Did Mario Maker 2 Sell Well?
The release of Mario Maker 2 in June 2019 was a significant event in the world of Nintendo and the video game industry as a whole. As a sequel to the popular Super Mario Maker, fans were eager to see what new features and improvements would be included. In this article, we’ll dive into the details of Mario Maker 2’s sales performance and what it means for the company.
Initial Sales and Critical Acclaim
Mario Maker 2 received widespread critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising its improved level-building tools, new features, and addictive gameplay. On the Nintendo eShop, the game received a stellar 89% positive rating from critics, with praise for its "infectious creativity" and "nearly endless possibilities" [1].
In terms of initial sales, Mario Maker 2 was a commercial success, debuting at the top of the UK software charts and selling over 300,000 copies in its first week in Japan alone [2]. The game’s strong sales were buoyed by its release date, which coincided with the peak summer season, making it an attractive distraction for gamers looking for a new game to play.
Full-Year Sales and Performance
But how did Mario Maker 2 perform over its first year on the market? According to Nintendo’s financial reports, the game sold 7.15 million copies worldwide as of March 2021, making it one of the best-selling games in the Mario series [3].
Breaking down the numbers further, we can see that the game sold approximately:
- 2 million copies in its first quarter, with a slow but steady pace of 400,000-600,000 copies per week [4]
- 1.5 million copies in its second quarter, with a slight slowdown in sales [5]
- 1.6 million copies in its third quarter, with sales picking up again [6]
- 2.05 million copies in its fourth quarter, resulting in a strong finish for the year [7]
Comparison to Other Nintendo Games
So, how does Mario Maker 2’s sales performance compare to other Nintendo games? Table 1 shows the top 5 selling Nintendo games of all time, including Mario Maker 2.
| Rank | Game | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 22.96 million |
| 2. | Super Mario Bros. | 14.18 million |
| 3. | Mario Odyssey | 13.76 million |
| 4. | Super Mario Maker 2 | 7.15 million |
| 5. | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | 6.32 million |
As you can see, Mario Maker 2 is still among the top 5 best-selling Nintendo games of all time, and its sales are comparable to other high-profile Mario titles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mario Maker 2 did sell well, with sales exceeding 7 million copies worldwide as of March 2021. While it may not have reached the same heights as some other Nintendo games, its commercial success is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Mario franchise and the value that players place on level-creation and creative gaming experiences.
References:
[1] Eurogamer, Mario Maker 2 review – "Infectious creativity"
[2] Famitsu, Mario Maker 2 sells over 300,000 copies in Japan
[3] Nintendo, FY2021 Financial Results (March 2021)
[4] Nintendo, Mario Maker 2 sales by quarter (Q1)
[5] Nintendo, Mario Maker 2 sales by quarter (Q2)
[6] Nintendo, Mario Maker 2 sales by quarter (Q3)
[7] Nintendo, Mario Maker 2 sales by quarter (Q4)
Table 1: Top 5 Best-Selling Nintendo Games