Famitsu's 2025 annual report on Japan's gaming market reveals Nintendo's commanding presence, with both its original Switch and the new Switch 2 console, along with their exclusive titles, leading sales charts. The report details top-selling games and hardware, highlighting Nintendo's continued dominance in the region.
Nintendo's Unrivaled Reign: 2025 Gaming Supremacy in Japan
Famitsu's 2025 Japanese Gaming Market Overview
Famitsu has released its highly anticipated annual analysis of Japan's best-selling games and hardware for 2025. Unsurprisingly, the data reinforces Nintendo's exceptional performance throughout the year, demonstrating its deep influence on the Japanese gaming landscape.
Nintendo's E-Shop Success and Broader Market Impact
While Nintendo previously shared insights into its most downloaded eShop titles at the close of last year, Famitsu's comprehensive list extends beyond digital sales, encompassing the entire industry. This broader perspective allows for an evaluation of all major platforms, including PlayStation and Xbox, within the competitive Japanese market.
Switch Titles Overshadow Competitors in Top 10
The 2025 top 10 best-selling games list is predominantly comprised of Nintendo Switch releases. A notable exception is 'Monster Hunter Wilds' for PlayStation 5, which managed to secure the fourth position, representing a solitary non-Switch entry among the leading titles.
'Mario Kart World' Leads the Pack with Stellar Debut
'Mario Kart World' emerged as the undisputed leader, achieving over 2.5 million sales in Japan since the launch of the Switch 2 in June. The game's overwhelming success underscores its popularity and the immediate impact of the new console. Additionally, 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A', available on both Switch 1 and 2, occupied the subsequent two positions on the podium, further solidifying Nintendo's stronghold. Other Switch 2 exclusives, such as 'Donkey Kong Bananza' and 'Kirby Air Riders', also secured significant spots on the list. Interestingly, 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' on the original Switch continues to exhibit remarkable longevity, surpassing the sales of many newer releases.
Famitsu's Top 10 Best-Selling Games in Japan for 2025
The detailed list of 2025's top-selling games in Japan, as compiled by Famitsu, includes: 'Mario Kart World' (Switch 2) at number one with 2,668,381 units, 'Pokémon Legends: Z-A' (Switch) and its Switch 2 Edition taking the second and third spots, respectively. 'Monster Hunter Wilds' (PS5) ranked fourth, followed by 'Super Mario Party Jamboree' (Switch), 'Donkey Kong Bananza' (Switch 2), 'Kirby Air Riders' (Switch 2), 'Minecraft' (Switch), 'Mario Kart 8 Deluxe' (Switch), and 'Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake' (Switch) rounding out the top ten.
Hardware Sales Dominated by Switch Consoles
Consistent with software sales, the Nintendo Switch family of consoles also claimed the top two positions in Famitsu's 2025 hardware sales report. The Switch 2 led the charge, selling nearly 3.8 million units since its launch, accounting for over half of all home consoles sold in Japan last year. The original Switch (including Lite and OLED models) maintained its strong performance, securing the second spot, while the PlayStation 5 (encompassing all its editions) came in third.
Famitsu's Top 5 Best-Selling Consoles in Japan for 2025
The console sales breakdown for 2025 in Japan shows: Switch 2 at the top with 3,784,067 units, followed by Switch (1,520,384 units), PlayStation 5 (879,204 units), Xbox Series X|S (31,226 units), and PlayStation 4 (1,087 units).
Market Growth and Financial Performance
The impressive sales figures for both hardware and software indicate a robust and thriving gaming market in Japan for 2025. Famitsu's analysis estimates a substantial market growth of 38.8% over the past year, with hardware spending increasing by 49.3% to 282.69 billion yen and software spending rising by 21% to 135.44 billion yen, signaling a highly successful period for the industry.
