Nintendo Switch has been claiming many a sales record as a console - racking up impressive performances everywhere from Italy and France to an astounding 4.8 million units shifted in the US alone - but what about its individual games? Well, according to some Japanese chart data release last week, Splatoon 2 has sold so well it's shifted 2 million copies in Japan thus far, making it the first home console title to do so in almost ten years.
Unlike the west - where solid chart information can be incredibly difficult to find - Japan's figures are always consistently transparent, with the last week's numbers revealing Splatoon 2 had been the highest selling piece of software over the Christmas break - holding off Super Mario Odyssey (2) and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (3) in a Nintendo-heavy performance in the top ten. By hitting the 2 million mark as well, Splatoon 2 becomes the first game to do so in Japan since Wii Party in 2010.
With plenty of support from Nintendo, clearly the multiplayer paint-fest has proved a hit worldwide, but what do you think of it? Are you still taking part in those themed splatfests or has its inky appeal worn off? Drop us a line below...
[source metro.co.uk]
Comments 66
Wow. I knew splatoon was big in Japan, but I didn't think it was that big.
@Jake-06 you obviously haven't seen the concerts with Callie and Marie
Definitely on it in some form or another, usually Salmon Run and Splatfests. I'm slacking a bit in Ranked. But I'm still gonna chase S+x, though!
BTW, congrats fellow comedians! Thanks for the crazy win streaks, Team Action
Very impressive.
I got bored quickly. It is a very competitive game and not suit for casual gaming. I definitely prefer Arms.
That is truly impressive.
Huh, I was under the impression that the newer Monster Hunter games had sold 2mil+.
Congrats to Splatoon 2, I think it deserves it!
"Unlike the west - where solid chart information can be incredibly difficult to find" That's so companies like Bungie can claim record sales even though retailers are saying 50% less copies sold for their games.
I think the actual data says first CONSOLE title. As in non-handheld.
The few 3DS games that sold over 10 million copies total almost definitely sold more than 2 million in Japan. See:
http://tinycartridge.com/post/38868296933/animal-crossing-new-leaf-is-selling-like-hotcakes
This article is misleading. Splatoon 2 is the first home console game to sell over 2 million copies since Wii Party.
Plenty of 3DS games have surpassed that sales milestone.
I was just about to comment, but see @westman98 and @Dezzy were one step ahead of me.
Had to seriously google this, seeing how I couldn't believe it. Monster Hunter, Pokémon, Tomodachi, all of them ridiculous hits in the last couple of years. But yeah, 2 mil for a home console game in Japan is impressive.
Now that's one way to spin an article. Plenty of handheld games have sold better and it's not really fair to compare it with how console sales only, since it's a hybrid.
Plus, I'm quite sure that record will soon be broken by MHW now that it's no longer handheld.
Cya
Raziel-chan
Nice to see it doing well, I still play a couple of daily matches.
@Razzy MHW sell over 2 million in Japan. Yeah I not so sure that's gonna be happening dude
At least from the UK, the data isn't hard to find it just has to purchased and it's expensive. I imagine no one is prepared to pay for it or interested enough to pay for it, analyse it, and share across sites like this.
Very well done though, great game. I haven't played it as much as Splatoon but only because it's a time sink and my backlog took a beaten.
Splatoon 2 deserves every sale it gets. Probably my favourite game on the Switch, although Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is close.
I have an addiction to this game like none other
I do not understand the article? Is it the first Nintendo home console to sell 2 million copies in ten years?
@River3636 first game on any console excluding 3DS to sell 2m copies in Japan
Except the Switch is more a handheld than a home console.
@kobashi100 Excluding 3DS, I still don't get it.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE That is right also
So the 3DS does not count?
Put a proper Pokemon games for Switch and say Hello to 3 - 5 Millions.
@River3636 they are counting home console software only.
If the 3DS doesn't count as a 'home console' then I'm not sure the Switch should either. (Though to be honest, I mainly use mine docked).
@Rika_Yoshitake To be fair, it's difficult to find numbers in Japan as well. It's not any more 'transparent' than the sales in Europe and NA. The so-called 'transparency' comes from sales tracking sites like Media Create and Famitsu. They're no different to NPD. They're all estimates, not actual numbers from the companies. But people treat them as gospel, even though the same people probably loathe something like VGChartz. I'm sure there's tracking sites for each individual European country too, but none can be bothered to look them up and compile them into a weekly list.
@kobashi100 I mainly use it as a portable because of the no Netflix thing. So I guess the wording should have been better.
@Octane VGChartz were exposed to be showing fake numbers.
I love Splatoon 2 and it's right up there for my favourite game on the console. It was my console seller as I didn't get a Switch until that came out. I've put in over 80 hours and I just played in the Splatfest this past weekend. I'm so glad to see a new IP have back to back successes on the Wii U and now Switch.
@kobashi100 Exposed? lol. They got their own data on which they based their estimates. But they worked with a relatively small pool of data, so some of their data could be off. Not by miles, but it was a significant difference, however everyone seems to ignore that those instances were far and few between. The difference is that they're always adjusting their numbers as more accurate sources (preferably from the companies themselves) are released. These days they only use other sales tracking sites like NPD and Media Create. So their numbers aren't any more fake than those of other tracking sites. If you know how to use the website, it's an useful tool. Especially since not every company releases sales data. It's often the best we have, and I think the best a very dedicated group of fans can achieve. Anyway, not going to turn this into a VGChartz debate, so this is all I'm going to say on the matter.
