Oblivion Remastered Sales Prove the Power of Nostalgia and Shadow Drops

The initial Oblivion was an irrefutable success upon its release in 2006 — an expansive RPG that established numerous new benchmarks for the genre. Nonetheless, its early achievements have seemingly been thoroughly eclipsed by Oblivion Remastered, nearly twenty years later.

The PS5 revival, which was unexpectedly released on April 22nd after months of leaks and speculation, appears to have performed remarkably well in the US.

Circana analyst Mat Piscatella indicates that the remaster — which can be more accurately described as a remake — was the highest-selling launch of the month, and stands as the third best-selling game of 2025 thus far, trailing only Monster Hunter Wilds (first) and Assassin’s Creed Shadows (second).

Moreover, it was the top-selling title across all distinct platforms — including PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.

Yet, this is where it becomes intriguing. Piscatella mentions that the Remastered edition sold more copies in its initial week than the original Oblivion did in its first 15 months.

Clearly, numerous factors contribute to this. To begin with, when Oblivion debuted, Bethesda was far from the globally renowned developer that it is today. In fact, Oblivion was the title that established the company in the eyes of many.

Additionally, the strength of nostalgia cannot be underestimated. Oblivion would eventually sell millions of copies over the subsequent years, and all those who purchased and relished it likely displayed interest in the Remastered version.

Finally, we believe that the surprise release strategy can significantly influence the current gaming landscape. The (relatively) straightforward act of launching a renowned game without prior buildup (aside from the leaks, naturally) generates an immense amount of immediate excitement — and this is especially noticeable in an era where projects can be announced years before their ultimate debut.

Did you anticipate that Oblivion Remastered would be such a phenomenon? Did you foresee it obliterating the original game’s sales records? Close another chapter in the comments section below.