Looking back from 2026, Nintendo's second-quarter fiscal report for the period ending September 30, 2020 still stands out as a defining moment for the Switch generation. The Kyoto-based company had already built a powerful catalog, but the July–September quarter showed just how deep the momentum ran. The numbers were not simply good. They were historic in several categories.

During that quarter, Super Mario 3D All-Stars raced out of the gate. The limited-time collection of three classic 3D Mario adventures sold at an astonishing pace in its first couple of weeks. But the real headline belonged to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The island life simulator added another 3.64 million units to its total. That performance pushed it into second place among the best-selling Switch games of all time at that moment. It also narrowed the gap with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to less than three million units. With New Horizons heading into its first holiday season, the momentum showed no sign of slowing.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate reached a major milestone in the same report. It became only the third Switch title to cross 20 million units sold. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was not far behind. It sat just over 250,000 units away from the same landmark. Those two titles, along with the evergreen Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, formed a trio of system sellers that kept attracting new players years after their original launches.

Paper Mario: The Origami King also made a strong impression during the quarter. The game had a slightly longer sales window than Super Mario 3D All-Stars, and it used that time effectively. Nintendo confirmed that the paper-crafted RPG sold 2.82 million units. For a series often seen as niche, that was a remarkable result.

The full top ten list from the quarter revealed a balanced lineup of racing, fighting, adventure, party, and simulation experiences. The table below captures the unit totals Nintendo shared at the time.

Software sales across Nintendo's business climbed 71.4% year over year. Digital revenue performed even better, rising 139.4% compared to the same period a year earlier. That shift reflected a broader industry trend, but Nintendo's digital storefront and its growing library of downloadable titles clearly benefited.

Hardware was another bright spot. Nintendo Switch family sales jumped 80.9% year over year. This was especially impressive because the comparison period in 2019 had included the launch of the Switch Lite and the improved battery life model. Even with those strong prior-year figures, demand in 2020 remained fierce. By that point, the Switch family had surpassed 63 million units sold since the original system launched in March 2017.

Nintendo also addressed the holiday supply situation directly. The company said hardware production was proceeding normally and that shipments were increasing in preparation for the holiday season. However, demand was still high, and shortages persisted in some regions. Nintendo promised to deliver products to consumers as soon as possible. In 2020, that promise mattered deeply. The holiday season was approaching, and many families were searching for a Switch or Switch Lite.

Looking back from 2026, those quarterly numbers help explain why the Switch became one of the most successful consoles in gaming history. The combination of a strong software lineup, rising digital sales, and consistent hardware demand created a feedback loop. Each new hit game brought in new owners. Each new owner bought more games. The cycle repeated quarter after quarter.

The report also hinted at what would come next. Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity was still on the horizon in late 2020. That game would add another layer to the Switch's packed holiday season. With so many franchises performing well at once, Nintendo entered the final months of 2020 with an unusually strong hand. From a 2026 perspective, the second-quarter report was not just a snapshot of a good quarter. It was a preview of the Switch era's staying power.

For anyone looking to build their Switch library in today's market, those same blockbuster titles still command premium prices. Games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons rarely see steep discounts, even years after release. That makes finding the right deal more important than ever for budget-conscious players.

Rather than settling for the first price you come across, it pays to shop around. Using a game price comparison tool can help you spot the best available offers across multiple retailers, ensuring you get the most value out of every purchase. Whether you're picking up a classic like Breath of the Wild or tracking down a newer release, comparing prices beforehand is a smart habit for any Switch owner.