Nintendo announces that Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet have sold over 10 million copies combined, over their first three days of availability. Pokemon has long been one of the most successful video game franchises in the world. Every single main series Pokemon release has sold over 15 million copies, with many selling significantly more. For Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to reach over 10 million so quickly after launch, however, is a stunning accomplishment.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet officially launched on November 18, five days ago, which perhaps shows how excited Nintendo is about these numbers. The games have been harshly criticized for performance issues, including stuttering and significant graphics glitches. These issues went largely unreported until past launch, though, and so are unlikely to have impacted pre-orders or anticipation for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's release. Either that, or Pokemon fans aren't too bothered by the new games' lack of polish.
Nintendo describes the 10-million-sales threshold as the "highest global sales level" for any software ever sold on any Nintendo platform, over its first three days of availability. The incredible sales number includes both pre-orders and post-launch purchases, as well as both physical retail copies and digital game sales. Mario, Zelda, Super Smash Bros. and the rest have been left behind.
In a press release, Nintendo attributes the success of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to the game's many innovations and new features. Most prominent on the list is Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's open world structure, allowing players to freely explore and progress along three unique story paths as they please. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet also features, for the first time in the main series, co-op for up to four players to travel together. Those are both additions that Pokemon fans have inarguably requested for years.
For some perspective, 10 million in sales already puts Pokemon Scarlet and Violet over the total sales of Pokemon games including Pokemon Black 2 and White 2, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, and even Pokemon Crystal and Pokemon Emerald. Even Pokemon Red/Blue/Green's sales, which are over 30 million, may not be out of reach for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
It's going to be very interesting watching Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's sales going forward. Record-breaking launch sales are one thing, but the criticisms surrounding the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's performance issues and the resulting mediocre reviews could potentially stunt their momentum. A Pokemon game with momentum is a very difficult thing to slow, though.
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet are available now on Switch.