Support NeoGAF

[Square2015]

This data may have never been made public on GAF, given the loss of any real sales data each month from NPD (despite promises made by the NPD Group), I may start a series sharing tidbits of sales data from the past.

Title, month & year of debut, rank (#) within that month's chart, NPD units sold, and weeks on sale.

-mainline series-

FFIII Oct 1994:
#5 77,000 (2 wks)

FFVII Sep 1997:
#1 494,000 (4 wks)

FFVIII Sep 1999:
#1 579,000 (4 wks)

FFIX Nov 2000:
#2 331,000 (2 wks)

FFX Dec 2001:
#2 747,000 (3 wks)

FFX-2 Nov 2003:
#3 403,000 (2 wks)

FFXI Online [w/ PS2 HDD] Mar 2004:
#8 115,000 (2 wks)

FFXII Nov 2006:
#2 896,000 (4 wks)

FFXIII Mar 2010:
#1 1,322,000 (4 wks)

FFXIII-2 Feb 2012:
355,000* (4 wks)

FFXIII-LR Feb 2014:
165,000* (3 wks)

FFXIV-ARR Aug 2013:
#9 >115,000** (3 wks)

FFXV Dec 2016:
#2 1,573,000 (5 wks)


*NPD data gets sparse, not enough info released to interpret rank
**one rank ahead of Pikmin 3 which sold 115k so could be tens of thousands higher


-spinoff series-

FF Tactics Jan 1998:
#20 49,000 (1 wk)

FF Tactics Advance Sep 2003:
#2 203,000 (4 wks)

FF Crystal Chronicles Feb 2004:
#1 243,000 (3 wks)

FFVII -Crisis Core- Mar 2008:
#6 302,000 (2 wks)

FF Dissidia Aug 2009:
#7 130,000 (1 wk)


That's all I got. As a big fan of the series it's great to watch its growth over the years within the US.

 

[blame space]

good data thanks

 

[The Last One]

Thanks for this.

 

[Cipherr]

Tactics was robbed considering it was the best FF of that generation. Damn people really didn't mess with SRPGs anymore eh? Shining Force and all of those older games are missed man.

 

[Socivol]

So XV is the fastest selling in NA? That's pretty surprising, but it also includes 5 weeks of data.

 

[Teeth]

Tactics was robbed considering it was the best FF of that generation. Damn people really didn't mess with SRPGs anymore eh? Shining Force and all of those older games are missed man.

Anymore? You're talking about an audience of 20 years ago. And Tactics became a cult hit, selling way beyond that initial amount.

 

[The Last One]

So XV is the fastest selling in NA? That's pretty surprising, but it also includes 5 weeks of data.

Yeah, it includes more weeks. It doesn't include digital sales though, so the number is actually a lot closer to 2M.

 

[Blackleg-sanji1]

Numbers should be higher for crystal chronicles
#robbed

 

[Kuro]

Tactics was robbed considering it was the best FF of that generation. Damn people really didn't mess with SRPGs anymore eh? Shining Force and all of those older games are missed man.

SRPGs need Waifus in order to be successful. Just look at the newer Fire Emblems. Below average games full of waifus so people eat it up.

 

[Man God]

Numbers should be higher for crystal chronicles
#robbed

It eventually sold fairly well for a spinoff.

 

[Blablurn]

The hype for FFVIII was real. It's strange that it doesn't have many fans anymore.

 

[ULTROS!]

How about numbers for Type-0 and WoFF too?

 

[blame space]

12 kinda surprised me. then again that was real late in the ps2's life right?

 

[Manmademan]

The only surprising number there is XII, given that it's one of the lower selling entries that start is extremely strong.

No legs on it due to next generation competition? Or was it received poorly overseas?

 

[The Last One]

12 kinda surprised me. then again that was real late in the ps2's life right?

Yes, just a few days before the Ps3 launch.

 

[Man God]

12 kinda surprised me. then again that was real late in the ps2's life right?

PS3 just came out.

 

[Syntsui]

FFXV is a beast.

 

[Blablurn]

PS3 just came out.

I think XII also had no mass market appeal.

 

[ULTROS!]

