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Analyst predicts the Wii's bestsellers
In the most recent simExchange report, analyst Jesse Divnich had some interesting predictions about Wii software sales. According to Divinich, the top selling games will be as follows (including estimated worldwide sales for the software during the Wii's lifetime): Wii Play – 20 million Super Smash Bros. Brawl – 13.95 million Mario Kart – 13.16 million Super Mario Galaxy – 12.61 million Wii Fit – 8.73 million We're not surprised that Divinich would predict Wii Play to be the top selling piece of Wii software, since the game is constantly popping up in the top of the NPD and Japanese charts. Since two of the five predicted games aren't even out yet, and one of them is only out in Japan, it's hard to tell by trends if the rest are good choices. Still, taking our best "we're not paid analysts" guesses, we'd say that Wii Fit will have much higher sales than Divinich predicted. The game already sold one million copies in Japan, and it's only been out for a month. We do think that those are a solid top five, though, even if we don't agree on the order and total sales for all games.How about you? What are your best guesses for the Wii's top five?[Via Joystiq]
Another week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 12/31-1/6
The Wii got a huge boost in hardware sales thanks to the New Years holiday, which is known to be big for consumerism in Japan. All system sales increased, in fact, but the gap between the Wii and PSP widened as the Wii sold almost 80,000 more units than it did the previous week. The bump in hardware sales also affected software sales, helping Nintendo regain its domination in the charts. The top twelve games were for Nintendo systems, with a lot of those games either having the words "Wii" or "Mario" in their titles. Wii Sports and Wii Play continue to bully newer titles out of the top ten, while Wii Fit nears the million mark (and according to some trackers, already reached it as of today). Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles also shows some legs by barely making the top thirty, selling 21,000 copies last week for a total of 234,000.It will be interesting to see whether Super Mario Galaxy can hang in the top ten, but regardless, it seems that the game will hit one million sales relatively soon. Also, expect a huge drop in sales all around next week, as holiday spending in Japan finally comes to an end.The hardware and software numbers are listed after the break, for your viewing pleasure.
simExhange: Wii Play will be top selling 'software' during Wii's lifetime
Analyst Jesse Divnich of prediction market simExchange projects Wii Play will become the top selling piece of Nintendo Wii "software" over the console's lifetime. Divnich believes Wii Play will finish with approximately 20 million units sold, while Super Smash Bros Brawl grabs the number two spot with an expected 13.95 million units sold. Wii Play's classification as software has been the source of mental chafing considering its main selling point is the bundled Wiimote in the $50 "game" (making the the actual game $10 after the Wiimote's normal $40 price is deducted). Although the NPD numbers for December still aren't public, Divnich believes the Nintendo Wii sold 1.8 million units and the Nintendo DS broke a sales record with 2.9 million units sold -- currently the PS2 holds a December record of 2.6 million units sold during 2002. Divnich's piece of advice is that American publishers need to work outside the industry's status quo to get a hold of the "astonishing success" Nintendo is currently experiencing.
FIFA, Brain Training best selling UK games in 2007
EA Sports football (or "soccer" for the US audience) title FIFA 08 was the best-selling video game in the United Kingdom last year according to Chart-Track (via GamesIndustry.biz). The game reportedly sold 25% percent more than its closest rival, Dr Kawashima's Brain Training. Perhaps surprisingly, Microsoft's flagship Halo 3 came in sixth place with only half of FIFA 08's sales. Both FIFA 08 and Halo 3 were released in late September within days of each other. It should be noted that FIFA 08 was a multiplatform title available on six different consoles and the PC. Top ten list after the break.
Another week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 12/24-12/31
Normally we bring you Japanese sales charts on Wednesday, but since Japan was on vacation this week, that didn't exactly work out. It's back to work for Japan, however, which means that the sales numbers for games and hardware for the week of 12/24 were finally released.So, how did Nintendo fare? While software sales were good, the company certainly lost its dominance in the charts. The week of 12/17 had Nintendo in nine out of ten of the top spots, while the week of 12/24 had the company in only seven. (Note: When "only seven" is a bad week, that's a good thing.)To see what this means for the Wii (and to view the actual Famitsu sales numbers), check after the break.
Another week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 12/17-12/23
The Wii did well last week in Japan, finally managing to outsell the PlayStation 3 again by five to one. Wii Fit, Super Mario Galaxy, and Mario and Sonic continued to find success in the software sales charts, while Wii Sports and Wii Play extend their quests toward spectacularly high numbers.We're glad to see that Super Mario Galaxy is doing well (the game is great, in case you haven't noticed), and are still awed by the phenomenon that is Wii Sports. Only one game in the top ten (and top fifteen, for that matter) was for a non-Nintendo system, which exemplifies the company's current dominance in Japan. Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon is mysteriously missing from the charts, however, leading some to speculate that the game sold less than FIFA 360 (which took the last place with 2,400 copies sold).Check after the break to see the sales numbers for Japan's hardware and software.
