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Super Mario 3D Land breaks 5 million sold, Skyward Sword at 3.4 million
Nintendo elaborated on the "strong sales" for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Super Mario 3D Land today, in its list of million-selling titles for the last nine months. The Wii adventure sold 3.42 million units worldwide, of which 3.04 million took place outside of Japan.That makes it the best selling Wii game for the period, right? Nope! That's Mario Kart Wii, which sold 4.91 million copies between April and December, for a life-to-date total of 31.91 million copies. New releases Kirby's Return to Dreamland and Wii Play Motion squeaked into the million-seller club with 1.21 million and 1.12 million respectively.On 3DS, Super Mario 3D Land sold 5.03 million in total -- 3.68 million "overseas" and 1.36 million in Japan. Mario Kart 7 sold almost as many, at 4.54 million. Even the good old DS managed to have some million-selling new releases: Professor Layton and the Last Specter (1.19 million, all outside of Japan) and Kirby Mass Attack (1.01 million).
Monster Hunter Tri-G tops 1 million sold in Japan
You'd think that Japan would be fresh out of monsters at this point, considering that they've been ruthlessly hunting them without rest since 2004, but that's not the case. In fact, it seems the monster birth rate is so high over there, that over a million blademasters and gunners have been recruited for the latest hunt. Monster Hunter Tri-G has sold 1.08 million copies as of January 8, according to Andriasang, making it the first third-party release (and third 3DS title overall) to break the million-sold milestone in Japan. It is distinct from some other million-selling 3DS titles (Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land) in that it does not feature an Italian plumber, but rather focuses on monsters and the hunting thereof. Wait, isn't Mario technically a monster hunter as well? Maybe there is a common thread here.
Platinum's Kamiya hoping to announce his own game in 2012, Fumito Ueda loves Portal 2, and more
Since Bayonetta's late 2009/early 2010 debut, director Hideki Kamiya has gone relatively quiet. And while he remains that way for now, it seems we may see some movement from him this year, as he told 4Gamer in its big "looking back on 2011" Japanese developer feature (via Andriasang) that he "would like to announce a new game and make a comeback on the game scene and be known as more than just some guy who posts on Twitter," as his hope for 2012. Bizarrely, he didn't name a single favorite game from the last year, choosing instead to say "nothing in particular" struck his fancy, while Nintendo's eShop "3D Classics" were his favorite entertainment content last year. The feature also features a cadre of Square Enix devs, who hilariously all named Skryim their favorite game of the year (with the exception of a single producer), while the no longer Sony-affiliated Last Guardian creative lead Fumito Ueda put Portal 2 at the top of his list. He was also quick to point out that "The Last Guardian is in development, with the staff hoping to meet expectations even though with each game they taste the difficulties of creation." Okay then! Catherine and Dark Souls also got nods from a variety of devs, as did Super Mario 3D Land. And hey, you know where we stand.
3DS past 4 million in US, Mario sells another 2 million
All things considered, 2011 was a pretty solid year for the 3DS. Despite an incredibly slow adoption rate at launch and the resultant corporate turmoil, buyers on the fence were eventually persuaded by a massive price drop and 3D remakes of yesteryear's classics. By the end of 2011, Nintendo had sold "more than 4 million" of its stereoscopic wunderkind to US consumers, as well as 1 million units each of Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. Nintendo had only sold 830,000-ish 3DS units as of last July, a full 4 months into the life of the product. By the end of October, however, that number had inflated to around 1.08 million units thanks to August's price drop, with November pushing another 795,000 units into American pockets. For this to add up, the holiday shopping season would have needed to move at least 2.1 million more 3DSes, which doesn't seem like that much of a stretch considering the abundance of bundles at retailers.
