Mario Kart World races past 1 million physical sales in Japan alone

GAMING NEWS Rine Ikarus - 30-Jun-2025, 1:17 pm

Mario Kart World has proven itself as Nintendo’s latest runaway success story, crossing a significant sales milestone in Japan less than a month after launch. Released alongside the highly anticipated Switch 2, the newest entry in the beloved kart racing franchise has already sold over one million physical copies in the region, cementing its place as the flagship title for Nintendo’s newest console.

According to figures shared by Famitsu, Mario Kart World shifted an additional 122,578 units in its third week alone, helping it speed past the one-million mark in physical sales. This impressive performance easily outpaced other new releases, including RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, which still managed strong debut placements across multiple platforms but couldn’t match the karting titan’s momentum.

Mario Kart World Leaves Rivals in the Dust

The game has captured attention for boldly shaking up the Mario Kart formula. Unlike its predecessors, Mario Kart World introduces a free-roam open world, giving players new ways to explore vibrant tracks and environments. It also launched with the “Knockout Tour” mode, adding a competitive layer to the traditional races. However, some fans noted changes to the roster, as Mario Kart World removed non-Mario characters who had previously joined the series in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Mario Kart World’s success reflects the broader popularity of the Switch 2. Nintendo’s new console has been selling rapidly both in Japan and overseas, setting new hardware sales records. In Japan alone, the Switch 2 added another 140,026 units sold in the past week, underscoring sustained demand for the hybrid system. Older Switch models, like the OLED and Lite, are still seeing steady sales, contributing to Nintendo’s ongoing dominance over competitors such as the PlayStation 5 in the Japanese market.

Looking ahead, Nintendo has plenty more lined up for Switch 2 owners, including Donkey Kong Bananza’s return to 3D platforming and new entries in the Metroid Prime and Pokémon Legends series.

If you’re ready to join the race, be sure to check out our price comparison tool to get the best deal on Mario Kart World.