Microsoft, through its playXBLA website has announced that Trials Evolution has set the record for launch-day sales on the Xbox Live Arcade. The developer of the title, RedLynx, announced via Twitter that over 100,000 copies of the game had been sold during its first day of availability:

Neither Microsoft or RedLynx have announced any monetary figures yet, but it’s not too hard to ballpark a figure. With the game selling for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15.00), it’s clear that over $1.5 million was raked in on Wednesday. That’s some fairly conclusive proof that smaller, more gameplay-oriented titles can still be successful on a large scale.

Trials Evolution was launched just two days ago and has become an instant hit. Reviews of the game are full of praise, including a review giving the game a perfect score from Giantbomb.

Reviewers cite several reasons for the success of Trials Evolution. The sequel maintains the challenge of the original Trials while adding a plethora of features. The game now features a multiplayer mode for up to 4 players, local or over Xbox live. It also now features an expanded track editor and a system to share those tracks with other players that will almost certainly guarantee a committed fan base and community for years. Or at least until the next Trials title is released.

It looks as if Trials Evolution is the rare sequel that actually delivers more than gamers were asking for. What do you think? Are you already throwing your Xbox controller at your TV in frustration over the game’s difficulty? Let me know in the comments below.