Best of the Rest: JC's picks of 2011
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective If you were interested in this game, but didn't buy it on DS because of faith that an iOS version would follow, I'm holding you personally responsible for the foundering sales of my favorite game of 2011. Live with that. This came out in January, and I still have yet to experience anything so fresh, so unique, as Shu Takumi's side-scrolling adventure/puzzle game. Its comically unpredictable (but predictably comical) storyline cascades toward a twist that shouldn't work, its gameplay turns everyday objects like ceiling fans and globes into methods of both traversal and interaction, as you observe and influence the lives of a cast of bizarre characters from within their phone lines, headphones and wrecking balls. I can't mention this game without mentioning its beyond perfect animation, which gave a jazzy flourish to every movement of every character. The act of serving chicken never seemed so stylish.
3DS sales exceed 4M in Japan, Mario sells over 2M games
More 3DS sales figures coming right at you: According to data from publisher Enterbrain, the 3DS has now exceeded sales of four million units in Japan (as expected), wrapping up the week leading into Christmas with 510,629 systems sold. That's an increase of 39 percent over the last week, which also saw the 3DS outselling the newer and more expensive PlayStation Vita by about 13 percent. Mario achieved an accompanying milestone (according to Famitsu), hawking a million copies each of Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land. The portly plumber's latest adventures are reportedly the first 3DS games to sell over 1 million copies in Japan. The most recent third-party game to come close to that target is likely Monster Hunter Tri-G, which has already shipped a million copies.
Wii, Zelda, and Super Mario 3D Land set records on Black Friday
Breaking, obvious news: Mario and Zelda games are popular. All right, it gets more interesting upon getting into specifics: Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime told USA Today that Super Mario 3D Land has become the fastest-selling portable Mario game ever, moving over half a million copies since its November 13 launch. As a result, 3DS system sales have spiked, as well. According to info provided by Nintendo, system sales are up 325% for the week of November 20 over the previous week, and sales that week were up 49% over the week of November 6. Fils-Aime told USA Today that the surge in 3DS interest allowed the system to cross the DS's first-year sales threshold (2.37 million units) in eight months, even before Mario Kart 7's release. In crazier news, the Wii had its best Black Friday ever, with Nintendo reporting over 500,000 systems sold just on Black Friday, including early store openings the night before. The combination of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword -- which is itself the fastest-selling Zelda in history, at 535,000 copies -- and rock-bottom prices helped propel the system to its record-breaking feat. See, Nintendo, there's at least enough life left in the system for Rhythm Heaven Fever to be worth releasing! If you didn't get that subtext, we'll lay it out: give us Rhythm Heaven.
Editorial: Lay of the 3D Land
Eric Caoili loved the stereoscopic effect in Super Mario 3D Land. In this article, he explains why it was so good -- and why it shouldn't be a priority for other 3DS games. Since the 3DS's launch, many gamers and reviewers have complained about the lack of titles that use the handheld's stereoscopic 3D features in a meaningful way capable of affecting or improving gameplay -- new experiences unavailable elsewhere, something to justify early adopters' expensive purchases. Some unaccommodating people would act as if 3DS games failing to meet this standard aren't worth their attention. The gimmick of an image that really looks like a dog's tongue is coming out of the screen to lick their face is not enough, not if the novelty ends there. "These puppy kisses mean nothing to me," they will sneer. "Take him away and drown this contemptible creature in a river." If there's a title that will please those demanding more depth to 3DS releases, as well as those puppy drowners, it's Super Mario 3D Land. This platforming masterpiece is the Avatar of 3DS games, proof that 3D in this medium isn't crap when it's thoughtfully planned and executed, evidence that it's worth the (potential) literal headaches because you just might see something you've never seen before.
Toys R Us Cyber Monday: Free Skylanders with Mario 3DS bundle
Appealing to those of us who prefer not to risk physical harm in order to secure some sweet deals, Toys R Us has announced its plans for Cyber Monday (AKA the Monday following Black Friday) and the ensuing "Cyber Week." For starters, the retailer will actually begin its online discounts beginning on Sunday, November 27 at 6pm Eastern. There are only a handful of gaming deals, though they are fairly substantial. First up for grabs, a free game, controller or headset ($59.99 or less) with the purchase of a $300 4GB Xbox 360 Kinect bundle. Also, Toys R Us will offer a "buy one, get one 60 percent off" discount on "hundreds of video game titles," though the press release doesn't specify which titles are included. Finally, starting on Monday at 8am Eastern, those who pick up the $200 3DS Mario bundle will get a free Skylanders starter pack (normally $70). As the "cyber" implies, these deals will only be available through ToysRUs.com, though store pick up is available on certain items. Shipping is also free on orders over $49.
