We know the Pokémon series is always a big seller, but we're always surprised when we actually see the numbers. As part of Nintendo's latest financial results, published today, the company revealed that Pokémon Legends: Arceus has sold over 12.64 million units worldwide up to March 2022.
Despite being a different take on the Pokémon formula, the brand itself is infectious — as are those glowing reviews, of which we have one of our own — but over 12 million sales between its 28th January release and 31st March is a heck of a lot.
Breaking it down even more, Arceus sold an impressive 3.46 million copies in Japan, while the rest of the world gobbled up 9.17 million units. Not only that, an Alpha-sized 11.4 million of those sales came in just 10 weeks!
It's not the Champion of the Pokémon game sales on Switch yet, of course — that honour goes to Sword and Shield — and last year's Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl sold almost 14 million copies in a shorter period of time. That's perhaps not surprising as it's a more-traditional Pokémon game (and a remake). But Pokémon Legends: Arceus is proof that the series' formula can indeed be shaken up and still produce results.
The game is only about 2 million sales behind the remake duo, and it's not that far away from joining the current ten best-selling games on the Switch either. Do you think it'll crack the list eventually? Let us know in the comments.
[source nintendo.co.jp]
Comments 28
such a great game... the only thing that still gotta do is gain the tenth / last star.. sure ill come back soon to this..
I higly doubt if scarlet will be better than this game..
It could be that Shining Diamond released during the holiday period, so most people who wanted a Pokémon game got it then. Otherwise it may just be that Diamond looks more appealing and accessible to young children, while Arceus is a bit more niche.
Tbh the fact that PLA sold "only" 12.64mio copies in 2 months whereas BDSP sold 13.96mio copies between Nov 19th and Dec 31st (therefore about 1 1/2 months) is quite worrying
Tbf the fact that PLA didn't launch during holiday season, launched only 2 months after the last Pokemon game and that Gen 9 got announced only one month after release didn't help but I really hope TPC doesn't get the wrong idea that they should rather do careless 1 to 1 remakes than actually beig innovative
Impressive sales, wonder what they would have been like had they released two versions like Sword & Shield, Diamond & Pearl, etc.
@mariomaster96
That's the difference between launching during the holidays vs launching outside of the holidays.
For a singular Pokemon game (not two of the same), those numbers are mad. I'm praying this becomes a tradition, making a Legends game alongside a remake, that would make me very happy. Especially when Unova's next, that was my first gen and I would love to see it get the Legends treatment to finally show the original dragon that Reshiram, Zekrom and Kyurem were comprised of prior to being split up.
Was it released early in Japan or something?
Because there sure aren't 10 weeks from february 28th to march 31th.
@westman98 A little thing called Christmas. Unit sales between Oct to Dec can be as much as the rest of the year combined.
@shgamer it launched worldwide Jan 28th
@DaftAda Ok, my bad, I should have said from january 28th to march 31th. But it still doesn't add up to 10 weeks, more like a 8 and half.
Another title I still have to get my hands on...
@Rob3008 I would hope they wouldn't have been any different. But then there are people that have to buy both versions of the game, for some reason.
Besides the article says 12.64 million sold from january 28th to march 31th (approx. 8 and half week). But it also says it sold 11.4 million in the first 10 weeks. Does that mean that 1.24 million copies were returned from april 1st to approx. april 11th?
I know, nitpicking, but something doesn't add up (the same with Metroid Dread sales article btw).
Wow, that's a wild number.
Good sales numbers for the best Pokemon game. Hopefully it surpasses 15 million and the remakes.
I so hope Nintendo will stop making two versions of the same game after Scarlet and Violet. The sales can be the same if the game is good.
This game will pass the other Pokemon games before long. I can't wait for gen 9! And after Unova remakes.... That means KALOS REMAKES!!!!!
@shgamer You're right. The article claims that Arceus sold "12.64 million units worldwide up to March 2022", but also that "11.4 million of those sales came in just 10 weeks". Sounds like nothing wrong at a glance, but 10 weeks after January 28th is April 8th.
January 28 - March 31: 12.64 million
January 28 - April 8: 11.4 million
Somethin' ain't right.
Glad to see it sold great. Hope they keep evolving the mechanics that came out of this.
Absolutely loved this game and I’m glad to see it did so well despite releasing after the holiday season. It really felt like the step-forward the franchise needed.
This game has made me an avid shiny hunter. It's crazy how overworld spawns have changed the game in general for pokemon for me.
Oh no, now you'll have to edit this article: https://www.nintendolife.com/features/the-best-and-worst-selling-games-of-nintendos-biggest-franchises?page=2
Since someone thought it was brilliant to count sales without regard to release date 🤦♂️
@shgamer @Bret 12.64 million shipped units up until March 31st, not sold. There's a difference.
This game is still recieving support, and still bringing in new and returning fans alike. Not to mention it hasn't had a holiday bump yet. I really hope gamefreak continues to support the gane with more DLC, like thebdaybreak expansion as this would help keep momentum going. (Somebody tell me what that empty plot of land in NorthEast jubilife is for please.)
The only thing that could bar it from top ten is if people wait too long and decide to save their money for scarlet and violet insted (in my opinion I think legends will still be the best experience for your money. But it's too soon to say)
I would also like to point out gen 8's cumulative core-series sales (SwSh+BDSP+LA) add up to roughly 50 million sales not counting DLC sales. finally dethroaning gen 1 (RGBY) as the best selling generation ever.
Now the obvious caveat is that gen 8 released three entirely different games while gen 1 only had version differences.
On the other hand SwSh and BDSP alone now account for 38 mil which is still greater than gen 1's 36 mil and even the runaway sucess wich was the HGSS remake wasn't enough to bump the already popular Gen 4 past gen 1's record.
Congrats to Nintendo and Pokemon fans!
Now they'll think making a game that lacks so much will be a good thing. What a garbage game. Pokemon fans will swallow anything that's released.
Glad to see the biggest shake up the series has seen do well.
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