UK Charts: No Prizes For Guessing Who Overtook Donkey Kong Bananza This Week

From the looks of it, the release of Switch 2 has sparked the resurgence of a lot of Switch 1 titles as well and I'm all here for it! Probably people who didn't get the first Switch and are now buying games as they are backwards compatible. Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart 8, and of course Breath of the Wild are all selling great from the looks of it.

Damn! Didn't expect to see Jamboree TV so high up

Nintendo are all OVER that Top40. Beautiful. According to Amazon UK, DKB has sold 10,000+ in the past month, MK8D 3000+ and Mario Kart World just 300 units. This tells us that the vast majority of World’s sales are coming from the bundle… and that Nintendo are doing fantastically well right now.

But a bearded man with his mouth agape on YouTube told me that Mario Kart World is DEAD

@Suketoudara Did he sound a bit nasal and on the verge of tears? That doesn't really narrow it down, sorry...

MKW back on top indicates a continued high demand of the SW2 console.

Summer holidays now and handhelds tend to sell quite well.

Code in a box titles appear to be doing better than Game-Key Card ones, if I'm reading it correctly.

Also, Mortal Kombat 11 is back in the top 10 and MK1 is nowhere to be found.

@WiltonRoots
It’s the one who randomly screams into the mic blowing it out without warning as a a bit right? Unfortunately had this channel recommend to me recently.

Anyone else catch how Mario Kart 8 still beat a new release?

This is particularly why I am critical of Nintendo’s strategy with Switch 2. More concretely, understanding they’re in a financially, excellent position, it makes me more critical of: game pricing, NSO offerings (example: vaulted Wind Waker HD), price increases like the one Canada is scheduled to receive in a few days etc., adoption of advertised technology like VRR and Nvidia DLSS, on going legal battles, patents, and more.

I have suspicion that the Switch 2 generation won’t be as competitive (corporation fighting for value for the consumer) in comparison to the Switch 1. Just a gut feeling…

@JohnnyMind I expect Hogwarts is enjoying a resurgence with the rather good upgrade deal. I did note in my local CEX a lot of new looking preowned copies. I wonder if many are buying the SW1 version to upgrade then trading in when done. Its a fantastic deal.

@Hwatt

I mean, what do you want them to do? De-list Mario Kart 8 Deluxe?

It's one of the most popular games of all time. Probably still be selling when Switch 3 comes out.

@Hwatt supply and demand. Its evidently still selling well so they have no cause Im guessing to drop the price.

Its probably getting sales from NSO as well with all of the booster courses in the premium tier.

@SBandy1

Not at all! I do think charging $80 USD for Mario Kart World (retail price) is a direct reflection of Mario Kart 8’s performance. All I had mentioned is that I would be more critical; Not vindictive or negative.

I love how MK8 is still selling! I'd buy another physical copy myself if there was a version out there with all booster courses on it. 😂

@Hwatt

No probs. As for the other concerns you raised. Don't waste your time worrying about things you have no control over.

If you think a game or srrvice is too expensive don't pay the money. But worrying about stuff like ongoing legal battles and patents etc? Forget that stuff.

This is physical release chart only right?

In which I am amazed to see MKW selling so well... especially in the wake of all the internet uproar regarding the price tag!

This perhaps says more about the consumer appetite for physical releases (and wanting a 'hard copy' MKW) instead of the game's quality?

On a personal note - I got MKW in a bundle with the Switch2...and absolutely think the game was a steal for the bundle price

But I think I would have felt disappointed to have spent 80£ on the physical.

Each to their own though, and am delighted to see DK doing so well. The reception to this game, critical and general/players, has been incredibly strong.

@SBandy1 I appreciate the reply and I agree it’s best not to necessarily worry about it, but I do like to be aware of what a company is doing before buying their products.

Personally, if I see a trend towards practices I don’t support, I’ll certainly vote with my wallet.

It’s no different than Microsoft. I’ve had a Series X for a few years (Diablo IV bundle that was on sale). I barely boot the console and have no desire to buy games for it or have Gamepass given all of their shenanigans. Hardware price increases, layoffs, trying to follow Nintendo with $80 game prices, extremely disturbing behaviour (military contracts), and probably the most unclear vision I have ever seen from a company. Those are just a few examples this past year…

@BulkSlash, "I'd buy another physical copy myself if there was a version out there with all booster courses on it."

You're in luck! Back in late 2023, they released a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Booster-Course Pass physical that included every wave on the cartridge except the last one, which was a download (kind of stupid if you ask me). However, new cartridge revisions of this game supposedly include Wave 6 on the cartridge, which means that the game has all game data on the cartridge except two bug fix patches that recently came out. Just be aware that if you do purchase one of these, you might get the original incomplete cartridge instead of the cartridge revision with all Waves. It costs $85 due to the combined cost of the game + dlc, and it might still be in stock somewhere if you look it up on the internet.

Edit: perhaps the revision can only be ordered online from Asia? I have an article here if you want to make use of it.

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/08/mario-kart-8-deluxe-plus-booster-course-physical-release-reportedly-updated

@Hwatt

The console market has changed a lot in such a short space of time.

It is why I love that Nintendo still do the console stuff traditionally i.e. release hardware and offer quality first party titles to encourage you to buy their platform.

Even Sony seem to have forgotten that chasing the live service trend.

Xbox as a console platform is barely clinging on. But Nintendo will reap the benefits as Xbox games will likely jump to Switch 2.

@SBandy1 Agreed 100%

Nintendo consoles, and especially the Switch 2, serves that itch I have for a console experience. Just get right into the game and have fun. MKW has been fun but I think they hit it out of the park with DKB!

@CJD87 I’m fairly certain that copies of MKW bundled with the Switch 2 console are included here, which would help explain why it’s doing so well.