Nintendo's Mario and Zelda 3DS bundles hit the US November 24
You've seen Nintendo's new 3DS bundles in a few Black Friday ads already, but the company made it official today, detailing the two special holiday packages it plans to release on Thanksgiving Day -- and giving us another opportunity to stare at that Zelda system. The Cosmo Black bundle contains a special Cosmo Black 3DS decorated with Zelda imagery, along with a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. The Flame Red bundle contains a plain old Flame Red 3DS with Super Mario 3D Land. Both are priced at $199.99, but you'll be able to find them cheaper at certain retailers.
Super Mario 3D Land tops Japanese charts
Americans love Mario and friends as much as anyone else, but it really says something about Japan's devotion to their Italian mascot when his new 3DS game manages to outsell both Uncharted 3 and Battlefield 3 by a fairly massive gap. For the week ending November 6, Super Mario 3D Land sold 343,492 units in Japan, outselling its closest competition by over 200,000 units, earning the No. 1 slot on Media Create's sales charts. Uncharted 3 came in second with 124,989 units sold, and Battlefield 3 slotted in right beneath it at 123,379, scientifically proving that the Tanooki Suit is a powerful psychoactive monetary aphrodisiac. [Image credit: Nintendo]
Super Mario 3D Land review: Depths worth plumbing
For the early portions of Super Mario 3D Land, I was under the dual misconceptions that I didn't like it very much, and I wasn't doing the review. Both of those assumptions proved false after I found myself playing through about half the game in a single, nonstop session. It became clear that I liked it much more than I thought I did -- and I had inadvertently gotten well ahead of our assigned reviewer during my Mario fugue state, hence the duty shifted to me. I also spent that first half of the game thinking this was the easiest Mario platformer I'd ever played. That turned out not to be the case at all.%Gallery-137152%
Caption Contest: Real-life Super Mario party searches for Princess Peach
Mamma Mia -- it's 'a me whole lot of Marios! If we were you, Bowser, we'd return Her Majesty to Mushroom Kingdom at once. Okay, okay... in actuality, the above was merely Nintendo hyping the upcoming US release of its psychedelic-consuming plumber's first 3DS title, Super Mario 3D Land. So there's no need to worry folks, Ms. Peach is safe -- at least until you get your grubby paws on the game come November 13th, that is. Darren: "Mario has sabotaged the Beastie Boys' redux of Sabotage." Terrence: "Occupy Mushroom Kingdom." Joe: "Will the real Super Mario please jump up?" Mat: "Someone got the infinite lives cheat massively, massively wrong." Sean: "The Mario family reunion took a turn for the awkward when Luigi realized he was the only attendee out of uniform." Tim: "It's 'a me... your worst nightmare." Richard Lai: "I ate the wrong mushroom." Jon: "After defeating multiple Agent Smiths, Neo finds that he advances to level 2 in the Matrix..." Brian: "Moments later, the mob located a pet store, went to town on the turtle tank and escaped safely through the toilet." Myriam: "Where's Waldo?" Zach Honig: "Darn it, Myriam... you took mine!" Billy: "The first rule of Project Mayhem is..." Brad: "This would've made that lousy Super Mario Bros. movie a whole lot better." Amar: "King Hippo + $2 Taco Night = this" Richard Lawler: "And not a single flying Cape Feather was given that day." Josh Fruhlinger: "Another Sunday in Williamsburg, Brooklyn."
