The former sold 1.22 million units, while the latter sold 1.12 million as of March 31st. As it stands, Princess Peach: Showtime! has already surpassed 2005’s Super Princess Peach, the last title to have the princess in a starring role. The latter sold 1.15 million copies in roughly 19 months on the Nintendo DS.

As for Mario vs. Donkey Kong, it launched in 2004 and sold 1.37 million copies worldwide as of 2021 on the Game Boy Advance. Whether Nintendo will bring its follow-ups, like Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! or even Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars to the Nintendo Switch remains to be seen.

Arrowhead Game Studios’ third-person co-op shooter, launched on February 8th for PS5 and PC, currently ranks fourth, with sales up by 20 percent. It marks the second week sales have gone up, which Dring notes is “very rare”, with Just Dance having a similar pattern. For a title about dropping on alien planets and delivering democracy via explosive payload, it’s pretty good.

We’ll find out how it performed in the region overall when digital sales data arrives. Sony hasn’t revealed sales numbers, though CEO Johan Pilestedt hinted at it reaching nearly three million units sold. Stay tuned for more updates, and check out our review for Helldivers 2.

In the UK physical charts, Helldivers 2 is now up to No.4 with sales up 20% in its third week. That’s 2 consecutive weeks of rises (which is very rare). Mario vs Donkey Kong down to No.3 with a (more ordinary) 62% sales drop. Skull and Bones down to No.16 (-68% w-o-w)

— Christopher Dring (@Chris_Dring) February 25, 2024

Just Dance has a similar sales trend

— Christopher Dring (@Chris_Dring) February 25, 2024

In comparison, the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong, sold over 54,000 units when it launched in Japan in 2004. This is also the second-biggest launch in Japan for a Mario vs. Donkey Kong game to date, behind only the Nintendo DS’ Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis, which sold over 83,000 units upon its Japanese launch in 2007.

Meanwhile, another new release in the form of Falcom’s The Legend of heroes: Trails through Daybreak slots in at No. 6, having sold over 7,000 units on the Switch, while Ubisoft’s Skull and Bones has debuted in seventh place, selling over 6,000 units on PS5.

On the hardware side of things, the Nintendo Switch was, as it usually is, the best-selling console in Japan for the week, moving over 48,000 units. The PS5 trails behind by quite some margin, having sold over 38,000 units over the course of the week.

You can check out the full hardware and physical software sales charts for the week ending February 18 below.

Software sales (followed by lifetime sales):

1. [NSW] Mario vs. Donkey Kong – 61,930 (New)
2. [NSW] Super Mario Bros. Wonder – 13,036 (1,745,124)
3. [NSW] Momotaro Dentetsu World: Chikyuu wa Kibou de Mawatteru! – 10,355 (980,891)
4. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 7,607 (5,710,865)
5. [NSW] Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island – 7,501 (121,272)
6. [NSW] The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak – 7,160 (New)
7. [PS5] Skull and Bones – 6,635 (New)
8. [NSW] Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 5,716 (7,695,467)
9. [NSW] Minecraft – 5,603 (3,447,165)
10. [PS5] Persona 3 Reload – 5,308 (91,362)

Hardware sales:

• Nintendo Switch – 48,391
• PS5 – 38,212
• Xbox Series X/S – 1,647

A game with a much more massive scope – Ubisoft’s self-proclaimed AAAA megaton Skull and Bones – also finally launched last week after years of delays and development issues. The pirate game has been met with lukewarm reception at best though, which has reflected in its launch performance as well.

Debuting at No. 4 in the UK charts, Skull and Bones sold less than a quarter as many physical units in the region as fellow online pirate game Sea of Thieves did when it released in 2018. It’s worth noting, of course, that the marketshare for physical sales has grown significantly smaller since then, but paired with the less-than-stellar reviews, it certainly paints a gloomy picture for Ubisoft’s latest release.

Meanwhile, Helldivers 2’s momentum has impressed as well. The co-op shooter sits at No. 7 in the charts, and has actually seen a 28% increase in sales from what it managed upon its debut last week, which is a rather rare thing to see in sales charts.

Helldivers 2 is still No.7 in the UK boxed charts. Unusually, sales are up 28% in its second week!

— Christopher Dring (@Chris_Dring) February 20, 2024

Though it still offers platforming, with Mario capable of performing wall jumps and back flips, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is slightly different in structure. Players must explore levels, retrieving keys and opening doors to find the Mini Mario. There are various hazards to avoid, and eventually, you’ll need to guide all the rescued Mini Marios before facing off against Donkey Kong.

