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Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 3/10-3/16
Japanophiles and sales chart nerds, it's that time of week again to take a look at last week's sales in the Land of the Rising Sun. Those of you who've been keeping up won't find much excitement in this week's chart, though. All the same software from the week before showed up, but it might not be long before Family Ski and Winning Eleven fall out of the top thirty.It was also nice to see Metroid Prime 3: Corruption stick around, as the Nintendo FPS nabbed the number eleven spot for this week. Other than that, the only noticeable difference is that Smash Bros. dropped to fourth. What's interesting is that Brawl is no longer the best selling Wii game, either, as Wii Fit reclaimed that honor. We also learned that you can't keep the big three (Wii Fit, Wii Sports, and Wii Play) out of the top ten for long.In hardware sales, the Wii fell a smidge behind the PSP, and did only slightly better than the DS. Hardware: PSP: 57,651 Wii: 55,845 Nintendo DS: 53,266 PlayStation 3: 14,934 PlayStation 2: 9,930 Xbox 360: 1,744 To see the software numbers and rankings for last week, make sure to click past the break.
Brawl sneakers sprint into our hearts
The rabid excitement of the pre-Brawl days affected us all in different ways. Fueled by daily dojo updates, some simply crossed dates off on a calendar, while others we would bore their our friends senseless about one day playing as Snake. Joseph Colon did something far, far cooler: he grabbed a pair of plain old white Nike Air Force 1s, went to town on them with a marker pen, and made something beautiful.These customized sneakers feature all 36 Brawlers, as hand-drawn by Joseph himself, who clearly doesn't lack talent. The results are fantastic, and we'd totally wear these while "shooting hoops" at the local court if, you know: We ever actually went outside We were in any way whatsoever sporty [Via Go Nintendo]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl knocks sales records into the sky
Smashing (get it? Get it?) Nintendo of America's first-week sales records (held at one point by Pokemon Gold and Silver), Super Smash Bros. Brawl has sold a ridiculous 1.4 million copies from its March 9th launch (and, well, before that) and yesterday. That comes out to 120 copies a minute. Nintendo's Cammie Dunaway described the reaction to Brawl in sweeping, but appropriate, terms: "Super Smash Bros. Brawl has made the leap from video game to cultural phenomenon." We get the feeling our Game Nights are just going to continue to get more crowded, which is okay! We're happy to lose to a large and varied group.[Via Joystiq]
Wii Warm Up: The Subspace Emissary
Many of you have been playing Brawl this week, and we've been hearing that the Subspace Emissary is on the "meh" side of the scale. Jason Cipriano over at MTV Multiplayer recently argued, though, that the Subspace Emissary should get its own sequel. Just think about it: A game entirely devoted to a one-player (or co-op) adventure, using some of the most beloved characters in video game history. If the Subspace Emissary had been Sakurai's (or someone else's) whole focus, we'd bet it would be a lot more fine-tuned.So, what say you, readers? Should the Subspace Emissary get its own sequel? Even if you haven't played Brawl yet, do you think something like that would be a good idea? Share your thoughts here, folks.
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 3/3-3/9
To most of us, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is old news. The U.S. has had it since last summer, and even Europe has been enjoying the game for a few months now. It only debuted in Japan last week, though, and we were happily surprised to see it make the top five. It only sold 32,000 copies in its first week, but that's still not too shabby for a Metroid game in Japan. Hopefully, the game will have some legs and not plunge off the charts after its first week, like many other first-person shooters tend to do.As for other software, the Wii didn't have too many games in the top thirty -- only eight, in fact -- yet it was still the second most represented gaming system on the charts. With the exception of the aforementioned Metroid and Everyone's General Knowledge Training TV, all the Wiis top games have consistently stuck around for (at least) a few weeks. In other news, Smash Bros. once again failed to take the first place spot. The game beat out last week's chart champ, the new Gundam for the PS2, but fell behind the newly released Yakuza 3.In hardware, the Wii claimed the top spot once again as Japan is clearly so over the Mint Green PSP (that was so five minutes ago). You can check out the hardware and software numbers for last week in Japan after the break -- we recommend that you do so.
