The mystery is over. The consolidated numbers for 2025 are finally out, painting a clear picture: Japan remains Nintendo's home turf, but now with a new favorite tenant. Mario Kart World, the launch title for the newly arrived Nintendo Switch 2, didn't just lead the charts—it steamrolled any chance of competition, closing the year with over 2.2 million physical copies sold in Japan alone.
Anyone who thought the generational transition would be slow was dead wrong. Big N⬝ executed a perfect pincer strategy. While Mario Kart World drove sales of the new console (launched in June 2025), the trusty old original Switch held the fort with Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The new pocket monster chapter snagged the silver medal (Switch version) and even grabbed bronze with its enhanced Switch 2 edition. Adding both versions together, the Pokémon franchise technically moved more total units, but as an individual title, the plumber driver reigns supreme.
The Open-World Phenomenon
Nintendo's gamble on turning Mario Kart into an open-world experience (World⬝ isn't just a name—it's the concept) paid off. Japanese players embraced the formula shift. The freedom to explore, combined with the classic chaos of blue shells, created an instant system seller⬝. It's no exaggeration to say that half of everyone who bought a Switch 2 walked out of the store with this game under their arm.
PlayStation's Resistance and Other Highlights
On Sony's side, the landscape wasn't scorched earth, but it took effort. Monster Hunter Wilds on PlayStation 5 managed a respectable fourth place, with around 838,000 units. In any other year, that would be cause for absolute celebration at Capcom, but in 2025, it only served as a reminder that the hunter franchise still has muscle, even if it didn't top Nintendo's podium this time.
Other names worth noting on the Top 100⬝ list include:
Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2): The gorilla came back with a vengeance and secured a spot in the Top 10.
Kirby Air Riders (Switch 2): The pink puffball proved that speed and cuteness still sell big.
Mario Party Jamboree: The party never ends on the original Switch.
The Japanese market sent a clear message: the new generation has begun, and it's hybrid. If you haven't secured your Switch 2 yet, the bestseller charts suggest you're falling behind.
Full Ranking: The Top 100 Best-Selling Games in Japan in 2025
Here is the consolidated list of the best-selling games in the Japanese market in 2025. The term Released in 2025⬝ indicates titles that debuted this fiscal year.
Format: Position. Name Sold in 2025/ Sold since launch.
[NS2] Mario Kart World 2,238,381 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Pokemon Legends: Z-A 1,529,823 / Released in 2025
[NS2] Pokemon Legends: Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 1,004,154 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Monster Hunter Wilds 838,319 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Super Mario Party Jamboree 498,397 / 1,452,658
[NS2] Donkey Kong Bananza 435,206 / Released in 2025
[NS2] Kirby Air Riders 424,837 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Minecraft 346,606 / 4,109,192
[NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 342,866 / 6,510,483
[NSW] Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake 316,439 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Donkey Kong Country Returns HD 294,555 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Animal Crossing: New Horizons 288,683 / 8,311,118
[NSW] Momotaro Dentetsu 2 232,554 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Tamagotchi Plaza 215,619 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Ghost of Yotei 199,870 / Released in 2025
[NS2] Momotaro Dentetsu 2 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 188,535 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Hinokami Chronicles 2 174,051 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 168,901 / 5,852,920
[NSW] Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time 165,202 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Nintendo Switch Sports 163,786 / 1,678,572
[NSW] Pokemon Scarlet / Violet 161,296 / 5,652,322
[NS2] Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment 148,033 / Released in 2025
[NS2] Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake 135,317 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 133,963 / Released in 2025
[NS2] Super Mario Party Jamboree Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Jamboree TV 126,436 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition 125,683 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake 120,651 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Dynasty Warriors: Origins 111,130 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Death Stranding 2 106,440 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake 102,419 / 1,032,924
[NSW] Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics 97,897 / 1,460,975
[NSW] Splatoon 3 96,810 / 4,501,785
[PS5] Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii 96,482 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar 95,817 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Super Mario Bros. Wonder 87,437 / 2,056,692
[PS5] Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater 86,763 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma 86,223 / Released in 2025
[NS2] Tamagotchi Plaza Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 85,717 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Ring Fit Adventure 84,914 / 3,763,033
[PS5] Silent Hill f 83,104 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Elden Ring: Nightreign 82,441 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Super Robot Wars Y 82,118 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Kirby and the Forgotten Land 78,260 / 1,252,181
[NSW] Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Special Price 69,588 / 294,417
[NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival 69,304 / 469,687
[NSW] Pikmin 4 67,247 / 1,350,949
[NSW] Zelda: Breath of the Wild 65,694 / 2,422,614
[NSW] The Exit 8 / Platform 8 65,360 / 79,699
[NSW] Super Mario Odyssey 63,115 / 2,600,505
[NSW] Suikoden 1 & 2 HD Remaster 61,007 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection 60,777 / Released in 2025
[NSW] The Battle Cats Unite 59,620 / 373,906
[NSW] Momotaro Dentetsu World: Chikyuu wa Kibou de Mawatteru 59,192 / 1,266,279
[NSW] Powerful Pro Baseball 2024-2025 57,578 / 399,486
[PS4] Like a Dragon Gaiden: Yakuza Pirates in Hawaii 56,190 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Everybody's Golf Hot Shots 55,492 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban 54,503 / 3,116,119
[NSW] Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles 52,638 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Luigi's Mansion 3 51,046 / 1,121,950
[NSW] It Takes Two 50,800 / 157,243
[NSW] Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 50,787 / 2,092,298
[NS2] Kirby and the Forgotten Land Nintendo Switch 2 Edition + Star-Crossed World 49,584 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Jinsei Game for Nintendo Switch 49,287 / 310,462
[NS2] Zelda: Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 49,946 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe 46,577 / 631,972
[NSW] Mario & Luigi: Brothership 45,049 / 210,109
[NSW] Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Battle Destiny Remastered 44,682 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Battlefield 6 43,999 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Tales of Graces f Remastered 43,526 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom 42,989 / 415,892
[NSW] Human Fall Flat 42,884 / 478,177
[PS5] Digimon Story: Time Stranger 42,766 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Atelier Yumia 42,648 / Released in 2025
[NS2] Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 42,482 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Super Robot Wars Y 42,457 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Suika Game Special Edition 42,414 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Atelier Yumia 40,999 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Assassin's Creed Shadows 40,386 / Released in 2025
[NS2] Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 39,009 / Released in 2025
[NSW] The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy 38,222 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Super Mario Maker 2 38,213 / 1,438,773
[NSW] Raidou Remastered 37,805 / Released in 2025
[NS2] Yakuza 0 Director's Cut 37,741 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Astro Bot 37,317 / 93,498
[PS5] Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 36,058 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Little Nightmares 3 35,578 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Fitness Boxing 3 34,182 / 48,597
[NSW] Tokimeki Memorial: Forever with you Emotional 33,954 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury 33,723 / 1,305,256
[NSW] Pokemon Sword / Shield 33,695 / 4,512,092
[NS2] Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 33,595 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Pikmin 1 + 2 33,722 / 147,344
[NSW] Octopath Traveler 0 32,164 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter 31,947 / Released in 2025
[NSW] Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero 31,270 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Black Myth: Wukong 30,474 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles 30,552 / Released in 2025
[NS2] Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Edition 29,904 / Released in 2025
[PS5] Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter 28,881 / Released in 2025