Ranking 2025: The 5 Must-Play Nintendo Games Dominating Sales on the eShop

The 2025 ranking of Nintendo games on the eShop clearly reveals which titles have captured players’ hearts and dominated sales. Among these must-have video games, some stand out for their innovation, captivating worlds, and longevity in the gaming market. In this analysis, we will examine the reasons that propelled these five Nintendo games to the top:

• The massive and rapid success of recent releases, showing strong immediate demand.
• The persistence of classics that continue to appeal despite the years.
• The diversity of genres and styles catering to all types of players.
• The influence of different regions on game preferences.
• Nintendo’s strategies to maintain an attractive offering on its digital platform.

Each of these aspects will help us better understand why these Nintendo games are essential in the 2025 video game landscape on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, and how they continue to shape trends in the video game market.

Kirby Air Riders: The meteoric rise of a must-have on Nintendo Switch

Kirby Air Riders quickly established itself as the number one title in the 2025 best-sellers ranking on the American eShop. Released on November 20, 2025, this game managed to unite a large audience thanks to the strength of an already well-established franchise and gameplay that is accessible yet engaging. This performance demonstrates Nintendo’s powerful ability to reintroduce beloved franchises to players by offering them a refreshed experience.

The immediate success of Kirby Air Riders illustrates the positive impact of a well-timed release during the fall period, when players’ attention is at its peak. Its compatibility with both the Nintendo Switch 2 and the classic Switch allowed a very broad range of players to access this experience. The enthusiasm translates into a rapid sales dynamic, making Kirby a concrete example of a game capable of imposing itself on the digital market in a short time.

Kirby Air Riders combines a colorful adventure, smooth flying and gliding mechanics, as well as a playful and immersive aesthetic that appeals to all age groups. The game also offers a highly competitive multiplayer mode, thereby increasing longevity and community appeal. Players particularly appreciate its accessibility, while more experienced fans find enough challenges to maintain lasting interest.

The table below summarizes some key characteristics that contributed to this meteoric success:

Characteristic	Impact on sales
Launch during peak season (November)	Maximizes player attention and impulsive purchases
Switch / Switch 2 compatibility	Wide accessibility, covering nearly the entire installed base
Accessible and fun gameplay	Attracts both novices and seasoned players
Strong visual and sound appeal	Creates immediate and enjoyable immersion
Solo and multiplayer modes	Increases longevity and word-of-mouth

The influence of Kirby Air Riders is not limited to the United States; the franchise enjoys worldwide popularity, which bodes well for a significant impact on international eShop sales following the release. This success perfectly illustrates the current trends of popular games on Nintendo Switch, where innovation often builds on solid foundations.

Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, a reissue that again captivates the audience

Released just two days before Kirby Air Riders, on November 18, 2025, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition took second place in eShop sales in the United States. This revisited edition managed to capture attention by balancing nostalgia and modernity. Being available on both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 enabled widespread distribution.

The Tomb Raider franchise, a pillar of the action-adventure genre, benefits here from a polished treatment with optimized graphics, smooth gameplay, and a complete experience that delights longtime fans while attracting a new generation. This reissue proved that breathing new life into a classic can be a profitable commercial strategy, relying on brand recognition and visible added value.

An interesting point is how this “Definitive Edition” fits into a very competitive market. Despite the presence of ambitious new releases, Tomb Raider remains a major player thanks to:

• An enriched story adapted to modern expectations.
• Improved gameplay leveraging the capabilities of Switch 2.
• An attractive price positioning that stimulates purchase.
• Strong brand recognition that reassures hesitant players.

Thanks to these elements, Tomb Raider has conquered a large market share and established itself as a success model for reissues on Nintendo consoles. This edition also helped boost sales during a period when new releases hold pride of place, offering an interesting alternative for players not necessarily wanting to invest in a new game.

In terms of numbers, although Nintendo does not release exact sales figures, the second position in the American eShop ranking gives an idea: several hundred thousand copies were most likely sold within a few weeks, a notable achievement for a non-original title. It proves that the best games are not necessarily major exclusives but can also be revisited experiences.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the enduring Japanese phenomenon on the international market

Launched on October 16, 2025, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is an excellent example of a game that combines novelty and tradition, firmly occupying third place in eShop sales in the United States and also very well ranked in the United Kingdom. Its presence in several international rankings highlights Pokémon’s ability to transcend borders and cultures.

This title offers fans a rich and evolving universe where RPG elements combine with new exploration mechanics. The game’s success is explained by:

• A captivating story rooted in Pokémon mythology.
• Continuity with previous generations, which reassures the loyal base.
• Modernized graphic and technical quality, optimal on Switch 2.
• Accessibility that appeals to all ages and skill levels.

Like other flagship franchises, Pokémon Legends: Z-A benefits from remarkable marketing power, supported by advertising campaigns and partnerships. This notoriety fuels a virtuous circle: the more players engage and recommend the game, the more sales increase, especially on as dynamic a store as Nintendo’s eShop.

Its top positioning in various countries also shows the importance of local tastes in the 2025 ranking of Nintendo games. It is significant that the game remains an important pillar for Nintendo in terms of revenue and visibility, despite the constant arrival of innovative titles. Pokémon Legends: Z-A thus shows impressive longevity on the digital market.

The timeless classics: Minecraft and its lasting influence on Nintendo Switch

Minecraft, although originally released in 2018, remains a sales giant on Nintendo Switch. Ranked fourth in the United States and first in the United Kingdom, this game demonstrates an exceptionally rare longevity in the video game world. Its ability to endure years without losing popularity makes it a true pillar of Nintendo’s digital catalog.

This positioning of Minecraft in the top 5 games is explained by several factors:

• An unparalleled creative freedom that attracts players of all ages.
• A model of regular updates that always provides fresh content.
• A strong community aspect thanks to multiplayer mode and dedicated servers.
• Adaptability to different generations of the console, including Switch 2.

For many players, Minecraft has become an almost limitless expression ground, coupled with an educational tool. Its inclusion in the sales rankings proves that popular games are not necessarily the newest releases, but often those whose experience transcends mere temporality.

The consistency of Minecraft sales is also a valuable indicator for Nintendo, which can rely on this stability in terms of revenue and player loyalty during a period marked by constant innovation.

MLB The Show: A surprise among Nintendo Switch best-sellers

Without occupying a clearly defined position in the 2025 ranking, MLB The Show nevertheless appears among the best-selling games on the American eShop. Its presence signals a diversification of preferences within the Nintendo player base, which is not limited to the traditional genres of the Japanese company.

This sports simulation game, combining realism and dynamism, attracts a significant niche of baseball enthusiasts—a very strong market in North America. It demonstrates that a broad and varied offering is essential to satisfy a diverse community and that the Nintendo game market is not limited to its usual blockbusters.

The success of MLB The Show on Nintendo Switch 2 and the Switch also highlights the importance of timed exclusives and content published in various forms. The game benefits from positive word-of-mouth thanks to:

• Graphics and gameplay adapted to the console.
• Easy access on the eShop, avoiding the physical constraint.
• An active community sharing tips and tournaments.
• The weight of the sport in the video game sector.

This is an interesting example of a title capable of lasting on Nintendo’s platform by meeting targeted, specific demand.

The 5 must-have Nintendo games in 2025 thus bring together very varied universes, ranging from flagship franchises to carefully worked reissues, as well as proven classics. Their presence in the 2025 eShop sales ranking perfectly illustrates the dynamics of the video game market on Nintendo Switch today.