Gripes and Glees: One week with Smash Bros. Brawl
Oh Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Our blogging super-powers have given us an entire week with your dual-layered, nostalgia-filled awesomeness, where most gamers have only had the past few days. In spite of the nega-review, Brawl still seems to be pure gold in the eyes of most gamers and reviewers. Of course, a game as massive as Brawl is bound that have hidden its imperfections somewhere. So let's go hunting, listing the game's many gleeful points, each followed by a gripe that may have been overlooked in our fanboyish devotion to the franchise. No facet of the game will go untouched here, so be warned that spoilers may abound. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let's play Gripes and Glees!Glee: The opening cinematic to Brawl is gorgeous as always, and even updates as new characters become unlocked. Gripe: The initial load-screen for the cinematic lasts around ten to fifteen seconds, a wait time normally unheard of in first-party Nintendo titles. The unskippable load time feels even longer due to the lack of music and an almost entirely black screen.
Tons of original Brawl stages are now at your fingertips
One really enjoyable feature in Super Smash Bros. Brawl is the Stage Builder. Not only is it a medium for players to channel some of their creativity, but it's also fun to try out stages that other people have made. There are limits to the stage builder, though. You can't just peruse user-created levels at will -- you're limited to either the ones that Nintendo features, or the ones that your friends send you. Fortunately, IGN has created a web page for users to share and download Brawl levels with ease. For example, if you want to play on the N64 Hyrule Castle stage, just check out this fan recreation. IGN has also provided some helpful directions explaining how to upload a level onto the site and download someone else's to play. Before you head on over and check them out, though, be warned that some of the stage screenshots depict spoiler characters.So, what are some of your favorites?[Thanks, Brent and David!]
Web services allow for easy Brawl stage sharing
Sure, the Super Smash Bros. Brawl stage editor is a great way to extend the value of the game, but it's only really valuable if you and your friend-code friends have the creativity to come up with interesting stages. Those of us with no creative talent and/or no friends are out of luck! Enter the web, which has already filled in some of the stage-sharing holes Nintendo left in the game. IGN's recently launched Smash Bros. supersite already has a selection of over 100 user-created stages that players can download to their SD cards, while the Smash World forums Stage Browser currently has 85 or so stages available. Each site offers picture previews, easy instructions for uploading and a rating system to separate the wheat from the chaff. Now if someone could just hack a way to play these user-created stages in online matches we'd really be in business!Visit - IGN's stage sharing clearinghouseVisit - Smash World Forums stage browser
Boston wins Nintendo's Smash Bros. Brawl launch tournament
Representatives from Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York met in NYC for Nintendo's official Smash Bros. Melee Brawl launch tournament. Each of these finalists were going to walk home with a Wii and an insane amount of Best Buy gift monies. The victor, however, would get a brand new TV, sound system, and a customized crystal Wii. Boston's representative took home the gold with a stunning performance with Sheik (see video, above).The Smash competitions went throughout the night, ensuring that patient Best Buy shoppers were treated to some entertainment while they waited for the game's obligatory midnight release. Many New Yorkers, after picking up their copies, rushed to the subway, undoubtedly rushing home to enjoy their spoils.Update: Really -- seriously? Melee? Fixed. Gallery: Smash Bros. Brawl NYC launch tournament
Wii Warm Up: Hype train wreck
Maybe we're just anti-establishment by nature, but sometimes hype works on us and sometimes it doesn't. Occasionally, when people won't stop talking about how cool something is or will be, we're inclined to like it less. I was doing my best to be in the too-cool-for-Brawl camp until the promise of online play (and an actual play session) convinced me that maybe I should give up my practiced aloofness in favor of fun times.But other people are a lot cooler than me, and therefore I assume that there are some of you out there who are still doing their best to vocally not like this popular game. Of course, now that the game's out, it's the perfect time to start a backlash! Anyone else out there cold on Brawl just because it's too popular, and too frequently discussed (even right now)?If not, why not enjoy a little poseur spirit and pretend to be too cool for Smash Bros. in the comments? Sincerity is for mainstream blogs.
