Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, the all-new expanded version of the beloved JRPG, has shook up — or would that be “Shulk” up? — the UK charts. Following its release last Friday, May 29, the game almost immediately debuted at Number One on the list. It has unseated island life simulator Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which comfortably held the position for the past three weeks.
Already the Definitive Edition, which debuted for the Nintendo Switch, has sold more than double the number of physical copies when compared to the original, which released for the Nintendo Wii in Europe in 2011. According to the charts, it has not quite surpassed the first week sales of 2017’s Xenoblade Chronicles 2, which came out during the highly profitable Christmas holiday. However, it is essential to keep in mind that the UK charts only take into account physical sales, and many players have purchased Xenoblade Chronicles digitally via the Nintendo eShop.
Further, shake…I mean, Shulk-ups in the charts was caused by Sony’s Days of Play promotional campaign, which positively affected the sales of several PlayStation 4 and VR titles. In particular, Days Gone, The Last of Us: Remastered, and PlayStation VR Worlds all experienced a sales increase of more than 100%, landing them comfortably in the Top 10 (on 6th, 9th and 10th places respectively.)
Meanwhile, typical Top 10 mainstay Mario Kart 8: Deluxe has taken a surprising drop down to 12th. Also, both of last week’s new releases, Maneater, and Saints Row the Third: Remastered, fell out of the top ten, landing in the mid-twenties in their second week of sales.
Overall, the ongoing lockdown and quarantine measures, put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, have led to a general increase in interest in video games. If these trends continue, it is quite possible that Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition might enjoy a few more weeks in the Top 10 — and perhaps even another one in the coveted Number One spot!
Have you been enjoying Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition? Let us know!
