After achieving the biggest videogame launch of all time in Japan, Pokemon Scarlet And Violet has just smashed through another major milestone in its home country.

According to Japanese game sales database Game Data Library, Pokemon Scarlet And Violet‘s Japanese retail sales have surpassed that of its predecessor Pokemon Sword And Shield. This is an astonishing achievement given that Scarlet/Violet has only been out for 8 weeks, while Sword/Shield has been out for 3 years. This figure does not include digital sales figures, which are likely much higher.

You can check out a chart illustrating this below, along with another comparing Scarlet/Violet‘s performance to other “fastest selling” videogames in Japan:

Here's another comparison with some of the fastest selling games in Japan.

8 weeks in S/V is ahead of Pokémon Black / White, Animal Crossing: New Horizons & Pokémon Gold / Silver. pic.twitter.com/puUaHaVYRb

— Game Data Library (@GameDataLibrary) January 12, 2023

Despite the Pokemon Scarlet/Violet being more technically flawed compared to Sword/Shield, it seems fans much prefer its more ambitious take on the Pokemon formula, at least in Japan. Only time will tell whether it will manage to keep up the momentum moving forward.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.