Pokémon Legends: Z-A has officially become the best-selling physical game of 2025 in the United States, according to market research from Circana. The game sold an impressive 5.8 million copies worldwide in its first week, with about half of those sales coming from the Nintendo Switch 2 platform.
Record-Breaking Launch
According to Mat Piscatella, senior director at Circana, Pokémon Legends: Z-A achieved the largest physical retail launch week for any Nintendo game in over two and a half years, only surpassed previously by titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
The game’s success is extraordinary given it has been on the market for only a few weeks and is expected to be one of the strongest sellers throughout the holiday season in 2025.
Sales Breakdown
Famitsu data from Japan showed Pokémon Legends: Z-A sold around 1.48 million physical copies in its first week domestically, predominantly split between Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 units. The rest of the world accounted for roughly 4.3 million units, indicating strong international appeal.
Physical sales data tracked by Circana doesn’t cover digital sales fully, meaning these numbers reflect only part of the overall revenue, which is likely much higher.
Why Pokémon Continues to Dominate
Mati Piscatella described Pokémon as “the biggest media property around right now,” dominating not just video games but also trading cards, toys, and various merchandise sectors. Its continued innovation making it accessible to new and old fans is a key reason for its sustained success.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is praised for building on the foundation of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, offering refined systems, an open-world experience, and blending exploration with Pokémon-catching mechanics that appeal to a broad spectrum of players.
Competitive Context
While NBA 2K26 leads in overall sales for 2025 in the US, Pokémon Legends: Z-A holds the top spot in physical game sales specifically. It also outperformed notable releases like Borderlands 4 in their launch period.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pokémon Legends: Z-A released?
The game launched on October 16, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
How many copies has Pokémon Legends: Z-A sold?
5.8 million copies worldwide in its first week, with about half on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Is Pokémon Legends: Z-A the best-selling game of 2025?
It is the best-selling physical game in the US for 2025 so far, though digital sales data is not fully available.
How does it compare to previous Pokémon games?
Legends: Z-A outperformed Pokémon X/Y and Let’s Go Pikachu/Eevee in launch week sales but falls short of the massive openings of Scarlet/Violet and Legends: Arceus.
Which platforms is the game available on?
Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2.
Conclusion
Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s record-breaking physical sales reinforce the franchise’s unmatched popularity and its ability to captivate audiences both new and old. As Nintendo heads into the holiday season, the latest Legends entry stands as a key pillar of its gaming lineup and a testament to the enduring power of Pokémon’s broad media empire.