Nintendo's latest first-party release, Kirby Air Riders, has officially entered the UK physical gaming charts, providing valuable early insights into its market performance.
Developed and published by Nintendo, the game brings a fresh mix of racing and action to the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 platforms, expanding the beloved Kirby franchise.
As industry watchers keep a close eye on early sales momentum, the latest chart data offers a detailed look at how Kirby Air Riders is stacking up against other current blockbuster titles.
In its debut week, Kirby Air Riders landed in 12th place, according to data compiled by GfK.
While missing out on a top 10 position, the game nevertheless made a noteworthy entry for a new franchise installment on Nintendo Switch hardware.
It trailed established heavyweights such as Mario Kart World, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe—all of which continue to perform robustly on both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Given the competitive landscape, Kirby Air Riders was expected to draw a more specialized audience, particularly with Mario Kart World—a key competitor in the racing genre—continuing to attract Switch and Switch 2 owners.
This trend is further reflected in platform split data: while Mario Kart World maintains a strong retail presence, Pokémon Legends: Z-A garnered 57% of its sales on Switch and 43% on Switch 2, speaking to the continued popularity of Nintendo’s core franchises. Elsewhere in the top 40, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 re-entered the top 10, likely bolstered by its recent nominations at the Game Awards.
The highly anticipated Hades II made its physical debut at number 21, while titles including Hogwarts Legacy and Donkey Kong Bananza secured upper-tier positions, demonstrating the enduring strength of Nintendo Switch software.
For more legacy-driven franchises, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains a formidable force in the charts, outpacing many newer releases. When approached for comment, a Nintendo spokesperson reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting new IPs and broadening the diversity of its line-up on Switch and Switch 2.
"We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response to Kirby Air Riders and will continue to listen to feedback from our player community," the spokesperson stated, reaffirming Nintendo’s ongoing focus on innovation and player satisfaction. These results reflect a dynamic retail environment as the Nintendo Switch family enters another year of strong sales.
The UK physical charts, compiled by GfK, remain a crucial indicator for developers and publishers looking to measure the success of their releases across platforms.
As more sales data, including digital and international performance, becomes available, stakeholders will gain a clearer sense of Kirby Air Riders’ long-term impact on Nintendo’s portfolio. With Nintendo continuing to deliver high-profile releases and maintain strong platform performance, the success of Kirby Air Riders and similar titles will play a pivotal role in the evolving narrative of the Switch and Switch 2 ecosystems.
Developed and published by Nintendo, the game brings a fresh mix of racing and action to the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 platforms, expanding the beloved Kirby franchise.
As industry watchers keep a close eye on early sales momentum, the latest chart data offers a detailed look at how Kirby Air Riders is stacking up against other current blockbuster titles.
In its debut week, Kirby Air Riders landed in 12th place, according to data compiled by GfK.
While missing out on a top 10 position, the game nevertheless made a noteworthy entry for a new franchise installment on Nintendo Switch hardware.
It trailed established heavyweights such as Mario Kart World, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe—all of which continue to perform robustly on both the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Given the competitive landscape, Kirby Air Riders was expected to draw a more specialized audience, particularly with Mario Kart World—a key competitor in the racing genre—continuing to attract Switch and Switch 2 owners.
This trend is further reflected in platform split data: while Mario Kart World maintains a strong retail presence, Pokémon Legends: Z-A garnered 57% of its sales on Switch and 43% on Switch 2, speaking to the continued popularity of Nintendo’s core franchises. Elsewhere in the top 40, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 re-entered the top 10, likely bolstered by its recent nominations at the Game Awards.
The highly anticipated Hades II made its physical debut at number 21, while titles including Hogwarts Legacy and Donkey Kong Bananza secured upper-tier positions, demonstrating the enduring strength of Nintendo Switch software.
For more legacy-driven franchises, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe remains a formidable force in the charts, outpacing many newer releases. When approached for comment, a Nintendo spokesperson reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting new IPs and broadening the diversity of its line-up on Switch and Switch 2.
"We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response to Kirby Air Riders and will continue to listen to feedback from our player community," the spokesperson stated, reaffirming Nintendo’s ongoing focus on innovation and player satisfaction. These results reflect a dynamic retail environment as the Nintendo Switch family enters another year of strong sales.
The UK physical charts, compiled by GfK, remain a crucial indicator for developers and publishers looking to measure the success of their releases across platforms.
As more sales data, including digital and international performance, becomes available, stakeholders will gain a clearer sense of Kirby Air Riders’ long-term impact on Nintendo’s portfolio. With Nintendo continuing to deliver high-profile releases and maintain strong platform performance, the success of Kirby Air Riders and similar titles will play a pivotal role in the evolving narrative of the Switch and Switch 2 ecosystems.
