Pokémon Legends: Z-A Tops US Charts as 2025’s Best-Selling Physical Game
In a shocking turn of events that surprises absolutely no one, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has already snagged the title of the best-selling physical game of the year in the US. Yes, you read that right. The game that launched just last month and stirred up a hornet’s nest of debate online is already topping the charts. It seems the unstoppable Pokémon money train just keeps on chugging, leaving a trail of broken sales records and bewildered critics in its wake.
During a recent interview, Circana’s video game industry analyst, Mat Piscatella, dropped this little nugget of information. He confirmed that Legends: Z-A is “so far” the “best-selling” physical release of the year. He also took a moment to state the obvious: the Pokémon franchise is an absolute juggernaut that has “broken all containment from the video game world.” You don’t say?
Why Are We Not Surprised by This?
Let’s be real. At this point, you could slap a Pikachu on a cardboard box, call it a “Deluxe Collector’s Edition,” and it would probably sell a million copies. The Pokémon brand is a force of nature. From toys to the seemingly infinite demand for trading cards, the franchise’s strength is undeniable. It’s the comfort food of the gaming world, and people just can’t get enough.
Remember when The Pokémon Company announced that Legends: Z-A had already sold over 5.8 million copies worldwide in its first week? It was a clear sign that no amount of online grumbling about graphics or game mechanics was going to stop this behemoth. While Europe’s retail sales were reportedly a bit softer, the US market has clearly embraced the game with open arms and wallets.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Pokémon?
This sales victory lap is happening at a rather awkward time, isn’t it? Just as we’re celebrating the success of a physical release, Nintendo has decided to launch the next spinoff, Pokémon Pokopia, as a “Game-Key Card.” This basically means you get a pretty box with a download code inside. It’s a baffling move, especially when you see how desperately fans still want physical copies of their favorite pocket monster adventures.
The success of Legends: Z-A sends a loud and clear message to Game Freak and Nintendo: for better or worse, you’ve got a license to print money. The hardcore fans can debate the quality and direction of the series until they’re blue in the face, but the casual audience, the kids, and the collectors will show up every single time. It’s a bittersweet reality. On one hand, it’s great that a beloved franchise continues to thrive. On the other, it does make you wonder if there’s any real incentive for them to innovate when mediocrity sells just as well as mastery.
So, did you contribute to these staggering sales numbers, or are you sitting on the sidelines shaking your head? Either way, it’s clear that the Legends series and the Pokémon name are here to stay, for better or for worse.
