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Report: 'Nintendo, Mario in the world 1000 million for the new Wii'
Today's most confusing headline is brought to you by the Google translation of a Nikkei Net report that New Super Mario Bros. Wii has topped ten million (not one-thousand million) units sold worldwide since its release in mid-November (and early December in Japan). Frankly, we're downright shocked that this kind of game -- with such an unsavory cast of characters -- could sell like gangbusters. C'mon, all they ever do is kill each other! The figure Nintendo is not sharing is the number of relationships that New Super Mario Bros. Wii has destroyed. Three and counting for me -- making it at least 30 million worldwide! Let's just say, Mom and Dad and a certain someone who is dead to me aren't allowed to visit again until they learn proper Propeller Suit etiquette.
NPD: New Super Mario Bros. Wii sales have surpassed Super Mario Galaxy
New Old Mario is stomping all over the mark left by his globetrotting counterpart, with sales of New Super Mario Bros. Wii having already surpassed Super Mario Galaxy in the US. According to the NPD, Galaxy has sold approximately 4.1 million units in the two years since its November 2007 release, while NSMBW has amassed 4.2 million sales in about 45 days. As IGN notes, the Wii's install base is much higher now (26 million in the US), but that still doesn't explain why Galaxy, which has had far more time on retail shelves, was passed by so quickly. We'd posit that there's something nostalgic about NSMBW, which makes it stand apart from Galaxy and speak to the Wii's demographic. Of course, Super Mario Galaxy 2 will have the benefit of being quite familiar too ...
New Super Mario Bros Wii becomes fastest selling Wii game in Japan
New Super Mario Bros. Wii maintained its launch momentum in Japan, going on to become a phenomenal hit and selling over 3 million copies in seven weeks. Famitsu reports that Mario's latest adventure is the third Wii title to sell over three million units. Ironically, the club of top-selling Wii games has Mario's tubby physique in the company of Wii Sports and Wii Fit. Mario isn't doing badly in other regions, either, with NSMBW recently surpassing 2.5 million units in Europe and 4 million in the States. Mario knows how to make coin. [Via Andriasang]
Capcom France head wary of Wii, says 2010 will be a 'difficult year' for DS and PSP
Though we've yet to see official numbers on November's Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, Capcom France head Antoine Seux told Gamekult in a recent interview that sales of the game were "below what we had hoped." The English translation of the interview indicates that just 16,000 units were sold worldwide as of December 23, something that has Seux feeling "concerned" as Capcom continues to develop for Nintendo's consoles. "Indeed, the Wii is becoming complex," he says. Seux believes that high-profile games like Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games and New Super Mario Bros. Wii -- games that were "strongly supported" by "massive advertising campaigns" -- are the only ones that stand a chance. "For us, Capcom, the future is the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360," he finishes up with, couching that in his belief that "This will be a difficult year for the handheld in general, DS or PSP." Perhaps he's been borrowing Pachter's sorcery ball? [Via Nintendo Everything]
Nintendo celebrates DS, Wii, software sales milestones in Europe, U.S.
Across two of Nintendo's biggest markets, the US and Europe, the house that Mario built has managed to get a lot of its hardware and software into customers' hands, reporting huge sales milestones and a very prosperous December. In Europe, the DS is now the best-selling video game console of all time, surpassing the 40 million mark in the region. The Wii now tops 20 million, becoming the fastest-selling console in the region since its release three years ago. There's also some data on Nintendo's games to chew on, including Wii Sports Resort, which sold five million since releasing in July, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which just reached 2.5 million units sold. As for the States, Nintendo's been raking in equally impressive amounts of cash here. In December, three million Wii consoles were purchased and the DS set "a new all-time calendar-year U.S. sales record for any console or hand-held system." You know, just like the company did last year. Also, New Super Mario Bros. Wii had quite the stellar showing in the U.S., achieving lifetime sales of four million units in the region. In short: Nintendo is pretty much the same as always. Source - Nintendo UK press release Source - Nintendo of America press release
Best of the Rest: Chris' picks of 2009
Secret of Monkey Island: Special EditionA high-definition update – with high-quality voice work to boot! – of the adventure gaming classic, Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition represents a sea change in how LucasArts treats its adventure gaming roots. Instead of squirelling them away in a vault while development continues on Star Wars title after Star Wars title, LucasArts is putting them up on Steam, and remastering them for a whole new audience, with the first Monkey Island adventure leading the charge.
Best of the Rest: JC's picks of 2009
Muramasa: The Demon Blade Muramasa appealed to me in a way that Odin Sphere didn't, thanks to an emphasis on combo-heavy sword action instead of planting and whatever. And the RPG elements that are left, like the sword upgrades and cooking, are not only fun, but simple enough that I can get right back into the game after a long break and still know what is going on. Also, I don't mean to be shallow, but the fact that Muramasa is the most beautiful game of 2009 helps me be positive about it.
