Metroid Prime 4 Claims No. 1 Spot on Nintendo Switch 2 eShop

In a move that has surprised industry analysts, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has claimed the number one position on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts as of November 30, 2025. The long-awaited first-person adventure game has overtaken heavily marketed holiday titles in pre-order volume. This defies standard industry trends that usually see a direct correlation between aggressive advertising budgets and chart dominance. 

Data tracked by Nintendo Everything and verified via the Switch 2 interface confirms the title's surge following the start of pre-loads late last week.

According to the official top 15 games list on the Nintendo eShop, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition currently holds the top spot. It is immediately followed by Kirby Air Riders in second place and Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition in third. The chart is rounded out by Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment in fourth and Donkey Kong Bananza in fifth. 

In a strategic win, the Metroid Prime 4 Upgrade Pack has also cracked the charts, landing at number 13 just ahead of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. This digital offering utilizes a dual-SKU model, specifically designed to allow owners of the standard Switch version to upgrade. 

Marketing Efficiency and Ecosystem Growth

This performance is particularly notable given the disparity in marketing strategy. Earlier this month, reports indicated that marketing for Metroid Prime 4 was significantly lagging behind Nintendo’s other flagship releases. While titles like Donkey Kong Bananza received "spotlight" features on the Nintendo News app, out-of-home advertising, and extensive social media campaigns, Metroid relied on a "shadow" campaign. 

Despite the series historically selling fewer units than indie hits like Hollow Knight, the game has leveraged the pent-up demand of a hardcore demographic. This audience appears to be converting at high rates due to positive technical previews highlighting Switch 2-exclusive features, such as 120fps performance.

The game’s success is occurring within a robust hardware environment. The Switch 2 has already surpassed 10 million units sold globally within just a few months of launch, with market forecasts expecting the console to reach 19 million units by March 2026. Metroid Prime 4 is capitalizing on this rapidly expanding ecosystem and Nintendo’s shift toward digital consumption. 

Financially, the title is well-positioned to break franchise records. To become the best-selling entry in the series, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond must surpass the 1.4 million lifetime sales of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption on the Wii and the 1.36 million sales of Metroid Prime Remastered. 

Given the current momentum and the 10 million-strong install base, the game is on track to exceed these figures. While long-tail revenue will depend on whether the game can expand beyond its niche audience, the current launch window data suggests a highly profitable chapter for Nintendo's evolving business strategy.