Nintendo Switch 2 Software Sales Dominate Japanese Charts: Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza Lead

The Japanese video game market continues to be a significant indicator of industry trends, with Nintendo routinely dominating national retail charts thanks to a steady stream of acclaimed first-party releases and enduring system popularity.

The latest sales figures released by Famitsu for the weeks spanning August 4 to August 17, 2024, reinforce this dominance, as the Nintendo Switch 2 (NS2) and Nintendo Switch (NSW) platforms once again claim the lion’s share of the software sales rankings. In particular, 'Mario Kart World' for Nintendo Switch 2 remains an unrivaled force, claiming the number one spot across two consecutive weeks.

During the week of August 4–10, 'Mario Kart World' sold an impressive 84,938 copies, bringing its lifetime sales to 1,530,566 units.

The subsequent week, August 11–17, saw continued strength, with an additional 59,973 units sold and cumulative sales surpassing 1.59 million copies. Hot on its heels, 'Donkey Kong Bananza' for Nintendo Switch 2 maintained the second position both weeks.

In the first tracking period, the title moved 30,519 copies (totaling 237,574 overall), and in the following week, added another 29,681 units to cross 267,000 lifetime sales.

These robust figures underline Nintendo’s effective expansion of its classic franchises on the latest hardware. Notably, 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2' also performed strongly on both Switch and PlayStation 5, demonstrating the continued appeal of high-profile anime brands.

On Nintendo Switch, sales rose from 24,013 units (August 4–10) to a lifetime total of 92,691 by August 17.

The PlayStation 5 edition contributed an additional 2,967 units in the latter week. Other familiar favorites continue to populate the top ten.

'Minecraft' (Switch), well-known for its incredible staying power, sold 8,723 and 11,481 units in the two periods, with its lifetime sales in Japan climbing beyond 3.97 million copies.

Meanwhile, 'Super Mario Party Jamboree – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV' achieved notable sales, demonstrating the strength of party game titles among Japanese audiences. Long-standing Nintendo bestsellers such as 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe', 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons', and 'Pokémon Scarlet / Violet' keep posting solid figures.

As of August 17, 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons' has exceeded 8.19 million copies sold, while 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' is now over 6.41 million units in Japan alone.

Another remarkable highlight is the sustained success of 'Kirby and the Forgotten Land', 'Ring Fit Adventure', and 'Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate', all continuing to chart years after their initial releases. Speaking to Famitsu about this continued momentum, a Nintendo spokesperson remarked that the company is grateful for the ongoing enthusiasm from Japanese players, and remains committed to offering a diverse lineup of engaging experiences across genres.

This strategy is evident in the variety of new releases and evergreen titles occupying the Japanese charts. In summary, the recent sales data from Famitsu demonstrates that the Nintendo Switch 2 launch is off to a robust start, breathing new life into established franchises like Mario Kart and Donkey Kong while supporting a vibrant ecosystem of third-party hits and indie games.

With the Switch and Switch 2 platforms working in tandem, Nintendo's grip on the Japanese market shows no signs of loosening, firmly reinforcing its leadership in hardware and software alike. Latest Japanese game sales courtesy of Famitsu.

For historical comparison and previous standings, Famitsu provides detailed past sales charts.

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