Heard some influencer rumblings that DK Bananza would’ve been a better launch title than Mario Kart World. It’s bemusing that there are still industry observers not understanding Nintendo’s market strategy.
- Switch’s annual playing users in Japan: 56% male 44% female; PS 80% male; PC: 85%
- The age distribution of Switch annual players is wider than PS and PC users too (left image male; right female)
- The user base is so broad that 21% of Japanese 15-59 y/o played Switch at least once in 2024
- Source: Intage IPファン-kit 2024
DK Bananza looks to be a GotY contender. Mario Kart World, however, is a better fit for the broad-based market positioning. The success of this strategy is reflected in last week’s sales chart: [PS5] Death Stranding 2 debuted at #3, surrounded by [Switch] Mario Kart, Tamagotchi, and a visual novel. (Source: Install Base)
Older data for reference:
- Image 1 below, global age distribution of annual playing users, 2022 (Source: Nintendo)
- Image 2, North America age distribution of Switch owners, 2018 (Source:PlayerPulse)
[Originally posted on 2025-07-06 Pacific Time]
