In a monumental achievement, the beloved Final Fantasy series has now surpassed a staggering 180 million copies sold worldwide since its inception.
Over the weekend, Square Enix shared the exciting news, unveiling this impressive sales figure alongside an unexpected revelation that a Final Fantasy 16 musical will captivate fans in Japan next year, 2024. For enthusiasts who revel in both sales triumphs and musical adaptations, this announcement surely carries a special significance.
Final Fantasy 16 Breaks New Ground
The recent milestone owes much to the success of Final Fantasy 16, which contributed three million copies to the series’ sales numbers shortly after its launch last month. Notably, Final Fantasy 16 has secured its place as the fastest-selling exclusive game for the PlayStation 5, leaving its closest competitors in the dust.
Attempting to compare Final Fantasy’s series sales with other gaming franchises is a daunting task. After all, Final Fantasy has established a remarkable legacy over its 36-year existence.
While it effortlessly surpasses other prominent series like Resident Evil, which sold 135 million copies as of last year, it’s challenging to draw direct comparisons between a fantasy RPG series and a survival horror franchise in terms of mainstream appeal.
Matching a Gaming Legend
Prepare to be astonished, as Final Fantasy has now reached the same sales milestone as the legendary GTA 5. Yes, you read that right—it’s not the entire GTA franchise, but just GTA 5. Rockstar’s iconic game, released in 2013, has sold an equal number of copies in ten years as the Final Fantasy series has achieved in approximately 36 years of existence.
Admittedly, it may not be an entirely fair comparison to make, considering the different genres and contexts, but it undeniably sparks curiosity and entertainment.
While Final Fantasy 16 has propelled the series to a remarkable 180 million copies sold, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. With Final Fantasy 14 continuing to captivate players and the highly anticipated Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth set to launch next year, the series remains on an exciting trajectory, demonstrating that it has no intention of taking its foot off the gas pedal.
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