Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Surpass Sword and Shield in Sales

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have now surpassed Pokémon Sword and Shield to become the second-best-selling games in the franchise, with sales totaling 26.79 million units according to Nintendo's latest figures. Despite widespread criticism over technical issues, bugs, and lack of visual polish, the games' open-world format and franchise appeal drove record-breaking sales, even outpacing their predecessors which had a three-year head start. While Scarlet and Violet are unlikely to overtake the original Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, which sold over 30 million units, their commercial success marks a notable achievement for the series' Switch era. The next major release, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, is set to debut on both Switch and Switch 2, with anticipation that the new hardware could further boost future sales. The continued popularity of Scarlet and Violet demonstrates the enduring appeal of the Pokémon franchise, even amid ongoing concerns about game quality. Looking ahead, the franchise is expected to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, possibly with major new releases and special events.