Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have had a great worldwide launch. Actually a staggering one. But its success is most notable in Pokémon’s home region of Japan, where the title was the best-selling game of 2022 by a wide margin. And now its meteoric ascension continues – not even two months after release, it’s already sold more than the lifetime numbers of the last Pokémon game.
Total retail sales Pokémon Scarlet / Violet in Japan have surpassed those of Pokémon Sword / Shield, that's 8 weeks vs 3 years.
Including digital sales are of at least 6m, but I'd bet they're closer and maybe even over 7m. pic.twitter.com/d9HXq5xu9L
— Game Data Library (@GameDataLibrary) January 12, 2023
Because Nintendo doesn’t reveal digital sale data, we can’t know the exact numbers for sure, but overcoming these retail numbers in such a short amount of time is an absolutely mind-numbing achievement. And what’s more, the game is still selling faster than any game has in its time frame in Japan, opening up the possibility that it will become the new all-time leader. Though time will tell, especially considering the long tail of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Here's another comparison with some of the fastest selling games in Japan.
8 weeks in S/V is ahead of Pokémon Black / White, Animal Crossing: New Horizons & Pokémon Gold / Silver. pic.twitter.com/puUaHaVYRb
— Game Data Library (@GameDataLibrary) January 12, 2023
You can purchase Scarlet and Violet now, if you haven’t already.
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Written by Amelia Fruzzetti
A writer and Nintendo fan based in Seattle, Washington. When not working for NinWire, she can be found eating pasta, writing stories, and wondering about when Mother 3 is finally going to get an official localization.
