Mario Kart World has emerged as a frontrunner on the Nintendo Switch 2, boasting significant mainstream allure. However, surprisingly, it hasn’t outperformed its acclaimed predecessor, Mario Kart 8, in terms of sales within the United States recently. According to data shared by Mat Piscatella on Bluesky, Mario Kart World claimed the title of the best-selling Nintendo game in June, coinciding with its launch alongside the Switch 2, as reported by the industry analysts at Circana. It’s important to note that Circana exclusively monitors the U.S. market and Nintendo opts not to disclose digital sales figures, meaning this analysis focuses solely on physical sales in the region.
In an unexpected turn, the latest sales data for July revealed that Mario Kart World plummeted to the sixth position on Nintendo’s sales chart. The top-selling game was, predictably, Donkey Kong Bananza, but what stood out was Mario Kart 8, which secured the fourth spot. Despite its initial release on the Wii U being over a decade ago, Mario Kart 8 has maintained a consistent presence on sales charts, proving resilient enough to withstand the launch of a new installment.
Imagine the 190,000 players who purchased the Switch 2 at launch but didn’t opt for Mario Kart World; it raises questions about their motivation, especially since the title “Welcome Tour” seems unlikely to drive sales alone.
After spending countless hours in Mario Kart 8, I finally dived into Mario Kart World. However, the intensity of the Knockout Tour compelled me to return to its predecessor almost immediately.
In a noteworthy achievement, Nintendo has surpassed a record held by the PS4 for 12 years, as the Switch 2 is now recognized as the “fastest-selling video game hardware device in U.S. history.”
Once again, Mario Kart 8 made an appearance in the sales rankings for August, landing at number seven. In contrast, Mario Kart World completely fell off the top ten list. What contributes to the former’s impressive performance against its successor? Piscatella clarifies on Bluesky that the extensive Switch 2 bundle, which includes both the console and a copy of Mario Kart World, accounts for more than 80% of hardware sales. Consequently, this dynamic makes it nearly impossible for standalone physical sales of Mario Kart World to reach the charts. Furthermore, it seems the enduring reputation of Mario Kart 8 as the ultimate installment in the series has played a significant role in this outcome.
For an in-depth look at the best games available on Switch 2, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide.