Published On 22/3/2026
Capcom announced today that Resident Evil Requiem, also known as Resident Evil 9, has sold 6 million units worldwide in under three weeks since its February 27th launch, making it the fastest-selling title in the franchise’s 30-year history.
According to an official press release, the game surpassed 5 million units sold within its first five days on the market. Demand across digital and retail channels for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and the Nintendo Switch 2 contributed to reaching the 6 million milestone. The simultaneous launch on Nintendo’s new console proved particularly impactful.
Game Details: A Blend of Classic and Modern
Requiem delivers the largest narrative and visual experience in the series’ history, focusing on several key elements:
- Dual-Protagonist System: The game introduces a cross-play style between two characters: Leon S. Kennedy, the veteran agent representing excitement and action, and new character Grace Ashcroft, an FBI analyst who returns players to the roots of traditional survival horror, focused on puzzles and limited resource management.
- RE Engine Next: The game leverages the power of next-generation consoles with advanced ray tracing technologies and fully interactive environments, making the foggy atmospheres and abandoned locations more realistic and terrifying.
- Semi-Open World: For the first time, the game moves away from linear corridors in favor of expansive areas in the Eastern European countryside, giving players greater freedom to choose their paths.
Why the Success?
Analysts at Digital Foundry and IGN attribute the blockbuster success to a combination of strategic and technical factors:
- Simultaneous Switch 2 Launch: According to reports from Nintendo Life, making the game available natively – rather than through cloud streaming – on Nintendo’s new platform helped reach a massive audience previously unable to experience modern installments at full technical capacity.
- Broad Audience Appeal: Capcom successfully catered to fans of the classic games through Grace’s sections and action enthusiasts through Leon’s, expanding the game’s marketing reach.
- 30th Anniversary Momentum: The success comes ahead of the franchise’s 30th anniversary on March 22nd, with Capcom leveraging historical promotional campaigns to connect Requiem to the series’ long legacy.
- Strategic Release Timing: A GamesIndustry.biz report noted that the late February launch was strategically timed, with no major competing titles from rival companies in the horror genre, making Requiem the primary and only option for players seeking a large-scale cinematic experience.
In a statement, director Koshi Nakanishi confirmed that the commercial success of Requiem will be followed by long-term support, including story expansions currently in development and free updates to add new game modes, such as an enhanced version of “The Mercenaries,” planned for release in May.
With these numbers, Resident Evil Requiem isn’t just a commercial success; it solidifies Capcom’s position as a global leader in survival horror gaming.