Wii dominates Amazon's video game best sellers of 2009
Online retailer Amazon has tallied up sales in its Video Games category for the year 2009, and the results are overwhelmingly in favor of the Nintendo Wii, with nine out of the top ten spots going to Nintendo's console, various official accessories, and games. The best-selling game on the list is New Super Mario Bros. Wii at spot number 5, a feat made even more impressive by the fact that the game came out in November -- selling more copies in under two months than most games sold all year. But above that it's all Wii gear, from the Nunchuk and the MotionPlus addon to the console itself at the top. Modern Warfare 2 is the only non-Nintendo title in the top ten, and it's specifically the Xbox 360 version, while the PS3 version comes in at number 13. There are only two titles exclusive to another console on the list: Halo 3: ODST for Microsoft at 16, and Uncharted 2 for Sony at 18. But that's not much to cheer about: even the Wii Wheel beat them both. It's fair to say Nintendo can declare Wii-ctory on Amazon in 2009. See the full list below. [Via Kotaku]
Nintendo: NSMB Wii has sold 2 million in US
Yesterday's NPD announcement that New Super Mario Bros. Wii had sold 1.4 million copies in the November NPD period was impressive. But Nintendo topped it today by noting that, including sales after the NPD cutoff date, the game has reached a total of two million copies. It's not Modern Warfare 2 or anything, but it is a very strong start for a game that is likely to have a very long tail. Even just in November, it easily beat New Super Mario Bros.'s first month on DS (which, admittedly, was May and not November). Nintendo also announced that the Wii has reached a US installed base of 23 million, and that the DS broke the November handheld sales record set by ... the DS.
NSMB Wii hits big in Japan: bricks record, collects coin
Old-school Mario is news again as New Super Mario Bros. Wii sold at Sonic-speed throughout its Japanese launch last week. Andriasang reports that the platformer sold 422,000 copies in its first day (December 3), with Famitsu following up that NSMB Wii moved 936,734 units by Sunday, December 6, its "first week" at retail, stomping the previous week-one sales record held by Super Smash Bros. Brawl (816k). And with that, Mario has pulled off his hat trick, scoring in Japan's top three first-week bestsellers, which also includes Mario Kart Wii (608k). Monster Hunter 3 (583k) follows in fourth place. In other news, Joystiq Publishing, in collaboration with acclaimed developer Nincom, is pleased to announce "Mushroom Hunter Wii," the VIDEO GAME EVENT OF THE NEXT GENERATION -- for Wii -- exclusively in Japan (while supplies last). Pre-order today! [Via GamesIndustry.biz] Source – Big Start for December Wii titles [Andriasang] Source – ミリオン目前、『New スーパーマリオブラザーズ Wii』の初週販売本数が発表 [Famitsu]
Nintendo invites seniors to play New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Grandpa ragequits
The reality: Nintendo is holding a fluffy PR event for grandparents and their little, angelic grandchildren at the Fairwinds-Ivey Ranch in Oceanside, California, this week. The event takes place this Friday, December 4, from 11AM-1PM. It's likely to be a schmaltzy feel-good event, inclusive of the whole family and further pushing Nintendo's "pioneering efforts" to expand the video game market. The fantasy: At the event, some little snot will get mad that grandma can't figure out which button is used to jump, eventually swiping the controller from her hand and making her watch helplessly as her Toad floats through the stage in a bubble. Meanwhile, grandpa joins in. He's figured out the location of the jump button, but does that weird old people thing of moving the controller upwards every time he gets the character to jump, thus his avatar spins wildly out of control, dying constantly. Having never put the Wiimote strap on, he accidentally flings the controller into the television in a fit of frustration. That would be glorious.
Amazon's New Super Mario Bros. Wii bundle adds Lunchable compatibility
New Super Mario Bros. Wii couldn't possibly do anything more to remind us of the delight Mario games brought us in our youths, short of including a Mario lunchbox. Amazon is helping to ensure the full nostalgia experience by doing just that in a special bundle! For $70, you get the game, a plastic lunchbox, a t-shirt (size L), and four Wiimote stickers. The t-shirt sizing suggests that this really is a nostalgia-focused gift set and not for people who are currently children. This, of course, means that these lunchboxes are destined for shelves and not cafeterias. [Via GoNintendo]
Modern Warfare 2, Mario, Assassin's Creed 2 still running the UK charts
Sorry, challengers! Modern Warfare 2, Assassin's Creed 2 and New Super Mario Bros. Wii have again landed the top three slots (respectively) on the UK charts, and it looks like they've settled in for a long winter's nap. MW2 is in its third week at the top, while Italian buddies Ezio and Mario are celebrating their second week, according to GfK. We're not sure if anything will be able to unseat these three before the holidays but, if history is any indication, NSMBW might as well build a summer cottage in the top 10.
