In a surprising turn of events, Rise of the Ronin has outshone Dragon’s Dogma 2 in Japan’s physical sales. Despite Dragon’s Dogma 2 having the advantage of being from a well-known series, Rise of the Ronin managed to lead with 20,139 copies sold in its debut week, significantly outperforming Dragon’s Dogma 2‘s 9,172 units. This achievement is notable as Rise of the Ronin, a new IP by Team Ninja, was launched a day after Capcom’s title but still managed to capture the audience’s interest.
The sales figures, shared by Famitsu for the week of March 25 to March 31, 2024, highlighted that Rise of the Ronin continued its lead in the second week as well. This suggests a strong preference for Team Ninja’s creation among Japanese players, possibly due to its engaging depiction of the Edo era and the Boshin War, which resonates deeply with the country’s history and culture.
Both games faced their share of criticism, with Dragon’s Dogma 2 being criticized for its microtransactions and performance issues, while Rise of the Ronin received feedback on its graphics. Despite the challenges, the sales in Japan favor Team Ninja’s venture into the Japanese era, marking a significant achievement for the developer.
As the western sales paint a different picture, with Dragon’s Dogma 2 confirming 2.5 million sales, the battle between these titles continues globally. Team Ninja aims to sell 5 million copies of Rise of the Ronin, setting a high bar for its success.
The outcome in Japan serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of game sales and the importance of cultural relevance and historical settings in captivating audiences.