The remake adds to this by introducing two new worlds, local co-op, Time Attack mode, and a Casual Mode for less punishing gameplay. It even revamps the cinematics with gorgeous new visuals. Check our feature for more details. You can also download a free demo from the Nintendo eShop.

The demo contains the first four levels from the game’s first world, showcasing the various puzzles and challenges players can expect. Local co-op, allowing another player to control Toad, and Casual Style, which removes the timer and provides checkpoints, are also included.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong launches on February 16th and features over 130 levels. There are six worlds from the original Game Boy Advance version with their Plus levels and Expert levels included, but the remake adds two new worlds with new themes, hazards and more. Time Attack is also available as an extra mode, with players able to rack up the best times for clearing stages. Check out our feature for more details.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

Unexpected but welcome all the same, Avantgarden’s remake of Starbreeze Studios’ Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons still features the same story of two brothers, Naiee and Naia, on a journey to cure their father’s illness. Controlling both characters at once, players must solve puzzles, utilizing their unique skill sets to progress.

The original is acclaimed for its gameplay and story-telling, which the remake modernizes thanks to a graphical overhaul and re-recorded soundtrack. It also touts new secrets and local co-op, which was added to the original in its 2019 Nintendo Switch version. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake launches on February 28th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

After the critically acclaimed Jusant, DON’T NOD is back with a somewhat more traditional action RPG in Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden. It focuses on two Banishers, Antea and Red, who help spirits move on. Tragedy quickly strikes in New Eden when Antea dies and remains with Red as a ghost. They must now face a tough decision – sacrifice other people to revive her or continue their work, potentially losing her forever.

As players meet other characters and resolve their crises, their decisions will affect the overall narrative, with five different endings to unlock. Combat is also intriguing since you use Red to unleash bullets and slashes or switch to Antea at any time for her supernatural abilities (which are also good for dealing with crowds). Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden arrives on February 13th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Pacific Drive

A drive through an abandoned zone at night may sound creepy, but as Ironwood Studios’ Pacific Drive reveals, things can be worse. Players start out traveling the Pacific Northwest before randomly being teleported into the Olympic Exclusion Zone, once a site for various experiments and now home to dangerous Anomalies. Upon discovering an aged station wagon, they brief the corrosion and storms to find a garage and characters who could help them escape.

It’s easier said than done, as they must venture into the Zone to gather supplies and materials, acquiring Stable Energy and braving the storm to make it back alive. They must then repair and outfit their vehicle, unlock new items via the Fabrication Station, and eventually unravel the mystery of the Zone to escape. With a rogue-lite structure, quirks that can alter your vehicle’s performance (for better or worse) and Anomalies that spice up runs in various harrowing ways, Pacific Drive is truly unique. It’s out on February 22nd for PS5 and PC.

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League

When the Justice League goes rogue, you call Batman. When Batman also goes rogue (kind of), then you call the Suicide Squad, probably. Regardless, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, King Shark and Captain Boomerang – along with a host of supporting characters – are the only ones who can save Metropolis after Brainiac invades and brainwashes the League. Touted as Rocksteady’s “biggest cinematic experience”, and easily its biggest story, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League also seems to have some multiverse shenanigans going on with Brainiac’s Elseworlds.

Gameplay-wise, it’s a looter shooter with co-op support, skill trees, mods, gear sets (known as Infamy Sets), an end-game and live-service elements like seasons, a Battle Pass and microtransactions. Players can control one of the Squad, while the AI handles the rest, in single-player, kitting out their character with different guns and exploring the vast city with unique traversal skills. For all the mixed receptions, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has generated some interest. We’ll see if it can deliver a worthwhile experience when it launches on February 1st for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC.

Skull and Bones

What’s better than one live-service title rumored to have been in development for years and seen multiple reboots? How about two? Skull and Bones has had a long journey, reportedly starting development in 2013 and officially announced in 2017. It’s an action-adventure focused on naval combat, set in the Indian Ocean during the Golden Age of Piracy, as players seek to establish themselves as legendary pirates. Before that, they must take on contracts for Pirate Kingpins, raiding convoys and transporting goods while contending with opposing forces.

