Pokemon Legends is dominating Nintendo of Japan’s “most downloaded” Switch charts for 2022

Kirby is second

Nintendo has provided “most downloaded games in Japan” Switch charts for 2022, and it’s looking real good for Pokemon Legends.

Providing rankings for the first half of 2022, Pokemon Legends takes the undisputed crown from every other Switch game: benefitting from a January 2022 launch. Right behind it is Kirby and the Forgotten Land, followed by Nintendo Switch Sports (which is doing better than some expected it to).

From there we dive into third-party land with Monster Hunter Rise, then are reminded of the raw staying power of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (which launched in the region in 2014), then we’re back to third parties with Overcooked 2, Among Us, and Brave Corps Defeats the Demon King respectively for places six through eight. Then at spots nine and ten we predictably have Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which are hanging on in multiple regions, not just Japan.

The rest of the list is a fascinating microcosm of what does/doesn’t work in Japan (the Kingdom Hearts cloud versions seem to be doing well, with two showings in the top 30 overall), and reinforces the evergreen nature of many first-party Nintendo games.

Nintendo also has annual rankings here for 2020 and 2021.

Nintendo of Japan’s “most downloaded” Switch charts for the first half of 2022 (Top 10):

• Pokemon Legends
• Kirby and the Forgotten Land
• Switch Sports
• Monster Hunter Rise
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
• Overcooked 2
• Among Us
• The Brave Corps Defeats the Demon King
• Smash Ultimate
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Chris Carter

Reviews Director, Co-EIC – Chris has been enjoying Destructoid avidly since 2008. He finally decided to take the next step, make an account, and start blogging in January of 2009. Now, he’s staff!