The titles of the eighth generation of Game Freak threaten the best records of the saga of the last twenty years and point to the 20M barrier.
Pokémon Sword and Shield have sold more than 16.06 million units worldwide since its launch last December 15 on Nintendo Switch. The new installments of the Game Freak saga, which inaugurate the eighth generation in the Galar region, confirm its success after selling more than 6 million copies in just three days. It is the highest rhythm of the saga since Gold and Silver (1999).
Higher sales speed of the last twenty years
According to the data presented by Nintendo in its last meeting with shareholders (FY3 / 2020), the title of The Pokémon Company has computed until last December 31 – summing up physical and digital units – almost as much as Pokémon Sun / Moon (2016 , 3DS), which adds 16.18 million units since its departure; and very close to the 16.44 million copies registered by Pokémon X / Y (2013, 3DS). What were the beginning of the seventh and sixth generation of the saga, respectively.
Cumulative sales until December 31, 2019 | Nintendo IR Data
Gone are the records of Pokémon Ruby Omega and Alpha Sapphire (2014, 3DS) with 14.26 million units in just 46 days; or 8.70 million copies of Pokémon Ultrasol / Ultramoon (2017 / 3DS).
With these numbers, Game Freak aspires to surpass Generation IV as well; which would make this eighth generation the best selling since the second, back there by Game Boy, with Pokémon Gold and Silver (23.1 million units).
Generation VI, VII and remake of III
By allusions, Pokémon Pearl and Diamond (2006, NDS) sold a total of 17.67 million units as the fourth generation; while the fifth generation, Pokémon Black and White (2010, NDS), is already far away with 15.65 million units sold.
Pokémon Sword and Shield are now available exclusively for Nintendo Switch; You can read our Reviews here and here our complete game guide. In June, the first part of its Expansion Pass will be launched; In autumn, the second part.
