Nintendo recently made headlines with the release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder, earning universal acclaim and possibly a nomination at The Game Awards in December alongside a pair of new sales records, one of which is official. In Europe, it quickly claimed the title of the fastest-selling Super Mario game ever within just three days of its launch, surpassing a horde of award-winning outings. Nintendo itself announced the milestone on social media, where it thanked the fans for making it a “wonderful launch.”
Notably, Super Mario Bros. Wonder also achieved remarkable success in the UK. According to data, the game had the third-largest physical launch for any Mario platform game in the country’s history. It trails only behind the iconic Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Given the prominence of digital sales in modern gaming, it’s believed the impressive digital sales figures might have propelled Wonder to the pinnacle, making it the biggest Mario game launch not just in the UK, but across Europe. Comparatively, the game’s first-week sales in the UK outpaced those of New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe, which itself has sold a commendable 16 million copies globally.
However, the success story doesn’t end in Europe. The game’s introduction to the Japanese market also saw it dominate sales charts, reportedly making it the fastest-selling Mario game on the Nintendo Switch in Japan. Famitsu, which is the leading source of gaming information in Japan, estimated that Super Mario Bros. Wonder sold 638,634 physical copies during its debut weekend. For context, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 settled for a distant second with sales figures of 77,348 copies. This dominance by the newest Mario game was not only evident in its competition with Spider-Man 2 but also with other Mario games. The game outsold its nearest contender, Super Mario Odyssey, by over 170,000 copies in their respective first weekends.
Wowie zowie! In its first three days on sale, Super Mario Bros. Wonder has become the fastest-selling Super Mario game ever in Europe. A huge thanks to everyone who helped make this a wonderful launch. pic.twitter.com/7BtS7yHPtk
— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) October 26, 2023
For those familiar with the gaming rivalry, one would be remiss not to mention the Mario versus Sonic duel. In the same week as the Mario Wonder’s grand launch in Japan, Sonic Superstars made its debut but only managed to sell a meager 4,128 physical copies. This result, a clear victory for Mario, was particularly stark considering Sonic’s earlier launch date, giving it a slight head start in sales.
The gameplay of Super Mario Bros. Wonder itself was met with critical acclaim, as previously mentioned. Many laud the game’s impressive world-building. This excellence is attributed to the development team’s approach. Reportedly, they were allowed to “prioritize content over schedule,” which resulted in a plethora of innovative ideas, although not all made the final cut.
This success of Super Mario Bros. Wonder is especially significant. Marvel’s Spider-Man, a heavyweight in the industry, saw massive success with over 2.5 million copies sold, becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation Studios game ever. As one of its direct competitors, Mario’s latest outing outshined even this titan in certain markets. It’s proof of the Italian plumber’s enduring appeal, who has remained a fan favorite for decades.
Ironically, both games saw animated outings that broke office office records. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, in particular, is one of the few films to make over a billion at the global box office this year.
Looking ahead, Nintendo fans have more to anticipate. The company has charted its plans for future releases. The Super Mario RPG remake is scheduled for November 17, while the Splatoon 3: Expansion Pass is set to roll out its second wave in early 2024. Additionally, fans can look forward to new details for Princess Peach: Showtime soon ahead of its launch on March 22, 2024.
The launch of Super Mario Bros. Wonder has reinforced Mario’s reputation as one of the cornerstones in gaming. Its record-breaking sales in Europe and Japan signify its continued relevance and the timeless appeal that the character of Mario holds for gamers globally.
As Nintendo gears up for more launches, fans are safe to anticipate more magic from this iconic brand.
Fingers crossed, this stacked lineup of upcoming Switch exclusives will be playable on the Nintendo Switch 2 when it’s out in late 2024.
