Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have become the fastest-selling video games ever released on a Nintendo console.

According to Business Wire, the latest dual titles in the long-running Pokémon game franchise racked up more than 10 million sales in their first three days of availability. The sheer number of copies shifted gives Pokémon Scarlet and Violet the largest worldwide launch weekend in Nintendo's history and makes them the fastest-selling games the company has ever released.

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The figure far outstrips the launch sales of 2018's Pokémon Sword and Shield, which managed to sell 6 million copies in its first three days -- a new record at the time, now pulverized by the sales of Scarlet and Violet. Prior to their launch, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet pre-orders also broke records, becoming the most pre-ordered game in the franchise's 26-year history.

While first-week sales have been meteoric, industry experts have expressed reservations that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's abundance of bugs and performance issues could see sales figures affected in the run-up to the holiday period. Many of the glitches have gone viral on social media as fans share videos of their janky experiences. Despite the bugs, fan reception to the games has generally been warm, with many enjoying the newly-provided freedom to choose their own adventure.

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Critics also picked up on the flaws, referring to them as glaring and highlighting them as a primary detractor from the overall experience. However, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet received praise for innovating outside the traditional Pokémon formula, with reviewers hailing the game's first true open-world and non-linear story a success. Many also complimented the game for drawing inspiration and mechanics from the well-received Pokémon Legends: Arceus, released earlier in 2022.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Are Out Now

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the first games in the Pokémon franchise's ninth generation. They take place in the Spanish-inspired region of Paldea and give players control of a young trainer enrolling in a new school. The game features three main storyline quests, a first for the notoriously single-tracked series, and allows players to choose which order to tackle them. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet also introduce the new Terastalizing battle mechanic, which enables Pokémon to crystalize and change their type during combat.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.

Source: Business Wire