Mario Kart World Dominates Japanese Sales Charts

Mario Kart World (Nintendo Switch 2) has achieved remarkable success in Japan, maintaining its position at the top of the retail charts with sales of 115,729 units for the week ending December 21, 2025. This brings its total sales in Japan to approximately 2.5 million units, making it the fastest-selling Mario Kart game in the country’s history, surpassing the previous record held by Mario Kart Wii, which reached the same sales figure in 89 weeks. The Switch 2 version of Pokemon Legends: Z-A follows in second place with 72,820 units sold, while the original version ranks third with 54,096 units.

Mario Kart World Tops the Japanese Charts, Switch 2 Sells 221K

The Nintendo Switch 2 itself has emerged as the best-selling gaming platform in Japan, with 221,033 units sold during the same week. In comparison, the original Nintendo Switch sold 38,184 units, while the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S sold 19,307 and 184 units, respectively.

Mario Kart World Tops the Japanese Charts, Switch 2 Sells 221K

The following are the best-selling games in Japan for the week:

• Mario Kart World (NS2): 115,729 units (total: 2,573,736)

• Pokemon Legends: Z-A (NS): 72,820 units (total: 1,470,354)

Mario Kart World Tops the Japanese Charts, Switch 2 Sells 221K

• Pokemon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (SW2): 54,096 units (total: 957,286)

Mario Kart World Tops the Japanese Charts, Switch 2 Sells 221K

• Kirby Air Riders (SW2): 49,220 units (total: 377,044)

Mario Kart World Tops the Japanese Charts, Switch 2 Sells 221K

• Momotaro Dentetsu 2: Anata no Machi mo Kitto Aru – Higashi Nihon Hen + Nishi Nihon Hen (SW2): 26,323 units (total: 158,381)

Mario Kart World Tops the Japanese Charts, Switch 2 Sells 221K

The sales figures indicate that a significant portion of the Nintendo Switch 2 sales can be attributed to bundles that include Mario Kart World. Reports suggest that 84% of all Switch 2 units sold in Japan during September were part of this bundle, highlighting the game's role in driving hardware sales.

Mario Kart World Tops the Japanese Charts, Switch 2 Sells 221K

While the sales figures are impressive, some critics argue that the reliance on bundled sales may inflate the perception of the game's standalone success. They suggest that the long-term sustainability of Mario Kart World’s popularity will depend on its ability to maintain sales momentum without the aid of hardware bundles.

Nintendo has not publicly commented on the specific sales figures or the impact of bundling on Mario Kart World’s success. However, the company has consistently emphasized its commitment to delivering engaging gaming experiences that resonate with players.

• “Mario Kart World has been topping the sales charts around the world, but the game is really killing it in Japan.” — GoNintendo

• “That is enough to make it the fastest-selling Mario Kart game in Japan ever, and it managed to achieve that record in just 29 weeks.” — GoNintendo

Mario Kart World’s record-breaking sales in Japan reflect its strong market performance and the effective strategy of bundling with the Nintendo Switch 2. As the game continues to dominate the charts, its future sales trajectory will be closely monitored by industry analysts and gamers alike.