Pokémon Legends: Z-A hits 5.8 million sales in first week

Pokémon Legends: Z-A has made an explosive debut, selling over 5.8 million copies worldwide in its first week — with nearly half of those sales coming from the Nintendo Switch 2. The Pokémon Company shared the impressive milestone following the game’s October 16 launch, marking one of the strongest openings for a Pokémon title in years.

Set in the bustling Lumiose City, Pokémon Legends: Z-A continues the open-world approach introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus but shifts focus to a more urban, story-driven setting. Players explore the city amid a major redevelopment project designed to bring harmony between people and Pokémon, introducing a new real-time battle system that redefines the series’ classic formula. The result is an experience that blends innovation with nostalgia — a direction both critics and fans have praised as a major step forward for the franchise.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A Emerges as One of Nintendo Switch 2’s Strongest Launches Yet

According to Nintendo Japan, the new Legends title ranks among the top five fastest-selling Pokémon games ever, surpassing Pokémon X/Y and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! in first-week sales. Its 5.8 million launch total also places it ahead of Mario Kart World, which sold 5.6 million copies in its debut month on Switch 2. The success signals not only Pokémon’s enduring global appeal but also the growing influence of Nintendo’s new console.

The game’s strong technical performance can be traced to its seamless launch preparation, including a pre-release update that ensured stable online features and connectivity from day one. Thanks to that, players have been able to trade, battle, and explore without disruption as they immerse themselves in the reimagined heart of Kalos.

Reviews have been equally positive, with IGN calling it “a fun setting to explore, a well-written story, and a total battle system overhaul that works surprisingly well.” Fans have also praised its sense of discovery and freedom, likening it to the thrill of rediscovering Pokémon for the first time.

With its strong start and excellent reception, Pokémon Legends: Z-A could soon rival Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which sold nearly 15 million copies within two months. For now, it’s clear that the Legends formula has become a defining force for the series’ future.

If you haven’t yet started your journey through Lumiose City, visit our price comparator to find the best deal on Pokémon Legends: Z-A for Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 — and experience this bold new evolution of Pokémon for yourself.