Smash Bros. Brawl not working on some Wiis, Nintendo responds
While we're sure most of us would describe Wii fanatics as the most lighthearted of the console enthusiasts, we can only imagine that being forced to wait nearly two years for the most highly anticipated game on your console, only to come home from a midnight launch to discover you cannot extract the frenzied multiplayer mayhem stored on the disc you've purchased might incite one's dander to "get up". Alas, many a brawler-to-be recently found themselves in this lamentable situation, as Super Smash Bros. Brawl has reportedly had performance anxiety in a number of Wii consoles.Nintendo has swiftly replied with a North American repair form, explaining that the double-layer disc can only be read by a squeaky-clean disc drive lens. They implore you not to try to clean said lens on your own, and to send in your crudely adhered Gamecubes to Nintendo HQ for a thorough purging. We're sure they'll get your newly spruced console back to you in a timely manner -- which will likely offer little consolation to a Nintyfan scorned.[Thanks to all the unlucky souls who sent this in. Our thoughts are with you during these trying times.]
Disc errors plague some unlucky Brawlers, Nintendo offers repairs
Did you pop in Brawl early this morning, only to find out that it wouldn't play? You're not the only one. A number of Wii owners on this side of the globe are reporting problems similar to ones seen in Japan -- disc errors, supposedly caused by dirty laser lenses. Since Smash Bros. is the Wii's first game that's on dual-layered DVD, it's extra sensitive to such problems.The good news is that Nintendo will fix the problem for you. The bad news is that it might be a few more weeks before you get to play Brawl ... or any Wii game, for that matter.Nintendo is urging people experiencing this problem to fill in this form and send in their Wiis for repair. They'll be footing the bill for the shipping and repair costs (as they should), so the only thing you'll be losing out on is quality time with your new copy of Brawl.Are any of you affected by this problem? If so, feel free to rant about it here. Just let it all out.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Wii Warm Up: Brawling
A certain game that you may have heard of was released today, making it almost a holiday of sorts for Nintendo fans in North America. So, tell us: Did you (or will you) pick up Brawl today? If you have it already, what are your initial impressions of the game? Who is the first character you played with? Have you tried playing online yet? If you haven't gotten the game yet (perhaps you're waiting for the game to ship, or maybe you live in a PAL country), feel free to vent your anger and jealousy here, too. Who will be the first character you play with when you get it? And what feature are you most looking forward to?So, use this space to talk about all things Brawl, readers.
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 2/25-3/2
People interested in Japanese game sales probably have one question on their minds: Did Super Smash Bros. Brawl hold onto the top spot last week? Well, the answer is, no. The new Gundam game for the PS2 managed to end Brawl's reign, and end it convincingly. In fact, Smash barely stayed in second, with Wii Fit being right up the fighter's grill.The Wii itself also lost the top spot last week, overtaken by the PSP in hardware for the first time since Brawl's release. Aside from those major changes, though, everything looks to be what we'd expect, with Winning Eleven and Family Ski continuing to champion the cause for third parties.Go on and take a look at the numbers after the break ... or else.
Best Buy's Brawl gift card doesn't come cheap
The cheapest way we've found to get Super Smash Bros. Brawl so far is through Gamestop, but if you're not looking to trade in games, you can look to Best Buy instead. The retailer isn't cutting the price of the soon-to-be-beloved Nintendo fighter, but they're offering a $10 gift card when you buy Brawl and another game that's over $39.99.That's still not as good as the Circuit City deal, which also will net you a $10 gift card, but without making you buy a second game. The deal at Circuit City, though, is for preorders only.So, if you don't intend to preorder the latest Smash Bros., Best Buy may be your best bet. The offer lasts from 3/9-3/29 in stores only, and you must show them the promotional coupon (click the picture to the right).[Via GoNintendo]
Snake Codec calls are worth spoiling Brawl
Solid Snake, who, as the most realistic human being in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and as a military operative who carries deadly projectile weapons into battle, should be the most serious character in the game. Instead, Snake's propensity for endless discussion via codec is used to make fun of not only himself, but every other character in the game -- made even more hilarious by David Hayter's inimitable character voice.We've embedded one video after the break, showing Snake and Otacon's codec chat about (character). You may consider it a spoiler! People seem to consider all kinds of stuff related to Super Smash Bros. Brawl spoilers. If you're terrified of knowing who's in the game, don't look at this video and don't visit the nefarious uploader's YouTube page, which features five other videos, each revealing multiple characters and more chatter.
