WithPokemonbeing one of Nintendo’s most popular franchises,Pokemon SwordandPokemon Shield’s success was always guaranteed. Few could have predicted just how successful the pair ofPokemongames would turn out to be, however. In Nintendo’s recently released financial report, the publisher confirmedPokemon SwordandShield’s staggering sales totals. The official total ofPokemon SwordandShieldcopies shipped is 16.06 million, in less than the two months the two games have been available.
Pokemon SwordandShield’s 16 million copies shipped makes the pair the best sellingPokemonrelease in a generation.Pokemon SunandPokemon Moonfell short of 15 million copies shipped in their first quarter of release.Pokemon XandPokemon Yfell short of 12 million. At this pace,Pokemon SwordandShieldseem certain to pass the top-selling games of the past 20 years, those beingPokemon DiamondandPearlwhich have sold over 17 and a half million.
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As successful asPokemon SwordandShieldclearly are, they still have a way to go before they reach the peak of thePokemonfranchise.Pokemon Red,Pokemon Blue, andPokemon Greenhave sold over 31 million lifetime. That’s near doublePokemon SwordandShield’s current numbers and is likely unattainable.Pokemon GoldandPokemon Silveralso havePokemon SwordandShieldbeat with over 23 million sold.
Pokemon SwordandShield’s salesmay never reach the levels of the first games in the franchise, but that’s not necessarily due to the quality of the games or the excitement for them. Those originalPokemongames had a platform that was staggeringly popular a the time. ThatPokemon SwordandSwitchis as popular as it is compared to the past 20 years ofPokemongames is evidence of just how successful the Nintendo Switch is. Nintendo’s latest Switch sales numbers puts it above 52 million units shipped.
Pokemon SwordandShieldweren’t the only titled to have a great 2019, however. According to Nintendo’s financial report,Pokemon Goalso did very well. It did so well that2019 becamePokemon Go’s most successful yearoverall in terms of revenue. It’s likely that the success ofPokemon GOhelped grow anticipation for the Nintendo Switch and the two newPokemongames. It will be interesting to see if that success continues through 2020, as well as what comes next forPokemon.
Pokemon SwordandPokemon Shieldare available now exclusively on Nintendo Switch.
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