@Pillowpants Ressurgence? They never left lol! Switch is crazy successful(I say is because it's not dead yet!) No wonder Sony and Microsoft wanna bring games over! Fun times

@CJD87 I got it MKW £75 so I could get it physical and I think it was worth it.

IMO considering the prices if everything is higher these days and £50-£60 is already a lot to spend on a game that £75 isn't really some unfathomable amount of money to spend. It's not like its crammed with DLC, it's just a bit more expensive upfront.

@SBandy1 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is also a way better game than Mario Kart World. So its no surprise it keeps selling so well.

Mario Kart World is only on number 1 spot due to it being the only game bundle with Switch 2 console currently and most stores are almost exclusively stocking the bundle, instead of the bare console.

@Hwatt “I have suspicion that the Switch 2 generation won’t be as competitive (corporation fighting for value for the consumer) in comparison to the Switch 1“

In what world were they a corporation “fighting for value for the consumer” with Switch 1? It wasn’t exactly cheap at the time of release and is still yet to see a real price drop, no pack in game or bundle at launch, Wii U ports were all full price, Nintendo Selects are no longer a thing as of the Switch generation, they started charging for online after 2 generations of providing it for free. I could go on.

Now I’m not saying the Switch wasn’t great value because it definitely was but it wasn’t from Nintendo going out of their way for the consumer. They charged what they thought they could get away with across the board and engaged with all the business practices they thought would be profitable and that people would largely accept.

But Mario Kart World is dead. Some YouTuber told me so!

@GrailUK Yeah Sony is really desperate, of course The Last of Us 2 will be really easy to run and play on Switch2 lol
@Suketoudara Did they mean the online cause that wouldn't surprise me, the newest Monster Hunter sold like 8 million copies in three days but the last time I played (before some updates though) online lobbies were relatively dead and mostly filled with Japanese peeps.

I was literally sat there thinking is there a new game out Mario Kart World was not that expected so the title to the article was odd nice it's back top but likely due to it being a pack in and lack of Switch 2 games

I see Donkey Kong Country Returns HD snuck in at 37. I assume that's people without a Switch 2 looking for a DK fix. Or people with a Switch 2 playing Bananza, finally figuring out that DK is cool and looking for more.

The entire top 8 dominated by Switch 1 and 2. With even the 3rd party games selling best on Switch. It's not stated for Minecraft but I imagine it's mostly the Switch version.

Speaking of 3D platformers I've noticed last year's game of the year has been mysteriously missing from the charts for a month.

@OorWullie I believe that version is specifically the Switch version! They all have their own editions and would therefore appear individually on this chart.

The Switch 1 + MK8 seems to have become the budget gaming alternative/little kid combo. That's my guess as to how it's still selling so well.

@Axecon Was the same with Mario Kart Wii I'm pretty sure it sold several millions during the following generation and, as much as MK8 did on WiiU (8million) after MK8 came out.

New Super Mario Bros Wii was similar and matched NSMBU's sales during the 8th gen.

from what i found, the MKW bundle is in shorter supply. there are more stocks of the Stand alone unit, hence why physical sales of MKW are high.

It was the same day of release. stores had ample stocks of Switch 2 , but the MKW bundle unless you pre ordered you had no choice but to buy the stand alone and a £75 copy of MKW.

Nintendo know what there doing. And with the announcement of the Pokemon bundle incoming. The MKW bundle will disappear. Yes more people buying MKW at £75 a pop.

If I didn't get it bundled I wouldn't have bothered with it to be honest. MK8 is far better game. And i have that on WiiU .

DK will keep selling, so it's a huge hit. MKW is so unstoppable, and WWE got a big boost from the Switch 2.

I'd take this news with a grain of salt regarding how well mkw physical is selling. Since the switch 2 mkw bundle includes a physical switch 2, a lot of nintendo websites have been including that in the "physical copies" of mkw to boost its sales number in the physical copies rankings. Would be especially surprising for this to be true for UK ranking given that while mario ip has strictly japanese origins, while most of donkey kongs popularity comes from dkc games, which was started by the British company Rare.

@Fiergala theres still alot of people online on mario kart world so dont listen to some of those faketubers who just spreading misinformation about mario kart world.

@RiasGremory I don't not believe you but if it's peer-to-peer it's pretty much impossible to know how many people are online unless N puts the numbers out.

@Hwatt that's fair. One thing to keep in mind though is just because Nintendo is doing well doesn't mean they can afford to take big losses. With games costing so much to make they pretty much need to keep doing well to survive.

It's certainly fair to be critical. But I just want to emphasize against the idea that any big company, Nintendo or otherwise. Can afford to be careless.
I don't think that's what you meant, but I just wanted to say it because I do see plenty of people go so far as to act like any company they see as big enough has infinite money.

Huh. Got overtaken in the charts, so it engaged its Dynamic Difficulty and shortcut its way back in front.

Who knew.

I miss the BLUEY.

"Robocop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business" has a physical release?

@SalvorHardin Sorry to hear that…

@Fiergala there youtube named nintendo prime pretty much debunked those misinformation about mario kart world being emptied.

@RiasGremory Okay. I also really don't care much I don't even have a Switch 2 lol but if it makes you feel better I haven't given any clicks to negative clickbait just seen thumbnails and know how quickly online can die.

The shear "Fact" DKB by itself not packed or combo console bundle can maintain that lead tells alot about the game winning gameplay.

UK is getting some great new games like Donkey Kong Country Returns, Red Dead Redemption, Dark Souls, Minecraft, Lego Star Wars, Tony Hawk, and Broken Sword.

@UndockedActionFemme Well it''s a new game unlike something like Bravely Default which is a remaster of a 3DS game and just got a game key card.