First Party Switch Games: What Most People Get Wrong

Honestly, the term "first party" has become a bit of a mess lately. Most people think if it has a red box and Mario's face on it, Nintendo made it. That’s not quite how it works. You've got the internal heavy hitters like Nintendo EPD, but then there's this massive web of subsidiaries and partners like Monolith Soft, Game Freak, and Intelligent Systems who actually do the heavy lifting.

If you look at the sheer volume of first party switch games released since 2017, it’s staggering. We aren't just talking about Zelda and Mario. It’s a catalog that spans from weird experiments like Labo to massive, hundred-hour RPGs. As of early 2026, the library has basically defined this entire generation of gaming, outlasting competitors and defying the "underpowered hardware" critics.

The Heavy Hitters You Already Know

You can't talk about the Switch without mentioning Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It’s the game that simply refuses to die. Even now, it sits at nearly 70 million units sold. Think about that. That is almost one copy for every two Switch consoles ever sold. It’s the ultimate "safe" purchase.

Then there is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and its massive 2023 successor, Tears of the Kingdom. These games changed the industry. They didn't just sell well; they shifted how developers think about open worlds. Instead of following a dotted line on a map, you’re just... looking at a mountain and deciding to go there. It’s simple, but it’s brilliant.

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons: The "pandemic game" that became a cultural phenomenon. It’s currently hovering around 48 million copies.
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: The "Everyone is Here" promise actually held up. It’s the definitive crossover.
• Super Mario Odyssey: Still arguably the most creative 3D platformer on the system, even with the 2026 rumors of a sequel swirling.

The "Second Party" Confusion

This is where the expert nuance comes in. Is Pokémon first party? Technically, yes, because Nintendo owns the trademark and a massive chunk of The Pokémon Company. But it's developed by Game Freak. Same goes for Fire Emblem (Intelligent Systems) and Kirby (HAL Laboratory).

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Nintendo is a master of the "external-internal" relationship. They provide the polish and the publishing power, but the creative soul often comes from these long-term partners. For instance, Metroid Dread was a joint effort between Nintendo and MercurySteam. It resulted in the fastest-selling game in the series. It’s a model that works because it lets Nintendo experiment with genres they don't have internal teams for.

The Weird Experiments

Nintendo loves a good "what if?" moment.
Remember Ring Fit Adventure? People laughed at the plastic ring until they realized it actually gives you a brutal workout.
Then there's Nintendo Labo. It was basically expensive cardboard, and while it didn't set the world on fire sales-wise, it showed that Nintendo still cares about the "toy" aspect of their history. They aren't just a software company; they are a play company.

Moving Into the 2025 and 2026 Release Slate

As we sit here in early 2026, the transition period is in full swing. We’ve seen the release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally hit the shelves after years of development hell. It’s a technical marvel, proving that Retro Studios still has that "Prime" magic.

The current buzz is all about the "Switch 2" (or whatever the official name ends up being this year). We’ve already seen Donkey Kong Country Returns HD and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition bridging the gap. But the real heavy hitters for 2026 are looking like Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and the long-awaited Rhythm Heaven Groove.

The Sales Leaderboard (As of Late 2025)

What Most People Miss

The "hidden" first party games are often the most interesting. Have you played Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club? It’s a dark, gritty visual novel published by Nintendo. It’s a total departure from their family-friendly image.

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Or look at Another Code: Recollection. These aren't million-sellers, but they represent Nintendo’s commitment to their history. They aren't just chasing the Call of Duty money; they’re curating a museum of their own ideas.

Actionable Insights for Collectors and Fans

If you're looking to round out your collection of first party switch games, don't just buy the top 10 list.

1. Check the Publisher: On the eShop, scroll down to the "Publisher" field. If it says "Nintendo," it’s first party. This matters for sales—Nintendo games rarely drop below 33% off, even years later.
2. Prioritize the "Dead" Physicals: Games like Super Mario 3D All-Stars were limited releases. If you see a physical copy at a decent price, grab it. They don't make more.
3. Watch the Performance: Newer 2025 and 2026 titles are pushing the original Switch to its absolute limit. If a game like Pokémon Legends: Z-A feels a bit choppy, it’s often worth waiting to see if there’s a "next-gen" patch for the newer hardware.

The Switch era has been defined by a "quality over quantity" approach that somehow also managed to produce a massive quantity of hits. Whether you're into the high-octane racing of F-Zero 99 or the cozy vibes of Pikmin 4, the first-party ecosystem is the reason the console is still relevant nine years after launch.

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Next Steps for Your Library
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the "My Nintendo Store" for physical rewards and exclusive editions. Often, the best first-party gems—like the Famicom Detective Club remakes—get limited physical runs in certain regions that become instant collector's items. If you're purely digital, use a site like DekuDeals to track the rare instances when Nintendo-published titles actually go on sale.