There are multiple ships, each designed for specific purposes with several weapon and damage types. Even furniture can affect your ship’s performance in various ways. Those not keen on PvE can indulge in PvP modes, from the high-risk, high-reward Helm Wagers to the player bounty-focused Cutthroat Cargo, with leaderboards, Kingpin Ranks and whatnot. Skull and Bones is out on February 16th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC, with a year of post-launch content planned. Whether it saves past that point is anyone’s guess, but we’re relieved it’s coming out.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

The developer is going all out with Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second part of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake saga. A massive map with seamless exploration and near-instant fast-travelling, tons of mini-games, new cities and areas not present in the original setting, tons of side quests, new Summons, combat improvements and Synergy Abilities – the list goes on. That’s not even getting into the story side of things, with all kinds of potential revelations teased and characters like Cid and Vincent Valentine making their debut.

It’s almost too much, with 100 hours of gameplay promised, but also oddly fitting for such an iconic part of Cloud and party’s journey, as they venture outside of Midgar to locate Sephiroth. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launches on February 29th for PS5, shipping on two Blu-ray discs, and already looks like a shoo-in for Game of the Year.

Helldivers 2

Helldivers is back, and despite the third-person perspective, the war to protect the democracy of Super-Earth remains as perilous as ever. If it’s not the massive Bugs and Automations that are out to get you, it’s friendly fire and a poorly placed Stratagem.

Nevertheless, with procedural generation, terrain deformation, stunning visuals and cross-platform play between PS5 and PC, Helldivers 2 promises a much larger scale than the original when it launches on February 8th. That extends to the new Galactic War, as players liberate planets and complete objectives, with the community as a whole progressing the storyline. You can even earn unlocks to outfit and upgrade your destroyer.

Sons of the Forest (1.0 Release)

Almost a year since launching into early access, Endnight Games’ Sons of the Forest is finally set to launch in full on February 22nd for PC. Version 1.0 will expand on the story, with Shawn Ashmore of Quantum Break fame playing a key role, but it’s already grown significantly during its time in early access.

New areas and caves, bosses, items, vehicles, points of interest, and more have been added, along with improvements to building and electricity systems. That’s only scratching the surface, with Cannibals having a wider range of behaviors (and new types); Kelvin having more commands and emotes; and survival gameplay being made tougher (with Hard survival available for those who crave a challenge).

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

The King of Kong is back in the antagonistic role, giving into his consumer urges and swiping a bunch of Mini-Mario toys. As the president of the toy factory, Mario ventures to get them back, traversing multiple stages and eventually defeating Donkey Kong. As a remake of the 2004 Game Boy Advance classic with gorgeous new visuals and cinematics, Mario vs. Donkey Kong incorporates more puzzle solving, as players bypass traps and other hazards to gather keys, progress to the next part of the stage and rescue a Mini-Mario.

There are multiple worlds to explore, with Plus and Expert Levels to overcome, but the remake adds two more for over 130 levels, a new Time Attack Mode, local co-op and Casual Style for less punishing gameplay. Mario vs. Donkey Kong launches on February 16th for Nintendo Switch.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

Yet another title years in the making and finally primed to launch, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is based on Cygames’ successful free-to-play gacha RPG. Unlike the original, it’s an action RPG that ventures to new lands in the Zegagrande Kingdom. It’s not long before Gran/Djeeta, Lyria and the Grandcypher crew run afoul of trouble involving the Primal Beasts.

Along with Gran and Djeeta, players can play as other characters like Narmaya, Lancelot, Percival, Katalina, Rackam and many more, each with unique abilities and playstyles. Combat is fast-paced, whether building up to Link Time or activating Skybound Arts in tandem to deal massive damage with a Full Burst attack.

Along with an extensive campaign, there are 100 quests in Quest Mode and support for up to four players in co-op. Time will tell if Granblue Fantasy: Relink lives up to the hype, but thankfully, we won’t have to wait long, as it launches on February 1st for PS4, PS5 and PC.

Tomb Raider 1–3 Remastered

Though we’re not anywhere closer to a launch for Aspyr’s Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake, it does have Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered coming up on February 14th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC. Utilizing the original’s source code and engine, the remasters feature revamped character models and environments with baked and real-time lighting (though you can switch back to the original look).

Modern controls are available in addition to the Classic option, with boss health bars and Photo Mode also available. Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered could be the blast from the past that we need.

Open Roads

A narrative-focused adventure title with gorgeous animated characters set against 3D environments, Annapurna Interactive’s Open Roads is about Tess and her mother Opal. Venturing on a road trip to learn more about the past, they venture to abandoned properties to uncover long-buried secrets. There are extensive conversations and more than a few emotional moments, with actors Keri Russell and Kaitlyn Dever bringing the duo to life. Open Roads launches on February 22nd for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch, while also available on day one for Game Pass.

