Mario Kart Sales Milestone: Nintendo Addresses Switch 2 Competition and Franchise Dominance

Nintendo’s enduring dominance in the racing genre continues to make headlines as the company released a transcript from its recent Q&A session following its Q2 2025 financial disclosure.

With the Nintendo Switch 2 poised on the horizon and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe maintaining its legacy as the platform’s best-selling title, industry observers are keenly watching what comes next for both Nintendo and its storied franchises. The Mario Kart series has delivered remarkable commercial achievements for Nintendo.

On the recently launched Switch 2 console, Mario Kart World has already posted impressive figures, moving 9.57 million units to date.

Meanwhile, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has achieved a monumental milestone, comfortably holding the record for best-selling Nintendo Switch game at 69.56 million copies sold.

These figures underscore the franchise’s continued global appeal and its status as a pillar for Nintendo’s hardware success. During the financial briefing, legendary designer and Nintendo Fellow Shigeru Miyamoto responded to a question about whether any new intellectual property could eclipse Mario Kart’s sales dominance on the Switch 2.

Miyamoto noted that Nintendo operates under the ethos of limitless creative ambition—a philosophy reflected in the success of The Super Mario Bros.

Movie, which outperformed contemporaries during its release.

He emphasized that as long as a new IP resonates with players, it stands a legitimate chance at commercial success. However, Miyamoto clarified that Mario Kart’s unique appeal would likely ensure its place at the top.

"Mario Kart is a series that continues to sell, and for that reason, it may never be surpassed," he stated in paraphrased comments.

He shared an anecdote involving Satoshi Tajiri, creator of Pokémon, who once joked that surpassing Nintendo’s flagship titles would require selling two copies to every customer—a tongue-in-cheek reference to the origins of Pokémon Red and Green and their dual-release strategy.

This conversation highlighted both the difficulty and the innovative thinking involved in besting a juggernaut franchise like Mario Kart. Despite attempts by other big-name Nintendo properties, including Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Smash Bros.

Ultimate, none have managed to dethrone Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s commanding lead in the Nintendo Switch software charts.

With the Nintendo Switch 2 promising new possibilities for developers and an evolving eShop ecosystem, the race is on for any IP daring enough to challenge Mario Kart’s supremacy.

For now, the series' record-breaking run remains unchallenged, and all eyes are on Nintendo to see what creative triumphs the next generation will bring. Stay tuned for more Nintendo Direct updates, sales results, and in-depth analysis of Nintendo’s ongoing impact on the gaming landscape.

Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart Nintendo Mario Milestone Switch 2 Switch Kart Franchise Shigeru Miyamoto Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Nintendo Switch Pokémon Satoshi Tajiri Super Mario Bros. Movie Animal Crossing: New Horizons Super Smash Bros. Ultimate