Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Stands as Nintendo's Sole Top-10 Hit in Latest UK Physical Charts

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Stands as Nintendo's Sole Top-10 Hit in Latest UK Physical Charts Nintendo's enduring strength in the UK physical game market continues, but this week brings a rare sight: only one title from the iconic publisher has made it into the top 10 of the latest UK physical games charts.

With anticipation building for the Nintendo Switch 2, consumers have adopted a wait-and-see approach for current-gen software—leading to a noticeable slowdown for the original Nintendo Switch. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which first launched in April 2017, remains the standard bearer for Nintendo this week.

According to data compiled by GfK, the beloved racing game barely held its ground, finishing in the tenth spot among all platforms.

The persistent popularity of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe underscores its status as one of the best-selling Switch titles to date, boasting more than 61 million units sold worldwide as of March 2024. A review of the full top 10 demonstrates broad competition from other publishers.

Once again, EA Sports FC 25 leads the charts, with 25% of its sales coming from the Nintendo Switch version.

Hogwarts Legacy follows in second place, with a significant 52% of its sales attributed to the Switch platform, showing the continuing importance of Nintendo hardware for multiplatform releases.

However, other Nintendo-published titles landed further down the chart, with highlights like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Mario Bros.

Wonder charting outside the top ten. Industry insiders note the current sales pattern is not unexpected.

As the video game market eagerly anticipates news regarding the next generation of Nintendo hardware, consumers are increasingly hesitant to purchase legacy titles for the current Switch platform.

This transitional period naturally results in more conservative retail momentum for first-party Nintendo software. A Nintendo representative, speaking in a prior statement, indicated the company remains focused on delivering "strong content for Nintendo Switch owners" while preparing for the future.

Nintendo’s recent financial results highlighted the continued long-tail performance of Switch evergreen titles, but also acknowledged an expected “gradual decline in hardware and software sales” as the console enters its eighth year. Despite the current lull, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe's persistent top-10 presence showcases Nintendo’s enduring appeal in the UK market.

Looking ahead, the arrival of Nintendo Switch 2 is poised to revitalize the company’s sales rankings.

For now, the latest UK physical games chart serves as a snapshot of a transitional moment for Nintendo and its loyal fanbase. For complete platform breakdowns and the full top 40 chart, GfK continues to offer comprehensive weekly data.

Nintendo fans and industry observers alike will be closely watching for announcements and fresh releases set to define the next era of Nintendo gaming.

Mario Kart Nintendo Mario Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Switch Mario Kart 8 UK Kart EA Sports FC 25 Hogwarts Legacy Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 UK physical charts GfK