Nightingale (Early Access)

Following its announcement in December 2021, Inflexion Games’ Nightingale will finally enter early access for PC on February 22nd. As an open-world survival crafting title, players control the Realmwalker, who ventures to different Fae realms to find the city of Nightingale. It’s easier said than done, with threats like the Bound and Apex creatures out to ruin your fun.

While players can settle down in a realm, building a base and recruiting NPCs, they can also use Realm Cards to shape their next destination, making it more or less dangerous. The early access version will feature three biome types, a progression system “spanning all aspects of gameplay”, various creatures and “comprehensive building and crafting tools, alongside estate management,” as per the Steam listing. Nightingale will remain in early access for nine to 12 months, adding biomes, story and even the city itself, but it should be interesting to see how the base game fares.

Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance

Originally set to launch in December, Slitherine Ltd.’s Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance is now out on February 7th for PC. Based on the Dark Fate timeline, the real-time strategy sees humanity going up against the killer robots of Legion and fighting for survival. Commanding the Founders, players navigate the war torn world of the future, recruiting and training new units for battles.

Other factions can join or oppose you during these conflicts, with different missions opening up depending on your actions. Several unit types, from drones to armored vehicles, are available, and players can control the other factions – the Resistance and Legion – in Skirmish and Multiplayer. As far as Terminator titles are concerned, it’s intriguing and could be the best thing to result from Dark Fate.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 and 4

A new age of Falcom’s Kiseki series is due this Summer, with The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak finally launching in the West. Until then, fans can re-experience The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel 3 and 4 on PS5 when both titles launch on February 16th. Originally available in Japan for the PS4 in 2017, Cold Steel 3 follows Rean Schwarzer, now a teacher in Thors Branch Campus, training a new Class VII – composed of Kurt Vander, Juna Crawford and Altina Orion – to conduct Special Operations for the Erebonian Empire.

Musse Egret and Ash Carbide eventually join, but rampant conspiracies could shake the very foundation of the empire. As for Cold Steel 4, well, that’s just getting into spoiler territory. The PS5 versions of both titles feature high-definition visuals and all previously released cosmetic DLC. While it’s far from the most graphically impressive pair of RPGs, they make up for it with their story-telling, world-building and excellent combat.

In a gameplay clip recently posted on Twitter, Nintendo has offered a glimpse of what the Mario vs. Donkey Kong remake’s co-op is going to bring to the table. Two players will be able to take on the game’s puzzle-platforming challenges together, with one playing as Mario and the other as Toad (sorry, Luigi fans). Check out the clip below.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is set to launch for the Nintendo Switch on February 16. Check out more details about the game in our feature through here.

Find out if two heads really are better than one in #MarioDonkeyKong's new co-op mode! Pass a controller to a friend and tackle the puzzle-platforming challenges together (and let Toad get a bit of glory too!). pic.twitter.com/BISp0c3Kjo

— Nintendo UK (@NintendoUK) January 28, 2024

With so many big titles launching in January and throughout February, Mario vs. Donkey Kong may be just the palette cleanser players need. Here’s everything you need to know about the remake when it launches on February 16th for the Nintendo Switch.

Origins

Donkey Kong is perhaps more important than Mario since his titular game introduced the world to the plumber. The original launched in 1981 for arcades but would receive a standalone title with the same name in 1994 for the Game Boy, featuring nearly 100 levels. Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a spiritual successor to that, launching in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance and spawning a series of games. The current title is a remake of the first Mario vs. Donkey Kong, finally bringing the classic to Nintendo Switch players.

Remade Visuals

Obviously, the biggest change over the original is the visuals. The remake features gorgeous cutscenes while environments and characters are fully 3D, embracing a more contemporary art style. Even the enemies have been updated to appear more mechanical and toy-like to fit the overall theme.

Premise

The premise of Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a little more complicated than the 1994 Game Boy title. Instead of saving Pauline from DK Senior, Mario is the head of a toy company which sells super-popular Mini-Marios. Unbeknownst to him, Donkey Kong wants them and tries to steal them through any means necessary. Thus begins a gruelling battle to recover the Mini-Marios throughout many levels.

Gameplay Loop

Unlike the regular Mario titles or the recently released Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Mario vs. Donkey Kong isn’t a traditional platformer. In each level, Mario must find a key for a door to the next part. The next part has a Mini-Mario to rescue and complete the level, thus moving on to the next. You eventually arrive at a Mini-Mario level, which involves guiding the toys discovered in previous stages to the end. Save as many as possible, because they’ll be important later.

