Mario Tennis Fever Rallies to UK Charts Top Two for Nintendo Switch Launch

Mario Tennis Fever Rallies to UK Charts Top Two for Nintendo Switch Launch The UK physical gaming charts have a new contender this week as Mario Tennis Fever steps onto the court, debuting at an impressive second place.

The latest Nintendo Switch release is already making waves and demonstrating the enduring popularity of Mario sports titles.

According to the sales data compiled by GfK, Mario Tennis Fever landed just behind EA SPORTS FC 26, which retained its leading position for another consecutive week. Launched recently for the Nintendo Switch family of systems, Mario Tennis Fever quickly became a highlight for fans eager for new first-party experiences.

The game’s strong debut showcases the continued appetite for Nintendo's iconic characters and sports gameplay on the UK market.

While Mario Tennis Fever secured second place overall, it was EA SPORTS FC 26 that ultimately held the top spot, affirming its dominance across platforms with notable market share: PlayStation 5 accounted for 42% of sales, Switch 25%, PlayStation 4 21%, and Switch 2 secured a 5% slice. The week also saw robust performances from several new third-party titles.

Notably, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties entered the charts in sixth place, with the PlayStation 5 version capturing a significant 86% of sales, Switch 2 contributing 10%, and the remainder split with PC.

Meanwhile, Reanimal climbed to fourth place in its first week; PlayStation 5 led the sales with 73%, followed by Switch 2 at 18%, and Xbox Series at 9%. Elsewhere in the rankings, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe—a perennial favorite on Switch—has finally slipped out of the top ten, highlighting a small but notable shift in longstanding consumer preferences.

Portable classics like Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Switch and Switch 2) and Animal Crossing: New Horizons continue to maintain their prominence in the top ten, affirming their staying power in the Nintendo Switch catalogue. While new releases are injecting fresh energy into the charts, the performance of Mario Tennis Fever is particularly noteworthy.

A Nintendo spokesperson commented on the game's reception, emphasizing that while achieving second place in its first week is a testament to the dedication of Mario fans, "it’s clear the competition remains fierce at the top of the UK market." This week’s full GfK top 40 delivers further insight into platform preferences, with several games reporting substantial sales splits between Switch and the upcoming Switch 2.

As the market landscape continues to evolve with new hardware and third-party support, Nintendo Switch maintains a leading role, bolstered by strong first-party releases and community engagement through initiatives like Nintendo Direct and the eShop. Mario Tennis Fever’s successful debut affirms Nintendo’s strategy of blending beloved franchises with accessible gameplay, ensuring the Switch platform remains a vital force in UK gaming.

With more anticipated releases on the horizon, all eyes remain on Nintendo’s next move within the ever-competitive landscape.