There's little doubt that Horizon: Zero Dawn is one of Sony's biggest first party titles this year, not only coming from one of its biggest development studios, but backed by a huge marketing budget and already large install base as well. Even facing down the threat of a new console release with the Nintendo Switch and the near perfect scores for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Horizon: Zero Dawn now stands as Sony's biggest new franchise launch for the PlayStation 4.
According to a weekly sales chart put out in the UK, Horizon: Zero Dawn also represents the biggest launch of the year so far and captures the new IP record previously held by the divisive space exploration title No Man's Sky. The accolades don't stop there however as Horizon also represents the biggest PlayStation 4 launch the console has seen since Uncharted 4: A Thief's End released last spring. The previous chart topper, For Honor, fell to number 5 for the week.
Here's the full top 10 list for the previous week:
- Horizon: Zero Dawn
- Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Grand Theft Auto 5
- 1-2 Switch
- For Honor
- FIFA 17
- Super Bomberman R
- Rocket League
- Sniper Elite 4
- Battlefield 1
While it may not have reached the top spot, Nintendo also had a very strong showing thanks to the newly released Switch console. Even with a launch lineup many believed to be smaller than expected, Nintendo featured three games in the top 10, including Super Bomberman R, 1-2 Switch, and led by none other than The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. According to the data, 78% of the sales for made for the Switch and a higher than expected 22% going to the now defunct Wii U. Even with the impressive day one numbers, The Wind Waker and Twilight Princess remain bigger launches overall for the franchise.
If Sony's was thinking of turning this game into a franchise, these numbers will no doubt help make that a reality. Thanks to extremely positive critical reviews, strong sales have no doubt helped lead to word of mouth among consumers making it even more likely that big things are in store for this game. The days of Sony worrying about the game's protagonist negatively impacting sales all but seem to have dissipated.
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Horizon: Zero Dawn is available now exclusively on the PlayStation 4.
Source: GFK Chart-Track