The latest Famitsu sales data for June 2 to June 8, 2025 has officially revealed the explosive debut of the long-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, along with the commercial performance of its launch titles. With over 947,000 units sold in its first week, the Switch 2 has not only eclipsed the original Switch’s launch numbers but also reaffirmed Nintendo’s unmatched hold on the Japanese gaming market.
The Nintendo Switch 2 debuted with 947,931 units sold, easily surpassing the original Switch’s launch week sales of 329,152 units back in 2017. This milestone marks one of the strongest hardware debuts in Japanese gaming history, solidifying Nintendo’s dominance in its home market despite strong competition from Sony and Microsoft.
In comparison:
- PlayStation 5 family (including Pro and Digital models) sold a combined 20,782 units
- The entire existing Switch family sold 16,611 units
- Xbox Series consoles sold a meager 333 units combined
- PlayStation 4 barely registered with 24 units sold
The performance gap highlights just how impactful a new Nintendo hardware launch can be, particularly when supported by a well-planned slate of launch titles and immense brand loyalty.
Mario Kart World Dominates Software Charts
Leading the software rankings was Mario Kart World, the headline Switch 2 launch title, which sold a staggering 782,566 physical copies in just three days. While digital sales are not included in Famitsu’s data, this figure alone signals a historic launch for the franchise and underscores its unmatched popularity.
With the original Mario Kart 8 Deluxe becoming the best-selling Switch game of all time, expectations for Mario Kart World were high and the new entry seems to be meeting them. Industry analysts expect the game to surpass the million-unit milestone by the end of June, especially once digital downloads are factored in.
Rune Factory and Zelda Lead Supporting Launch Lineup
Beyond Mario Kart, the Switch 2’s game lineup included several other high-profile releases. Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma debuted with 45,703 units sold on the original Switch, while its enhanced Switch 2 version added another 10,877 units, making it the second-highest selling new launch title for the system.
Two Nintendo classics also returned with updated editions:
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Switch 2 Edition sold 7,992 units
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Switch 2 Edition added 7,529 units
Though these re-releases didn’t dominate the charts, their presence adds value to early adopters seeking to revisit major titles with improved visuals or performance enhancements.
Meanwhile, SEGA’s Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut rounded out the new Switch 2 entries with 7,486 copies sold, indicating decent interest in legacy titles getting a fresh breath on the new hardware.
Continued Strength from the Original Switch Lineup
Interestingly, several Nintendo Switch (original) titles continued to perform well during the same week. Notably, FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time sold 17,180 units, bringing its lifetime sales to 111,904. Meanwhile, Natsume’s Book of Friends: Hazuki no Shirushi launched with a respectable 16,865 units sold on Switch.
Even older titles like Super Mario Party Jamboree saw renewed interest, adding 6,771 units to its already massive 1.3 million-unit total.
This sustained performance indicates that while Switch 2 has officially arrived, the previous generation is not being abandoned overnight. Rather, Nintendo appears to be managing a soft generational transition, with continued support for the original Switch ecosystem.
While Nintendo celebrated a landmark week, Sony and Microsoft saw minimal movement. The PlayStation 5 family moved just over 20,000 units, while Xbox Series X and S combined sold only 333 units, further demonstrating Xbox’s long-standing difficulties in the Japanese market.
Sony’s Elden Ring: Nightreign for PS5 sold 12,064 units, a solid number for a second-week release, bringing its lifetime total to 54,822. However, the lack of a compelling hardware or software push from either Sony or Microsoft this week made room for Nintendo to dominate headlines.
With the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch clearly a success, all eyes are now on how Nintendo plans to sustain momentum through the rest of 2025. Upcoming titles, hardware bundles, and digital performance will play key roles.
More importantly, the company will need to balance cross-generational support while gradually shifting its audience to the new hardware. The strong sales of both Switch and Switch 2 games this week suggest that Nintendo is executing this strategy with precision.
June 2–8, 2025 will go down as a watershed moment for Nintendo. With nearly one million Switch 2 consoles sold in a single week and Mario Kart World shattering expectations, the next era of Nintendo gaming has officially begun on a high note.
While PlayStation and Xbox struggled for relevance during the week, Nintendo reaffirmed that its ability to deliver compelling, platform-defining experiences remains unmatched. The coming months will determine whether Switch 2 can sustain this momentum but for now, it’s full speed ahead for Mario and friends.
