Japanese Game Sales Charts: Little Nightmares III Debuts Strong on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5

The latest Japanese boxed sales charts from Famitsu have been released, placing a spotlight on new releases and ongoing hardware trends in the region’s competitive gaming landscape.

This week’s report highlights the debut of Little Nightmares III and impressive sales figures for established Nintendo titles, underscoring the ongoing prominence of the Nintendo Switch and its next-generation successor, the Switch 2, in Japan’s video game market. Bandai Namco’s atmospheric adventure, Little Nightmares III, achieved a notable multi-platform launch, securing three positions within the top ten: number 5 on Nintendo Switch with 17,806 copies sold, number 7 on PlayStation 5 with 7,040 units, and number 8 on Switch 2 with 6,924 units.

Combined, Little Nightmares III amassed 31,770 copies sold across all platforms in its debut week, trailing just behind Mario Kart World, which continues to hold strong at the top of the charts with 37,502 Switch 2 units sold for the week and a cumulative total nearing 1.9 million. Despite receiving mixed critical reviews, Little Nightmares III’s robust first-week sales reflect enduring interest in the franchise and the effectiveness of simultaneous multi-platform launches on the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PlayStation 5.

Bandai Namco’s steady support for Nintendo platforms has clearly paid off, as the Switch versions significantly contributed to its impressive start. Other notable entries include Battlefield 6, which entered the Japanese market at number 3 with 23,292 units sold on PlayStation 5.

While players have praised the game’s multiplayer experience, media coverage indicated that the single-player campaign has been less favorably received.

Meanwhile, Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 on Nintendo Switch continues its consistent performance, adding 20,083 copies during the week and reaching a life-to-date total of 68,348. Hardware sales further reinforce Nintendo’s dominance.

The Switch 2 topped the charts with 46,842 units sold, bringing its lifetime sales past 2.2 million.

The various models of the original Nintendo Switch family combined for another 23,149 units, while PlayStation 5 models sold a total of 14,800 units, cementing Nintendo’s continued victory in the Japanese hardware race.

For context, the Switch OLED Model remains popular, contributing 15,088 units to its impressive lifetime sales surpassing 9.2 million. Looking ahead, industry analysts anticipate that the imminent launch of Pokémon Legends: Z-A will provide a significant boost to Switch 2 hardware and software sales.

Nonetheless, the consistency of games like Mario Kart World and Super Mario Galaxy, alongside new launches such as Little Nightmares III, continues to highlight the strength of software support across Nintendo’s hybrid platforms. Famitsu’s latest charts underscore the vital role Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 play in shaping Japan’s gaming ecosystem.

With both established franchises and fresh entries performing well, Nintendo’s hardware and Bandai Namco’s multiplatform strategies have proven highly effective in maintaining consumer engagement as the retail landscape evolves.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo PlayStation Japan Switch 2 PlayStation 5 Famitsu Switch Switch 2 hardware Little Nightmares III Little Nightmares Bandai Namco Super Mario Galaxy Mario Kart World Battlefield 6 Donkey Kong Bananza Digimon Story: Time Stranger