Xenoblade Chronicles 3 sells 113 000 units at launch in Japan (retail-only)

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the third game in the series to be released on Nintendo Switch, after Xenoblade Chronicles 2 in December 2017 and Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition in May 2020. And it looks like it’s off to a great start in Japan: according to sales data from Famitsu, the game sold 113 000 units at launch (3 days).

In comparison, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 sold 97 000 units during the first 3 days, back in December 2020. Here’s how the previous games sold at launch:

• Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii): 79 163 units at launch, 163 442 units LTD
• Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (New Nintendo 3DS): 43 762 units at launch, 85 454 units LTD
• Xenoblade Chronicles X (Wii U): 88 544 units at launch, 114 665 units LTD
• Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Nintendo Switch): 97 274 units at launch, 242 566 units LTD
• Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (Nintendo Switch): 90 789 units at launch, 142 710 units LTD

NB: Famitsu data. Does not include digital.

Naturally, today’s number doesn’t include digital sales, which are expected to be especially strong. In fact, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 topped digital sales in July 2022 with only 10 days tracked (July 22nd to July 31st).

The game is rather expensive in Japan (8 778 Yen), which makes the Game Vouchers (for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers) extremely interesting. They cost 9,980 Yen, which means that if you use one to buy Xenoblade Chronicles 3, the other game will only cost about… 1 200 Yen!

Game Vouchers are increasingly popular in Japan, and they have had a noticeable impact on the sales of several titles, including Fire Emblem: Three Houses and… Xenoblade Chronicles 2! Of course, the game also benefited from the addition of Pyra and Mythra to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as DLC characters.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is off to a great start in Japan, and while we will have to wait for Nintendo’s official numbers in November to have a better idea of how the game is faring digitally, there’s no doubt the series is more popular than ever in Japan.

This new game should have no trouble outselling its predecessor, and by a wide margin to boot, especially if it follows a similar sales trajectory (Xenoblade Chronicles 2 enjoyed strong and steady sales in the long run, which was highly unusual for a JRPG).

Source: Famitsu
Via: David Gibson (Twitter)