As Pokémon approaches its 30th anniversary, The Pokémon Company has revealed an impressive sales figure that reflects the enduring popularity of its video games. Since the launch of the original titles nearly three decades ago, the Pokémon video game series is now just shy of 500 million units sold.
A Staggering 489 Million Units Sold
As of the end of March 2025, Pokémon games have sold a total of 489 million copies across various platforms. This data was shared directly by The Pokémon Company. While no specifics were provided regarding individual game sales, it’s known that the games are localized in nine different languages, showcasing the franchise’s global reach.
Card Game Success Still in a League of Its Own
Although the video games continue to perform strongly, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has achieved even greater success in terms of sheer numbers. Since its introduction in 1996, more than 75 billion Pokémon cards have been sold. That figure sets a high bar that the video games are unlikely to surpass anytime soon.
Upcoming Titles May Push the Franchise Past 500 Million
The upcoming launch of Pokémon Legends: Z-A could be the game to push the franchise over the 500 million sales mark. Recently, The Pokémon Company teased several starter Pokémon from the game, which will be released later this year on both the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Switch 2.
Pokémon’s Cultural Footprint Remains Unshaken
The franchise continues to be a significant cultural force. Whether it’s unusual headlines involving rare cards—such as a case where someone was arrested for stealing a Pokémon card valued at over $300,000—or expansions in streaming, Pokémon remains ever-present in public consciousness.
Just this week, it was revealed that all 140 episodes of Pokémon the Series: XY will be added to Netflix’s catalog next month. In addition, fans of the trading card game can look forward to the release of the next Pokémon TCG Pocket expansion, which arrives on May 29.