Fire Emblem Engage Achieves Second-Biggest Series Launch on Nintendo Switch, Trails Fire Emblem: Three Houses Sales

Fire Emblem Engage, the latest entry in Nintendo and Intelligent Systems' acclaimed tactical RPG franchise, has made a significant impact on the Nintendo Switch platform.

Released on January 20, 2023, Fire Emblem Engage quickly surged to the top of the UK boxed charts, ending FIFA 23’s long-standing dominance and underscoring the enduring popularity of the Fire Emblem series among strategy game enthusiasts worldwide. According to GamesIndustry.biz, Fire Emblem Engage launched with strong physical sales, ranking as the second-biggest debut for the franchise.

Although the boxed sales were approximately 31% lower than those of 2019’s Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Engage’s performance surpasses Fire Emblem Awakening—widely regarded as a series classic on the Nintendo 3DS.

While Nintendo does not provide official figures for digital downloads, the industry-wide shift towards digital purchasing since 2019 suggests that Engage's total sales may be even stronger than the boxed numbers reveal. The current Nintendo Switch software charts remain highly competitive, with evergreen titles such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, and Nintendo Switch Sports continuing to dominate retail performance.

Notably, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle experienced a dramatic 104% weekly sales increase, rising nineteen places in the rankings due to substantial discounts at major retailers, including Amazon and Argos.

However, its sequel, Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope, did not feature in the top ten listings during this sales period. Here are the latest top ten best-selling games in the UK boxed charts as compiled by GfK: 1.

Fire Emblem Engage 2.

FIFA 23 3.

God of War Ragnarok 4.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 5.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II 6.

Pokémon Violet 7.

Nintendo Switch Sports 8.

Minecraft 9.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons 10.

Pokémon Scarlet Since its launch, Fire Emblem Engage has reinforced the franchise’s reputation for delivering deep tactical gameplay and compelling narrative experiences.

Developed by Intelligent Systems, the title introduces new and returning characters, enhancing its appeal to both long-term fans and newcomers to the series.

The strong debut also reflects Nintendo Switch’s role as a leading platform for RPGs and strategy titles, with a diverse library of top-selling games driving the console’s ongoing commercial success. As the gaming industry continues to evolve in favor of digital distribution, tracking the full scope of a game’s performance now requires consideration of downloadable sales, particularly for high-profile releases like Fire Emblem Engage.

Even with decreased physical sales compared to its predecessor, the latest Fire Emblem title remains a testament to the strength of Nintendo’s strategy portfolio and the enduring fan demand for thoughtful, tactical gameplay experiences on the Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Switch Fire Emblem Nintendo Switch Fire Emblem Engage Fire Emblem: Three Houses