Despite Severe Backlash at Release, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Achieved the Biggest UK Physical Launch for 2022

Published 11/21/2022, 1:50 PM EST

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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet launched on November 18, officially bringing Pokemon into the world of open-world games, with its openly explorable area. And numerous Pokemon to catch and battle.

Even before it launched, the game broke the record of securing the largest number of pre-orders ever in the series. After it launched, the game got positive reviews from critics and players alike. It’s been three days since Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have blessed the fans, and now it is already at the top for being the biggest boxed release of the year in the UK.

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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet had a massive Boxed Launch

As gameIndustry.biz head Christopher Dring stated on Twitter, “Pokemon Scarlet and Violet UK launch was suitably massive. Biggest boxed release of the year (bigger than FIFA). It’s the second biggest Pokemon launch of all time behind Sun & Moon (which launched the same year Pokemon Go took the world by storm)”

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Though the game still remains behind its 3DS predecessor Sun and Moon in the case of units, it is also stated that Scarlet and Violet have generated more money than Sun and Moon due to their higher sale price.

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Compared to previous games in the series Sword and Shield, Scarlet and Violet have sold 25% more in their first week, 70% more than Diamond and Pearl remakes, and 56% more than this year’s RPG Legends: Arceus. Of their total sales, Violet accounted for 52% and Scarlet for 42%, and the remaining 6% was accounted for by the Dual Pack, which includes both games.

FIFA 23 is finally dethroned

Previously, the spot for the game selling the most boxed copies was held by FIFA 23. Now the sports simulator has been pushed back to number two, followed by God of War: Ragnarok, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Scarlet and Violet Dual pack, Horizon Forbidden West, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Nintendo Switch Sports, and Sonic Frontiers.

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Not to say it’s surprising, as every time a new game releases in this series, it is sure to break a sales record or two. Thanks to the vast and very dedicated fan following that Pokemon games and Game Freak enjoys, it seems like this is the year of exclusives, as most games on this top 10 list are either PlayStation or Nintendo Switch exclusives.

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Written by:

Rohit Sejwal

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Originating from Delhi, Rohit Sejwal is an Esports writer at EssentiallySports who has done MSc in filmmaking. Academics aside, he is an Avid Gamer and has been writing about them every now and then. While RPG games are his forte, Soulsborne games are the ones that he cherishes the most.
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Edited by:

Jito Tenson