Nintendo's legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto shared his thoughts on whether any future Nintendo Switch 2 title could surpass the sales success of the Mario Kart franchise during the company's investor Q&A session on November 5, 2025, following the release of Nintendo's Q2 2025 financial results.
Nintendo's Q2 2025 Financial Performance
Nintendo's second quarter 2025 financial results provided the backdrop for the investor discussion about Mario Kart's continued dominance. The company's quarterly earnings report included updated sales figures for both the original Switch platform and the newer Switch 2 system, demonstrating the sustained commercial success of Nintendo's gaming ecosystem across console generations.
Current Mario Kart Performance Data
The discussion centered around Mario Kart World, the latest entry in the franchise for Nintendo Switch 2, which has achieved remarkable commercial success. The game has sold 9.57 million units and maintains an impressive 95% attach rate with Nintendo Switch 2 console sales. This performance follows the extraordinary success of its predecessor, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, which sold 69.56 million units on the original Switch platform against at least 140 million console sales, making it the highest-selling game on that system.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe originally launched on April 28, 2017, as an enhanced version of the 2014 Wii U game. The game's longevity was further extended through the Booster Course Pass DLC, which expanded its track roster to 96 courses.
Mario Kart World's Market Position on Switch 2
Mario Kart World's 9.57 million unit sales and 95% attach rate position it as the dominant software title on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform. The 95% attach rate indicates that nearly every Switch 2 console owner has purchased the game, demonstrating unprecedented market penetration for a single title. This performance significantly outpaces typical software attach rates in the gaming industry, where even highly successful games rarely achieve attachment rates above 50-60%.
While specific sales figures for other Nintendo Switch 2 games were not disclosed in the investor Q&A transcript, Mario Kart World's performance metrics suggest it holds a commanding lead over other titles on the platform. The game's attach rate of 95% indicates that it has become essentially a system-seller, with most consumers viewing it as an essential purchase alongside the console itself.
Miyamoto's Perspective on Sales Potential
When asked about the possibility of another IP surpassing Mario Kart's sales figures, Miyamoto acknowledged the challenge while maintaining Nintendo's philosophy of limitless potential. "At Nintendo, we always approach our work with the belief that there are no limits," he told investors. He drew comparisons to The Super Mario Bros. Movie's box office performance, noting that even reaching number one doesn't preclude further achievement.
However, Miyamoto expressed reservations about any game definitively surpassing Mario Kart. "If some of Nintendo's IP or systems are widely accepted by consumers as something 'never before seen,' there is a possibility that we could achieve numbers that go beyond the boundaries of entertainment," he explained. "However, even if that situation were to occur, Mario Kart would likely continue to sell even more in that arena, so it may never be surpassed."
Historical Context and Creative Philosophy
Miyamoto shared an anecdote about the origins of Pokémon's dual-release strategy, recounting a conversation with Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri. According to Miyamoto, Tajiri had joked that "if you want to surpass Nintendo's Mario, you'll have to sell two copies of the software to each customer." This comment reportedly influenced the decision to create Pokémon Red and Green as separate versions in Japan.
The Nintendo executive concluded by emphasizing the importance of creative ambition, stating, "I believe that it is precisely because there are people like this who are determined to 'surpass them somehow' that new things are born."
Market Context and Industry Implications
The discussion comes as Nintendo continues to see strong performance across its gaming portfolio. The original Nintendo Switch has sold over 140 million units, while Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to demonstrate remarkable staying power in the marketplace. The success of Mario Kart World on the newer platform suggests the franchise's appeal remains strong across console generations.
Mario Kart World's exceptional attach rate of 95% represents a rare achievement in the gaming industry, where such high attachment rates typically only occur with pack-in titles or games bundled with console purchases. The fact that Mario Kart World achieved this rate as a standalone purchase underscores the franchise's unique position in Nintendo's software ecosystem.
The investor Q&A transcript was released following Nintendo's Q2 2025 financial results, providing insight into the company's strategic thinking about its most successful gaming franchises and their potential for continued growth in an increasingly competitive gaming market.
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