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in: Best selling games, Video games, Nintendo Franchises

Pokémon

Revision as of 03:24, 11 October 2017 by Jagged85 (Message Wall | contribs) (→‎Franchise gross)
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Pokémon is a media franchise owned by Nintendo, created in 1995 and debuted in 1996. It is the highest-grossing entertainment media franchise of all time, having grossed more than $70 billion in revenue, surpassing Star Wars.

In terms of software sales, Pokemon is the second best-selling game franchise, having sold over 295.44 million software units as of March 2017,[n 1] behind only Mario. In addition, Pokemon Go is the most-downloaded mobile game, with 752 million downloads.[3] Pokémon Trading Card Game has also sold over 23.6 billion cards,[4] making it the second best-selling trading card game, after Yu-Gi-Oh![5]

Sales figures

Releases with more than one million sold units:

Main series

Year Platform Titles Sales
(millions) 		Ref Gross
(million US$)
(no inflation) 		Ref Gross
(million US$)
(with inflation)
1996 First generation 59.52 2384 4448
1996 GB Pokémon Red/Green/Blue 31.38 [6] 1271 [n 2] 2372
1998 GB Pokémon Yellow 14.64 [6] 454 [n 3] 815
2004 GBA Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen 12 [6] 640 [n 4] 992
2016 3DS (VC) Pokémon Red/Green/Blue/Yellow 1.5 [7] 19 [n 5] 19
1999 Second generation 42.21 1990 3496
1999 GBC Pokémon Gold & Silver 23.1 [6] 1016 [n 6] 1785
2000 GBC Pokémon Crystal 6.39 [6] 211 [n 7] 359
2009 DS Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver 12.72 [8] 763 [n 8] 1041
2002 Third generation 36.33 1648 2681
2002 GBA Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire 16.22 [6] 689 [n 9] 1121
2004 GBA Pokémon Emerald 6.32 [6] 256 [n 10] 397
2014 3DS Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire 13.79 [2] 703 [n 11] 869
2006 Fourth generation 25.27 1150 1669
2006 DS Pokémon Diamond & Pearl 17.67 [8] 778 [n 12] 1130
2008 DS Pokémon Platinum 7.6 [6] 372 [n 13] 506
2010 Fifth generation 24.16 1194 1602
2010 DS Pokémon Black and White 15.64 [8] 759 [n 14] 1019
2012 DS Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 8.52 [6] 435 [n 15] 554
2013 Sixth generation 16.15 953 1197
2013 3DS Pokémon X and Y 16.15 [2] 953 [n 16] 1197
2016 Seventh generation 15.67 838 838
2016 3DS Pokémon Sun and Moon 15.67 [2] 838 [n 17] 826
Main series total 219.26 10157 18952

Spinoffs

Year Platform Title Sales
(millions) 		Ref
1999 Pokémon Pinball series 6.68
1999 GB Pokémon Pinball 5.31 [6]
2003 GBA Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire 1.37 [6]
1999 Pokémon Stadium series 9.95
1999 N64 Pokémon Stadium 5.46 [6]
2000 N64 Pokémon Stadium 2 2.54 [6]
2006 Wii Pokémon Battle Revolution 1.95 [6]
2003 Pokémon Colosseum series 3.78
2003 GC Pokémon Colosseum 2.41 [6]
2005 GC Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness 1.37 [6]
2005 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series 14.76
2005 GBA Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team 2.36 [6]
2005 DS Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team 3.49 [6]
2007 DS Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness 		4.88 [6]
2009 DS Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky 1.49 [6]
2013 3DS Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity 1.32 [6]
2015 3DS Super Pokémon Mystery Dungeon 1.22 [11]
2006 Pokémon Ranger series 6.81
2006 DS Pokémon Ranger 2.93 [6]
2008 DS Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia 2.35 [6]
2010 DS Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs 1.53 [6]
Other games
1998 GB Pokémon Trading Card Game 3.7 [6]
1999 N64 Pokémon Snap 3.63 [6]
2010 Wii PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure 1.25 [6]
2011 3DS Pokémon Rumble Blast 1.38 [6]
2016 Wii U Pokkén Tournament 1 [12]

