Here is a graph showing how well or bad is performing each of the major racing franchise in retail lately. This comparison is for racing genre at large so needless to point out the difference between racing simulator and arcade racing. This graph is only to see the trend in the major racing franchises of the Big 3.
A few comment on this:
- After the huge drop between MK7 and MK8, due mostly to the low userbase the Wii U had, Mario Kart franchise seems to be on the right track to reach once again 15M+ numbers, quite a feat considering MK8D is an enhanced port. This latest entry in the franchise will continue charting in the top 10 for a long time again given there is no indication a MK9 will be released anytime soon. I won't be surprised to see it reached 20M at some point.
- For the past 10 years or so, GT franchise is on a downhill saleswise. GTS, the latest entry, barely managed so far to sell as much as GT6 did, which was released at the end of PS3 lifecycle when all eyes were on the PS4. 29 weeks after its release, GTS is not charting well either, being currently at no. 61 in the global weekly chart. The only possible way of reversing this trend would be to release GT7 on PS5 since a late release in PS4's lifecycle would imply low numbers as well.
- Releasing a new Forza every year is not helping the franchise doing great numbers. When Forza titles were released every two years, sales were averaging 5M while now sales of each title are averaging 2M. Sure the userbase of the X1 is not helping either.
