Last week saw the launch of The Isle of Armor, the first of two parts which make up Pokémon Sword and Shield's Expansion Pass. The release of the new content was always likely to encourage more fans to pick up a copy of the base games, but we now have our first slice of data showing the DLC's potential impact.
If you've checked the UK gaming charts this morning (which monitors physical game sales in the region), you'll have seen that Pokémon Sword has re-entered the top ten this week. According to GamesIndustry.biz, this jump from 15th spot is thanks to a very significant 51% increase in sales week-on-week.
Pokémon Shield actually dropped a place in the charts, from 21st to 22nd, although GamesIndustry.biz notes that it also saw a sales increase despite the fall in position. In fact, both Sword and Shield have reportedly enjoyed consecutive weeks of sales increases during the build-up to - and the launch of - the DLC.
We're yet to receive any official data on how many copies of the Sword and Shield Expansion Pass have been sold, but it'll be interesting to see how the base games have performed in other regions this week.
Have you bought the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass? Has the new content persuaded you to take the plunge and pick up the base game? Let us know with a comment.
[source gamesindustry.biz]
Comments 21
Not surprised, these games have already sold around 17 million worldwide, the DLC was only ever going to increase this.
@johnvboy 17 million? Is there a source for this?
@FragRed
https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/finance/software/index.html
@FragRed,
It was in Nintendo's financial figures.
The DLC fixed a lot of things the series needed desperately.
mostly them re-adding more pokemon in the patch (players refused to buy until their faves returned.) guess this isn't DLC specific since its just patched in, but that and following pokemon. Following pokemon is a huge request ever since HGSS when it was first introduced. People begged for it for years and having it just added a huge amount of charm to the game. Sadly the limited area you can use it at is lame but hey, even chilling in that area with your pokemon is super cool. Hopefully they bring this back for everywhere next game.
Isn't this because they bought the wrong DLC for the opposite game they owned though? So got mummy and Daddy to get the game they got the DLC for?
@johnvboy @mariomaster96 Cheers thanks. I knew it would do well but that figure is crazy big.
Can't wait for the probably disappointing announcement on Wednesday.
Maybe it's because they only recently got their hands on a switch? Wait till they see how bad the online is after getting they will all be looking for refunds
@Araquanid they never make it a series staple because they know it's one of those things that makes fans splurge on a game they might not have interest to buy (remakes, dlc ...)
@FragRed,
Crazy when you consider the let's go games have sold around 12 million copies as well, not a bad start for them on the Switch.
@Araquanid Not to play the correction game. Technically, Yellow was when the concept of a walking Pokémon was first introduced. HGSS did expand on it allowing any Pokémon other than Pikachu to do so.
@johnvboy That’s impressive for a spin-off game, actually only 5 million behind a mainline game says a lot. Also what this should tell people is that getting angry over things on the internet makes no real difference at the end of the day.
I thought the dlc was fun and I’m very happy with the things it added (following Pokémon, nice new wild area). Only problem is that I thought it was extremely short and once the initial excitement wears off you realise there’s really still not that much to do unfortunately. Just got to wait for Crown Tundra now I guess.
I think the perfect opportunity to play this game will begin after both dlc expansions release so I can get the full experience all in one go.
@FragRed,
Don't say that on here mate, the vocal minority will be after you, and sales do not mean people actually are having fun with the game, or so they tell themselves.
Haven't finished it. But I'm impressed so far at the size of the area. I haven't even really started the story portion yet. Just been going around collecting Pokémon to put into Home. I admit to being a bit of a Pokémon hoarder, lol
Pokemon Sword/Shield is pretty much guaranteed to surpass 20 million copies sold at this point. The release of Crown Tundra and the absence of a new mainline Pokemon game this holiday should give it an even bigger sales boost during later in the year.
I'm interested to see if Nintendo/The Pokemon Company is ever willing to divulge how many people have downloaded the Expansion Pass, and if so, how much.
Pokemon Crystal, Emerald, Platinum, Black 2/White 2, and Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon have each sold between 6.5 to 8.5 million copies. Download figures for the Expansion Pass should fall within that range if they are truly going to replace the 3rd version Pokemon titles.
Nice, closing in on 20 million already. Looks like the angry mob had little affect on this game. 😁
@johnvboy Oh of course. We all know millions of people just hate themselves so much that they are willing to put themselves through the harshest punishments such as playing Sword and Shield, capturing every single Pokémon then buying the DLC to do the same thing.
Game's good and so is the DLC.
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