Switch 2's Mario Kart World Outpaces Zelda in Japan

In Japan, Nintendo's next-gen console debut title Mario Kart World has achieved remarkable sales, outpacing the Switch 1 launch title The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in their respective first three-day periods.

Industry tracker Famitsu reports Mario Kart World sold an impressive 782,566 physical copies in Japan during its launch weekend (June 2-8), securing the top sales position. It's important to note these figures exclude digital sales through Nintendo's eShop, suggesting actual sales numbers are substantially higher.

By comparison, the original Switch launch title Breath of the Wild sold approximately 193,060 physical copies during its first three days in 2017 according to Famitsu. This makes Mario Kart World's physical launch sales roughly four times greater than Zelda's debut performance.

Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Momentum

The sales achievement reflects the Switch 2's record-breaking launch performance as Nintendo's fastest-selling hardware to date, moving over 3.5 million units globally in just four days. The new console is currently outselling the original Switch at a 2:1 ratio, surpassing the first Switch's 2.74 million units sold in its initial month.

Switch 2 software dominated Japan's retail charts, claiming five spots in the top ten:

• Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (No. 6, 10,877 copies)
• Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (No. 7, 7,992 copies)
• Zelda: Breath of the Wild (No. 8, 7,529 copies)
• Yakuza 0 (No. 9, 7,486 copies)

The only non-Switch entry was Elden Ring: Nightreign for PS5 at No. 5.

Mario Kart World Review Screenshots

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While Mario Kart World's launch surpasses Breath of the Wild's initial numbers, its long-term performance remains to be seen - especially with the recent Switch 2 HD re-release of the Zelda classic potentially boosting its lifetime sales.

For players diving into Mario Kart World, we've prepared comprehensive guides covering character unlocks (including Kamek's unique system), open-world collectibles, and permanent costume acquisition through the game's food collection mechanics.