Nintendo has extended its dominance of the Japanese games market, with the Nintendo Switch 2 emerging as the fastest-selling console in the country’s history and the biggest driver behind a huge surge in overall market growth during 2025.

According to new annual sales data published by Famitsu, Japan’s domestic home console market expanded sharply last year, fuelled largely by the Switch 2’s blockbuster launch and strong first-party software performance.

Japan’s Games Market Jumps Nearly 40 Percent Year On Year

Famitsu’s figures show that Japan’s home console games market reached ¥418.13 billion in 2025, up 38.8 percent from ¥301.32 billion in 2024. Hardware sales were the main engine of that growth, rising 49.3 percent year on year to ¥282.69 billion, while packaged software sales climbed to ¥135.44 billion, an increase of 21 percent.

The combined growth pushed the total market to its strongest position in years, highlighting a renewed surge in consumer interest following a quieter 2024.

Switch 2 Sells 3.78 Million Units In Just Six Months

Released in Japan on 5 June 2025, Nintendo Switch 2 sold an estimated 3.78 million units in the country by the end of the year, accounting for more than half of all home console sales in Japan during 2025.

The console reached almost one million units sold within its first week on sale, making it the biggest console launch Japan has ever seen. Globally, Nintendo confirmed the platform surpassed 10.36 million units sold within its first four months, the highest early sales figure for any Nintendo hardware to date.

By comparison, the original Nintendo Switch sold 1.52 million units in Japan last year, followed by PlayStation 5 with 879,204 units, Xbox Series X|S with just over 31,000 units, and PlayStation 4 with negligible sales.

Mario Kart World Tops 2025 Software Rankings

On the software side, Nintendo’s dominance was just as clear. For the 21st consecutive year, Nintendo titles filled nine of the top ten best-selling physical games in Japan.

Leading the pack was Mario Kart World, the flagship launch title for Switch 2, which sold 2.66 million physical copies to become Japan’s best-selling game of 2025.

Close behind was Pokémon Legends Z-A, which sold a combined 2.53 million copies across Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. The game performed so strongly that, when both versions are combined, it came close to overtaking Mario Kart World’s total.

Nintendo Games Dominate The Top 10

The full Top 10 best-selling physical games in Japan for 2025, based on Famitsu’s data, paints a familiar picture of Nintendo’s market strength:

1. Mario Kart World (Switch 2) – 2,668,381
2. Pokémon Legends Z-A (Switch) – 1,529,823
3. Pokémon Legends Z-A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – 1,004,154
4. Monster Hunter Wilds (PS5) – 838,319
5. Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch) – 498,397
6. Donkey Kong Bananza (Switch 2) – 435,206
7. Kirby Air Riders (Switch 2) – 424,837
8. Minecraft (Switch) – 346,606
9. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch) – 342,866
10. Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake (Switch) – 316,439

Monster Hunter Wilds was the only non-Nintendo title to break into the Top 5, underlining just how tightly Nintendo controls Japan’s physical sales charts.

PlayStation 5 Sales Continue To Decline

The data also highlights ongoing challenges for Sony in Japan. PlayStation 5 sales fell by around 60 percent in 2025, despite the release of a cheaper, Japan-only model. PS5 sold 879,204 units last year, down sharply from 1.4 million units in 2024 and 2.6 million units in 2023.

Price increases, including a reported 20 percent hike in Japan, and stronger competition from Nintendo appear to have significantly impacted Sony’s momentum in the region.

Looking Ahead To 2026

Famitsu expects the momentum generated by Nintendo Switch 2 to continue into 2026, supported by a busy release schedule. High-profile titles such as Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and Resident Evil Requiem are already lined up for early 2026 across Switch 2, Switch, and PlayStation 5.

With hardware sales rebounding and Nintendo maintaining its firm grip on software charts, Japan’s games market looks set to remain on an upward trajectory, with Switch 2 firmly at the centre of it all.