Another week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 12/10-12/16
It's that time of the week again when we find out how the Wii and its games sold in Japan. While we really have no need to be worried about the hardware, certain unconfirmed numbers earlier this week did raise concerns about third-party software sales. So, how did the fair Wii fare in the land of the rising sun this week? Regarding hardware sales, the Wii just barely eked out in front of the PSP to take second place with 168,000 units sold, jumping up over 50,000 units from last week. As for the software, there's some good and bad news. Check after the break to see the numbers.
Mario Galaxy tops Famitsu sales charts
Famitsu released their weekly top 10 sales chart today, and a non-Wii Sports Wii game is at the top of the list! Of course it's Super Mario Galaxy, which has bounced off of the planet right up into the highest levels of the sales atmosphere. SMG has supplanted Final Fantasy Tactics A2 as the highest-selling game for the week. FFTA2 actually dropped to #3 because of another debut, Ace Combat 6 for the Xbox 360. But that obviously doesn't count because wooo Nintendo woooo. Wii Sports and Wii Play (also known as "the Wiimote") continue to hold on to the top 10, in spots 8 and 9 respectively. Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the post break to see the full list!.
Because playing Table Tennis with a fake racquet attachment would be silly
You weren't actually thinking about playing Wii Play's table tennis the Wü's Ping Pong Game with a tennis racquet peripheral, were you?Pssssh. Come on, now. Why would you do that when all the cool kids (read: not cool kids) are using these? After all, how can you go wrong with a "Ping-Pong Bat," which are currently being sold over at DealExtreme for the random price of $16.14.We'll give $10 to the person who guesses the next peripheral to come out on the Wii.* We're betting on some Wiimote maracas for the upcoming Samba de Amigo, since Sega just announced they won't be making any.*We won't actually give you $10 if you guess right, you silly rabbit.[Via Technabob]
Wii Play parody includes seal clubbing, drive by shooting
Bored with the Wii versions of table tennis, golf, and baseball? The folks at Loading.Ready.Run were, so they decided to create mock-ups for several "rejected" Wii Play games. Write your name in the snow in Wii-Pii, grab a harpoon and hunt whales, then perform a perfect Cii-Section! After you finish clubbing seals and blasting haters in WiiDriveby, keep your Wii remote wrist warm for Female Pleasure (hint: it's not what you think). Click the 'read' link below to give it a gander. [Note: The video is probably NSFW due to sexual innuendo, animated urination, and a short scene of vacuuming.] [Via Engadget]
'Rejected Wii Play Games' delight, nauseate
The general consensus on Nintendo's Wii Play is that it offers pretty good training in the use of the Wiimote, but tends to get repetitive and thus fails to really succeed as a standalone title. Well the folks over at Loading.Ready.Run clearly wanted more than this rather bland execution, and they've imagined a number of mini-games that for whatever reason -- mostly poor taste -- Reggie and company decided to leave out of the final product, but should maybe reconsider. For instance, Shooting is pretty fun, but perhaps the way to really speak to today's youth would have been with WiiDriveby, where the gunman gets points for every "hater capped." Other rejects range from tedious (Paperwork Mario, Why are Wii hitting ourselves) to cruel (BiiHeading, Seal Hunt) to gross (WiiPii, Prostate Exam) to just plain weird (Rhythm Gymnastics? Cii-Section?). Hit the Read link to catch the entire list [Warning: possibly NSFW due to sexual innuendo and animated urination].
Wii Play joins Sports with platinum sales in Japan
In Japan, Nintendo is doing well with the casual games. According to last week's Japanese sales charts, Wii Play has joined Wii Sports with one million in unit sales; Wii Sports broke the million mark last month. Vinnk of 4 color rebellion has put this milestone into perspective. The Wii now has two platinum titles 3 1/2 months after its launch. The GameCube had only one million-seller in Japan, Super Smash Bros. Melee, that took longer time to reach that point. However, other titles are not selling nearly as well, including The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. As arguably the only Wii epic, Link's adventure hasn't yet reached the half-million mark in Japan. In fact, it has dropped out of the top 30. Other Wii titles in that top 30 last week include Fire Emblem (23), Wario Ware (26) and "Eye sealed 21 field strongest soldier" at 30. (Did we mention we love Google translations?) What does this all mean? Expect to see ample amounts of casual games -- in Japan, at least.
Wii Play videos
It must be video day around here. This time, it's snippets from Wii Play, courtesy of IGN, where they have a load of new movies from the successor to Wii Sports. We've included two after the jump -- the crazy cow racing and a somewhat lackuster round of table tennis. We're really dying to see a good long volley, but it looks like we may have to wait until Wii Play is nestled in our own Wii. Oh well! Until then ... videos! Check 'em out after the jump.
