Mario Kart World Dominates Japan’s January 2026 Physical Game Sales

Mario Kart World for the Nintendo Switch 2 crushed the competition in Japan’s physical video game sales for January 2026, moving 124,320 units and pushing its lifetime total past 2.79 million copies, according to aggregated Famitsu data released this month.

The racing juggernaut, launched June 5, 2025, alongside the Switch 2 console, maintained its stranglehold on the market despite a 70% drop from December’s blockbuster numbers. Its enduring appeal — fueled by bundle sales, online multiplayer and expansive “connected world” courses — underscores Nintendo’s dominance in a typically slow post-holiday month devoid of major new releases.

Famitsu’s monthly breakdown, covering physical retail sales across all platforms, highlights a top five occupied by just three titles due to dual Switch and Switch 2 editions. Nintendo secured the top publisher spot, with its hardware also leading: the Switch 2 sold 453,433 units (down from 815,632 in December, lifetime over 4 million in Japan), while the original Switch moved 91,109.

Here’s the Famitsu top five physical best-sellers for January 2026:

The board game-style Momotaro Dentetsu 2, released November 2025, claimed second with strong legs across original Switch and upgraded editions, reflecting Japanese gamers’ love for localized, social titles. Pokemon Legends: Z-A dual packs rounded out the podium, with the Switch 2 version outperforming its predecessor amid hardware migration.

January’s sluggish pace — typical after year-end rushes — saw no top-five newcomers, allowing evergreen hits to shine. Mario Kart World’s January haul, while down sharply, still outpaced rivals by a wide margin, cementing its status as Japan’s fastest-selling Mario Kart entry ever, bolstered by Switch 2 bundles.

Nintendo’s eShop digital charts paint a similar picture of hybrid dominance. On Switch 2, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Digital Deluxe led, but Mario Kart World ranked third behind Momotaro Dentetsu 2’s enhanced edition. The original Switch eShop crowned Momotaro #1, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe lagging at #15 — a sign of the classic yielding to its successor.

Late-month Famitsu weekly data (Jan. 26-Feb. 1) underscores the trend: Bandai Namco’s new PS5 title Code Vein II debuted at #1 with 14,452 units, but Mario Kart World held #2 (12,445, lifetime 2.805 million). Other notables included Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition (#3) and Pokemon holdovers.

Analysts attribute Nintendo’s sweep to Switch 2’s momentum — over 4 million units sold domestically since June — and evergreen software libraries enhanced for the new hardware. Mario Kart World, with its seamless online play and vast track variety, continues to drive console adoption, much like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe did for the original Switch (over 6.5 million in Japan).

Competition stirred with ports like Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (#9 weekly) and Dynasty Warriors: Origins, but Nintendo’s family-friendly staples prevailed. PlayStation 5 trailed in hardware (exact Jan figures unavailable), while Xbox remained negligible.

As February unfolds, eyes turn to upcoming releases like Dragon Quest expansions and potential Switch 2 exclusives. Mario Kart World’s reign signals a robust 2026 for Nintendo in its home market, where physical sales still thrive alongside digital growth.