The post 3.78 Million Units And Counting, Nintendo Switch 2 Becomes Japan’s Fastest-Selling Console Ever appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Pokémon Legends: Z A is expanding its roster of Mega Evolutions in a big way, introducing an entirely new category of transformations called Z Mega Evolution. Leading the charge is Mega Lucario Z, a fresh alternate form for one of the franchise’s most iconic Pokémon, and a major surprise reveal in the game’s latest trailer.

With the Mega Dimension DLC launching on 10 December 2025, excitement around new forms, side missions, and returning favourites has never been higher. Here is everything you need to know about Mega Lucario Z and what this means for the future of Mega Evolutions in Pokémon Legends: Z A.

A New Era of Mega Evolution

Z Mega Evolution is a brand new mechanic debuting in Mega Dimension. Unlike standard Mega Evolution, this form focuses on speed and efficiency. Pokémon that enter a Z Mega Evolution can fire off moves much faster after receiving orders, giving players a critical edge in high pressure battles.

The tradeoff is that these forms burn through Mega Power far more quickly, meaning they are not designed for long encounters. Instead, they shine brightest in quick, decisive fights that reward fast thinking and aggressive play.

The first of these new forms is Mega Lucario Z, marking the first time a Pokémon with an existing Mega Evolution has received a secondary version.

Meet Mega Lucario Z

Mega Lucario Z approaches battle with a completely different aura than its original Mega Evolution. Rather than condensing its aura into brute force, this new form spreads it across its entire body. The result is a sleek, cloaked appearance that boosts its defence, flexibility, and agility.

Image Credit: Pokemon

Image Credit: Pokemon

It remains a Fighting and Steel type, but what sets Mega Lucario Z apart is the way it manipulates its aura. It can stretch its energy into a shield, channel it into reinforced strikes, or compress it into specific body parts like its fists and legs for devastating close quarter attacks.

Its redesigned fur, flowing from its head and waist, along with its fan shaped tail, makes its movements harder to read. In tight battles, this visual trickery can disorient opponents long enough for Lucario to land a decisive blow. Parts of its body have also hardened with steel infused aura, letting it hit with pinpoint accuracy through those metal strengthened areas.

What This Means for Future Mega Evolutions

The arrival of Mega Lucario Z confirms something fans have been speculating about for months. Earlier datamines suggested alternate Mega Evolutions might be coming for several species, and the debut of Z Mega Evolution heavily supports that theory.

With Lucario now sporting two unique Mega forms, the door is wide open for more Pokémon to receive Z variants. Existing Mega Pokémon could see brand new alternate paths, creating a deeper and more varied competitive landscape.

The Pokémon Company has also hinted that more Z Mega Evolutions are planned, noting that this new class is defined by rapid execution and fast energy consumption. If Mega Lucario Z is the first of many, players should expect more surprises as Mega Dimension continues to expand.

Community Reactions

The reveal of Mega Lucario Z has sparked a tidal wave of reactions across the Pokémon community, with social feeds lighting up in equal parts excitement, disbelief, and pure comedy.

One of the first things fans noticed was the redesign removing Lucario’s iconic chest spike, which immediately sparked a wave of wholesome jokes about how the Pokémon can finally give proper hugs. Others were far more distracted by the long flowing hair and silhouette, with many comparing the new look to Hatsune Miku and joking that players were blindsided by a sudden crossover they never asked for.

There were also mixed opinions on the overall design. Some players loved the mystical, flowing look, while others found it less appealing than Lucario’s original Mega form. Still, the general mood was overwhelmingly energised, with people already debating which Pokémon might be next to receive a Z style Mega.

More Mega Evolutions and New Missions Incoming

Mega Lucario Z is not the only highlight of the Mega Dimension DLC. The expansion also introduces two new Mega Raichu forms, along with Mega Zeraora, though unlocking that one will be a bit tricky.

Players can also jump into a newly added side mission right now. By enabling Mystery Gift, you can start a quest that leads to an encounter with Mewtwo. Completing it lets you access both Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y using traditional Mega Evolution.

With the DLC launching on 10 December 2025 and preorders already live, Pokémon Legends: Z A is gearing up for one of its biggest updates yet.

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