Best Pokémon Game 2025
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet reached 26.79 million units sold by March 2025, surpassing Pokémon Sword and Shield to become the second best-selling mainline Pokémon games in franchise history. The Pokémon series sold 489 million video game units globally by early 2025, with Scarlet and Violet representing the most commercially successful titles of the current generation. This analysis examines sales data, market performance, and release timing to determine which game holds the top position in 2025.
Best Pokémon Game 2025 Key Statistics
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet sold 26.79 million units globally as of March 2025
- The Pokémon franchise reached 489 million total video game units sold by March 2025
- Scarlet and Violet exceeded Sword and Shield sales by 70,000 units to claim second place
- Pokémon Legends Z-A recorded 5.8 million units sold in its first week after release
- Scarlet and Violet became the best-selling Pokémon game in Japan with 8.3 million units
Pokémon Franchise Sales Performance in 2025
The Pokémon franchise maintained strong commercial momentum through early 2025. Total video game sales reached 489 million units by March 2025, according to My Nintendo News.
The trading card game sold 75 billion units by the end of March 2025, demonstrating brand strength across multiple product categories. This multi-platform success creates sustained interest in new video game releases.
Mainline Pokémon games continue to drive franchise revenue. The top three best-selling titles account for over 84 million combined units, with recent Switch releases performing particularly well in global markets. The strategic gameplay elements attract players across age groups.
Best Pokémon Game 2025 Sales Analysis
Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green hold the top position with 31.38 million units sold on Game Boy. Scarlet and Violet rank second at 26.79 million units, followed by Sword and Shield at 26.72 million units.
The sales gap between Scarlet/Violet and Sword/Shield stands at just 70,000 units, marking a competitive race between the two most recent generation releases. Both games launched on Nintendo Switch and benefited from the console’s large install base.
Scarlet and Violet released in November 2022 and reached their current sales figure within approximately 28 months. The sustained sales performance indicates strong player retention and continued market demand for generation nine content.
Top-Selling Mainline Games Breakdown
| Rank | Game Title | Platform | Units Sold (Millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pokémon Red/Blue/Green | Game Boy | 31.38 |
| 2 | Pokémon Scarlet/Violet | Nintendo Switch | 26.79 |
| 3 | Pokémon Sword/Shield | Nintendo Switch | 26.72 |
Pokémon Scarlet/Violet Sales Breakdown
Scarlet and Violet achieved 26.79 million lifetime sales by March 31, 2025, according to Nintendo Life. The games launched simultaneously in November 2022, introducing generation nine Pokémon and the Paldea region to players worldwide.
Japan represented a significant portion of total sales. The games reached 8.3 million units in the Japanese market by November 2024, making them the best-selling Pokémon titles in that region according to Game Reactor.
The sales velocity for Scarlet and Violet exceeded previous generation launches. Strong opening week performance combined with sustained long-term sales allowed the games to surpass Sword and Shield’s lifetime totals within a shorter timeframe.
Digital and physical sales both contributed to the total. Nintendo Switch’s hybrid nature enabled players to purchase either format, with Pokémon board game fans also showing interest in the video games’ strategic gameplay elements.
Best Pokémon Game 2025 Comparison: Scarlet/Violet vs Sword/Shield
Scarlet and Violet launched three years after Sword and Shield in November 2019. Both generation eight and nine games released on Nintendo Switch, allowing for direct sales comparisons on the same platform.
Scarlet and Violet reached 26.79 million units while Sword and Shield sold 26.72 million units by March 2025. The 70,000 unit difference represents less than 0.3 percent variance between the two titles.
Generation nine games demonstrated stronger performance in the Japanese market specifically. Sword and Shield did not achieve the same 8.3 million unit milestone in Japan that Scarlet and Violet recorded.
Release timing favored Scarlet and Violet. The games launched when Switch had a larger install base compared to 2019, providing access to more potential customers. Trading and battling features appealed to players seeking multiplayer experiences.
| Metric | Scarlet/Violet | Sword/Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime Sales (March 2025) | 26.79 million | 26.72 million |
| Release Date | November 2022 | November 2019 |
| Generation | IX | VIII |
| Japan Sales Peak | 8.3 million+ | Not disclosed |
Pokémon Legends Z-A Performance
Pokémon Legends Z-A sold 5.8 million units globally in its first week after release, according to Nintendo Life. The game represents a new direction for the franchise with its legends-focused gameplay.
Japanese retail sales reached 1.485 million units in week one. The game sold 872,552 units on standard Nintendo Switch and 612,905 units on Switch 2, showing strong adoption across both platforms.
The first-week performance fell short of Scarlet and Violet’s launch numbers. While 5.8 million units represents solid sales, the game needs sustained momentum to compete with mainline entries in lifetime totals.
The game’s long-term sales trajectory remains uncertain. Legends Z-A released later in 2025, providing insufficient data to project final sales figures or compare against established titles with multiple years of sales history.
FAQ
What is the best Pokémon game in 2025?
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet hold the position as the best Pokémon game in 2025 based on sales volume, with 26.79 million units sold by March 2025. The games represent the highest-selling mainline entry of the current generation.
How many copies did Pokémon Scarlet and Violet sell?
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet sold 26.79 million copies globally as of March 31, 2025. The games reached this total within approximately 28 months after their November 2022 release on Nintendo Switch.
Did Pokémon Scarlet/Violet outsell Sword/Shield?
Yes, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet outsold Sword and Shield by 70,000 units as of March 2025. Scarlet and Violet reached 26.79 million sales compared to Sword and Shield’s 26.72 million units.
How many Pokémon games have been sold in total?
The Pokémon franchise sold 489 million video game units globally by March 2025. This total includes all mainline games, spin-offs, and remakes released since the franchise began in 1996.
How did Pokémon Legends Z-A perform at launch?
Pokémon Legends Z-A sold 5.8 million units worldwide in its first week after release. The game achieved 1.485 million retail sales in Japan during week one across Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 platforms.
