This week’s Japanese software sales data, compiled by renowned tracker Famitsu, underscores the immense popularity of Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, in Japan’s gaming landscape.
Nintendo’s flagship titles continue to maintain strong momentum, underscoring the brand's sustained appeal and the robust health of the region's gaming hardware and software market. For the week, the newly launched PlayStation 5 title, Code Vein 2, claimed the number one spot with 14,452 units sold, reflecting solid interest in new IP from Bandai Namco.
However, Nintendo's presence remains dominant throughout the rest of the rankings.
The much-anticipated Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2 secured a strong second place with sales reaching 12,445 units this week, bringing its impressive cumulative total to 2,805,146 units since launch. Animal Crossing continues to enchant Japanese audiences.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons registered 9,941 additional sales, contributing to a lifetime total of 52,918 copies for the new edition.
Meanwhile, the original Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the classic Nintendo Switch platform added 9,042 units, lifting lifetime sales to an extraordinary 8,362,221 copies.
These figures highlight Animal Crossing’s status as a perennial favorite among Japanese gamers. Pokémon Legends: Z-A, another high-profile Nintendo release, continues its robust sales across both the original Switch and the Switch 2, selling 6,744 and 5,875 units respectively this week.
Combined shipments for both platforms further cement the Pokémon franchise's market dominance, with cumulative figures reaching 1,601,782 and 1,078,445 units respectively. Other major Nintendo Switch 2 titles in the top 10 include Momotaro Dentetsu 2 and Kirby Air Riders.
Momotaro Dentetsu 2 for Switch 2 sold 6,203 units this week, totaling 262,314 units life-to-date, while Kirby Air Riders posted 5,324 additional unit sales for an overall tally of 491,424 copies. Classic Switch favorites remain evergreen in Japan.
The original version of Minecraft for Nintendo Switch continued to perform strongly, recording 4,110 units sold to reach a massive 4,142,086 lifetime sales.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, another enduring hit, added 3,126 units for a cumulative count of 6,538,806 copies. Commenting on Nintendo's successful strategy, a Famitsu spokesperson noted that the company's ability to consistently deliver engaging and accessible content helps sustain multi-generational appeal across new and classic hardware alike.
The spokesperson emphasized that the enduring sales performance of games such as Mario Kart and Animal Crossing speaks to their broad cultural resonance in Japan. As reflected in this week's chart, Nintendo dominates the Japanese market with both its newest Nintendo Switch 2 entries and beloved classics.
This widespread appeal ensures a thriving eShop ecosystem and continued interest from developers looking to tap into Nintendo’s expansive fan base.
For full data and historical context, the latest and previous charts can be reviewed on the Famitsu website.
Nintendo’s flagship titles continue to maintain strong momentum, underscoring the brand's sustained appeal and the robust health of the region's gaming hardware and software market. For the week, the newly launched PlayStation 5 title, Code Vein 2, claimed the number one spot with 14,452 units sold, reflecting solid interest in new IP from Bandai Namco.
However, Nintendo's presence remains dominant throughout the rest of the rankings.
The much-anticipated Mario Kart World for Nintendo Switch 2 secured a strong second place with sales reaching 12,445 units this week, bringing its impressive cumulative total to 2,805,146 units since launch. Animal Crossing continues to enchant Japanese audiences.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons registered 9,941 additional sales, contributing to a lifetime total of 52,918 copies for the new edition.
Meanwhile, the original Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the classic Nintendo Switch platform added 9,042 units, lifting lifetime sales to an extraordinary 8,362,221 copies.
These figures highlight Animal Crossing’s status as a perennial favorite among Japanese gamers. Pokémon Legends: Z-A, another high-profile Nintendo release, continues its robust sales across both the original Switch and the Switch 2, selling 6,744 and 5,875 units respectively this week.
Combined shipments for both platforms further cement the Pokémon franchise's market dominance, with cumulative figures reaching 1,601,782 and 1,078,445 units respectively. Other major Nintendo Switch 2 titles in the top 10 include Momotaro Dentetsu 2 and Kirby Air Riders.
Momotaro Dentetsu 2 for Switch 2 sold 6,203 units this week, totaling 262,314 units life-to-date, while Kirby Air Riders posted 5,324 additional unit sales for an overall tally of 491,424 copies. Classic Switch favorites remain evergreen in Japan.
The original version of Minecraft for Nintendo Switch continued to perform strongly, recording 4,110 units sold to reach a massive 4,142,086 lifetime sales.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, another enduring hit, added 3,126 units for a cumulative count of 6,538,806 copies. Commenting on Nintendo's successful strategy, a Famitsu spokesperson noted that the company's ability to consistently deliver engaging and accessible content helps sustain multi-generational appeal across new and classic hardware alike.
The spokesperson emphasized that the enduring sales performance of games such as Mario Kart and Animal Crossing speaks to their broad cultural resonance in Japan. As reflected in this week's chart, Nintendo dominates the Japanese market with both its newest Nintendo Switch 2 entries and beloved classics.
This widespread appeal ensures a thriving eShop ecosystem and continued interest from developers looking to tap into Nintendo’s expansive fan base.
For full data and historical context, the latest and previous charts can be reviewed on the Famitsu website.
