Unbelievable Switch Exclusive Surpasses All Competition with Unprecedented Winning Streak

Highlights

Nintendo Switch exclusive game Pikmin 4 has been the best-selling game in Japan for five weeks in a row, surpassing expectations.

Pikmin 4 continues to excel amidst fierce competition from other major game releases, boasting outstanding reviews and an impressive overall rating. As a Nintendo Switch exclusive, Pikmin 4 has secured its position as Japan's top-selling game for five consecutive weeks. Despite its release in July, Pikmin 4 has garnered widespread acclaim, earning its status as one of the most highly-rated new games of the year. However, it appears that the game has been somewhat overshadowed by the simultaneous release of numerous other blockbuster titles.

2023 has been a phenomenal year for the gaming industry and is likely to be hailed as one of the greatest in gaming history. With a consistent stream of highly anticipated and critically acclaimed games, such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom in May, followed by the releases of Diablo 4, Street Fighter 6, Final Fantasy 16, and Baldur's Gate 3, the industry has been buzzing. Among these titles, Pikmin 4 has garnered high praise and a strong overall review score, while its sales figures are currently undisclosed. However, in Japan, Pikmin 4 has been enjoying an astonishing winning streak, as reflected by its estimated sales of 54,904 copies this week and an impressive total of 721,281 copies sold in the region. Given that the Pikmin franchise is not typically associated with high sales numbers, it appears that the new exclusive for the Nintendo Switch has surpassed expectations. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether this incredible success in Japan will translate to other regions.

Pikmin 4 - 54,904 (721,281)

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - 16,859 (5,443,641)

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - 12,861 (1,833,086)

Minecraft - 9,994 (3,235,955)

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet - 7,996 (5,100,967)

Splatoon 3 - 7,586 (4,093,171)

Nintendo Switch Sports - 7,368 (1,158,904)

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - 7,313 (5,265,833)

Mario Party Superstars - 5,909 (1,285,614)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons sold 5,699 copies in July 2023, adding to its total sales of 7,517,866. Among the top-selling games for the US in July, Pikmin 4 ranked sixth upon release, trailing behind Remnant 2, Diablo 4, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Hogwarts Legacy, and Final Fantasy 16. Typically, a game experiences its strongest sales month upon release, suggesting that Pikmin 4 may not retain its position in the top 10 best-selling games list once the August numbers are tallied. Nevertheless, Pikmin 4's impressive sales in Japan may secure its status as the series' best-selling game in the long run.

Nintendo may reconsider the Pikmin franchise following the success of Pikmin 4's sales. Initially, there were discussions suggesting that Pikmin 4 might mark the end of the series due to its typically lower sales. However, the latest game seems to be reversing that trend. Moreover, if a potential Pikmin 5 could address the concerns raised by fans regarding the newest title, it might have the potential to achieve even greater success.

Though Pikmin 4 has received positive reviews, it has not been without criticism. The primary complaint from both critics and fans revolves around the game's reduced co-op options compared to Pikmin 3 Deluxe. If a future Pikmin 5 were to reintroduce robust co-op features, it could possibly surpass the impressive early sales numbers of Pikmin 4.

Pikmin 4 is out now, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.

Source: Famitsu, Gematsu