Mobile

Year Platform Title Downloads
(millions) 		Revenue
(million US$) 		Ref
2016 iOS
Android 		Pokémon Go 752 1200 [3][13][14][15]

Franchise gross

Table

Date Gross revenue Ref
Trillion JP¥
(no inflation) 		Billion US$
(no inflation) 		Billion US$
(with inflation)
1997 4 7 [n 18]
1998 7.3 13 [n 19]
1999 11 19 [n 20]
2001 2 17 28 [n 21]
2002 3 26.1 42 [n 22]
March 2013 4 37 60 [n 23]
March 2015 4.4 41 65.1 [n 24]
September 2015 4.6 57 67.12 [n 25]
May 2016 4.8 64.4 75 [n 26]
March 2017 6 75.43 86.03 [n 27]

History

By June 1998, the Pokémon franchise was worth $4 billion in Japan.[16] By March 1999, Pokémon was generating revenues of nearly ¥400 billion ($3.28 billion) annually.[17] In Japan, the franchise earned ¥1 trillion by 2002, including ¥98 billion from Japanese software sales.[28]

Worldwide, the franchise earned ¥2 trillion by 2001.[18] By 2002, the franchise had earned ¥3 trillion,[20] including $15 billion from merchandise sales worldwide,[29] while the rest were earned from video games, anime, and trading cards. In 2005, a theme park was opened in Nagoya, Japan.[30] By 2013, the Pokemon franchise had earned ¥4 trillion in revenue.[22]

As of March 2017, the Pokémon franchise has grossed ¥6 trillion ($75 billion) in revenue. ¥78.87 billion ($739 million) was grossed from Pokémon films, which were seen by 74.33 million moviegoers, while the rest of the earnings were from the video games, trading card game, anime TV show, and licensed products.[4] This makes Pokémon the highest-grossing entertainment media franchise of all time, ahead of Star Wars ($42 billion), Harry Potter ($25 billion), James Bond ($6 billion), and The Lord of the Rings ($6 billion).[31]

Generations

First generation

The first generation of Pokemon consists of the worldwide Editions Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow and Pokemon Green which was only sold in Japan. They sold 47.52 million units on the Game Boy and Virtual Console.

FireRed and LeafGreen are first generation remakes. They sold 12 million units on the Game Boy Advance.

Second generation

The second generation consists of Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal. They sold 29.49 million units on the Game Boy Color.

HeartGold and SoulSilver are second generation remakes. They sold 12.72 million units on the Nintendo DS.

Third generation

The third generation consists of Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. They sold 22.54 million units on the Game Boy Advance.

Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, a remake of the third generation for the Nintendo 3DS, was successful. Pre-orders were ahead of X & Y and launch sales have been good. In America, the game has sold 2.6 million with versions combined as of the end of December and 2.9 million by the end of February. It sold 476,000 in France by the end of December 2014.[32]. In Japan, it sold 2.5 million by the end of 2014. They exceeded 10 million by September 2015. In May 2016, the game exceeded 3 million in Europe. They sold 13.68 million units in total.

Fourth generation

The fourth generation consists of Pokemon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum, with 25.24 million sold units.

Fifth generation

The fifth generation consists of two versions of each Pokemon Black and White, with 24.14 million sold units.

Sixth generation

The sixth generation consists of Pokemon X and Y, with 16.06 million sold units. In Japan, it has sold about 4.5 million.

