The future of Pokémon is now, and it’s arriving on two generations of hardware simultaneously. In a stunning display of the franchise's enduring power, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has stormed the charts, moving a staggering 5.8 million copies worldwide in its first four days of release. The game, which launched on October 16, 2025, for both the Nintendo Switch and the new Nintendo Switch 2, has already cemented itself as a commercial juggernaut.
The news was confirmed in an official press release from The Pokémon Company, which highlighted a key detail about the platform split: approximately half of all sales were for the next-generation Nintendo Switch 2.
“We are pleased to announce that the Nintendo Switch 2/ Nintendo Switch software 'Pokemon Legends: Z-A’, which was released worldwide on Thursday, October 16, 2025, recorded sales of 5.8 million units worldwide in its first week of release, with approximately half of those units being played on the Nintendo Switch 2,” the statement read.
This impressive debut solidifies Pokémon Legends: Z-A as the fifth-best launch in the franchise's history, a remarkable feat for a series known for blockbuster openings.
A Franchise in Context: How Z-A Stacks Up
For a series with a track record like Pokémon’s, breaking into the top five is no small achievement. According to sales tracker Pierre485 on X, the title slots in behind some of the franchise's heaviest hitters:
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: 10 million units in 3 days
- Pokémon Legends: Arceus: 6.5 million units in its first week
- Pokémon Sword & Shield: 6 million units over its launch weekend
- Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: 6 million units in 3 days
Despite trailing these records, Pokémon Legends: Z-A is already a roaring financial success. Industry leaks suggest the game, with a reported budget of $13 million (2 billion Yen), only needs to ship another 200,000 units to become profitable—a milestone it will undoubtedly smash in the coming days.
A Tale of Two Consoles: Regional Sales Breakdown
The hybrid launch strategy provided a fascinating look at player adoption of the new hardware. In Japan, the game was an undisputed hit, moving 1.485 million units. As noted by @Genki_JPN on X, sales were split with 872,552 copies on the original Switch and 615,905 on the Switch 2, indicating a strong and immediate uptake of the new console.
The story was similar in the UK, where Pokémon Legends: Z-A topped the physical sales charts with 51% of purchases being for the Switch 2. However, the UK data also revealed a interesting nuance: the launch was around 40% lower than that of its predecessor, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which released in early 2022.
Success Amidst Scrutiny: A Divided Reception
While commercially successful, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has been met with a wave of mixed reactions, creating a stark divide between its sales performance and its public perception.
On the critical front, the game holds a respectable 79 out of 100 on Metacritic. However, the user score tells a different story, sitting at a "Generally Unfavorable" rating of 4.6 from over 2,500 reviews.
A deep dive into player feedback reveals widespread frustration with several key areas. Many players have criticized the game's lackluster graphical fidelity, noting that it fails to fully leverage the power of the Switch 2. Others have pointed to minimal exploration and a surprisingly "flat" depiction of Lumiose City, a far cry from the vast, open areas some fans were hoping for.
This discontent boiled over at launch, with many in the community resorting to review-bombing the title. The core of the frustration appears to be aimed at developer Game Freak, with fans expressing anger over the studio's alleged "refusal" to introduce significant innovations and modernize the core Pokémon experience.
Despite the controversy, the undeniable sales figures prove that the appetite for new Pokémon adventures is as strong as ever. For many, the chance to return to the Kalos region and experience a new Legend is worth the price of admission.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is available now for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. You can find it for purchase here.
What do you think of Pokémon Legends: Z-A? Are the sales a testament to the franchise's strength, or are you among the players disappointed with the final product? Let us know in the comments.
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