A new study from Circana, formerly known as the NPD Group, reveals the top-selling games of March 2023 with Resident Evil 4 leading the way. The remake of the classic Resident Evil game launched to critical and fan acclaim last month with many praising the updated combat while staying faithful to the beloved horror game. The remake quickly shot up to become the second fastest-selling game in the storied franchise's history, just behind 2012's Resident Evil 6. Now, the remake's success has knocked off another mainstay of this year's top-selling games.The long-awaited Resident Evil 4 remake debuted as one of the most highly-anticipated games of the first half of 2023, though it was not the only major release so far this year. February saw the debut of Hogwarts Legacy to massive success as an open-world RPG in the Harry Potter universe. Hogwarts Legacy dominated sales charts throughout its launch month, selling over 12 million copies just weeks after its release. However, Hogwarts Legacy's reign at the top appears to have been short-lived with Resident Evil 4 dethroning the game.Recently published sales data from Circana's Mat Piscatella shows the top-selling games of March 2023 with Resident Evil 4 quickly rising to the top of the charts. The remake's position atop the sales charts follows Resident Evil 4 launching only a week before the end of the reporting period. While Resident Evil 4 did knock Hogwarts Legacy out of the top spot for March, the Harry Potter RPG follows closely behind in the #2 spot. The newly released MLB: The Show 23, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and The Last of Us: Part 1 round out the Top 5.
Best-Selling Games of March 2023
- Resident Evil 4 (2023)
- Hogwarts Legacy
- MLB: The Show 23
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)
- The Last of Us: Part 1
- FIFA 23
- WWE 2K23
- Elden Ring
- Madden NFL 23
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
While Resident Evil 4 and Hogwarts Legacy captured the top two spots in March sales, the list was also peppered with several mainstays across multiple consoles. WWE 2K23 was the sole new release outside the Top 5 to make the list, securing a #7 position in the monthly ranking. Other recent releases like Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe and Dead Space (2023) also finished within the Top 20, alongside long-running bestsellers like Minecraft and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
The success of Resident Evil 4 comes as the newest in a continuing line of remakes updating and modernizing the classic games from the horror franchise. 2020's Resident Evil 3 saw modest reception for the franchise, selling over 6 million copies as of January 2023. The 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2 was a commercial and critical success, receiving a nomination for Game of the Year at the 2019 Game Awards. Resident Evil 4 will look to maintain its impressive early start with more big releases coming later this year.
The Resident Evil 4 remake is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
