Creating a completely innovative and unique hybrid system like the Nintendo Switch was undoubtedly a risk for Nintendo, but it was one that definitely paid off. The Nintendo Switch flew off the shelves on launch, and it hasn’t slowed down yet.

The Nintendo Switch took the gaming world by a storm that continues to rage on all these years later. That type of success cannot be contributed to just one thing, but what exactly were the factors that led up to the Nintendo Switch being such an incredible success?

1. The Nintendo Switch Had Some Incredible First-Party Titles on Launch

What do you buy a console for when it really comes down to it? For the games, of course. Having great games available on a system on launch day is one of the key ingredients of a console’s success, and Nintendo nailed it upon the release of the Switch.

Having a launch title like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was a brilliant move by Nintendo. The Legend of Zelda is one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises, and Breath of the Wild reinvigorated it tenfold. And, of course, it wasn’t just The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild that was available on the Switch on launch day. There were also several other old favorites available for new Switch owners to play.

2. The Nintendo Switch Has a Huge Library of Indie Games

It’s impossible to have an entire first-party library available for a new console on launch. And while there were some great Nintendo games on the system when it was released, they were few and far between when compared to other console libraries.

But it’s not like there is a shortage of games in this world by any means. There are thousands of brand-new and innovative games being created by indie developers all the time. And they are quite often just as good, if not better, than first-party titles.

Nintendo embraced indie games and developers fully when the Nintendo Switch launched, even setting up an annual event named the Nintendo Indie World Showcase that highlights all the best upcoming indie games. This allowed the system to build a vast and vibrant library of games in record time that featured incredibly interesting and quirky titles that many gamers never would have seen before.

3. The Nintendo Switch Featured a Brand-New and Innovative Design

Before the Nintendo Switch was born, you had your home consoles, and you had your handheld consoles, but not much in between. The Nintendo Switch completely challenged this idea and blurred the lines between home and handheld consoles to create a powerful system that could give you both.

Everyone loves trying and experiencing something new, and that’s exactly what the Nintendo Switch offered. If nothing else, the Switch's revolutionary design inspired people to buy it just to see what this new technology was capable of.

4. There Was a Gap in the Market for a System Like the Nintendo Switch

Nintendo saw a gap in the market for a system that fit both the handheld and home console molds and took it. For many years it monopolized that position in the market before other competitors entered the scene, like the Steam Deck, for example.

So not only did the Nintendo Switch completely revolutionize the idea of what a home console and handheld console could be, but it also inspired a whole new movement to which new hybrid systems are being added frequently.

5. The Nintendo Switch Provided an Affordable Console Option

The Nintendo Switch may not be quite as powerful as something like the PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series X|S. But its price does reflect that, and it is one of the cheapest consoles you can get on the market. The base Nintendo Switch model costs only $299.00, which is at least $200 cheaper than even the digital-only versions of other leading consoles on the market.

For the convenience of being able to bring your Switch anywhere you want with you as well as being able to play it on your TV, combined with the incredible library of both third and first-party titles, the Nintendo Switch is undoubtedly one of the best value consoles on the market to date.

6. Nintendo Needed to Succeed With the Nintendo Switch

The console Nintendo developed and released before the Nintendo Switch was the Wii U. The Wii U was extremely unique and a pretty decent console in its own right, but its sales certainly didn’t quite reach the mark Nintendo was hoping for, especially when compared to the overwhelming success of the Wii that came before it.

The Wii U was, in all senses of the word, a flop. This was no doubt a disappointment for Nintendo but gave the company the ability to throw itself headfirst into the development of its next console to ensure its success.

There are many similarities between the Nintendo Switch's design and its predecessors. The Wii U touchpad, for example, was like a handheld tablet controller for the Wii U, and it does bear a resemblance to the Switch we all know and love today. So while there are certainly plenty of things we won't miss about the Wii U, it undoubtedly played a huge part in the development of the Nintendo Switch.

7. The Nintendo Switch Has a Heavy Focus on Family

While many other mainstream consoles are focusing on the next first-person shooter and gearing up to sell to the masses of young adults, Nintendo has been focusing on the importance of family and spending time with loved ones.

The Switch doesn’t just target one age group. It has first-party games available for both children and adults, many of which are multiplayer, so parents can spend time with their children and engage in some of their interests. This emphasis on family-friendly games, as well as multiplayer titles, has made the Nintendo Switch the best multiplayer console on the market.

The Nintendo Switch’s Success Is Due to a Series of Extremely Fortunate Events

Success like the Switch has experienced could never be contributed to just one thing. It is a result of many brilliant decisions being made by Nintendo, one after the other. From the console's unique hybrid design and its ability to completely revolutionize the gaming market, to its modest and tolerable price tag.

The fact that Nintendo completely embraced indie games and developers upon its release also contributed to the console having one of the most vibrant and interesting gaming libraries out there.