Mario Kart World on Nintendo Switch 2 Outselling Zelda: Breath of the Wild in Japan

In Japan, *Mario Kart World*, a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2, has achieved a major milestone by selling more physical copies in its first three days than the original Switch’s launch title, *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild*, managed during its own debut. According to Famitsu, *Mario Kart World* has already sold an impressive 782,566 copies in Japan alone, making it the top-selling game for the week of June 2 to June 8. It’s important to note that Famitsu’s data covers physical sales, preinstalled console copies, and Game Key Card purchases, but does not include digital downloads from the My Nintendo Store. As a result, the actual total sales figure for *Mario Kart World* is likely even higher.

In comparison, the original Switch version of *The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild* sold approximately 193,060 copies in Japan during its first three days on sale back in 2017. This means that *Mario Kart World* has already surpassed that number by nearly four times based solely on retail sales in Japan.

This strong performance is not entirely unexpected, especially given that the Nintendo Switch 2 is the company’s fastest-selling console to date. The new system moved over 3.5 million units globally within the first four days. In fact, it is currently outselling the original Switch by a 2-to-1 margin. The original Switch, which launched in 2017, faced supply constraints and had a slower start, selling 2.74 million units worldwide in just under a month.

In Japan, the first three days following the Switch 2 launch also saw robust sales for physical game copies. According to Famitsu, half of the titles in the top 10 sales chart were Switch 2 versions. These included *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), and *Yakuza 0* (No. 9, 7,486 copies). The only non-Switch title in the top 10 was *Elden Ring: Nightreign* for PlayStation 5, which ranked at No. 5.

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While *Mario Kart World* is off to a much stronger start than *Breath of the Wild* did in Japan, it remains to be seen whether it will match or surpass the long-term sales success of the critically acclaimed Zelda title. Especially with *Breath of the Wild* recently receiving an HD-enhanced re-release on the Switch 2, some fans may choose to revisit the game, potentially boosting its sales once again.

For players looking to get the most out of *Mario Kart World*, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide. It includes tips on how to unlock every hidden character, how Kamek unlocks work—essential for unlocking NPC drivers—and where to find all the food items scattered across the open world, which are key to obtaining every outfit and costume permanently.