Japan’s Weekly Famitsu Charts: Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 at No.2 as Switch 2 Leads Hardware

13 October 2025
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
9 min.
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Japan’s Weekly Famitsu Charts: Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 at No.2 as Switch 2 Leads Hardware

Summary:

Ghost of Yotei has launched at No.1 in Japan’s latest boxed rankings, outpacing a wave of notable new releases and reissues. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 landed at No.2 on Nintendo Switch, delivering a strong nostalgia-fueled debut, while Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles secured a top-three finish and showed healthy demand across platforms. Looking beyond the podium, Mario Kart World continued to prove its long-term pull on Switch 2, and evergreen mainstays like Minecraft kept turning steady retail sales years after release. On the hardware side, Nintendo Switch 2 led the market with 44,439 units, followed by the PlayStation 5 family at 27,344 units. Legacy Switch models also moved meaningful volume, while Xbox Series systems remained niche in boxed-heavy Japan. We break down the week’s biggest movers, how the platform split shaped results, where each system is finding momentum, and what these shifts suggest for the weeks ahead, from fall schedules to collector demand and the growing importance of retail for storied franchises.

Market snapshot: the week’s biggest movers and the shape of demand

The latest Japanese boxed rankings delivered a clear headline: Ghost of Yotei launched at No.1 with 120,196 copies on PlayStation 5, setting the tone for a competitive week packed with recognizable brands and long-loved series. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 debuted at No.2 on Switch with 48,265, reminding everyone that a well-curated collection still has real draw at retail, especially when it bundles two all-time favorites. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles entered at No.3 with 41,333 on Switch and also charted well on PS5 and Switch 2 deeper in the top ten, signaling that tactical RPG classics still command attention in the Japanese market. Meanwhile, Mario Kart World’s 36,572 kept the Switch 2 momentum alive, and stalwarts like Minecraft continued to illustrate Japan’s remarkable long tail. On hardware, Switch 2’s 44,439 units outpaced the PS5 family’s 27,344, while legacy Switch models contributed steady volume. The pattern suggests strong multigenerational Nintendo demand alongside a resilient PS5 base and a niche Xbox presence.

Ghost of Yotei’s breakout: opening strength and first-week signals

Ghost of Yotei’s 120,196 debut on PS5 points to a few distinct strengths. First, the game arrived into a window primed for a premium, story-led action experience, where high production values and a focused marketing message can command front-of-store placement and wide awareness. Second, the PS5 audience in Japan, while smaller than historical peaks for past Sony platforms, has proven highly responsive to single-player prestige releases with cinematic appeal. The scale of the opening also implies robust preorders and good retailer confidence, as evidenced by shelf visibility and launch-week restocks. Launch weeks don’t define a game’s trajectory, but they often set the ceiling for word-of-mouth and second-week legs. If Ghost of Yotei maintains even moderate retention, the healthy start should translate into a stable multi-week presence in the top ten, particularly if patches, events, or media beats keep the conversation going.

Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2: nostalgia as a retail force

Nostalgia only works when the fundamentals are excellent, and the Mario Galaxy collection leans on two of the most inventive platformers ever made. Its 48,265 boxed debut reflects more than fan fondness; it’s a vote for high-value packages that respect the originals while making them easy to play today. Collections like this also work well for parents and lapsed players who want a “buy once, play over time” cartridge. Add in retail-friendly packaging and the evergreen pull of Mario, and you get a release that can hold shelf presence beyond launch week. Over the coming months, we’d expect slow-burn sales from birthdays, holidays, and impulse purchases, especially if stores feature the collection next to new Switch 2 software. The number also demonstrates how classic Nintendo titles can build a bridge between legacy Switch households and newer Switch 2 adopters living side by side.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles: platform split and tactics demand

The Ivalice Chronicles showing in the top three on Switch (41,333) alongside charting PS5 and Switch 2 entries later in the ranking highlights how tactics fans cluster around multiple ecosystems in Japan. On handheld-forward hardware, tactical RPGs benefit from pick-up-and-play appeal, while on PS5 the audience often seeks crisp presentation and quality-of-life features at home. The multi-platform spread suggests Square Enix successfully targeted both playstyles. For the weeks ahead, expect the Switch and Switch 2 versions to have steadier legs at retail, nudged by commuters and students who prefer portable play, while the PS5 version may lean more on digital momentum. Either way, the re-energized interest in grid-based strategy is a good sign for publishers with tactics-forward back catalogs considering modern bundles or remasters.

