Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon sells 1.2 million units during launch week-end in Japan

Last week, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon was released worldwide, and it looks like it’s off to a great start… for a third version, that is. According to the usual early sales report from Famitsu, the game sold no less than 1 199 814 units during the first three days on the market. That number includes retail sales for the stand-alone version (including download cards), and the Dual Pack, but no digital sales.

In comparison, Pokémon Sun and Moon sold 1 905 107 units during its opening week-end, last year. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon sees a significant drop in sales, but that was to be expected for a third version (especially one released so early after the main one).

Whether or not the game can reach 2 million units LTD will depend on sales during the holiday period. After all, even if Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon wasn’t a third version (with less sales potential than a brand new entry, in the long run), it’s unlikely that sales of anything Nintendo 3DS (Hardware, Software) will be pretty good in 2018.

Here’s what previous third-versions sold at launch:

• Pokémon Yellow: 851 091 (2 294 065 LTD)
• Pokémon Crystal: 707 580 (1 871 307 LTD)
• Pokémon Emerald: 643 987 (2 197 017
• Pokémon Platinum: 967 675 (2 604 510 LTD)
• Pokémon Black 2 and White 2: 1 618 621 (3 019 274 LTD)

As we can see, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon ended up as the best-selling third-version, just below Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 (though the fact that this one was an actual sequel set in the same world makes a direct comparison a bit unfair). The real test is now for Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon to outsell the total sales of the games listed above, which is going to be much more difficult for the reason mentioned above.

Famitsu also shared some sales data for the Nintendo 3DS: it sold 40 582 units during Week 46, so about 18 687 units more than during the week prior to launch. As expected, the launch of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (and the special Pokémon models) did have a positive impact on sales, but it was limited.

That’s hardly surprising, given the Nintendo 3DS market is completely saturated (though it’s holding surprisingly well). Besides, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon don’t quite have the same selling power as a brand new entry. In comparison, during the Pokémon Sun and Moon launch week, the Nintendo 3DS sold 107 631 units.

Later today, Media Create will share their data, and Ultra Sun and Moon is expected to have a worse opening with them (lack of download card tracking + Dual Pack not being included in total sales).

Source: Famitsu