The only surprising number there is XII, given that it's one of the lower selling entries that start is extremely strong.

No legs on it due to next generation competition? Or was it received poorly overseas?

I get it's a mix of:

1. Coming out right before the release of the PS3
2. Late gen game
3. Look and feel (this is subjective, I know, but it seems like the look didn't click with Japan and Asia)

Edit: yeah this:

I think XII also had no mass market appeal.

 

[Square2015]

Tactics was robbed considering it was the best FF of that generation. Damn people really didn't mess with SRPGs anymore eh? Shining Force and all of those older games are missed man.

For Tactics that was its first week, in early 1998. That was a good FW back then. In its next (full) month it sold 105,000.
Tactics would go on to sell 900k thanks to a re-release late in the PSX's life something like doubling sales of the original run.

 

[yunbuns]

The hype for FFVIII was real. It's strange that it doesn't have many fans anymore.

????????

 

[vaporeon]

Nice to see how FF still manages to grow its sales base in the west.

SRPGs need Waifus in order to be successful. Just look at the newer Fire Emblems. Below average games full of waifus so people eat it up.

Do people still think like this?

 

[kennyamr]

so in average the main entries keep growing in sales compared to their predecessors. Interesting stuff.

Edit: FFIX forever my #1 ;_;

 

[Blackleg-sanji1]

????????

Gaf bubble

 

[Manmademan]

I think XII also had no mass market appeal.

Yeah OK.

The game launched at the same time the ps3 and the Wii were sucking all the oxygen out of the room and still sold 6 million copies WW.

Do people think before posting anymore

 

[Man God]

Those numbers for FF III were incredibly strong back then by the way.

FF VII really exploded as the holidays came on.

 

[pretty done]

LOL @ the dropoff from XIII -> XIII-2

It's pretty sad to see the worst games selling the most :| No wonder the series is in the toilet.

 

[Obliterator]

FFXV with digital is roughly 1.8

 

[Cipherr]

For Tactics that was its first week, in early 1998. That was a good FW back then. In its next (full) month it sold 105,000.
Tactics would go on to sell 900k thanks to a re-release of the title late in the PSX's life something like doubling sales of the original run.

Well damn That's much better. Such a great game.

Anymore? You're talking about an audience of 20 years ago.

Well, I mean I used the word "didn't" in that sentence to denote a time in a the past. I wasn't referring to the present, but instead the generations coming off of Langrisser, Fire Emblem, Shining Force and stuff like Ogre Battle games. The PSX was so great for SRPGS its wild how much I loved those games in comparison to how much they sold I suppose. Kartia was a standout gem for me aside FFTactics.

 

[Some Nobody]

????????

I mean, I remember being hyped for FFVIII...and then playing it and being unimpressed. Certainly it has its fans, but it's definitely not one of those beloved RPGs like 4, 6, 7, or even 10 tbh.

 

[Manmademan]

For Tactics that was its first week, in early 1998. That was a good FW back then. In its next (full) month it sold 105,000.
Tactics would go on to sell 900k thanks to a re-release late in the PSX's life something like doubling sales of the original run.

Agree. I remember tactics actually being a rare psx game until Sony re-released it.

You couldn't find that game anywhere. It wasn't doing FF7 numbers but it had strong word of mouth.

 

[MaximumSpider]

The hype for FFVIII was real. It's strange that it doesn't have many fans anymore.

It's alright but it's my least favorite of the PS1 era.

 

[Man God]

VIII is a beloved, well regarded RPG. It has its faults and did back when it released as well. It also looked amazing back then. The main problem among many was that it wasn't FF VII-2.

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

Lightning Returns < Crystal Chronicles seems fair.

 

[Manmademan]

Lightning Returns < Crystal Chronicles seems fair.

I've played through a lot of games and a lot of FFs, but man if Lightning Returns wasn't a chore to play through.

I finished it once just to complete the storyline and will never touch it again.

FFXIII-2 Though? Criminally underrated.

 

[SougoXIII]

The hype for FFVIII was real. It's strange that it doesn't have many fans anymore.

I take issue to that comment good sir.

 

[Bladenic]

That drop from XIII > XIII-2 > LR lmao

 

[Ray Down]

Jesus Christ that 13 to 13-2 drop.

