Key Takeaways
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- The Nintendo Switch 2 has significantly impacted Japans video game market, selling over 3.8 million units in the first six months and accounting for more than half of all console sales in 2025.
- Nintendo dominated both hardware and software sales in Japan during 2025, with Mario Kart World and Pokémon Legends being the top-selling physical games.
- Microsofts Xbox Series also made a notable market presence, surpassing PlayStation console sales in Japan for the year.
- Nintendo has maintained its dominance on Japans best-selling game lists for the last 21 years, with five of the top ten spots in 2025 being held by Nintendo titles.
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Japan’s video game market experienced a surge of nearly 40% in 2025, driven largely by Nintendo and its Nintendo Switch 2 console, which quickly topped hardware sales charts and spurred software purchases. In the first six months after its release, the Switch 2 sold over 3.8 million units in Japan, accounting for more than half of all console sales last year. When combined with the 1.5 million Nintendo Switch consoles sold during 2025, Nintendo’s total console sales in Japanese stores reached 5.3 million units. This increase contributed to overall hardware sales of $1.5 billion in Japan, up from $1 billion in 2024. Nintendo also dominated software sales, claiming nine of the top ten best-selling game slots. Five of these titles were developed by Nintendo, with Minecraft being the only non-Japanese game to make the list. Microsoft’s Xbox Series also achieved a notable market presence, exceeding PlayStation console sales. According to sales figures, Mario Kart World sold approximately 2.7 million physical copies in six months, slightly outpacing Pokémon Legends: ZA, which sold around 2.5 million units in just over two months. Nintendo games, in general, have led Japan’s best-selling lists for the last 21 years.
Strong Performance of Nintendo in Japanese Gaming Market with Mario Kart World and Pokémon Legends Leading the Pack
The top five best-selling consoles in Japan last year were: 1. Nintendo Switch 2: 3,784,067 units 2. Nintendo Switch: 1,520,384 units 3. PlayStation 5: 879,204 units 4. Xbox Series: 31,226 units 5. PlayStation 4: 1,087 units The top two best-selling physical games were: 1. Mario Kart World (Switch 2): Approximately 2,668,381 units 2. Pokémon Legends: ZA (Switch): Around 1,529,823 units These figures highlight Nintendo’s strong performance and significant influence on the Japanese gaming market.
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