Mario Kart World and Minecraft: the gravity of evergreens

Mario Kart World’s 36,572 this week and 1,837,895 lifetime on Switch 2 underline a familiar truth: Nintendo’s flagship racers don’t just sell, they anchor the platform narrative. For families buying Switch 2, Kart remains the all-ages default, which is why it continues to appear high on weekly charts months after release. On the other end of the spectrum, Minecraft on Switch keeps moving boxed units—another reminder that a community-driven sandbox with low onboarding friction becomes a permanent fixture in Japan’s retail ecosystem. These evergreens make weekly charts “stickier,” as top positions are shared between fresh launches and catalog titles with long-term pull. For publishers planning release windows, factoring in these gravitational forces matters; launching against Kart is a different challenge than launching in a quieter, mid-cycle week.

PlayStation newcomers: Digimon Story and Silent Hill f momentum

Digimon Story: Time Stranger made a solid debut at 23,779 on PS5, tapping into a fan base that reliably shows up for monster-collecting RPGs with strong character hooks. Silent Hill f, posting 9,328 for the week and 66,803 lifetime on PS5, remains an interesting case: horror often front-loads, but with the right updates and community chatter, it can see occasional spikes around weekends and seasonal events. The immediate question is whether Digimon’s launch converts into repeat weeks in the middle of the top ten, which would point to good word-of-mouth and a younger audience discovering the brand. For Silent Hill f, look for periodic retail bumps tied to promotions or holidays; the IP’s recognition helps it re-surface even when new releases crowd shelves.

Switch 2 leads hardware: adoption and ecosystem effects

Switch 2’s 44,439 units this week extend a pattern of steady adoption supported by tentpole software and a sizable family-friendly audience. The hardware mix also benefits from a vibrant shared library: households with a legacy Switch can transition to Switch 2 without abandoning favorite series, while still enjoying upgraded experiences. This dual-ownership dynamic helps catalog titles maintain relevance and gives retailers an easy upsell path—“play it now, looks even better later.” With the platform well past the two-million lifetime mark, the installed base is large enough to support multiple simultaneous hits, allowing games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza to sustain momentum even when heavy hitters from other ecosystems arrive.

PS5 family performance: splits that tell a story

The PS5 family’s combined 27,344 units—20,617 for the standard model, 4,285 for Digital Edition, and 2,442 for PS5 Pro—paints a nuanced picture of buyer preferences. The standard model remains the default for most retail shoppers, likely due to bundled disc games and the ongoing cultural significance of physical media in Japan. Digital Edition serves value-focused buyers comfortable with a digital-first library, while PS5 Pro addresses enthusiasts seeking extra headroom. For publishers, the takeaway is straightforward: boxed remains meaningful, but cross-buy incentives and save transfers can encourage players to sample across ecosystems without friction.

Xbox Series family: a niche, but with dedicated buyers

With 837 combined units across Series X, X Digital Edition, and S this week, Xbox remains niche in Japan’s boxed market. That said, the presence of dedicated fans shows up in collector purchases and selective preorders for global day-and-date releases. Retailers typically allocate modest shelf space, but those placements are reliable and familiar to shoppers who know where to look. If a high-profile RPG or action title lands with strong localization and a clear retail push, expect a short, sharp uptick in weekly totals—though sustained momentum would require a cadence of Japan-first or Japan-relevant launches to keep the channel warm.

Donkey Kong Bananza and the long tail: Nintendo’s catalog advantage

Donkey Kong Bananza adding 6,839 this week for 334,335 lifetime on Switch 2 underscores how character-driven platformers act like “second wave” system sellers. They don’t always explode out of the gate, but they create a dependable floor of weekly sell-through thanks to families rotating purchases and collectors filling libraries. Paired with Kart and other staple series, Bananza helps maintain a robust retail spine that absorbs competition and gives Nintendo’s shelf a consistent, approachable feel. Expect the title to resurge around holidays and promotions, especially when retailers bundle accessories or memory cards with family-friendly software.

