>>49564345SWSH had sales due to the Switch install base but that doesn't matter. Sales of an individual product aren't based on it's intrinsic qualities, but on the qualities of the things that proceeded it. SWSH was extremely divisive in a way no other Pokemon game ever was and had people going after Gamefreak employees. It's undeniable that it was a gigantic black mark on the brand, and it can be seen in how quickly Galar's Pokemon were dropped by marketing.
Do you remember The Last Jedi, the second of the new Star Wars movies? The Last Jedi made a ton of money but antagonized the hardcore fanbase. Shills pointed to its sales figures as an indicator of quality, but the very next installment saw a massive drop in sales as those lost fans didn't return.
Branding sells current installments. Reception is what sells the next one.
