Donkey Kong Bananza Launches at No. 1 in UK Physical Sales Charts, Surpassing Previous Series Entries

Donkey Kong Bananza, the latest installment in Nintendo’s iconic platforming series, launched to impressive sales figures in the United Kingdom, reflecting a strong demand for the beloved franchise on Nintendo Switch.

The game, which debuted in July 2025, represents a significant milestone for the Donkey Kong brand, and its launch performance signals positive momentum for Nintendo’s ongoing support of classic properties on its flagship platform. According to recent data from UK physical game sales for the week ending July 20, 2025, shared by games industry analyst Christopher Dring, Donkey Kong Bananza made its debut at the top of the UK charts.

The title ranked number one for boxed software sales in its initial week, securing its place as a major release in Nintendo's 2025 lineup. Dring reported that Donkey Kong Bananza sold three times more physical copies at launch than Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze did upon its debut on Nintendo Switch.

While this showcases remarkable growth in the series' appeal, it is notable that Donkey Kong Bananza’s launch sales reached less than half the numbers posted by Super Mario Odyssey, highlighting the continued dominance of the Mario brand within Nintendo’s platformer lineup. "Donkey Kong Bananza outperformed previous Donkey Kong releases on the Switch, tripling the first-week figures of Tropical Freeze, but its numbers remain less than half of what Super Mario Odyssey achieved," said Dring, summarizing the launch comparison among prominent Nintendo properties. This strong debut suggests that Donkey Kong Bananza may become the best-selling installment in the Donkey Kong series in recent memory, particularly in regions where Nintendo’s platform games traditionally perform well.

However, even with this success, Super Mario Odyssey and other mainline 3D Mario platformers continue to set a high bar, consistently ranking among the top sellers on every Nintendo console. With support from both long-time fans and newcomers, Donkey Kong Bananza’s launch underscores the lasting popularity of the franchise and its resonance among Nintendo Switch players.

As Nintendo continues to prioritize legacy franchises and high-quality platforming experiences through both physical releases and digital channels such as the Nintendo eShop, Donkey Kong Bananza stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of its star primate and the developer’s commitment to quality game development. Stay tuned for more updates as official worldwide sales figures for Donkey Kong Bananza become available and Nintendo’s 2025 release schedule unfolds.

Donkey Kong Nintendo Switch Nintendo Donkey Kong Bananza Switch UK Bananza UK charts