Platform share and shopper behavior: why boxed still matters

Even in a digital-forward world, boxed sales in Japan carry cultural and practical weight. Collectibility, resale value, and gifting traditions keep physical media healthy, particularly for Nintendo platforms where cartridges remain synonymous with “owning the game.” For Sony’s ecosystem, steelbooks, limited editions, and launch bonuses continue to make boxed compelling for fans. The weekly charts capture that sentiment, revealing how packages, price points, and shelf visibility direct shoppers. When a collection like Mario Galaxy arrives in a crisp retail box, it communicates value at a glance—critical in a country where space is at a premium and purchases are often carefully considered.

Retail vs digital: reading between the lines of a “boxed-only” snapshot

These rankings reflect only the physical channel, which means the full demand picture is inevitably larger. Genres that skew digital—live service, online-focused RPGs, or titles with heavy day-one download incentives—may be underrepresented here. Conversely, Nintendo’s family-focused franchises often over-index physically because parents and gift-givers still prefer something tangible. For cross-platform releases, a strong boxed debut on one system can be complemented by digital strength on another, depending on audience habits. The key is treating the weekly chart as the visible tip of a broader market iceberg; it shows where momentum is unmistakable and which brands have durable retail muscle.

What to watch next: second-week holds, promotions, and release spacing

In the immediate term, keep an eye on Ghost of Yotei’s second-week retention, the Mario Galaxy collection’s post-launch slope, and how The Ivalice Chronicles performs across its platforms as word-of-mouth settles. Promotional beats—retailer point multipliers, weekend demo events, and limited-edition restocks—can create small but meaningful swings. Also watch the calendar: when a heavy hitter lands in the same genre, it can compress shelf space and attention; when a quieter week arrives, mid-tier titles breathe and climb. The rhythm of Japan’s retail cycle hasn’t changed as much as some think—placement, timing, and clear value still win the day.

Takeaways for fans and collectors planning purchases

If you’re prioritizing boxed copies, the early weeks are still your best shot at bonuses and first-print runs, especially for collections and nostalgia-driven releases. For Switch 2 owners, pairing a tentpole like Mario Kart World with a fresh platformer such as Donkey Kong Bananza yields a library that works for family nights and solo sessions alike. PS5 players eyeing Ghost of Yotei should expect solid restocks but might want to move quickly on any special editions. As for tactics enthusiasts, The Ivalice Chronicles looks set to have healthy availability across systems, but portable play on Switch and Switch 2 may keep those versions particularly lively at retail.

Conclusion

Ghost of Yotei’s big opening, the Mario Galaxy collection’s strong debut, and a multi-platform tactics revival set the tone for a week that balanced fresh hits with catalog resilience. Switch 2 led hardware while PS5 maintained a committed base, and Xbox, though niche, held its familiar lane. The throughline is simple: Japan’s love for boxed endures, especially when beloved series return with care and new releases meet players where they are. Expect momentum to carry into the next few weeks as promotions cycle in, word-of-mouth settles, and shelves keep mixing the new with the reliable favorites people return to again and again.

FAQs
  • How significant was Ghost of Yotei’s debut?
    • It was the clear No.1 with a six-figure opening, pointing to strong preorders, wide awareness, and solid retailer support in launch week.
  • Why did the Mario Galaxy collection perform so well?
    • Bundling two beloved platformers into a single, retail-friendly package creates obvious value, especially for families and collectors who prefer physical copies.
  • What does The Ivalice Chronicles’ performance suggest?
    • Demand exists across ecosystems for tactics RPGs, with portable play giving the Switch versions particularly steady legs at physical retail.
  • Which hardware led the week?
    • Nintendo Switch 2 topped the charts, supported by catalog strength and households that value shared play across generations of hardware.
  • Are these rankings digital-inclusive?
    • No, they reflect boxed sales only. Some genres and platforms will see additional, unreflected demand via digital storefronts.
Sources
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