Nintendo Switch 2 Breaks Sales Records as Mario Kart World Dominates Japanese Charts

Nintendo’s latest console, the Nintendo Switch 2, has made history as the fastest-selling gaming system of all time, emphatically outpacing its predecessors during its launch period.

Released to much anticipation, the Switch 2 has quickly become a centerpiece not only for Nintendo’s hardware portfolio but also for its extensive library of blockbuster titles.

This achievement is underscored by the robust performance of Mario Kart World, the platform’s flagship launch game, which is already making waves in global and Japanese sales charts. According to recent figures published by Famitsu, Japan’s leading video game publication, Mario Kart World claimed the top position on Japan’s software sales chart for the week of June 2nd through June 8th, 2025.

During this seven-day span, the game moved an impressive 78,256 units, reinforcing its appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers.

Despite a slightly lower local retail price compared to the international $80 USD, strong demand has driven high sales, reflecting the immense excitement surrounding both the title and its new hardware. Remarkably, nine out of the top ten best-selling video games in Japan during this period were available on Nintendo Switch family hardware, including the Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, and Switch 2.

Of these nine, four were developed or published directly by Nintendo and five were exclusive to Switch 2, demonstrating the enduring market dominance of Nintendo’s ecosystem.

The only non-Switch entry was FromSoftware’s Elden Ring Nightreign for PlayStation 5, which has maintained a steady presence in the weekly rankings. Here is the complete list of Japan’s top 10 game sales for the referenced week: 1.

Mario Kart World (Switch 2) – 78,256 units 2.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (Switch) – 45,703 units 3.

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time (Switch) – 17,180 units 4.

Natsume’s Book of Friends: Hazuki no Shirushi (Switch) – 16,865 units 5.

Elden Ring Nightreign (PS5) – 12,064 units 6.

Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (Switch 2) – 10,877 units 7.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch 2) – 7,992 units 8.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch 2) – 7,529 units 9.

Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut (Switch 2) – 7,486 units 10.

Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch) – 6,771 units The hardware side has been equally impressive.

The Nintendo Switch 2 logged sales of 947,931 units in its debut week in Japan alone, accounting for nearly a third of its reported global sales total of 3.5 million units within the first four days of launch.

This milestone positions the Switch 2 not only as a record-breaker in Japan but also reaffirms Nintendo’s dominance in the home market and abroad.

The continued demand for previous Switch models is also clear: in the same week, the standard Switch sold 2,482 units, Switch Lite reached 6,089 units, and Switch OLED models moved 8,040 units—evidence of a well-diversified and enduring product ecosystem. Nintendo’s winning combination of compelling hardware and must-have first-party software continues to dictate momentum in the global gaming industry.

Mario Kart World’s strong debut atop the charts and the stunning commercial success of the Nintendo Switch 2 are setting a new benchmark for console launches in 2025.

As sales continue to surge and critical praise mounts, all eyes remain fixed on Nintendo’s next moves and how it will continue to shape the landscape of interactive entertainment.

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart Nintendo Switch Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Japan Switch 2 Switch Kart Famitsu Elden Ring Nightreign Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut Super Mario Party Jamboree Natsume’s Book of Friends: Hazuki no Shirushi PS5 Switch Lite Switch OLED console