Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Surpass Red and Green as Japan's Best-Selling Titles After Nearly 30 Years

After nearly three decades, the iconic Pokemon Red and Green have been surpassed as the top-selling Pokemon titles in Japan. Recently, it has been confirmed that Pokemon Scarlet and Violet have taken the lead in sales figures, succeeding not only in Japan but also building a robust global presence. According to recent reports, over 8.3 million copies of these games were sold in Japan alone, a remarkable feat achieved just two years after their launch in November 2022. This accomplishment has allowed Scarlet and Violet to eclipse the longstanding sales record held by Red and Green, which had dominated the market since their introduction in 1996.

Determining the exact sales figures for Red and Green can be somewhat complicated. As of 2022, the combined sales of the first three iterations—Red, Green, and Blue—amounted to approximately 10.23 million units. It's worth noting that the Blue version, released internationally in 1999, complicates the numbers since it was not available in Japan until three years post-launch of the other two. Consequently, estimates suggest that Blue contributed around 2 million units to those total sales, leaving some ambiguity regarding the precise moment when Scarlet and Violet exceeded the original titles' numbers.

While it is noteworthy that these games have set new sales records domestically, they still have a considerable way to go to catch up in international markets. To date, Scarlet and Violet have collectively sold almost 25.7 million copies across the globe. This means they still need to sell several million more to surpass the international benchmark of 31 million established by the pioneering first-generation titles.

Overall, the series appears to be maintaining a positive trajectory. Previously, in August, Scarlet and Violet achieved the significant milestone of 25 million units sold, joining the ranks of only two other mainline Pokemon games that have reached this point—those being the original games and Pokemon Sword and Shield for the Nintendo Switch.

With the anticipated release of Pokemon Z-A and probable celebrations planned for the franchise's 30th anniversary in 2026, it seems that Nintendo has much to be pleased about regarding the performance of the Pokemon brand. While you're here, make sure to explore our list ranking the top Pokemon games.