Puzzle Platforming

The overall approach is more akin to a puzzle platformer, as each level has various hazards, enemies and obstacles to navigate. There’s also a timer, and Mario can only take a single hit, causing him to lose a life. You need to figure out the best approach to acquiring keys and Mini-Marios, observing the environment carefully and methodically. You also have different presents to collect while beating the top score nets Stars, which come into play with the Extra Stages.

Mario’s Moves

Like the contemporary titles, Mario has various maneuvers, like handstands, front-flips, back-flips and more, along with regular jumps for traversal. Interestingly, the platforming in Mario vs. Donkey Kong isn’t all that different from Donkey Kong on the Game Boy, right down to picking up and throwing some objects and enemies.

New Worlds

While the original six worlds, each with eight levels (not counting the final world), are included, Nintendo has also added two new worlds with the remake. Merry Mini-Land is touted as an amusement park, while Slippery Summit is a winter-themed level with icy footing that makes it difficult to move around. New obstacles, enemies and challenges are promised for each, which is great for experienced players. Overall, there are over 130 levels – more details on how that works in a bit.

Donkey Kong Boss Fights

To cap off each world, Mario goes one-on-one against Donkey Kong in a boss battle. These battles are somewhat reminiscent of the classic Donkey Kong, as he uses random objects/enemies to dispose of the player. Depending on the Mini-Marios collected in the previous level, Mario will have a number of hit points and must defeat Donkey Kong through various means.

Extra Challenges

Nintendo has confirmed that Plus and Expert Levels will return in the remake, providing more challenges for those who beat the base levels. Plus Levels are more challenging versions of the levels, but with different objectives. Instead of finding a key and unlocking the latter part of a level to find a Mini-Mario, you must now locate a Mini-Mario with the key in question and lead them to the locked door. There’s no second part to the levels or a Mini-Mario level where Mario leads the Minis to the objective. Donkey Kong boss fights remain, and the Plus version of the final world offers a surprise.

Expert Levels are separate and become available after finishing all the Plus Levels (though you also need a certain amount of stars to play each one). There are no Mini-Marios – you must only find the key and unlock the door. While the base game offers 12 Expert Levels, the eShop lists 16 for the remake, which means four additional levels have been added for players to conquer.

Retails for $50

Unlike many Nintendo Switch releases, Mario vs. Donkey Kong costs $50 instead of the standard $60. Maybe it’s in response to those who complained or It may also be a different way of pricing its games. Either way, it’s a more enticing proposition.

Local Co-op Support

Whether you want to suffer together or have something multiplayer-focused to play with friends, the remake added co-op support. Toad joins Mario on his adventures and can seemingly execute the same platforming maneuvers. Unfortunately, it’s local co-op only – you can’t play online, but it’s still a nice addition (and even offers some changes to levels).

Casual and Classic

The original Mario vs. Donkey Kong experience may not be to everyone’s liking, especially with the whole “one hit” fail mechanic. The remake thus introduces Casual Style, which allows for a more forgiving experience as Mario no longer loses a life on getting hit, thus receiving more tries in a level and checkpoints while also removing the timer. Classic Style is available for those who want the same grueling gameplay, so don’t worry.

Time Attack

A brand new mode, Time Attack, is available to unlock in the remake and involves playing through each level while trying to rack up the best time. A target time is in the upper right corner, but you could keep replaying and try to set a new personal best.

Revamped Music

Though Nintendo hasn’t marketed it heavily, Mario vs. Donkey Kong’s music has been revamped. It retains that upbeat feel, though it remains to be seen if you can switch between the classic and modern music.

File Size

Small file sizes for Nintendo’s Switch titles aren’t a new thing. However, with so much content included, not to mention the revamped visuals and music, Time Attack, and more, it’s a little surprising that Mario vs. Donkey Kong is only 2 GB in file size, per the Nintendo eShop.

The opening is impressive when comparing it to the 2004 original on Game Boy Advance. For instance, instead of Donkey Kong simply having hearts in his eyes on seeing the Mini-Marios, he gets a telltale glow and slowly goes into a frenzy. The little details work well on top of the incredible visuals.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong launches on February 16th for Nintendo Switch. On top of the original’s levels and challenges, it adds two new worlds, local co-op, a Casual Style for more forgiving gameplay, and much more. With over 130 levels, there’s a lot on offer for new players.