Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, developed by Insomniac Games, has successfully web-slinged its way to the top, marking it as an authoritative presence on the UK’s physical games chart. In a landscape dominated by power-packed releases, the sequel’s robust performance proves the strength of both the PlayStation and Spider-Man brand across the pond.
The PlayStation 5 exclusive Spider-Man sequel comfortably claimed the coveted No. 1 slot, surpassing stiff competition, especially from Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Wonder. According to Christopher Dring from GamesIndustry.biz, it isn’t merely a better-selling game compared to Mario’s latest adventure but it achieved the distinction of being the fourth-biggest physical game launch in the UK this year. It follows closely behind high-profile titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, EA Sports FC 24, and Hogwarts Legacy in terms of physical copies sold during their respective debut weeks.
Notably, the performance metrics are only indicative of physical sales, with digital data expected to be unveiled later. Physical sales of Spider-Man 2 saw a dip of 20% compared to the thunderous launch of God of War: Ragnarok. But, this comparison might be premature without the inclusion of digital sales figures, which have seen significant growth in the past few years. The emphasis on digital sales has risen exponentially since 2018, especially this year as titles such as Alan Wake 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3 have preferred digital-only releases (at least temporarily, for the latter), rendering a direct comparison with its predecessor, the original Spider-Man, rather challenging. In fact, Spider-Man 2’s physical sales were 38% lower than the first Spider-Man title released in 2018, a testament to the increasing shift towards digital downloads in the gaming realm.
GfK’s data further spotlighted Marvel Spider-Man 2’s impressive performance, revealing it as the biggest boxed launch on the PS5 of the year. Its launch sales marginally trailed, by just over 3%, the launch figures of last year’s GOTY runner-up, God of War Ragnarok, on the PS5, which had set the record as the largest PlayStation launch ever during its release. Interestingly, God of War Ragnarok had the advantage of a few extra days in the market, having been launched on a Wednesday, while Spider-Man 2 made its entry on a Friday.
Comparison with another title from the Spider-Man franchise, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, which graced both PS4 and PS5 in 2020, is further proof of the sequel’s success. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s boxed launch sales towered by a staggering 41% over Miles Morales, underscoring the franchise’s consistent pull and the sequel’s enhanced appeal.
Meanwhile, Nintendo, the darling of the physical games market, saw its Super Mario Bros. Wonder securing the second spot. This doesn’t spell disappointment for the Japanese giant at all. The Switch exclusive’s sales figures were marginally behind Super Mario Odyssey and Super Mario 3D All-Stars, pushing the game to the third spot in UK’s biggest boxed Mario launches. Historically, Mario titles, especially the 2D ones, have demonstrated longevity and witnessed sustained sales over extended periods. Hence, while the initial burst is significant, the real testament to Mario’s success would be its performance in the forthcoming months, especially during the lucrative Christmas period. As an added bonus, the Nintendo Switch exceeded sales expectations in Japan based on the strength of the Mario-themed OLED console.
The gaming charts also witnessed other movements. EA Sports FC 24 was nudged to the third position, dethroned by the commanding presence of the latest Spider-Man and Mario titles. Sonic Superstars made its debut at fourth, with Assassin’s Creed Mirage sliding to fifth from its previous second spot.
Ultimately, the numbers prove that gamers had a thrilling week, witnessing the fierce battle of titles vying for the top spot. At the same time, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2’s stellar debut reiterates the character’s timeless appeal, its impeccable quality, and the ever-growing enthusiasm of PlayStation fans.
