Published on: July 16, 2025
Donkey Kong Bananza Prelaunch Sales Surge: Over 10,000 Copies Sold on Amazon Japan Ahead of Nintendo Switch 2 Release
Donkey Kong Bananza, the highly anticipated entry in Nintendo’s beloved platforming franchise, is already making waves ahead of its official launch.
According to verified sales data from Amazon Japan, more than 10,000 physical copies of Donkey Kong Bananza were sold even before its scheduled release date on July 17, 2025, showcasing robust early demand for the game on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform.
Background and Context
Developed and published by Nintendo, Donkey Kong Bananza marks the return of the iconic ape to a new generation of hardware.
The Nintendo Switch 2, which continues to build on the hybrid console’s legacy, has seen significant enthusiasm for major franchises.
Pre-release orders for Donkey Kong Bananza underscore both the enduring popularity of the Donkey Kong series and the potential of the Nintendo Switch 2 to drive strong software sales upon launch.
Sales Insights and Retail Expectations
Based on aggregated retail data, including Amazon Japan's figures, Donkey Kong Bananza is projected to sell between 100,000 and 180,000 physical units at retail in its first four days in Japan, according to estimates from Famitsu, a respected source for Japanese video game sales analysis.
To offer perspective, Mario Kart World—another recent flagship Nintendo Switch 2 title—achieved notable commercial success with 782,566 units sold at retail during its first four days, which included hardware bundle sales, per Famitsu's figures.
The Japanese gaming community has also weighed in with their projections, estimating that physical copies alone could reach 100,000 to 150,000 units within the initial launch window.
Notably, the digital version of Donkey Kong Bananza is priced 1,000 yen lower than the physical edition, a factor expected to drive up digital downloads beyond physical sales, in line with evolving consumer trends toward digital ownership in Japan’s gaming market.
Nintendo’s Continued Retail Momentum
This strong early performance for Donkey Kong Bananza not only highlights consumer confidence in Nintendo’s newest hardware and flagship titles, but also reflects Nintendo’s ability to generate anticipation for its storied franchises.
The precedent set by previous Switch 2 hits, alongside Donkey Kong’s decades-long cultural relevance, suggests Bananza is primed for a successful launch both at retail and on the Nintendo eShop.
With the official release imminent, Donkey Kong Bananza’s momentum bodes well for Nintendo and for Switch 2’s lifecycle.
Stay tuned for updated sales figures and ongoing coverage of this title as launch week unfolds.
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