Nintendo Switch dominates Top Ten, as blockchain increases UK graphics box game sales

The first week of January is a notoriously quiet one for boxed video game sales. It is rare to see a release of any kind in this window and, of course, most players will still be busy with their Christmas presents.

However, it is not a normal start to the year, the UK is heading for another complete blockade to try to limit the spread of coronavirus. This may explain why more than 260,000 box games were sold last week in the UK, which is a third more than what was achieved in the same week this past year.

The main engine of growth was the Nintendo Switch, with console games dominating the boxing charts last week. In fact, sales of Switch games have increased by more than 123% compared to the same week in 2020. Animal Crossing: New Horizons remains in first place, despite sales that have fallen by 47% (it is worth noting that sales fall in the first week of completely normal year), followed by Mario Kart 8: Deluxe at number 2 (sales down 43%). At number 3 is Just Dance 2021, which increases by two places, despite a sales score of 24%. Just Dance 2021 is available on all platforms, of course, but almost 90% of game sales have so far been on the Nintendo Switch (only physical sales, digital sales are not included).

There are 15 Switch exclusives in the Top 40 this week, including Ring Fit Adventure at number 6 (sales up 24%), Minecraft at number 7 (sales down 35%) and New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe at number 9 ( sales down 32%). The new Super Mario Bros. has returned to the Top Ten in the last few weeks, after a new marketing campaign for the game.

Everything is very close, but a 42% drop in sales for Super Mario 3D All-Stars means that the collection ends its stay in the Top Ten, dropping to number 11.

Otherwise, it’s a pretty normal schedule throughout, with no new releases until Hitman 3 later in the month. For those following the Cyberpunk 2077 story, the CD Projekt game dropped to number 20 after a 59% drop in sales.

Here are the GfK Tops for the week ending January 9: