Pokémon Legends: Arceus Is Second Best-Selling First-Week Switch Launch

Famitsu has revealed that Pokémon Legends: Arceus has sold 1.425 million units in Japan during its first week of release, making it the second highest-selling Nintendo Switch game for that time frame, only behind Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This is an impressive feat for obvious reasons as this surpasses the likes of Super Mario Odyessy and Breath of the Wild, the Switch’s premier titles during their first weeks of release. Further, this number prevails over the first week sales of Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl by a narrow but still present margin.

You can view more details regarding this achievement via Fatmisu’s coverage.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus represents a long since necessary new step for the Pokémon franchise at large, ditching the mainline formula for an entirely new gameplay loop that has been met with general praise from fans and critics alike. More freeform exploration and the drastically fresh setting aid in that freshness as it feels like the series has finally taken a step forward for the first time in what feels like eons.

We will be sharing our review for Pokémon Legends: Arceus in the near future.

If you missed it, check out our review of the recently released Pokémon Shining Pearl.