Nintendo accessory partner HORI has revealed a new Mario Kart World racing wheel for Switch 2, with retailer listings confirming the officially licensed accessory launches later this month.

Pre-orders for the wheel are already open, with the release scheduled for March 23, 2026. The accessory is designed specifically with Mario Kart World in mind, but it also works with other racing titles including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

The wheel is part of HORI’s long-running lineup of Nintendo racing accessories, and this latest version introduces updated features for the next-generation Switch hardware.

Two Versions Of The Mario Kart World Racing Wheel

HORI is releasing two versions of the Mario Kart World racing wheel for Switch 2, offering a choice between a larger “Deluxe” model and a more compact “Mini” version.

The Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe features an 11-inch wheel designed to replicate a more realistic steering feel. It includes pedals and paddles, textured rubber grips, onboard controls, and programmable buttons for custom input layouts.

The Mini version offers a smaller 8.6-inch wheel, but still includes pedals and core controls for players who want a simpler or more affordable setup.

Retail listings suggest the Deluxe model will cost around USD $130, while the Mini version is expected to be about USD $80, depending on region.

Features Designed For Mario Kart World

Although the accessory works with multiple racing games, HORI is clearly positioning it as a companion device for Mario Kart World on Switch 2.

The wheel includes a number of adjustable settings designed to improve driving precision. Players can tweak the dead zone, choose from seven sensitivity levels, and switch between 270-degree and 180-degree steering outputs depending on their preferred driving style.

Both models also allow players to assign custom functions to programmable buttons, giving racers more flexibility with item usage, drifting, and other in-game actions.

The Mini model even places the Mario “M” item button prominently in the centre of the wheel.

Built-In GameChat Button For Switch 2

One new addition compared with previous Switch racing wheels is a dedicated C button for GameChat, Nintendo’s voice communication system introduced for Switch 2.

This means players can jump into voice chat while racing without needing to reach for a separate controller input.

However, according to the product description, using GameChat may require an internet connection, a Nintendo Account, and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, which is sold separately.

Compatible With Multiple Nintendo Switch Systems

While the accessory is branded around Switch 2 and Mario Kart World, compatibility is broader than the marketing might suggest.

Product descriptions confirm the racing wheels also work with the original Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch OLED model. That means existing Switch owners can still use the accessory with games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and other racing titles.

Like previous HORI wheels, the new versions are wired controllers, designed for stability and responsive input during gameplay.

A Familiar Accessory With Updated Branding

Nintendo fans might recognise the design immediately. HORI previously released similar racing wheels for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe during the original Switch generation.

The new models look largely similar to those earlier accessories, but they include updated branding for Mario Kart World along with the added GameChat button.

For players who prefer a more immersive racing setup instead of Joy-Con motion steering or a traditional controller, the wheel offers another way to tackle Nintendo’s chaotic kart tracks.

With pre-orders now open and a March 23 release date confirmed, Switch 2 players will soon have another accessory option ready for the next Mario Kart race.

The post Mario Kart World Hori Racing Wheel For Switch 2 Revealed, Pre-Orders Now Open appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

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.

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