Pokémon Legends: Z-A Sales Hit 5.8 Million Units Across Switch and Switch 2 in Launch Week

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Sets Sights High With 5.8 Million Units Sold in First Week on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 The Pokémon Company continues to make waves in the gaming industry as Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the anticipated new chapter in the storied Pokémon series, has launched to significant commercial success.

In a recent statement, The Pokémon Company confirmed that Pokémon Legends: Z-A achieved a massive 5.8 million units sold worldwide in its debut week.

The title is available across both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo's latest hardware, Switch 2, positioning the franchise for continued growth across generations. Approximately half of the initial week’s sales were made on the next-generation Switch 2, according to information provided by Nintendo, though specific platform breakdowns have not been disclosed.

Considering the Switch 2’s relatively short time on the market, this uptake underscores robust anticipation and interest in both the hardware and the Pokémon franchise.

Notably, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is not exclusive to Nintendo’s latest console, making these figures even more impressive in a highly competitive release window. Within European territories, Pokémon Legends: Z-A secured the top spot in the weekend sales charts, outpacing titles like Battlefield 6.

However, European sales for this mainline Pokémon installment represent the lowest launch figures for the series since the 2018 debut of Pokémon: Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee, according to data from The Game Business.

Despite beating the prior weekend’s leader, Legends: Z-A sold approximately 28% fewer physical units in its opening compared to Pokémon Legends: Arceus in 2022.

The Game Business also verified that sales on Switch 2 outpaced those on the base Switch, complementing Nintendo’s earlier statements. It’s important to note that these figures account only for physical copies; Nintendo does not publicly report digital sales, so total performance could be even stronger than tracked numbers indicate.

The Switch 2 bundle that includes Pokémon Legends: Z-A has reportedly contributed to a significant boost for related titles, resulting in a 15% increase in Mario Kart World sales in Europe. As Pokémon Legends: Z-A is the flagship release for the franchise this year, expectations are high for continued commercial momentum throughout the holiday season.

Nintendo’s dual-platform rollout strategy has evidently succeeded in maximizing the game’s reach, with the Switch 2 version demonstrating superior performance while the title remains an enjoyable experience on the original Switch. With this strong opening, Pokémon Legends: Z-A stands as a testament to the enduring appeal and savvy platform strategies employed by both The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, ensuring the brand stays at the forefront of the global gaming scene.

Nintendo Switch 2 Pokémon Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 Switch Pokémon Legends: Z-A Pokémon franchise Z Pokémon Legends Legends: Z-A The Pokémon Company Game Business Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee Legends: Arceus Battlefield 6 Mario Kart World