 

[Blablurn]

I take issue to that comment good sir.

I like VIII a lot. But let's face it. Most people forgot about it. And it has no real foundation in the gaming community except mabye among the hardcore fanbase. It also doesn't help that Square doesn't seem to push it, except some brief moments of Squall in those Dissidia ames.

Goddamnit, I wouldn't say no to an extended FF VIII universe. Really.

 

[Blackleg-sanji1]

I like VIII a lot. But let's face it. Most people forgot about it. And it has no real foundation in the gaming community except mabye among the hardcore fanbase. It also doesn't help that Square doesn't seem to push it, except some brief moments of Squall in those Dissidia ames.

Goddamnit, I wouldn't say no to an extended FF VIII universe. Really.

Just to confirm something here do you think Vi and Ix have been forgotten except maybe the hardcore as well

 

[JBwB]

Impressive. Thanks for the data.

XV is killing it when you include digital sales.

 

[Blablurn]

Just to confirm something here do you think Vi and Ix have been forgotten except maybe the hardcore as well

I don't know their sales numbers. But my comment was mostly related to the great sales numbers of FFVIII. Despite having them it feels like people still remember VII (obviously) or FF X more. And XIII, despite slowing numbers, kept being in everyones mind due to Square Enix pushing Lightning like no other hero ever before. So yeah, I still think, Squall and Co, have less of an lobby, despite solid sales numbers, than other Square entries and heroes.

 

[Blackleg-sanji1]

I don't know their sales numbers. But my comment was mostly related to the great sales numbers of FFVIII. Despite having them it feels like people still remember VII (obviously) or FF X more. And XIII, despite slowing numbers, kept being in everyones mind due to Square Enix pushing Lightning like no other hero ever before. So yeah, I still think, Squall and Co, have less of an lobby, despite solid sales numbers, than other Square entries and heroes.

I mean if you were to do a poll squall would certainly be higher than Vann,Cecil,Zidane,Bartz,terra etc. People remember squall just as much as cloud,lightning,tidus

Unless we talking just gaf than that's an entirely different story

 

[Hades Hotgun]

SRPGs need Waifus in order to be successful. Just look at the newer Fire Emblems. Below average games full of waifus so people eat it up.

How many waifu Fire Emblem games outsold tactics?

Any?

 

[Graciaus]

Kind of funny how the best game on that list has the lowest number and the worst game has the highest.

 

[Square2015]

12 kinda surprised me. then again that was real late in the ps2's life right?

The only surprising number there is XII, given that it's one of the lower selling entries that start is extremely strong.

No legs on it due to next generation competition? Or was it received poorly overseas?

I get it's a mix of:

1. Coming out right before the release of the PS3
2. Late gen game
3. Look and feel (this is subjective, I know, but it seems like the look didn't click with Japan and Asia)

-Five years since the last "real" FF probably did that ( X-2, CC, XI etc. made fans more desperate for the next mainline installment).
-The PS2 user base was sky high at this point and so were SW sales in general for the system.
-even tho PS3 launched that month, sales were pretty low through its first year or so ($600 at launch, remember?), and was not gonna hurt PS2 SW sales.

 

[jjonez18]

Your a saint Square2015

FFVII put the franchise on the map.

Crazy how FFXV did so well. IMO it had everything going against it.

 

[whyamihere]

It eventually sold fairly well for a spinoff.

Oh, really?

Still, probably the best game of its series even with the stupid GBA cables required.

 

[Sesha]

FFX really was a monster.

 

[brinstar]

I don't know their sales numbers. But my comment was mostly related to the great sales numbers of FFVIII. Despite having them it feels like people still remember VII (obviously) or FF X more. And XIII, despite slowing numbers, kept being in everyones mind due to Square Enix pushing Lightning like no other hero ever before. So yeah, I still think, Squall and Co, have less of an lobby, despite solid sales numbers, than other Square entries and heroes.

Well VII and X were also pushed into people's faces a ton by SE. VII had that gigantic compilation and now the remake. And X got rereleases on PS3, Vita and PS4.

VIII never really got much, not even in the vein of rereleases.