Nintendo has a strange problem on its hands in 2025: the hottest “new” Mario Kart game isn’t the one it just launched on its brand-new console. Instead, it’s a re-release that first showed up over a decade ago. Yes, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is outselling Mario Kart World on the Switch 2.
A screenshot from the trailer to Mario Kart World – YouTube, Nintendo of America
That headline alone should have Nintendo worried. The company just rolled out its most powerful console yet, with Mario Kart World bundled as a premier title, but players appear to be clinging to the older installment. The reason? Price, nostalgia, and timing all play a role.
Old Racer, New Victory
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe continues to top sales charts, despite being a repackaged Wii U game that hit the Switch in 2017. The Switch 2’s big launch title, Mario Kart World, has crossed more than 5.6 million copies sold so far, bolstered by bundled systems. But on its own, the game isn’t outpacing its predecessor — which is remarkable considering World is supposed to be Nintendo’s bold leap forward in the franchise.
Mario in a screenshot from the trailer to Mario Kart World – YouTube, Nintendo of America
Gamers are essentially saying: if you want to charge $80 for a new entry, they’d rather pay less for a proven classic that still runs beautifully. It doesn’t help that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe comes loaded with years of DLC, polished gameplay, and a reputation as one of Nintendo’s most beloved racers.
The Price Hike Controversy
Adding fuel to the fire is Nintendo’s unexpected decision this summer to raise prices on older Switch hardware and accessories.
A screenshot from the trailer to Mario Kart World – YouTube, Nintendo of America
That’s right — at the exact moment a new console is hitting shelves, the last-gen systems actually went up in price:
- The standard Switch jumped from $299.99 to $339.99.
- The OLED model leapt from $349.99 to $399.99.
- The Lite model rose from $199.99 to $229.99.
- Joy-Cons and other accessories saw smaller but noticeable increases.
Princess Peach’s various outfits in a screenshot from the trailer to Mario Kart World – YouTube, Nintendo of America
This is an unorthodox move. Typically, when a new console generation launches, the older machines become more affordable as companies clear out stock. Nintendo instead flipped the industry script — raising prices and daring consumers to accept it.
Switch 2 Still Strong Out of the Gate
Despite the controversy, the Switch 2 is off to a record-breaking start. Launched on June 5, 2025, at $449.99, the console sold 3.5 million units in its first four days. By the end of June, that number had climbed to 5.8 million, and July pushed totals over six million.
A screenshot from the trailer to Mario Kart World – YouTube, Nintendo of America
By those metrics, the Switch 2 is Nintendo’s fastest-selling console ever. And while Mario Kart World is the system’s best-selling game, the optics of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe still outselling it are hard to ignore.
Nostalgia vs. Inflation
The bigger story here is what it says about consumer behavior. Video game fans are increasingly resistant to climbing prices. An $80 base game is a tough sell when inflation has already hit household budgets. When paired with Nintendo’s unusual decision to raise prices on old consoles, it makes sense that players might lean into a cheaper, more familiar alternative.
MarioKart 8 Deluxe (2017), Nintendo
In some ways, this mirrors what’s happening across entertainment. People are turning to older, proven titles instead of spending more on untested ones. Just as streaming audiences are re-watching comfort shows rather than new prestige dramas, gamers are racing back to a tried-and-true Mario Kart.
Is Nintendo’s Goodwill Running Out?
Nintendo has earned goodwill with fans through decades of trusted franchises, but it risks squandering some of that trust. The Switch 2 is a hit, but Mario Kart World’s relatively softer sales suggest that pushing prices too high can backfire.
A screenshot from the trailer to Mario Kart World – YouTube, Nintendo of America
Raising prices on outdated hardware while charging more than ever for new games creates the appearance of squeezing consumers. Nostalgia only strengthens that sting: when people realize they can get more fun for less money from a game that’s already 10 years old, the comparison becomes impossible to ignore.
Nintendo may be in the lead with its new console, but in the race for goodwill, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe just left Mario Kart World eating dust.
Would you rather play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Mario Kart World? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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