UK Game Charts: Nintendo Switch Faces Calm Before Switch 2 as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Slips

Nintendo’s presence in the UK retail game charts has long been a barometer for how the Switch platform is faring with mainstream audiences.

However, this week’s GfK-compiled top 40 reveals a rare slowdown for the Japanese gaming giant.

As the anticipation for the Nintendo Switch 2 steadily builds, the current lineup is experiencing one of its quieter spells: not a single Nintendo first-party title cracked the top 10.

Perhaps most surprising, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe—historically a reliable mainstay in the upper echelon—has slipped down to fourteenth position. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, released for the Nintendo Switch in April 2017, has consistently dominated the UK charts, setting sales milestones with more than 60 million units sold globally.

Its recent drop to number 14 marks a significant, albeit likely temporary, shift.

In recent months, the title was considered almost untouchable, regularly landing in the top positions even years after its launch.

Yet, this week’s chart suggests the UK market is bracing for something new, as first-party Switch releases slow ahead of an expected hardware transition. According to the latest GfK data, third-party titles are currently performing more strongly on the Switch.

Notable examples include Hogwarts Legacy, which leads the chart with a 48% share of sales on the Nintendo Switch, closely followed by EA Sports FC 25 (Switch accounting for 49% of total sales).

Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition continues to show robust numbers, reigniting excitement among players looking forward to its eventual arrival on the Switch 2. Similarly, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga saw 43% of its sales on the Switch this week, while indie favorites and long-tail titles maintain solid representation across the top 40.

Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate and It Takes Two demonstrate that the Switch remains a crucial ecosystem for cross-platform releases, capturing sizable market shares against Sony and Microsoft’s consoles. The absence of new Nintendo first-party releases is palpable.

The company appears to be holding back its next major titles in anticipation of the Switch 2 launch, which industry analysts and retailers expect will create a considerable sales surge.

In a statement represented by GfK’s latest figures, it’s clear that the current lull is "very much like the calm before the storm." Until Nintendo announces new First-party offerings or updates its hardware, the UK video game charts are likely to remain in a holding pattern.

This transitional period sets the stage for what is widely expected to be a revitalization of Nintendo’s lineup and sales momentum upon the release of the Switch 2.

For now, industry watchers will be tracking third-party successes and ongoing engagement with the Switch’s enduring classics as the next chapter for Nintendo approaches.

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