How many copies did Shadow of the Colossus sell? — 2024 statistics

Shadow of the Colossus Playstation 4 remake sold $1.2 million copies worldwide.

(Source: VGChartz​​)

• The game sold 440,000 copies in North America
• It had significant success in Europe with 520,000 copies sold.
• In Japan it sold around 50,000 copies
• Sales in other territories added up to around 190,000 copies.

Shadow of the Colossus has experienced considerable commercial success across its various releases. The original PlayStation 2 version, launched in 2006, garnered widespread critical acclaim. The resounding success of the Shadow of the Colossus PlayStation 4 remake, with its impressive 1.2 million copies sold worldwide, stands as a testament to the game’s timeless appeal. The substantial sales figures in North America and Europe are indicative of the game’s enduring legacy and its ability to captivate a new generation of gamers.

Launch week sales for the PS4 version were 70% higher than those for the original PS2 release.

(Source: VG247​)

The game was remade for PlayStation 4 and released in 2018, developed by Bluepoint Games with substantial graphical and performance enhancements. Sales statistics reveal that the PlayStation 4 remake significantly outperformed the original game in terms of initial sales. Launch week sales for the PS4 version were 70% higher than those for the original PS2 release. The remake not only enhanced the game’s visual and performance aspects but also succeeded in retaining the core gameplay and emotional impact that made the original game a cult classic. This success underscores the lasting appeal of Shadow of the Colossus and its significance in the gaming community.

Shadow of the Colossus development team was very small, around 35 people, focusing on quality over quantity.

(Source: VGFacts)

• Development began in 2002 under the codename “Project Nico” as a sequel to Ico.
• The game was originally planned to have 48 Colossi but this number was cut down to 24 and then finally 16.
• Some Colossi designs were fully fleshed out even if they were cut from the final game.
• There were plans for multiplayer and groups working together to defeat Colossi, but this was cut due to PS2 limitations.
• Over 500 artists applied to work on the game but director Fumito Ueda was very selective and only accepted 1-2 people.

Shadow of the Colossus had an ambitious scope that was reined in by the limitations of hardware and a small team. While originally envisioning 48 giant bosses to defeat cooperatively or through experimental multiplayer, the developers ultimately focused their efforts on crafting 16 spectacular and unique Colossi encounters. By prioritizing physics-based interactions and cinematic boss battles over other content, the team led by visionary director Fumito Ueda was able to create a strikingly novel gameplay experience that has remained influential. Even with cut ideas and content remaining in the code, Shadow of the Colossus delivered a finely-tuned experience that changed expectations for video game bosses through singular colossal showdowns and a minimalist yet impactful narrative.