
Nintendo has struck gold once again with Mario Kart World, which has officially sold over 1 million physical copies in Japan—and it did so in under a month since launching alongside the Nintendo Switch 2.
According to Famitsu’s latest Japanese sales charts, Mario Kart World moved over 122,000 physical units just last week, bringing its total to more than 1 million in Japan alone. This places it far ahead of other recent releases, including Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, whose combined sales couldn’t even reach half that number.
A Flagship Hit for Switch 2
Launched as a key title during the highly anticipated debut of the Switch 2, Mario Kart World instantly became the flagship game of Nintendo’s new generation. Released alongside enhanced versions of fan-favorite titles like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the game has managed to stand out thanks to its innovative features and strong brand appeal.
What’s New in Mario Kart World?
The latest entry in the legendary racing franchise brings several groundbreaking changes:
-
Free-Roam Open World: A first for the series, allowing players to explore and race in large, interconnected areas.
-
Knockout Tour Mode: A new competitive mode where players are gradually eliminated until one champion remains.
-
Roster Rework: A focus back on core Mario characters, trimming non-Mario appearances seen in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
These changes, paired with strong word-of-mouth and a strategic launch window, helped drive massive demand across Japan and likely other regions as well.
The Road Ahead
With over a million copies already sold and digital figures yet to be revealed, Mario Kart World is on track to become one of the best-selling Nintendo Switch 2 titles of the year. If its momentum continues globally, this could be the franchise’s biggest breakout since Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
As fans await further updates, DLCs, and competitive seasons, one thing is clear—Mario Kart World has already won its first race.