Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite has bombed hard for Capcom, with the fighting game debuting behind the Nintendo Switch port of Pokken Tournament DX at number 12 in the UK.
The fighting game sequel, the fourth entry in Capcom’s popular Marvel vs Capcom franchise, released to a reasonably positive critical reception, though many have complained about its lack of content at launch, echoing the criticisms of Street Fighter V. It seems that these criticisms have affected the game’s performance in the UK, with it debuting at number 12 in Chart-Track‘s top 40.
This means that the game debuted behind Pokken Tournament DX, another new release last week that launched exclusively on the Switch. While the Pokemon brand is undoubtedly strong, Pokken Tournament DX appealed to a much more niche market than Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite, which also had the added benefit of launching on the PS4, Xbox One and PC (though Chart-Track only accounts for retail sales, not digital downloads).
Also: Dragon Ball FighterZ is a Better Marvel vs Capcom Game Than Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite
Christopher Dring, a publisher for GamesIndustry.biz, noted how Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers for the Switch had sold better in its first week in the UK, further hammering home just how poorly Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite has performed in the region.
I am not sure what went wrong with Marvel vs Capcom II at UK retail. Fighter fatigue? Street Fighter on Switch sold better week 1
— Christopher Dring (@Chris_Dring) September 25, 2017
While the game charted at number 12 in the all platform sales chart, in the individual sales chart it fared even worse, with its PS4 version debuting at number 16 and the Xbox One version of the game not even making the top 40. With Street Fighter V having been roundly criticized for launching with minimal content, it could be that the similar complaints leveled at Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite has dissuaded many from picking up the game. Or perhaps the fighting game genre in general is suffering from fatigue, as suggested by Dring, and Marvel vs Capcom is merely a casualty of this. We’ll have to wait and see if it fares better in other regions, but either way this isn’t good news for Capcom.
