Pokémon Legends: Z-A Outpaces Other Recent Pokémon Launches

The newest installment in Nintendo's Pokémon franchise posted the biggest physical-game launch in the U.S. in more than two years, underscoring the enduring appeal of boxed video games even as the industry shifts toward digital distribution.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A recorded the highest first-week sales of physical units and revenue for any Nintendo release since The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in May 2023, according to market research firm Circana.

Mat Piscatella, a senior director at Circana, described the game's retail performance as "massive" in a post on social-media platform Bluesky. The figures reflect only boxed copies sold in stores, as Nintendo doesn't disclose digital sales data for its Switch 2 console.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Sales Highlight Franchise Strength

The Pokémon Company's game sold 5.8 million copies globally in its first week, combining physical and digital sales. Roughly half were purchased for Nintendo's new Switch 2 console, the company said.

While the launch ranks among the franchise's strongest performances, it fell short of several previous releases. Pokémon Scarlet & Violet sold 10 million copies in three days in 2022, while Pokémon Legends: Arceus moved 6.5 million units in the same period. Pokémon Sword & Shield and Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl each sold 6 million copies in their first three days.

The strong retail showing comes as video-game publishers increasingly emphasize digital storefronts, which offer higher profit margins by eliminating manufacturing and distribution costs. Physical game sales have declined industrywide, making Z-A's performance particularly notable for traditional retailers and console makers that still rely on boxed products to drive hardware sales.