'Pokemon Sun and Moon' News & Updates: Fastest Selling Game in US and Europe; Good Sign for Rumored 'Pokemon Stars'?

Less than a month after launching in the US and Europe, Nintendo's 3DS games "Pokemon Sun and Moon" have already surpassed other game titles to be the fastest-selling game title for the Nintendo 3DS handheld console. The rumored "Pokemon Stars" might soon to follow as the "Pokemon Sun and Moon" was received more than positively.

According to The Verge, "Pokemon Sun and Moon" combined has sold 3.7 million units in America alone since the game launched on November 18. The two titles combined has already beaten "Pokemon X and Y" -- the previous holder of Nintendo's fastest-selling game title -- by a huge margin during the same period when they launched in 2013.

RT if you're having fun on your Alolan adventure!! pic.twitter.com/P94yE6rZxb

— Pokémon Sun and Moon (@7thGenPokemon) November 22, 2016

In Europe, "Pokemon Sun and Moon" sold 1.5 million units in its first week, with 368,000 units sold in the UK alone making it also the fastest-selling game title in the region. However, Kotaku reported that "Pokemon Sun and Moon" was not able to beat "Pokemon X and Y" in Japan sales, making it the second fastest-selling game title in the region.

According to GameSpot, the popularity of Niantic's hit mobile Pokemon app "Pokemon GO" is one of the many reasons for the strong response to "Pokemon Sun and Moon" and also in helping boost Nintendo 3DS sales in America over the summer. Other features include new legendaries, the different time cycles, and a new environment compared to previous Pokemon game titles. Overall, Pokemon franchise sales have surpassed 280 million units worldwide since the first Pokemon game, "Pokemon Red and Blue," came out in 1996.

The overwhelming response to "Pokemon Sun and Moon" could also be a good sign for Nintendo's rumored "Pokemon Stars" for the Nintendo Switch. "Pokemon Stars" is rumored to be the counterpart of "Pokemon Sun and Moon" for the Nintendo Switch and will have more features.

 So far, only little information on "Pokemon Stars" can be found. But it's reported that the game is already in development and will have features only found in Nintendo's upcoming hybrid console. "Pokemon Stars" will also be the first Pokemon game to move away from the handheld console sphere towards the home console.