US copies of Super Mario 3D Land also include firmware update
Yesterday, we found out that the Japanese version of Super Mario 3D Land packed a mandatory 3DS firmware update, which enhanced security (of course) but also streamlined the friends list, adding a new "Join Game" option. Today, upon the arrival of our US review copy, we discovered that the same firmware update is loaded on that version, as well, and offers the same amenities. You can see the "Join Game" button at the top of the screenshot above. It's faded out because the game I had running at the time doesn't have multiplayer. There's more 3DS updating to come, as a more comprehensive update is due this month to add video recording features, along with updated StreetPass games, DLC functionality, and other eShop improvements.
Super Mario 3D Land comes with new 3DS firmware
Japanese Super Mario 3D Land carts have started dropping into 3DS slots, and early reports from the country indicate that the game comes packed with brand new firmware for the system. What does the firmware update do, you wonder? Apparently, it makes the portable's friends list a bit more functional -- a button will now allow you to join a friend's game in progress. It seems that the update isn't an early release of the upcoming November one, which brings a variety of features. The firmware update also adds a modification to the console's ability to play flashcarts, a notorious game piracy culprit on portable consoles. Like most game-based firmware updates, the cart requires the update before allowing the user to access Super Mario 3D Land, so, uh, resistance is kinda futile. It's unclear whether the same firmware update will be present on US and EU carts when the game ships in the coming weeks, but we've asked Nintendo for clarification and will update the story if we hear back.
Yes, of course Shigeru Miyamoto is involved in Super Mario 3D Land
Like with previous Mario titles, the little plumber's creator is once again involved in Nintendo's next project, Super Mario 3D Land. In a recent Famitsu interview (translated by 1UP), Shigeru Miyamoto explains his role as "general producer" on the title, saying that he was uninvolved until about halfway through the project. "I kept my distance from the project at first, but became more deeply involved midway -- I don't think it'd be satisfying as a Mario game to everyone unless I made myself known on the little details," he says. Miyamoto further details his work on the project, specifically citing his work as helping to "fine-tune the numbers" behind things like Mario's iconic jump or run speed. He also points out that Mario's upcoming 3DS game draws from the world of Super Mario Bros. 3, while the "New" Super Mario Bros. titles drew from Super Mario World's foundation. Neat! "The New Mario series was an effort to get back to the core of it," he adds. "And this game is kind of an in-between -- it's 3D, but it's a Mario that lots of people can play." To that end, Super Mario 3D Land will feature a hint system akin to other recent Nintendo first-party titles, which Miyamoto teases briefly. But you wouldn't need such a thing, right?
Super Mario Land 3D media is overpowering
If you can watch the latest Super Mario 3D Land trailer without being overcome by waves of profound, heart-swelling joy and nostalgia, then congratulations. You are now prepared for a career in politics. %Gallery-137152%
Super Mario 3D Land preview: New tricks
I imagine the pre-production on Super Mario 3D Land was some kind of Frankenstein experiment, where a group of developers in full-on white lab coats picked apart previous Super Mario titles for their choicest features to create Super Mario 3D Land. It's really an amalgamation of previous efforts, though it doesn't deter the game from establishing an identity of its own. %Gallery-135960%
Super Mario 3D Land features SpotPass item trading, 'Assist Blocks'
While there's no word on an implementation of the "Super Guide" feature in Super Mario 3D Land, a Japanese retail display box reveals the presence of "Assist Blocks." These winged blocks will act sort of as a Super Guide analogue, dispensing helpful items to players having a hard time. They even visually refer to Super Mario Bros. 3's "P-Wing," an item that allowed players to bypass whole stages. The box also reveals a SpotPass feature for the 3DS platformer. You'll be able to exchange items with other players through the 3DS's internet connection -- which is good, if you're doing your best to avoid the (completely imaginary) shame of relying on the Assist Blocks.
Kirby? Mario? Zelda? It's a Nintendo gameplay video-splosion!
OK, so last night's Nintendo TGS keynote may not have had a mountain of relevant info for us stateside. But it had a lot of moving images we've not seen before, and we'll take that entertainment over boring old information any day of the week. We've got all the good parts just after the break with new screens from Super Mario 3D Land and Kirby's Return to Dreamland, plus video of those two, and clips of Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and Mario Kart 7. Can human beings overdose on joy? We pray that they can not.