Pokemon Go is based off this generation and has broken most records in relation to mobile charts, including being #1 in top grossing in the most countries as well as the fastest to hit $600 million in revenue.[33]

Seventh generation

The seventh generation consists of Pokemon Sun and Moon. Due to the preceding hype built by a Superbowl Commercial, re-releases of the original games on digital storefronts, and Pokemon Go, it surpassed Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire as Nintendo's most preordered game. In November 2016, the games have sold 3.7 million in the Americas and 1.5 million in Europe, becoming Nintendo's fastest seller titles ever. If Japanese numbers, the games sold about 7.5 million copies in 2 weeks. In the United States, by December 2016, the game had sold 4.5 million copies, making it the fastest Nintendo game to reach 4 million. As of December 31, 2016, the game has shipped 14.69 million copies, already outselling Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Demographics

The regional breakdown of Pokemon franchise revenues:[4]

  • Japan: 35%
  • Overseas: 65%

The demographic breakdown of Pokemon Go users:[34]

  • Gender:
    • Female: 63%
    • Male: 37%
  • Age:
    • 13-17: 22%
    • 18-29: 46%
    • 30-50: 25%
    • Over 50: 6%
  • Income:
    • Under $50K: 45.8%
    • $50K to $100K: 19.6%
    • Over $100K: 34.6%
  • Region:
    • Urban: 90%
    • Rural: 10%

Notes

  1. ↑ Pokémon:
    • 1996 to May 2016 - Over 280 million[1]
    • Pokémon Sun and Moon (November 2016 to March 2017) - 15.44 million[2]
  2. ↑ Average Pokémon Red/Green/Blue price: $40.50
  3. ↑ Average Pokémon Yellow price: $31
  4. ↑ Average Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen price: $53.33
  5. ↑ Average Pokémon Red/Green/Blue/Yellow (Virtual Console) price: $12.50
  6. ↑ Average Pokémon Gold & Silver price: $44
  7. ↑ Average Pokémon Gold & Silver price: $33.05
  8. ↑ Average Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver price: $60
  9. ↑ Average Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire price: $42.50
  10. ↑ Average Pokémon Emerald price: $40.50
  11. ↑ Average Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire price: $51
  12. ↑ Pokémon Diamond & Pearl:
    • Japan: 5.827 million units[9] at ¥4566 ($39.30) = $229.0011 million
    • United States: 4.33 million units[10] at $39.99 = $173.2 million
    • Elsewhere: 7.513 million units at £24.99 ($50) = $376 million
  13. ↑ Average Pokémon Platinum price: $49
  14. ↑ Average Pokémon Black & White price: $48.50
  15. ↑ Average Pokémon Black 2 & White 2 price: $51
  16. ↑ Average Pokémon X & Y price: $59
  17. ↑ Average Pokémon Sun & Moon price: $53.50
  18. ↑ Japan gross up until 1997[16]
  19. ↑ Worldwide gross in 1998: $3.28 billion[17]
  20. ↑ Worldwide gross in 1999: $3.28 billion[17]
  21. ↑ Worldwide gross up until 2001: ¥2 trillion[18]
    • Currency conversion: $17 billion[19]
  22. ↑ Worldwide gross up until 2002: ¥3 trillion[20]
    • Currency conversion: $26.1 billion[21]
  23. ↑ Worldwide gross up until March 2013: ¥4 trillion[22] ($37 billion, or $60 billion with inflation)
    • Gross up until 2002: ¥3 trillion ($26.1 billion, or $42 billion with inflation)
    • Additional gross up until March 2013: ¥1 trillion ($23.9 billion, or $30 billion with inflation)
  24. ↑ Worldwide gross up until March 2015: ¥4.4 trillion[23] ($41 billion, or $65.1 billion with inflation)
    • Gross up until March 2013: ¥4 trillion ($37 billion, or $60 billion with inflation)
    • Gross from April 2013 to March 2015: ¥400 billion ($4 billion, or $4.9 billion with inflation)
  25. ↑ Worldwide gross up until September 2015: ¥4.6 trillion[24] ($57 billion, or $67.12 billion with inflation)
    • Gross up until March 2015: ¥4.4 trillion ($41 billion, or $65.1 billion with inflation)
    • Gross during April-September 2015: ¥200 billion ($2 billion,[25] or $2.47 billion with inflation)
  26. ↑ Worldwide gross up until May 2016: ¥4.8 trillion[26] ($64.4 billion, or $75 billion with inflation)
    • Gross up until September 2015: ¥4.6 trillion ($57 billion, or $67.12 billion with inflation)
    • Gross from April 2013 to May 2016: ¥800 billion ($7.4 billion)[27]
  27. ↑ Worldwide gross up until March 2017: ¥6 trillion[4] ($75.43 billion, or $86.03 billion with inflation)
    • Gross up until May 2016: ¥4.8 trillion ($64.4 billion, or $75 billion with inflation)
    • Gross from June 2016 to March 2017: ¥1.2 trillion ($11.03 billion)[27]