I guess the new narrative will have to be "well Japan does love shooters".
This is insane. Japan sure loves Splatoon. Here’s hoping this encourages Nintendo to branch out into new IPs more often.
Well deserved. Splatoon is the one game I try not to play, because it’s so addicting and fun, not helping me clear my backlog.
Can't believe this beat out Odyssey! I skipped the first one entirely, and got 2 for my birthday. For some ungodly reason, I have put over 300 hours on this game.
So, I'm right there with you @nab1... When I sit down to play, I have to avoid putting in Splatoon, or it wI'll eat my entire evening
@Hikingguy can be defined as a home or handheld console depending on the user
Great numbers for a handheld, well done Splatoon, now for 3 million
Wife and I still play together several times a week (including yesterday)
Still one of my favorite games and I play it all the time!
Splatoon 2 is the foremost reason why I've still not beaten Mario + Rabbids, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and Thimbleweed Park on my Switch. I just keep coming back to it instead of other games.
Not strictly a home console game though.
@Hikingguy I am pretty sure most people in Japan don't play Splatoon in handheld mode since they play competitively. I don't get why people are trying to crap all over the fact that Splatoon is huge in Japan. Another title: Splatoon 2 hits 2 million before Game of the Year Breath of the Wild. Seem more impressive now?
Yeah but you combining all the sales there. The Switch not a dedicated home console.
The 3DS breaks 2million a bunch of times. The Switch has tapped into that market also.
@zeldagaymer93
"Splatoon 2 hits 2 million before Game of the Year Breath of the Wild"
That is a bit sad actually.
@Agramonte How is it sad? They are both great games selling well. Japan just loves their Splatoon because it's a really fresh competitive game that mirrors Japanese culture in a lot of ways.
@zeldagaymer93 I just find Zelda to be one of the best games i have played in decades. I mean the tables are turned in the West - so yeah I'm being Eurocentric I guess.
@Agramonte You can have the opinion that a game you love is better than one that's more popular in a different part of the world. I just dont think it's sad that Splatoon 2 is beating BOTW in Japan since BOTW is still selling really well. It just shows how big Splatoon is there and Nintendo fans should be happy that a new Nintendo IP is doing so well and selling like hot cakes.
As much as I love Splatoon 2, the one criticism I have is that the solo matchmaking can be terrible, plus you just can't jump into an objective-based mode like Rainmaker or Tower Control while solo without going into Ranked. Best bet while solo is Salmon Run and even that can get frustrating if teammates don't know what they're doing.
This game shines when you do it with friends or teammates you can communicate with; not so much when alone.
@Agramonte I don't see how it is sad. Different people have different tastes. Japanese gamers like Splatoon more than Zelda. It's their choice. If everyone in the world liked the same thing, the world would be boring.
That, is amazing. Guess Nintendo can still create new IP's that move people
Splatoon 2 is surely a home console game in spirit, whether or not you class the Switch as an home console itself. I don't imagine many people are getting stuck into Splat Zones during their commute.
@NinNin oh for sure - but everyone roots for their horse.
Just like I find it a bit sad Monster Hunter and FIFA are not more popular in the States. It is rooted in a desire not a critique of a general preference.
100% agree it would be a boring place - we wouldn't even have a reason to have the exchange we having now.
@Iacobus
you 100% on the friends/com thing - why I created this contraption... I know it is fugly but it works
@Ham-n-jam Monster Hunter games don't sell very well on home consoles.
Which is why monster hunter world is such a puzzling decision to me...
Perhaps it is a bit misleading to compare the Switch to other home consoles, as it is a hybrid.
However, the Switch's hardware and software are priced like home console hardware and software, and Splatoon 2 is a sequel to Splatoon, a home console Wii U game, so I guess the comparison is somewhat apt.
Instead of saying home console or handheld console. Just say hybrid console. 3ds is a handheld that you play on the go, but not on TV. Ps4 & Xbox one are home consoles that you play on TV but not on the go. The switch is both hence the hybrid console.
I sold my copy. Felt more or less the same as the first one on Wii U. It's why I don't bother with Call of Duty.
I love the game, but like most Multi-player centric games where the only progress is a meaningless(to me) rank and the occasional gun unlock, it gets sidelined for story and adventure games like XC2, Odyssey, and even Stardew Valley. I have fun playing Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8 and games like it, but they don't give me any feeling of progress and don't hold my attention as strongly.
@Melkac Yeah, it looks like I either misread the title or it was amended to say "home console", I was thinking about the 3DS MH games.
On a side note, I think a MH Switch exclusive game has the potential to sell really well. A great-looking portable MH would be amazing!
Splatoon is a monster in Japan, there is no other way to put it. When Pokemon releases, though, those will be crazy numbers.
Wii Party??? I can never understand Japan. Excellent game though, both of them
I am not surprised. The first Splatoon game sold out in Japan and also caused a Wii U shortage in Japan in 2015!
Of course it had to be a game about squids...
I just bought it for my nephew so I'm back like cooked crack
@Jake-06
Yeah, it's a big deal over there. I went to Japan for business 2 years back, and bought so much Splatoon crap cause it just doesn't have that kind of fanbase in the States or Europe.
@Ham-n-jam Monster Hunter Portable World is pretty much guaranteed, tbh.
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