In a seismic shift shaking the UK gaming landscape, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach has spectacularly ended Mario Kart World's two-week reign atop the sales charts as of June 28. This cinematic masterpiece from Kojima Productions and PlayStation didn't just climb to #1—it rewrote the rulebook for AAA dominance while relegating Nintendo's beloved kart racer to second place. As I analyzed the latest GFK Entertainment data, I couldn't help but marvel at how Hideo Kojima's visionary sequel captivated British gamers despite fierce competition from established giants like Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition (#3) and Hogwarts Legacy (#4). The ripple effects extend beyond this crown jewel though—newcomers The Thing: Remastered (#7) and Tamagotchi Plaza (#29) made quieter entrances, revealing fascinating market dynamics.

🏆 The New Champion's Triumph

Death Stranding 2's meteoric rise isn't accidental. With a 90 Top Critic average on OpenCritic and 96% of outlets recommending it, this title delivers transcendent gameplay. Our sister site GameRant captured the magic perfectly: "Its huge world is fun to explore, graphics are incredible, and tools give players freedom to handle every challenge." This PS5 exclusive (released June 26) demonstrates Kojima's genius in blending exploration, narrative depth, and player agency—a formula that resonated powerfully with UK audiences craving innovation. Industry whispers suggest a PC port will follow, mirroring the original's trajectory.

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🔄 Nintendo's Rollercoaster Week

Mario Kart World's silver medal (#2) still reflects Nintendo Switch 2's impressive momentum since its debut. The plumber's racing extravaganza had dominated for 14 consecutive days—a testament to Nintendo's evergreen appeal. Yet the charts reveal deeper Switch 2 patterns:

Title Position Performance Insight
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe #5 Legacy title benefiting from Switch 2 enhancements
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet Re-entry Graphics upgrades boosting sales
Super Mario Party Jamboree #14 New release holding steady

Interestingly, third-party Switch 2 games face headwinds despite hardware success. As CD Projekt's Michał Nowakowski noted about Cyberpunk 2077 (#3): "Sales will spread out over time unlike our major releases on other platforms." Hogwarts Legacy (#4) defies this trend, proving some IPs transcend platform limitations.

❓ People Also Ask: UK Gamers' Burning Questions

  1. Why did Tamagotchi Plaza flop?

Bandai Namco's nostalgic revival stalled at #29—below even years-old titles. Its failure stems from mismatched audience expectations; modern gamers crave complex worlds, not simplistic virtual pets.

  1. How significant is Death Stranding 2's critical acclaim?

Monumental. That 90+ score signals rare artistic-commercial alignment, justifying its chart-topping status and influencing industry design trends.

  1. Will Switch 2 third-party struggles continue?

Early data suggests yes, though exceptions like Hogwarts Legacy prove compelling IP can overcome platform barriers.

🌌 Kojima's Expanding Universe

While celebrating this victory, Kojima Productions already pushes boundaries with two groundbreaking projects:

  • OD 👻: Xbox-exclusive horror collaboration with Jordan Peele (Get Out)

  • Physint 🕵️♂️: Hideo's return to spy genre—"an interactive game that's a movie simultaneously"

This creative pipeline ensures Kojima's influence will shape gaming for years.

Tamagotchi Plaza's underwhelming chart debut highlights audience evolution

💫 Full Top 20 UK Chart Snapshot

  1. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach 🆕

  2. Mario Kart World

  3. Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition

  4. Hogwarts Legacy

  5. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

  6. Minecraft

  7. The Thing: Remastered 🆕

  8. EA Sports FC 25

  9. The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt

  10. Mortal Kombat 1

...

  1. Tamagotchi Plaza 🆕

🌊 Riding the Wave Forward

As I reflect on this chart upheaval, Death Stranding 2's triumph symbolizes more than sales—it celebrates bold artistic risks in an industry often playing it safe. While Mario Kart World's consistency remains impressive, Kojima's beach has become gaming's new horizon. The UK market's embrace of this complex, emotionally charged experience suggests players crave meaningful innovation over familiar comforts—a hopeful sign for gaming's future as we navigate 2025's evolving landscape. From stranded couriers to magical schools, these charts prove every gaming journey finds its audience when passion meets purpose.