007 First Light has got off to a strong start, selling 1.5 million copies in its first 24 hours. It’s the fastest-selling game in developer IO Interactive’s history, which means it sold faster in its first 24 hours than any Hitman game.
The impressive sales milestone was achieved without the aid of the Nintendo Switch 2 version, which is due out this summer.
The James Bond adventure is also the highest rated IOI game ever, with an 87 on Metacritic. IGN’s 007 First Light review returned a 9/10. We said: “Demonstrably obsessed with bringing the Bond fantasy to life in a way no one has ever managed before, 007 First Light is the best Bond game I’ve ever played.”
“The milestone of 1.5 million units sold in 24 hours reflects overwhelming global enthusiasm for 007 First Light and represents a significant achievement for IO Interactive,” the developer said. “With an 88 OpenCritic rating and 87 Metacritic score, 007 First Light has been embraced by both critics and players alike, already establishing itself as one of 2026’s most successful gaming releases. The sales recorded across all platforms underscore the game’s broad appeal and the successful execution of IO Interactive’s vision to honor Bond’s legacy in gaming.”
Rhys Elliott, head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics, said 007 First Light had sold an estimated 500,000 copies on Steam alone, generating around $25 million in revenue on Valve’s platform.
“The Steam performance really stood out for this one,” Elliott said. “It’s the latest example of a traditionally ‘console’’ game doing fantastic numbers on Steam.” About a third of 007 First Light players on Steam have also played Hitman, Elliott added.
“For Amazon, which owns the Bond rights and licensed IOI to make this game, the early signs are bloody good,” he continued. “The franchise hasn’t had a quality adaptation in decades, and IOI has now delivered one that looks like a serious commercial proposition.”
So, the first 24 hours are strong for 007, but it will be interesting to see how sales develop over the coming weeks and months. To put its performance into context, Crimson Desert sold 2 million in its first 24 hours back in March, and went on to sell 5 million in less than a month.
Clearly, IOI hopes for enough success to continue 007 First Light’s story with a sequel. Indeed, the developer has said it wants to make a trilogy of James Bond games.
Our 007 First Light Guide has all the Essential Tips and Tricks you need to survive your first assignments, plus 6 Tips for Mastering Stealth so you can stay out of sight. There are plenty of achievements to unlock and collectibles to get your hands on, so check our guide to All Collectible Locations to make sure you don’t miss out. For a helping hand with your missions, head to our in-progress Walkthrough, and our guide to all the Safe Combinations and Keypad Codes.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