References

  1. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20160721223226/www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/en/data/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/software/3ds.html
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://venturebeat.com/2017/06/30/pokemon-go-passes-1-2-billion-in-revenue-and-752-million-downloads/
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Pokémon in Figures. Pokémon Company (March 2017).
  5. ↑ https://www.konami-digital-entertainment.co.jp/en/news/topics/2011/0614/
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 Nintendo software and hardware sales data from 1983 to present, December 2014
  7. ↑ Financial Results Briefing for Fiscal Year Ended March 2016. Nintendo (April 28, 2016). Retrieved on May 1, 2016.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 IR Information : Sales Data - Top Selling Software Sales Units - Nintendo DS Software
  9. ↑ Famitsu: Japan's 21st Century Top 100 Selling Games
  10. ↑ http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-USPlatinum.shtml
  11. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2016/160427_4e.pdf
  12. ↑ http://www.siliconera.com/2016/08/18/pokkn-tournament-surpasses-one-million-worldwide-shipments
  13. ↑ http://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/11/pokemon-go-hits-600-million-downloads/
  14. ↑ https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/01/report-pokemon-go-has-now-crossed-1-billion-in-revenue/
  15. ↑ http://venturebeat.com/2017/01/17/pokemon-go-generated-revenues-of-950-million-in-2016/
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 http://cjonline.com/stories/082798/com_pokemon0827.shtml
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 http://thegia.com/archive/news/n990603a.html
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 http://www.iist.or.jp/wf/magazine/0196/0196_E.html
  19. ↑ 121 JPY per USD in 2001
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Japanese Pop Industry (MIT)
  21. ↑ 115 JPY per USD in 2003
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Pokemon X · Y" is released on October 12, 2013, Famitsu
  23. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20151205162239/www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/en/data/
  24. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20160628041935/www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/en/data/
  25. ↑ 121 JPY per USD in 2015
  26. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20160721223226/www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/en/data/
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 108.8 JPY per USD in 2016
  28. ↑ http://academic.csuohio.edu/makelaa/history/courses/his373/The%20Japan%20Times%20Online.htm
  29. ↑ http://archive.wired.com/wired/archive/9.09/topten_pr.html
  30. ↑ http://archive.li/4d5Jq
  31. ↑ Chew, Jonathan (December 24, 2015). Star Wars Franchise Worth More Than Harry Potter and James Bond, Combined. Fortune. Retrieved on November 29, 2016.
  32. ↑ http://www.lefigaro.fr/secteur/high-tech/2015/01/22/01007-20150122ARTFIG00382-nintendo-premier-vendeur-de-jeux-video-en-france.php
  33. ↑ http://venturebeat.com/2016/10/20/pokemon-go-is-the-fastest-mobile-game-to-hit-600-million-in-revenues/
  34. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2016/07/26/more-women-than-men-are-playing-pokemon-go-by-a-lot/
Best selling franchises
Mario · Pokémon · FIFA · Grand Theft Auto · Call of Duty · Wii Series · Lego · The Sims · Minecraft · Final Fantasy · Assassin's Creed · Need for Speed · Sonic · Madden NFL · The Legend of Zelda · Star Wars · Resident Evil · Pro Evolution Soccer · Tetris · NBA 2K · (more)
See also: Best selling games · Best selling games worldwide · Highest grossing franchises


Pokemon-mainline-LTDs-100-1-

Famitsu Japan sales through October 2008 (courtesy Chart Get!)

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