The Japanese video game market continues to showcase the enduring appeal and commercial power of Nintendo's flagship franchises, as highlighted by the latest software sales data provided by Famitsu.
This week’s expanded best-seller list reflects not only the excitement around new hardware—specifically the Nintendo Switch 2—but also the sustained popularity of evergreen titles such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart, and Pokémon.
Topping the sales chart is the debut of Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, which sold an impressive 31,372 units in its opening week.
This new edition builds on the monumental success of the original, which has now accumulated over 8.34 million units sold for the original Nintendo Switch platform since its release.
The continued enthusiasm for Animal Crossing highlights the franchise’s unique cross-generational appeal and its ability to drive both hardware and software sales for Nintendo.
Close behind, Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2 continues to gain momentum, adding 17,639 new sales and pushing its total to nearly 2.78 million copies.
Meanwhile, the latest installment in the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, sold an additional 9,990 units this week for the Nintendo Switch, reaching a cumulative total of 1.59 million copies.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Pokémon Legends: Z-A also posted strong numbers, contributing 8,560 units sold and adding to its growing success on the new hardware platform.
Other key performers include Momotaro Dentetsu 2 and Kirby Air Riders, both benefitting from dual releases on the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2.
Momotaro Dentetsu 2 saw robust sales across both platforms, adding over 16,000 units combined this week; Kirby Air Riders Switch 2 Edition delivered 7,942 sales, bringing its total close to half a million units. Classic titles continue to move units at a steady pace.
Minecraft remains a juggernaut on the Nintendo Switch, selling 5,465 units for a lifetime total surpassing 4.13 million.
Other perennial best-sellers such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate also maintained their strong positions, with cumulative sales now standing at over 6.53 million and 5.86 million units respectively. The charts also highlight the growing role of cross-generation releases, with software launching for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
Examples include Super Mario Party Jamboree and Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake, among others, demonstrating Nintendo’s continued support for both new adopters and long-time fans. Outside of Nintendo platforms, PlayStation 5's Ghost of Yotei made the top 30 with 1,334 units sold, emphasizing the competitive yet Nintendo-dominated nature of the Japanese gaming landscape. In summary, Nintendo’s latest sales figures—meticulously compiled by Famitsu—underscore the ongoing strength of its game library, the significant impact of the Nintendo Switch 2, and the enduring popularity of franchises that have defined Japan’s gaming market for decades.
This trend reaffirms Nintendo's leadership in the Japanese gaming sector, ensuring its lineup and hardware remain central to the market's continued growth and innovation.
This week’s expanded best-seller list reflects not only the excitement around new hardware—specifically the Nintendo Switch 2—but also the sustained popularity of evergreen titles such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart, and Pokémon.
Topping the sales chart is the debut of Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, which sold an impressive 31,372 units in its opening week.
This new edition builds on the monumental success of the original, which has now accumulated over 8.34 million units sold for the original Nintendo Switch platform since its release.
The continued enthusiasm for Animal Crossing highlights the franchise’s unique cross-generational appeal and its ability to drive both hardware and software sales for Nintendo.
Close behind, Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2 continues to gain momentum, adding 17,639 new sales and pushing its total to nearly 2.78 million copies.
Meanwhile, the latest installment in the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, sold an additional 9,990 units this week for the Nintendo Switch, reaching a cumulative total of 1.59 million copies.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Pokémon Legends: Z-A also posted strong numbers, contributing 8,560 units sold and adding to its growing success on the new hardware platform.
Other key performers include Momotaro Dentetsu 2 and Kirby Air Riders, both benefitting from dual releases on the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2.
Momotaro Dentetsu 2 saw robust sales across both platforms, adding over 16,000 units combined this week; Kirby Air Riders Switch 2 Edition delivered 7,942 sales, bringing its total close to half a million units. Classic titles continue to move units at a steady pace.
Minecraft remains a juggernaut on the Nintendo Switch, selling 5,465 units for a lifetime total surpassing 4.13 million.
Other perennial best-sellers such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate also maintained their strong positions, with cumulative sales now standing at over 6.53 million and 5.86 million units respectively. The charts also highlight the growing role of cross-generation releases, with software launching for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
Examples include Super Mario Party Jamboree and Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake, among others, demonstrating Nintendo’s continued support for both new adopters and long-time fans. Outside of Nintendo platforms, PlayStation 5's Ghost of Yotei made the top 30 with 1,334 units sold, emphasizing the competitive yet Nintendo-dominated nature of the Japanese gaming landscape. In summary, Nintendo’s latest sales figures—meticulously compiled by Famitsu—underscore the ongoing strength of its game library, the significant impact of the Nintendo Switch 2, and the enduring popularity of franchises that have defined Japan’s gaming market for decades.
This trend reaffirms Nintendo's leadership in the Japanese gaming sector, ensuring its lineup and hardware remain central to the market's continued growth and innovation.
