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Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Sets Record As Fastest-Selling Game In the Franchise (polygon.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the here-we-go dept.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is the fastest-selling Mario Kart title ever, selling nearly half a million copies stateside when it went on sale last Friday. Polygon reports: Nintendo announced that the game beat out Mario Kart Wii as the series' fastest seller, with a little more than 459,000 copies sold in the U.S. on launch day alone. (The Switch has moved 2.7 million units worldwide since launch, for context.) Mario Kart Wii, which went on to be the best-selling entry of the Mario Kart series -- and second-biggest Mario game ever -- moved just under 434,000 copies at launch in 2008. Nearly half of those with a Switch already have Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, two months after the console's launch. That's a remarkable attach rate, even considering The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Switch has sold more copies than consoles shipped.

6 of 49 comments (clear)

  1. I would've gotten first post... by by+(1706743) · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...but I got hit by a blue shell.

  2. Supply & Demand by bug_hunter · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Well wouldn't this be because everyone who just bought a Switch really wants to play games on it, but there's nearly nothing out?

    Just like when Apple claimed their new laptop was the fastest selling in their history (because they hadn't updated it for years before and there was just pent up demand).

    Disclaimer : I enjoy Nintendo games and Apple products. I just dislike it when people use positive sales figures to cover up a separate fundamental issue.

    --
    It's turtles all the way down.
  3. Re:Never understood it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Okay, what other four-player split-screen racer would you recommend for a dorm?

    I look at what's out for PS4, and the games don't offer multiplayer, don't offer "weapons" (so winning comes down to meticulous concentration) and have super-realistic (i.e., super boring) tracks.

    If you don't understand the appeal of Mario Kart I don't know what to tell you.

  4. Kart Rules by PopeRatzo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I started playing Mario Kart with my kid when she was about 5 years old. She's defending her PhD thesis in a few weeks, and I'm still playing some iteration of Mario Kart.

    I don't usually even like the games that are usually on the Nintendo platform, but there's something about the Kart that gets me right here.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  5. Re:Never understood it by thegarbz · · Score: 4, Insightful

    but it still baffles me

    Then let me clear it up for you. The game is fun. Actually fun. Fun alone, fun online, and especially fun with friends. It's ridiculous and anything can happen. If you can steer the kart you have a chance of beating a veteran.

    A lot of modern AAA studios could learn a thing or two about making a game fun before sinking $40M into yet another bug riddled grindfest of a 3rd person shooter.

  6. Re:Never understood it by hipp5 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's a decent series, but it still baffles me how many billions Nintendo has made on a karting game.

    Probably for the same reasons Settlers of Catan has sold a bajillion copies:

    • - It's pretty easy to learn the basics, so it's accessible to anyone
    • - There's a lot of room to perfect your skills, so hardcore players have something to keep them around
    • - You can pick up and play for a few minutes, or you can go for a whole-day playing session
    • - There's a nice balance of skill and chance, so the better player will win more often, but beginners don't feel like they have zero chance
    • - It's very social, with a good level of healthy, between-friends competition