In Japan, Mario Kart World—a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2—has surpassed the initial sales of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the flagship game that launched alongside the original Switch. According to Famitsu, Mario Kart World sold an impressive 782,566 physical copies in its first three days on sale, securing the top spot in the weekly sales chart for June 2 to June 8. It’s important to note that Famitsu’s data includes only physical copies, preinstalled console units, and Game Key Card sales from retail stores, excluding digital purchases from the My Nintendo Store. This means the actual number of Mario Kart World sales is likely significantly higher.
By comparison, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sold approximately 193,060 copies in Japan during its first three days following the original Switch’s 2017 launch, based on Famitsu’s tracking. This puts Mario Kart World’s retail sales at roughly four times that of Breath of the Wild in the same early sales window.
This surge in sales aligns with the Nintendo Switch 2’s record-breaking hardware performance, making it the company’s fastest-selling console to date. Over 3.5 million units were sold globally within the first four days. The Switch 2 is currently outselling its predecessor at a 2-to-1 ratio, a stark contrast to the original Switch, which sold 2.74 million units worldwide in nearly a month amid supply constraints.
In Japan, the momentum continued with Switch 2 games dominating the market. Half of Famitsu’s top 10 best-selling titles during the launch week were Switch 2 versions, including Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma (No. 6, 10,877 units), Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (No. 7, 7,992 units), Zelda: Breath of the Wild (No. 8, 7,529 units), and Yakuza 0 (No. 9, 7,486 units). The only non-Switch entry in the top 10 was Elden Ring: Nightreign on PS5, which claimed the No. 5 spot.
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While Mario Kart World has made a strong debut, surpassing Breath of the Wild’s early sales in Japan, it remains to be seen whether it can match the long-term commercial success of the critically acclaimed Zelda title. Especially notable is the recent Switch 2 HD re-release of Breath of the Wild, which may drive renewed interest and purchases from fans upgrading to the new console.
For players diving into Mario Kart World, we’ve got comprehensive guides to help you master the game. Learn how to unlock every hidden character, understand how Kamek Unlocks work—essential for unlocking NPC Drivers—and explore all the Mario Kart World food locations scattered across the open world. Finding every food item is key to unlocking exclusive outfits and costumes permanently.
