Nintendo recently wrapped up earnings presentations for the first fiscal quarter of the year, and while they’re not in the first place category, Zelda games are huge players in leading the charge in software sales.
Specifically, Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom now sit comfortably in the top ten Switch games ever sold, with Breath of the Wild sitting pretty in fourth place at 33.84 million units, and Tears of the Kingdom not too far behind in spot number eight with 22.56 million units sold. While it is not specified, these numbers likely reflect both the Switch and the Switch 2 versions, as it’s confirmed that Wii U numbers are included for Breath of the Wild.
What’s most impressive is that when combined with Echoes of Wisdom and the Link’s Awakening remake, Switch Zelda software now accounts for 40% of sales for the entire Legend of Zelda series in its lifetime. This is more than wonderful news; it’s a sign that a turning point has now begun for the history of the franchise. It’s more than a classic versus open world Zelda debate. We are now peering into the future as we stand on the threshold, which includes a movie next year, and who knows what sorts of merchandise it may entail, along with future Zelda games to look forward to.
In any case, the support for Zelda is massive as its brand continues to grow. Now more than ever, it also highlights the importance of preserving the legacy of this historic franchise to ensure its enjoyment for future generations to come.
