Shigeru Miyamoto, the legendary creator behind Super Mario, Zelda, and Pikmin, has expressed doubt that any Nintendo franchise will ever surpass the sales of Mario Kart — a statement that underscores just how dominant the series has become in gaming history.
Mario Kart: The Unstoppable Nintendo Franchise
In a Q&A session following Nintendo’s Q2 2025 financial release, Miyamoto was asked whether a new or existing IP could ever outperform the Mario Kart franchise, especially with the success of Mario Kart World on the upcoming Switch 2.
The data shows why that’s a tough challenge:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has sold an astonishing 69.56 million units, remaining the best-selling Nintendo Switch game of all time.
- Mario Kart World, the latest entry on Switch 2, has already reached 9.57 million sales since launch — another massive hit in just a few months.
Miyamoto acknowledged Nintendo’s “no limits” philosophy, emphasizing the company’s belief that any new creative idea can achieve success. He even pointed to the Super Mario Bros. Movie as an example of how bold ideas can outperform expectations in other industries.
However, the veteran game designer admitted that Mario Kart’s universal appeal and longevity make it nearly impossible to beat. “Mario Kart will continue to sell regardless,” Miyamoto said, “so it may never be surpassed.”
A Touch of Nostalgia: The Pokémon Connection
In a lighter moment, Miyamoto shared a story involving Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri. During the creation of Pokémon in Japan, Tajiri reportedly joked with him, saying:
“If you want to surpass Nintendo’s Mario, you’ll have to sell two copies of the software to each customer.”
That comment later inspired the decision to release Pokémon Red and Green — two versions of the same game — a move that became a defining strategy for the franchise and helped it reach record-breaking success.
Can Anything Beat Mario Kart?
Even major Nintendo franchises like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate — both boasting tens of millions of copies sold — have failed to dethrone Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Industry analysts agree that Mario Kart’s combination of broad accessibility, family-friendly gameplay, and timeless replay value makes it one of the most commercially secure gaming properties in history.
As Nintendo gears up for the Switch 2 era, fans are eager to see whether any new IP can come close. Games like Splatoon, Pikmin 4, and rumored open-world adventures might innovate creatively, but sales-wise, Mario Kart seems untouchable.
What’s Next for Miyamoto and Nintendo?
Shigeru Miyamoto, now serving as Creative Fellow at Nintendo, continues to guide the company’s direction while mentoring the next generation of developers. His comments reflect both confidence in Nintendo’s creative future and respect for the enduring power of its legacy franchises.
While new games will undoubtedly bring fresh excitement to the Switch 2, one thing seems clear — Mario Kart’s crown is safe for now.
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