Considering the Wii U's lackluster console sales worldwide (6 million and counting), Nintendo needed a big hit to rejuvenate the system and get folks interested again. Thankfully, it looks like Mario Kart 8 has become that game, as Nintendo has announced huge sales for the game in its opening release weekend.

During the period of May 29th through June 1st, MK8 has managed to sell 1.2 million copies around the world. That makes it the sixth best selling Wii U game to date--yes, already--and could lead to bigger sales over the summer through word-of-mouth. That also makes it hit roughly 1/5 of the entire Wii U install base.

The Mario Kart series is no stranger to big sales, as Mario Kart DS has sold over 23 million copies since its release, while nearly ten million units of Mario Kart 7 sold. Leading the pack, however, is Mario Kart Wii, with nearly 36 million copies sold worldwide.

"The early response to Mario Kart 8 demonstrates that the best days for Wii U are still ahead," said Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime. "This year's E3 is just days away, and it will be all about the future games for Nintendo platforms. This milestone is a great place to start!"

If you need a reminder just how great Mario Kart 8 is, check out our review.