Wii Play delay, Wiimote pack-in now due mid-Feb
Wii Play's North American debut has been unexpectedly pushed back to February 12, perhaps to give WarioWare: Smooth Moves, due on January 15, some space to dominate the minigame genre. Of course, for those of us waiting to buy additional controllers, Wii Play's release couldn't come soon enough. The minigame collection is sold exclusively as a Wiimote pack-in. See also: Wii Play minigames WRU?! [Via Wii Fanboy]
Wii Play bumped to February
While it hasn't been officially announced from the heavens, it looks like the minigame collection Wii Sports II Wii Play will be delayed in the U.S. until February. What have we done to displease you, Nintendo? We need Wiimotes with pack-in games! Nintendo's official online media outlet had Wii Play listed for January ... and now suddenly the game has been moved to February 12, a full month after Wario Ware. Coincidence?
Eurogamer takes an early look at Wii Play
In what is not so much a preview but a treatise, Eurogamer gives Wii Play a few run-throughs and looks at the overall notion of including the collection of mini-games with Wiimotes in non-North American markets (you lucky buggers). After all, Wii Play is the game that will be called Wii Sports II by many, and as with Wii Sports, it's not so much a game as a teaching tool to help people learn the Wiimote. But after they look at the nine minigames -- Billiards, Laser Hockey, and Shooting Gallery aside -- the wrap-up seems to beg the question of whether or not this game is necessary, even included with a spare Wiimote at a bargain price. Wii Play, reports Eurogamer, is very basic -- and we already have a basic tutorial with the system. It's Wii Sports, a game that has depth that has surprised many. We'll have to wait for the full reviews to see if Wii Play will demonstrate similar depth, but from this preview, we're inclined to doubt it. For those who have the Wii Play-and-controller bundle at launch, it may be a worthy purchase ... but for those of us in North America, who won't see Wii Play until January, it may not do as well, bundle or not.
Nintendo Power: Wii Play confirmed, 2K baseball online
Codename Revolution has the scoop on Nintendo Power's January issue. Highlights include: Wii Play confirmed for January (North America); bundled with Wiimote The BIGS (2K/Big Castle) will feature online play; not scheduled for release until Q3 2007 WarioWare: Smooth Moves to feature 'pass-the-Wiimote' 12-player multiplayer and Mii integration Interview with Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi: "For me, the Wii controller doesn't yet connect with the core gameplay of Castlevania. I definitely don't want to make a game with gimmicky controls where you swing the controller like a whip..."
Wii Play: Nintendo's other minigame collection
Siliconera previews Wii's other minigame title Wii Play, as it's known in Europe. Also Hajimete no Wii (in Japan), the collection comes bundled with specially-marked versions of the Wii controller (for an additional cost) and includes nine casual games that familiarize players with the Wiimote's unique abilities (similar to the experience of Wii Sports): Shooting - Duck Hunt, minus the Zapper (and yes, there are ducks) Find Mii - Where's Waldo using Mii characters Table Tennis - Rockstar's Table Tennis this is not; players direct their paddles by pointing, and the ball is automatically returned (motion-controlled Pong) Pose Mii - Players mimic the Mii's pose by rotating the controller Hockey - Air Hockey with neon lights Charge - Bull racing; tilt the controller to stay balanced Fishing - Catch the specified fish using the controller as a fishing pole Tanks - multiplayer tank battle; shells can be bounced off walls Billiards - use controller like a cue stick (draw back and push forward); playable in 2D (top-down) or 3D (behind the ball) Oddly, Nintendo has not confirmed Wii Play for North America; though with the Duck Hunt clone alone many would consider this a must-buy. What gives?
Nintendo Wii Fanboy at the Nintendo Fusion Tour: Orlando
Yes, these Fusion Tour events have been going for several weeks now, I know. And you've probably read plenty of impressions, too. But not from Nintendo Wii Fanboy, you didn't, so grab a mug of hot cocoa and your favorite fuzzy slippers. It's time to read. I, like most of you, had never played with the Wii before tonight. I was unable to attend E3, and despite my posting nigh every single day on the strange little machine, I had no idea if it could actually fulfill my every expectation. Would I have to convince myself that the controls would work, as opposed to just knowing that they would? It was almost nervewracking ... waiting to see if all that I work on and write about would be somehow validated.
Wii Play to include Wiimote?
We found your second Wiimote, guys. Play.com has Wii Play (Hajimete no Wii), a collection of minigames designed to show off the Wii's capabilities, listed as including a second controller (but maybe not a nunchuk). Think Wii Sports, but without bigheads. Or, y'know, sports. And hey, instead of being included with your console, it's included with your second Wiimote! So where's our Wii Ultimate Bundle that includes all this stuff for a premium? Since we're going to buy it anyway, if only to get all old school with Duck Hunt. [Thanks, Jules!]
