One week after its release, the Nintendo Switch video game console looks like a hit.
The console, which sells for $300, lets users play games from their television and while on the go, and is nearly impossible to find in stores. People who have been able to buy a console are generally impressed by its features and games. Simply put, Nintendo has had a great week.
Here’s a brief recap of the Nintendo (NTDOY) Switch’s first week:
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A Successful Launch
The Nintendo Switch’s launch couldn’t have been better for the iconic game company.
In the days leading up to the Switch’s release on March 3, the console earned positive reviews. Meanwhile, Nintendo gave demonstrations of the Switch in stores across the U.S. That attracted a large crowds.
On launch day, some retailers opened their doors at midnight to throngs of customers. And by the afternoon, the Switch was sold out, leaving those who didn’t get a chance to preorder the device with two options: wait for available stock or buy the device for hundreds of dollars on top of the list price through eBay (EBAY).
While Nintendo hasn’t shared exact sales figures, the company did say this week that Switch sales in its first two days were better than those for any other Nintendo console’s first two days of availability.
Here’s a handy tool to help you find out where new units are available.
A Strong Game Lineup
Part of the Switch’s success so far can be attributed to the games for it that debuted at the same time. And chief among those games was The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Some reviewers have called Zelda the best installment of the game franchise since the 1990s hit The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. According to Metacritic, a site that collects reviews about video games, critics gave Breath of the Wild a score of 98 out of 100 from critics. Meanwhile, regular players gave it only positive reviews on Metacritic.
But Zelda is not alone. Another new Switch game, Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove, has earned a score of 88 out of 100. Three others—Blaster Master Zero, Snipperclips, and Fast RMX— have earned Metacritic scores of 80 or better.
Customers Praise Switch’s Features
New Switch owners have generally praised the console on social media for its gameplay. They particularly like the ability to place the Switch in its dock to play on their televisions, or remove it from there and play on the go without losing game progress. On Amazon (AMZN), the device’s customer ratings are at about 4.7 out of 5, and the console has earned similarly strong reviews on other retailer sites.
Granted, many of those customers are early adopters and they may not reflect the average customer. But in the past, initial excitement for new consoles has generally translated into strong sales over the long term.
A Look Ahead
The Switch’s popularity is expected to continue, and availability will be limited. But it’s still too early to tell whether it’ll mirror the Nintendo Wii’s early days in 2006, when people waited in line every weekend for the small number of consoles available.
