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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has become not just the best "pre-selling" Smash Bros. game, it’s also now Nintendo’s biggest "pre-selling" game on Nintendo Switch, too.
"Super Smash Bros Ultimate is punching its way into the record books!" said a tweet on the official Nintendo Versus Twitter account. "Thank you to all the amazing fans for your support in making this a fight for the ages! Be sure to have your Nintendo Switch ready to experience the action when the game launches on 12/7."
Super #SmashBrosUltimate is punching its way into the record books! Thank you to all the amazing fans for your support in making this a fight for the ages! Be sure to have your #NintendoSwitch ready to experience the action when the game launches on 12/7.https://t.co/z26JLSHE3W pic.twitter.com/AqkeDlKYSb
— Nintendo Versus (@NintendoVS) November 23, 2018
Naturally, not all pre-orders are fulfilled but it’s a lofty achievement nonetheless. It’ll remain to be seen if Smash can topple Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild from the top sales spots, shifting 12.2, 11.7, and 10.3 million units respectively. 2014’s Super Smash Bros sold almost 5.5 million copies for the Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 3DS shifted 9.35 million copies (thanks, GameSpot). Super Smash Bros. Brawl smashed them both, though, selling 13.3 million copies on the Wii.
Nintendo is planning to release an updated version of its Switch console/handheld hybrid, with the second half of 2019 said to be its launch date – possibly as early as the summer. The ins and outs of the upgrade haven’t yet been decided on, with specific features still being debated over in Kyoto. An updated LCD screen is one option touted – and would make sense – though Nintendo is unlikely to go down the route of Apple’s iPhone XL (and the original PS Vita) by using OLED technology.
Nintendo has been doing well according to its financials, but Switch sales have started to slow down. A move to introduce a revamped version while interest in the machine is still high could sustain its popularity for a while longer.
