading cognitive abilities in the most charming way possible, and I'll never forget the first time I nailed a 30-combo in 'Tetris 99'. Honorable mentions to 'Mario Party Superstars' for reigniting childhood rivalries and 'Good Job!' for its cathartic office destruction.

Man, I've been glued to my Switch this year—2023 delivered some absolute gems! 'The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom' blew my mind with its expanded Hyrule and wild new mechanics. I spent hours just fusing random objects to weapons. Then there's 'Pikmin 4', which brought back that charming, strategic chaos with adorable plant creatures. 'Sea of Stars' surprised me too—it’s a love letter to classic JRPGs with gorgeous pixel art and a banger soundtrack. And let’s not forget smaller titles like 'Dave the Diver', which mixes sushi restaurants with deep-sea exploration in the weirdest, most addictive way. 'Octopath Traveler II' refined everything great about the first game, and 'Metroid Prime Remastered' made me fall in love with Samus all over again. Honestly, this year’s lineup made my backlog terrifying.

If you're craving adrenaline-pumping action on the Switch this year, let me gush about 'Bayonetta 3' first. PlatinumGames outdid themselves with this one—witch time mechanics feel smoother than ever, and the sheer scale of demon-slaying chaos is unreal. The combo system rewards creativity, and those set-piece battles? Chef's kiss. Then there's 'Metroid Dread', which blends tense exploration with brutal boss fights. The E.M.M.I. zones still give me sweaty palms! Don't sleep on 'Hades II' either. Supergiant took everything addictive about the original—snappy combat, gorgeous art—and dialed it up with new weapons and witchcraft mechanics. For something darker, 'Blasphemous 2' delivers gruesome pixel-art action with Souls-like precision. And hey, 'Astral Chain' still holds up if you missed it—dual-character combat feels fresh years later.

The Nintendo Switch had an absolutely wild 2019! From what I recall digging into sales data back then, Nintendo reported moving around 17.74 million units worldwide that year. That’s bananas when you think about it—almost 18 million people unboxing that iconic red-and-blue Joy-Con combo! What’s crazy is how the momentum just kept building. The release of 'Pokémon Sword and Shield' late that year was like rocket fuel for sales, and let’s not forget 'Fire Emblem: Three Houses' and the 'Luigi’s Mansion 3' hype train. My local game store couldn’t keep Switches in stock for weeks after those dropped. It was the kind of year where you’d overhear conversations at parties like, 'Wait, you don’t own one yet?!'

The Nintendo Switch has had some incredible titles since its launch, and it's always fun to see which games have resonated the most with players worldwide. Topping the charts is 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe,' which feels like a no-brainer—it's the perfect party game, whether you're playing with friends or family. The sheer accessibility and pure fun factor make it a must-have. Close behind is 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons,' which became a cultural phenomenon during the pandemic. It’s the kind of game that lets you escape to your own little island paradise, and the customization options are endless. Then there’s 'Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,' a dream come true for fighting game fans and Nintendo enthusiasts alike. The roster is insane, with characters from so many franchises, and the gameplay is as tight as ever. 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' is another masterpiece that redefined open-world gaming. Exploring Hyrule feels magical, and the sense of discovery is unmatched. 'Pokémon Sword and Shield' also made the list, proving that the Pokémon formula still has a massive audience, even if it’s had its share of controversies. Rounding out the top sellers are 'Super Mario Odyssey,' a love letter to 3D platforming with its creative levels and joyful mechanics, and 'Splatoon 2,' Nintendo’s quirky take on the shooter genre. 'Luigi’s Mansion 3' brought ghost-busting to life with gorgeous visuals and charming gameplay, while 'Ring Fit Adventure' showed that fitness games could still find a huge audience. Finally, 'New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe' gave players a classic Mario experience with a modern twist. Each of these games has something special, and it’s no surprise they’ve sold millions. Personally, I’ve sunk hours into most of them, and they never disappoint.

The Switch Lite is a fantastic handheld for offline gaming, and I've sunk hours into titles that feel perfect for its compact form. 'Hades' is my top pick—every run feels fresh with its dynamic storytelling and addictive combat. The way Zagreus banters with the gods never gets old, and the art style pops on the Lite's screen. Another gem is 'Stardew Valley'; tending to my farm during commutes is oddly therapeutic. The pixel art is crisp, and the gameplay loop is dangerously absorbing. For something more challenging, 'Dead Cells' delivers tight rogue-lite action with buttery smooth controls. The Lite's D-pad makes precision moves a joy. If you crave exploration, 'The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening' remake is a cozy adventure with whimsical charm. The dungeon designs are clever, and the tilt-shift visuals look like a living diorama. 'Slay the Spire' is another must—it’s my go-to for quick sessions, with endless deck-building strategies. Lastly, 'Celeste' shines on the Lite; the tactile buttons make climbing feel incredibly responsive. Each of these games proves you don’t need online features for deep, rewarding experiences.

If we're talking about Switch action games that genuinely push the hardware to its limits, 'Bayonetta 3' has to be at the top of the list. PlatinumGames somehow managed to cram insane particle effects, fluid character animations, and chaotic set pieces into the Switch without major sacrifices. The way the hair physics work during combat or how the environments dynamically shift during boss fights is mind-blowing for handheld mode. Then there's 'Astral Chain', which takes a more stylized approach but still delivers crisp visuals. The neon-drenched cyberpunk aesthetic pops on the OLED screen, especially during those slick combo sequences where your Legion partner syncs attacks with you. It’s not hyper-realistic, but the art direction makes every frame feel like a playable anime.

I was actually keeping an eye on the Switch's pricing around 2019 because I was debating whether to buy one for my younger cousin's birthday. From what I recall, Nintendo didn't officially drop the MSRP that year, but there were definitely some great deals floating around during holiday sales. Retailers like Walmart and Target occasionally had bundles or temporary discounts, especially around Black Friday. What's funny is that the Switch Lite launched in September 2019 at $199, which might have made the original Switch seem cheaper by comparison. I remember debating whether to go for the Lite or hold out for a deal on the standard model. The secondhand market also got more interesting around then as early adopters started selling their used consoles.

The Switch Lite might not be a powerhouse like its bigger sibling, but it still packs a punch when it comes to visually stunning games. One title that immediately comes to mind is 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.' The art style is timeless, blending cel-shading with intricate environmental details that make Hyrule feel alive. Whether you're climbing a mountain or gliding over forests, the game's aesthetic holds up beautifully on the Lite's smaller screen. Another gem is 'Ori and the Will of the Wisps.' The hand-painted visuals and fluid animations are breathtaking, and the Lite's OLED model (if you have it) really makes the colors pop. Then there's 'Hades'—while not graphically intensive, its stylized character designs and vibrant underworld settings are a feast for the eyes. For something more realistic, 'Doom Eternal' surprisingly runs well, though it's a bit of a trade-off with resolution. Honestly, the Switch Lite proves you don't need 4K to enjoy gorgeous games.