Miyamoto: Mario originally named 'Mr. Video,' couldn't jump
Though the latest edition of Iwata Asks is technically focused on New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the first few pages of the interview go off on a tangent about the overall-clad plumber's roots which you might find interesting. For instance, did you know that Miyamoto's original plan for Donkey Kong was a video game based on Popeye? It's true -- it was only after he was denied the rights to put the muscly-armed sailor man in a video game that he created the most prolific video game character of all time. Of course, just like a timid middle school student, Mario was forced to go through some awkward formative phases. Miyamoto revealed that in the original design for Donkey Kong, Mario -- who, at the time, was referred to as "Mr. Video" -- was unable to jump. Man, we feel like we just gazed into some kind of creepy alternate universe. "It is me, Mr. Video. I'm going to slowly walk over there, all the while praying that I don't encounter any ground-based enemies."
UK Charts: Modern Warfare still tops; Assassin's Creed 2 outperforms original's debut
The Assassin's Creed sequel may not have taken out Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from the top spot on the UK charts, but the game did outperform the original's 2007 debut by 12 percent in unit sales. Although Chart Track doesn't give specific unit sales figures, it's staggering to think that Infinity Ward's FPS dropped 86 percent after its launch week and still retained the top spot. Behind the big boys of violence, Nintendo's New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports Resort and Wii Fit Plus took the next three spots, respectively. The hardened Left 4 Dead 2 shambled up to seventh spot. Source -- Call of Duty stands firm [Chart Track] Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]
Nintendo Mall Experience tour heads cross-country next week
Nintendo must've had some luck with its Great Lakes and Wii Sports Resort tours recently, as the company has announced the Nintendo Mall Experience tour. Starting next week through December 20, The Big N will be stopping at shopping centers across the country to get some of its Wii and DS titles in the faces of holiday shoppers. On the Wii side, Nintendo will show off its top three games for the holiday season: Wii Sports Resort, New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Fit Plus. For the handheld crowd, Nintendo will be pushing the new Style Savvy, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. Head past the break for the full list of stops on Nintendo's Mall Experience tour.
Hackers create dueling New Super Mario Bros. Wii level editors
Well, that didn't take long. On the very day that New Super Mario Bros. Wii was released in North America, hackers Virus and Vash released Tanooki, a program that allows users to design their own levels in place of the game's existing locales. Coder Treeki also announced Reggie!, yet another level editor for New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Whichever wins, everybody wins. Of course, these programs, while awesome, are pretty impractical for most of us, given that they run on a computer and thus work only with emulation. But, we must reiterate, these are awesome, and we appreciate the efforts of hobbyists everywhere who immediately make games better with their work. Check out example videos of both (with some NSFW language in annotations) after the break. [Via Gemaga]
ESA survey says video games still topping holiday wishlists
Despite outrageous day one sales projections for Modern Warfare 2 and the impending release of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, The ESA was still left wondering whether or not folks are still interested in giving and receiving video games over this holiday season. So the game industry's lobbying group conducted a survey, which found that "42 percent of American adults plan to give or hope to receive a computer or video game this holiday season." Furthermore, another 52 percent think of games as a cost-effective form of entertainment for the whole family. Perhaps the most notable result of the survey was a 31 percent increase from 2007 (to 47 percent) for respondents intending on gifting a woman with a game. We're betting that at least 50 percent of the women receiving a game as a gift would prefer either a different gift or a more thoughtful partner.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii advertised in Japan with less-than-super play
While we're all playing New Super Mario Bros. Wii, tossing our friends into bottomless pits and reacquainting ourselves with the Koopalings, Japanese Wii owners are still waiting for the game's December 3 release date. For now, instead of the game, they get ... these commercials, featuring people dressed in inexplicable, matching bohemian outfits, playing NSMB Wii with a lot of excitement and not too much skill. Siliconera notes that the game's ostensible banner feature -- multiplayer -- is totally missing from these ads, in favor of presenting the experience as something that's easy to get into. We suppose if you're really terrible at Mario games (a plight with which we sympathize), you don't want to be reminded that other people have an easy way to witness your terribleness. Still, we think the tentative play emphasizes the sense of discovery that is so wonderful about the first trip through any Mario level. [Via Siliconera]
Review: New Super Mario Bros. Wii
New Super Mario Bros. Wii isn't a game for you to play by yourself. Sure, you could, but it's just not going to be the best way to extract all of the fun the experience has to offer. Instead, you really should try to corral some friends together for multiplayer, which is guaranteed to do one of two things: strengthen the bonds you and your three partners in platforming have established, or take those friendships you've worked so hard on over an indeterminate amount of time and stomp them like a lost, lonely Goomba. %Gallery-75137%
