Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Continues to Dominate Sales in Japan
In the latest boxed charts data from Japan, it comes as no surprise that the Nintendo Switch continues to reign supreme in both hardware and software sales. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a fan-favorite arcade racer, has now exceeded an impressive 6 million units sold in the region. This milestone is a testament to the enduring popularity of the game, which originally made its debut on the Switch over 7 years ago. Globally, the game has now sold over 60 million units, solidifying its status as a best-selling title for Nintendo.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is also steadily climbing towards the 8 million sales mark in Japan. With such strong performances from these flagship titles, it’s clear that Nintendo’s first-party lineup continues to drive significant sales for the Switch platform.
Top Ten Games in Japan
Here is a breakdown of the latest top ten games in Japan, based on unit sales data for the week of 16th to 22nd September:
1. Kamaitachi no Yoru x3 (Switch) – 23,051 units (NEW)
2. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch) – 7,811 units (Total: 6,005,594)
3. Astro Bot (PS5) – 6,967 units (Total: 28,521)
4. Nintendo Switch Sports (Switch) – 6,258 units (Total: 1,428,479)
5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch) – 6,203 units (Total: 7,914,922)
6. Minecraft (Switch) – 5,960 units (Total: 3,637,144)
7. Powerful Pro Baseball 2024-2025 (Switch) – 4,430 units (Total: 292,389)
8. Ring Fit Adventure (Switch) – 4,156 units (Total: 3,631,813)
9. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Switch) – 3,949 units (Total: 5,587,522)
10. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Switch) – 3,758 units (Total: 5,415,264)
It’s clear that Nintendo titles dominate the charts, with the Switch boasting a strong lineup of exclusive games that continue to attract players of all ages.
Hardware Sales in Japan
In terms of hardware sales, the Nintendo Switch OLED model remains the top-selling console in Japan, with 35,044 units sold during the week of 16th to 22nd September. The Switch Lite follows closely behind with 12,514 units sold. On the other hand, PlayStation 5 sales have seen a slight decline, with 7,186 units sold during the same period. The PS5’s recent price increase may have impacted its sales figures, highlighting the importance of competitive pricing in the console market.
Here is a breakdown of the top-selling consoles in Japan for the week:
1. Nintendo Switch OLED – 35,044 units (Total: 7,902,577)
2. Nintendo Switch Lite – 12,514 units (Total: 6,063,736)
3. PlayStation 5 – 7,186 units (Total: 5,193,843)
4. Nintendo Switch – 4,797 units (Total: 19,902,018)
5. PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – 1,571 units (Total: 853,500)
6. Xbox Series S – 311 units (Total: 318,908)
7. Xbox Series X – 288 units (Total: 307,270)
8. PlayStation 4 – 37 units (Total: 7,928,477)
As we approach the end of the year and anticipate the release of the rumored ‘Switch 2’, it will be interesting to see how these sales trends evolve in the coming months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the latest sales data from Japan reaffirms Nintendo’s stronghold in the gaming market, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons leading the pack in software sales. The continued success of these titles reflects the enduring appeal of Nintendo’s iconic franchises and the innovative gameplay experiences they offer.
As we look ahead to the future of console gaming, it’s clear that Nintendo’s position in the industry remains strong, with the Switch platform continuing to attract a diverse audience of gamers. With the upcoming release of new titles and potential hardware updates, Nintendo is poised to maintain its position as a key player in the gaming market for years to come.