Mario Kart World Tops UK Physical Games Chart Amid Strong Nintendo Switch 2 Performance

The UK physical gaming market has once again highlighted the enduring popularity of Nintendo’s franchises, with Mario Kart World reclaiming the top spot in this week's UK boxed software chart.

The newly released Nintendo Switch 2, serving as the platform for the breakout racing title, continues to energize sales and underline Nintendo's strong grip on the domestic market.

Mario Kart World, which debuted as a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, managed to accelerate past last week's number one, Borderlands 4, returning to the chart’s summit.

Borderlands 4, developed by Gearbox, enjoyed only a brief period at the top, but anticipation is mounting for the game’s impending Nintendo Switch release, which could offer a sales surge in the coming weeks. In third place, Donkey Kong Bananza remains a chart fixture and demonstrates the continued appetite for classic platformers.

Meanwhile, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, the ever-resilient Nintendo Switch favorite, holds strong as the fifth best-selling game, underscoring the franchise’s exceptional staying power.

New challenger Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter made a notable debut at position 19, with an impressive 34% of its sales attributed to the Nintendo Switch version, highlighting the strong performance of role-playing games (RPGs) on the platform. Further breakdown of the GfK-compiled data illustrates the robust market performance of Nintendo across both current and next-generation hardware.

For example, Super Mario Party Jamboree saw 69% of its sales on Nintendo Switch and 31% on Switch 2, while The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom both reported significant split sales between these platforms.

Sonic x Shadow Generations also achieved nearly half of its sales on Nintendo hardware, confirming broad third-party support. Industry experts often cite Mario Kart’s enduring appeal and Nintendo’s effective release strategy for the Switch and Switch 2 as driving factors behind these results.

In a statement paraphrased from the GfK report, analysts noted that familiar IPs and strong hardware adoption have "consistently given Nintendo the edge in boxed retail sales, especially during new hardware cycles." This week’s top 40 chart demonstrates not only the dominance of established franchises but also the competitive entry of new titles.

Minecraft, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Super Mario Bros.

Wonder continue to hold key positions, while crossover successes like EA Sports FC 25 and Hogwarts Legacy show robust sales splits across multiple platforms, including substantial Nintendo shares. As Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 maintain their momentum in the UK market, the latest chart is a testament to the power of lasting franchises, healthy hardware ecosystems, and shifting consumer demands.

With continued support from developers like Gearbox and strong performance across classic and emerging titles, Nintendo’s presence in the UK boxed software market remains formidable.

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart Nintendo Switch Mario Kart World Nintendo Mario Borderlands 4 Switch 2 Switch Borderlands UK Kart Gearbox Donkey Kong Bananza Trails in the Sky: 1st Chapter GfK