Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2 Surpasses Wii U Sales Milestone in Japan

Published on: July 18, 2025

Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2 Surpasses Wii U Sales Milestone in Japan Long renowned as one of Nintendo’s most enduring franchises, the Mario Kart series continues its legacy of commercial success with the launch of Mario Kart World on the Nintendo Switch 2.

According to the latest publicly reported data from Famitsu, the Japanese video game market tracker, Mario Kart World has already exceeded the lifetime retail sales of Mario Kart 8 for the Nintendo Wii U in Japan, despite its recent release. Mario Kart World, the newest entry in Nintendo’s celebrated racing series, debuted on the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2024.

Within a remarkably short timeframe, the game has achieved an impressive sales milestone in its home market.

As of the most recent tally, Mario Kart World has shifted 1,365,072 physical copies at Japanese retail outlets.

This accomplishment puts it ahead of Mario Kart 8’s total of 1,310,444 units sold on the Wii U, achieved over the entire lifetime of the preceding console. This feat is particularly noteworthy when contrasted against the Wii U’s overall commercial performance.

The Wii U, often cited as one of Nintendo’s more challenging hardware releases, faced numerous struggles in terms of unit sales and game adoption rates.

Nevertheless, Mario Kart 8 stood out as a strong performer for the platform, becoming one of its best-selling titles.

Now, Mario Kart World has managed to eclipse that figure in a matter of days, underscoring both the persistent popularity of the franchise and the strong market adoption of Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan. Industry analysts have commented on the significance of this achievement.

Speaking with Famitsu, a Nintendo representative highlighted the continued enthusiasm surrounding the Mario Kart franchise, stating that the latest sales figures reflect the lasting appeal of accessible, fun-focused gameplay and robust local multiplayer experiences for which the series is known.

The official outlined how "the remarkable retail performance of Mario Kart World highlights the momentum behind Nintendo Switch 2 and the enduring love fans have for Nintendo’s flagship franchises." Since its launch, Mario Kart World has been available in both physical retail and via the Nintendo eShop, providing accessibility for both traditional and digital game buyers.

Nintendo’s ongoing support with post-launch updates, new tracks, and online features continues to fuel interest and maintain community engagement. With these record-breaking sales figures, Mario Kart World’s strong start suggests a revitalized era for Nintendo Switch 2 and sets a high benchmark for future first-party releases.

For Nintendo, the swift overtaking of Mario Kart 8’s Wii U sales demonstrates not only the growth of the platform but also the remarkable continued success of one of the game industry’s most iconic franchises.