Dojo Update: Continuing will cost you
Ah, where would we be without continues? You'd probably find us taking an anger management class or two if they didn't exist, truth be told.Of course, you shouldn't rely on continues. Even though you can use them, you should certainly try to get by without them. Sakurai seems to feel the same way, which is why you get punished for using continues in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.Not that the punishment is all that bad -- Kirby won't puff into your home and slap you in the face, for example. Yet, in Classic Mode, each continue comes at the cost of points and coins. Your score will automatically get cut in half, and the amount of coins you owe is based on the difficulty you're playing in. Naturally, easy playthroughs cost less coins than difficult playthroughs. And yes, these are the same coins that you'll be using in Spectator Mode. Just like an arcade game, if you don't have enough coinage to continue, it's game over.As for Adventure Mode, the consequences aren't as bad. You don't have to spend your coins to continue, but you'll lose half of the trophies and stickers that you've collected on your current quest. You'll also receive less coins when you beat stages after continuing. We wonder just how hard these single player modes are going to be. Until we figure that out, you can bet that we'll be big penny pinchers.%Gallery-16727%%Gallery-10206%
Joystiq attends Super Smash Bros. Brawl tournament in pseudo-Boston
Nintendo of America's official Super Smash Bros. Brawl Tournament finals occur this Saturday in New York City after qualifying events last month in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. This past Saturday an official qualifying event was held in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, a well-sized burg about an hour outside of Boston. And although Worcester does have its own distinct identity, don't tell that to the emcee of the Nintendo Brawl event who kept telling "Boston" to "make some noise." For those who need further explanation, that would be like attending an event in Newark, New Jersey and having someone awkwardly scream, "Manhattan, make some noise!"So, how did such a must-attend event for gamers to get their hands on Brawl a week before launch end up being hosted by Worcester Polytechnic Institute? Turns out, it's a classic tale of who you know. Jaime Barriga, a senior at WPI who heads the Game Development Club, won a photo contest Nintendo held last year. Since that time he stayed in contact with the Nintendo PR team and kept trying to get some kind of event hosted at the school. As luck would have it, this Smash Bros. Tournament landed at their feet.%Gallery-17328%
Brawl screenshot hilarity
If you don't mind a few "spoilers" (as some people consider pictures of characters and stuff in Super Smash Bros. Brawl), check out this fun NeoGAF thread. GAFfers who have the game (either the Japanese version or, we assume, from a lucky Sears trip) are sharing interesting, cool, and funny screenshots grabbed onto SD cards and converted using BIN2JPG.Be warned, many of the screens feature exactly the kind of content you'd expect from a message board: suggestive poses and/or Snake's fantastic tush. But don't let that stop you from seeing some clever arrangements of characters and trophies.
Another Week in Japan: Hardware and software numbers 2/18-2/24
Super Smash Bros. Brawl hung onto the top spot last week, but not by much. For the first time, the king of Nintendo fighters was actually close to the game behind it, with a lead of less than 10,000 units. Considering that Brawl has dominated for a month and is already over the million mark, though, we're not surprised to see a little less dominance from the title.A lot of new software was released last week, which finally caused Super Mario Galaxy to fall out of the top thirty. Winning Eleven: Play Maker 2008 was the Wii's new game, debuting at the number six spot. Family Ski also managed to jump up five spots, despite the plethora of new titles.On the hardware side, the Wii continues to reign in first place. The PSP and DS aren't too far behind, but the Wii is outselling the PS3 4:1 with the help of Brawl.You can check out the listings and sales numbers -- they're posted after the break.
