Pokémon Legends: Z-A Leads European Game Sales Charts Despite Weakest Pokémon Launch on Nintendo Switch

Pokémon Legends: Z-A has made a formidable debut, topping the European video game sales charts for the week ending October 19, 2024.

Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the latest entry in the long-running Pokémon series secured the No.1 position in unit sales, pushing Electronic Arts’ blockbuster Battlefield 6 to second place.

This launch further cements Nintendo Switch’s continuing popularity with high-profile exclusives and underlines the enduring appeal of the Pokémon franchise in Europe. Despite this remarkable achievement, the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A comes with a notable caveat.

According to respected Games Business journalist Christopher Dring, Pokémon Legends: Z-A had the weakest mainline Pokémon game launch in Europe since the release of Pokémon Let’s Go, Eevee! and Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! in 2018.

Both of those titles were also Nintendo Switch exclusives, marking a significant point of comparison for the franchise’s commercial trajectory on the platform.

It is important to keep in mind that the current sales figures reported do not include digital download data from the Nintendo eShop, which may affect the overall picture. The European top ten unit sales chart reveals a dynamic week for the region’s gaming market.

While Pokémon Legends: Z-A debuted at the top, Battlefield 6, despite a 70% drop in unit sales from the previous week, claimed the No.2 spot.

EA Sports FC 26, an annual mainstay, rounded out the top three with a 30% decline.

Notably, Hogwarts Legacy saw a tremendous 244% surge in sales, showing the ongoing strength of established franchises on all platforms.

Meanwhile, Mario Kart World made a solid entry, fueled by Nintendo fans and strong Switch software support. In the European top ten revenue rankings, Battlefield 6 remained ahead monetarily, despite a substantial 72% week-over-week decrease.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A followed closely, highlighting its strong retail presence.

Other perennial hits like Borderlands 4 and Grand Theft Auto 5 demonstrated ongoing demand, while Nintendo exclusives such as Mario Kart World and Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 maintained significant positions in the revenue chart. While the absence of digital sales data may understate the overall performance of Nintendo’s latest release, Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s chart-topping physical sales confirm the series’ enduring draw on Nintendo Switch.

Game Freak and Nintendo continue to innovate within the beloved franchise, despite a shifting retail landscape that increasingly emphasizes digital distribution.

As the industry waits for full sales data, including digital downloads from the Nintendo eShop, the impact of Pokémon Legends: Z-A on European markets will become even clearer. For now, Pokémon Legends: Z-A stands as the best-selling physical video game in Europe for the past week, building on the legacy established by Pokémon Let’s Go, Eevee! and Pikachu! while facing new market realities.

Nintendo and Game Freak’s commitment to evolving the Pokémon series ensures its continued relevance on the Nintendo Switch, a platform that remains a leader in both hardware sales and exclusive game releases.

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