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During the week spanning December 15 to 21, the gaming landscape in Japan was heavily influenced by the Nintendo Switch 2 and its flagship title, Mario Kart World. This period marks a significant time for holiday shopping, where consumer preferences are shaped by new releases and popular titles. Data from Famitsu indicates notable sales performance for both the console and the game.
According to official sources, the Nintendo Switch 2 has nearly reached an impressive 3.6 million units sold in Japan alone. In parallel, Mario Kart World is on the verge of hitting 2.6 million copies sold, with many of these sales occurring as part of bundled packages with the console. This indicates strong consumer demand for both the hardware and the software.
The facts
The dominance of the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World in Japan’s gaming market is reflected in the top ten software sales list. The chart shows a near-total control, with Pokemon Legends: Z-A occupying the second and third spots, available on both the original Nintendo Switch and the Switch 2. Titles such as Kirby Air Riders and Momotaro Dentetsu 2 also feature prominently, showcasing the variety of popular games available for the platform.
Comparison with competitors
Despite a recent price cut on the PS5 in Japan, sales figures for Sony’s console have not met expectations and remain significantly lower than those for the Nintendo Switch 2. Specifically, the PS5 models, including the Digital Edition and standard version, continue to lag behind, highlighting Nintendo’s stronghold during this festive shopping season.
Sales figures and market trends
The latest hardware sales figures from Famitsu reveal that the Nintendo Switch 2 sold an impressive 221,033 units during this week. Other versions of the console, such as the Switch OLED and Switch Lite, contributed 18,864 and 12,641 units, respectively. In contrast, PS5 models collectively sold around 13,231 units for the Digital Edition and 4,149 for the standard version, showcasing a stark contrast in popularity.
Software sales performance
In terms of software, Mario Kart World leads the charts with sales reaching 115,729 copies in the last week, bringing its total to approximately 2,573,736 copies sold. Pokemon Legends: Z-A follows closely behind, with its two versions accounting for 72,820 and 54,096 copies sold, respectively. Other notable titles include Kirby Air Riders and Momotaro Dentetsu 2, which continue to perform well in the market.
Sales from the previous week indicate that the Nintendo Switch 2 had already marked 190,944 units sold, suggesting a steady upward trend as the holiday season progresses. This momentum suggests that Nintendo’s innovative marketing strategies and engaging game offerings are resonating well with consumers, solidifying their position at the forefront of the gaming industry.
The results from December 15 to 21 illustrate that the Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart World have captured the attention of gamers in Japan and set a new benchmark for sales performance during this critical shopping period. Observers will be keen to watch how this dynamic evolves within the competitive landscape of the gaming industry.