The Japanese gaming landscape continues to be dominated by Nintendo hardware and first-party titles, as the latest boxed sales charts reveal another resounding victory for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World.
According to recent data published by NintendoFamitsu, both the platform and the flagship racing franchise have solidified their positions at the top of the charts, signaling the ongoing strength of Nintendo’s presence in the Japanese market as 2026 draws to a close. Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2 led the software charts once again, shifting 94,645 boxed units between December 22nd and December 28th.
This impressive figure brings its cumulative lifetime sales to 2,668,381 units, further underlining the enduring appeal of the Mario Kart series among Japanese consumers. Not far behind, Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition crossed the one million unit milestone, reaching a total of 1,004,154 units sold to date on Nintendo’s newest hardware.
While the game’s original Nintendo Switch version continues to outperform its successor, with 1,529,823 units sold, industry analysts expect the balance to gradually tip towards the Switch 2 as the hardware’s user base expands in the years ahead.
However, the stalwart installed base for the original Switch means that newer entries in the Pokémon franchise may initially face a slower transition to the next-generation platform. Kirby Air Riders on Switch 2 also made a strong showing, selling 47,793 copies this period and reaching a cumulative 424,837 units.
Other notable titles in the top ten included Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2), Momotaro Dentetsu 2 (on both Switch and Switch 2), Minecraft (Switch), and Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch 2), demonstrating the robust diversity of Nintendo’s software library and its widespread appeal across generations. The hardware charts further illustrate the Switch 2’s dominance.
The console sold a remarkable 200,257 units in the final week of 2026, bringing its lifetime total to 3,784,067.
In contrast, the original Nintendo Switch family—comprising the standard model, OLED Model, and Lite—accounted for a combined 32,775 units, with the OLED Model alone achieving 14,004 units and a lifetime figure nearing 9.4 million. Meanwhile, Sony’s PlayStation 5 ecosystem lagged behind, with the PS5 Digital Edition at 13,587 units, standard PS5 at 3,995 units, and the PS5 Pro at 1,650 units.
Microsoft’s Xbox Series consoles trailed even further, with combined weekly sales below 300 units, underscoring Nintendo’s continuing market leadership in its home territory. A Nintendo spokesperson characterized 2026 as a milestone year for the company, citing consistent hardware and software sales as evidence that the Switch 2 era is off to a promising start.
With heavyweight franchises like Mario Kart and Pokémon driving sales, Nintendo’s foothold on the Japanese market remains as strong as ever. As fans look forward to upcoming releases and potential announcements in future Nintendo Direct streams, both the Nintendo Switch 2 and its software ecosystem are positioned to carry their momentum well into the coming year.
According to recent data published by NintendoFamitsu, both the platform and the flagship racing franchise have solidified their positions at the top of the charts, signaling the ongoing strength of Nintendo’s presence in the Japanese market as 2026 draws to a close. Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2 led the software charts once again, shifting 94,645 boxed units between December 22nd and December 28th.
This impressive figure brings its cumulative lifetime sales to 2,668,381 units, further underlining the enduring appeal of the Mario Kart series among Japanese consumers. Not far behind, Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition crossed the one million unit milestone, reaching a total of 1,004,154 units sold to date on Nintendo’s newest hardware.
While the game’s original Nintendo Switch version continues to outperform its successor, with 1,529,823 units sold, industry analysts expect the balance to gradually tip towards the Switch 2 as the hardware’s user base expands in the years ahead.
However, the stalwart installed base for the original Switch means that newer entries in the Pokémon franchise may initially face a slower transition to the next-generation platform. Kirby Air Riders on Switch 2 also made a strong showing, selling 47,793 copies this period and reaching a cumulative 424,837 units.
Other notable titles in the top ten included Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2), Momotaro Dentetsu 2 (on both Switch and Switch 2), Minecraft (Switch), and Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch 2), demonstrating the robust diversity of Nintendo’s software library and its widespread appeal across generations. The hardware charts further illustrate the Switch 2’s dominance.
The console sold a remarkable 200,257 units in the final week of 2026, bringing its lifetime total to 3,784,067.
In contrast, the original Nintendo Switch family—comprising the standard model, OLED Model, and Lite—accounted for a combined 32,775 units, with the OLED Model alone achieving 14,004 units and a lifetime figure nearing 9.4 million. Meanwhile, Sony’s PlayStation 5 ecosystem lagged behind, with the PS5 Digital Edition at 13,587 units, standard PS5 at 3,995 units, and the PS5 Pro at 1,650 units.
Microsoft’s Xbox Series consoles trailed even further, with combined weekly sales below 300 units, underscoring Nintendo’s continuing market leadership in its home territory. A Nintendo spokesperson characterized 2026 as a milestone year for the company, citing consistent hardware and software sales as evidence that the Switch 2 era is off to a promising start.
With heavyweight franchises like Mario Kart and Pokémon driving sales, Nintendo’s foothold on the Japanese market remains as strong as ever. As fans look forward to upcoming releases and potential announcements in future Nintendo Direct streams, both the Nintendo Switch 2 and its software ecosystem are positioned to carry their momentum well into the coming year.
