Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the latest entry in Nintendo’s acclaimed science fiction action-adventure series, has made an impressive impact in its UK debut, according to freshly released sales data compiled by GfK.
Launching simultaneously on the original Nintendo Switch and the advanced Nintendo Switch 2, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond entered the UK boxed charts at number 3, trailing only behind the ever-popular Mario Kart World and EA SPORTS FC 26. Notably, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond saw the majority of its sales—an estimated 83%—on the Nintendo Switch 2, with the original Switch accounting for the remaining 17%.
This marks a significant shift in consumer preference toward Nintendo’s latest hardware, suggesting strong early adoption and enthusiasm for the Switch 2 among core fans of the Metroid franchise.
The performance in its opening week indicates sustained demand for high-profile first-party titles on new Nintendo platforms. Sales analysis from industry expert Christopher Dring of The Game Business highlights that physical launch numbers for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond were approximately 15% lower compared to Metroid Dread’s launch in 2021.
Dring emphasized that the decline was relatively marginal, amounting to "just a few thousand units" fewer than its predecessor, despite the generational platform transition. In contrast to Metroid Prime 4's strong showing, Octopath Traveler 0—Square Enix’s latest entry in its popular HD-2D RPG series—had a subdued launch in the UK, barely making the physical top 40 at number 37.
The title released on the same day as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond but saw the majority of its sales on the original Nintendo Switch.
This performance suggests a slower start compared to earlier entries in the Octopath series, potentially reflecting the intense competition in the release window or different platform preferences among RPG fans. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, published by Ubisoft, climbed to number 19 in the UK charts.
However, sales on Switch 2 continued to trail behind the PlayStation 5, indicating that established franchises may still be finding their footing on Nintendo’s new hardware.
Across the broader top 40, other Nintendo-mainstay titles such as Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Super Mario Party Jamboree demonstrated the ongoing strength of Nintendo IP on both Switch and Switch 2 platforms. GfK’s latest report also provides insight into platform splits for multi-platform titles, further confirming the momentum building behind the Nintendo Switch 2.
With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond setting a high bar for launch performance on next-generation Nintendo hardware, and other first-party titles maintaining solid positions in the charts, Nintendo continues to solidify its influence in the competitive UK gaming market. Stay tuned for more updates as Nintendo’s next wave of key releases shapes hardware adoption and software sales performance in the months ahead.
Launching simultaneously on the original Nintendo Switch and the advanced Nintendo Switch 2, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond entered the UK boxed charts at number 3, trailing only behind the ever-popular Mario Kart World and EA SPORTS FC 26. Notably, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond saw the majority of its sales—an estimated 83%—on the Nintendo Switch 2, with the original Switch accounting for the remaining 17%.
This marks a significant shift in consumer preference toward Nintendo’s latest hardware, suggesting strong early adoption and enthusiasm for the Switch 2 among core fans of the Metroid franchise.
The performance in its opening week indicates sustained demand for high-profile first-party titles on new Nintendo platforms. Sales analysis from industry expert Christopher Dring of The Game Business highlights that physical launch numbers for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond were approximately 15% lower compared to Metroid Dread’s launch in 2021.
Dring emphasized that the decline was relatively marginal, amounting to "just a few thousand units" fewer than its predecessor, despite the generational platform transition. In contrast to Metroid Prime 4's strong showing, Octopath Traveler 0—Square Enix’s latest entry in its popular HD-2D RPG series—had a subdued launch in the UK, barely making the physical top 40 at number 37.
The title released on the same day as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond but saw the majority of its sales on the original Nintendo Switch.
This performance suggests a slower start compared to earlier entries in the Octopath series, potentially reflecting the intense competition in the release window or different platform preferences among RPG fans. Assassin’s Creed Shadows, published by Ubisoft, climbed to number 19 in the UK charts.
However, sales on Switch 2 continued to trail behind the PlayStation 5, indicating that established franchises may still be finding their footing on Nintendo’s new hardware.
Across the broader top 40, other Nintendo-mainstay titles such as Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Super Mario Party Jamboree demonstrated the ongoing strength of Nintendo IP on both Switch and Switch 2 platforms. GfK’s latest report also provides insight into platform splits for multi-platform titles, further confirming the momentum building behind the Nintendo Switch 2.
With Metroid Prime 4: Beyond setting a high bar for launch performance on next-generation Nintendo hardware, and other first-party titles maintaining solid positions in the charts, Nintendo continues to solidify its influence in the competitive UK gaming market. Stay tuned for more updates as Nintendo’s next wave of key releases shapes hardware adoption and software sales performance in the months ahead.
