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Super Mario Chart
NeoGAFfer Stumpokapow compiled this chart of Japanese Mario sales throughout the series, and two things are immediately obvious from looking at it: Mario sprites still look great! Seriously, yay Mario. New Super Mario Bros. is huge. We knew that NSMB was riding the combined influence of Nintendo nostalgia and Being On The Nintendo DS into sales Valhalla, but we didn't realize just how successful it was. If Nintendo ever gets enough DS Lites into Japanese stores, we can almost guarantee that two-million copy gap between it and the original Super Mario Bros. will disappear. In other good news (in one blogger's opinion and pretty much no one else's), Super Mario 64 is near the bottom of the list, providing evidence that 3D Mario was a failed experiment. This in no way means that Super Mario RPG's position on the list is indicative of the quality of that game. That's, uh, completely different. Check after the break to see the full chart and to register your disgust about our treatment of Mario 64.
Breakfast Topic: So how are those keys coming?
So the expansion's been out for over a month, you've gotten all your raid keys done, right? RIGHT? The overwhelming looking raid attunement chart hosted by WoWWiki seems intimidating, but a lot of things turned out to be easier than I'd anticipated. For example, you don't need to complete Shadow Labyrinth, The Steam Vaults, or Arcatraz for your Karazhan key. The Shadow Labyrinth key is at the end-boss, Murmur, but the fragment in The Steam Vaults can be reached without actually killing any bosses, and the one in Arcatraz can as well. The reputation buildup just from doing the usual instances and quests was enough to provide me with almost all the reputation I needed for heroic mode keys, but I haven't started any heroics yet.How are those keys coming folks? Horror stories with that pickup group in Steamvaults got you down?
Release drought? A line graph disagrees!
What's the best way to make the Wii seem even cooler? Compare it to the Nintendo 64! Games Radar decided to get to the bottom of the "release drought" issue by comparing the current Wii library to the libraries of the GameCube and N64 after their first four months. The Wii has the most diverse lineup by far, which would seem to prove, for better or worse, that third parties are participating more this time around.We're kind of surprised the GameCube "launch window" selection was this small, but the N64 numbers look right in line with our impressions. Only, like,four games were ever released for that, and two of them were basically the same 3D Castlevania.
Simple Wii controller chart
We like simple, we like easy and this chart is simple and easy. A one-stop graphic to answer all those Wii controller questions. Feel free to follow the link, print this puppy out and keep it near your Wii for future reference. Now if only the white font were easier to read.[Thanks WickEd]
Japanese hardware sales, 30 October - 5 November: Stream-of-consciousness edition
Without further ado, I present the inner workings of my iron-clad genius:well yet another week of hardware sales, I wonder if my post will beat ludwig's, I dunno, we were talking about it earlier and his idea was good as hell, but of course i'd never admit it, damn south africans. when do they even get the wii? i guess probably not for awhile, sucks to be him, but he DID order phoenix wright 2, i wonder if he got it yet, i wanna wait for the american version because of all the typos in the game, why do those bother me so much, oh well, ive plenty of play, guitar hero 2 hasn't even left my tv screen in like days, my roommates are out there right now playing tonight i'm gonna rock you tonight, i really like that song, but man freebird is just too cool, i need to practice it...oh, and not to mention final fantasy 12, or okami which i still havent beaten, or tales of the abyss which I havent even OPENED, or final fantasy V advance, and FFIII in a few days, and yoshi's island 2 and oh yeah those four more games i'm picking up for the wii (twilight princess is 70+ hours?) DAMN YOU VIDEO GAMES my grades are spiraling out of control...well, not really, i got a 97 on my digital design test, take THAT schwartz, wait no one wants to hear about my academic life, well whatever. hell YES battlestar tonight, though i have to set the torrent for it since i'm going to an mc chris concert, which means i better finish this damn post and get on with it. peace out.- DS Lite: 113,09745,584 (28.73%) - PSP: 23,725 2,183 (8.43%) - PS2: 21,832 850 (3.89%) - Xbox 360: 6,580 5,015 (320.45%) - GBA SP: 1,443415 (22.34%) - Game Boy Micro: 1,299 52 (3.85%) - Gamecube: 6473 (0.47%) - DS Phat: 373259 (227.19%) - GBA: 205 (33.3%) - Xbox: 07 (100.00%)[Source: Media Create]
GTA:VCS debuts at 6th in UK game charts
Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games, needed some financial help. They looked to the PSP as a source for the big bucks, and it looks like they're making a healthy return. Within one week of sales, the PSP-exclusive Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories debuted at number 6 in the UK game charts, making it the top-selling handheld game for the week. With Bully also ranking high, and nary a DS game in sight, it appears that both Take-Two and PSP can breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy their success.[Via Gamespot]
Analysts put 360 on top by 2010
It seems like some market research firm has a new prediction for the game industry every day. One day, the PS3 is on top. The next, it's Wii, Wii, Wii (all the way home). Today's chart is all about the 360. IDG estimates that the Xbox 360 will sell 23.9 million units in North America by 2010, followed by the PS3 at 23.5 million, with the Wii in a distant third at 13.6 million units sold. Okay, so for the 360's sake, it's really more of a tie. Granted, these numbers are only for North America, so we have no idea where this puts 360 in a global perspective. Still, most predictions we've seen put the PS3 on top. That makes this chart special. Take off your Fanboy hat for a minute and answer this question: could the 360 really outsell the entrenched juggernaut that is the Playstation?[Via Joystiq]
Next-gen: does size matter?
Will the tiny Wii muscle aside the 360 and the PS3? Who would win in a steel cage match? And does size really matter when considering a new console?Far-reaching philosophical questions about size aside, we stumbled across a chart comparing the heft of the three next generation consoles -- and the original NES is thrown in for good measure. In fact, Nintendo owns the smaller end of this spectrum -- even the old faithful NES is smaller than the 360 or PS3.We'd like to see some other comparison charts, like heat or noise emissions, amount of damage inflicted by a thrown controller, functionality of each console after the family pet knocks over the entire entertainment system, etc. ... but we guess that we'll have to wait until after release date for some of those. Check the chart out after the jump.
Japanese hardware sale chart - Sept. 4 - 10, the war in percentages
Well, look how the mighty have fallen. The Nintendo DS Lite, which is the PSP's biggest competitor, saw a 50-percent decline in hardware sales last week. Never mind sales numbers ... who cares about those anyway? It's all about percentages, baby.The PSP surged on with a six-percent jump in sales that can most likely be attributed to Tales of Phantasia Full Voice Edition's total domination in the software sales chart.- DS Lite: 113,831 115,108 (50.28%)- PSP: 29,141 1,642 (5.97%)- PS2: 19,882 2,821 (12.43%)- GBA SP: 2,104 647 (23.52%)- Game Boy Micro: 1,801 10 (0.56%)- Xbox 360: 1,094 156 (12.48%)- DS Phat: 1,058 738 (230.63%)- Gamecube: 696 159 (18.60%)- GBA: 13 9 (40.91%)- Xbox: 5 5 (infinite%)- Wii: 0 0 (0%)The PSP needs to keep looking in its rear-view mirror, however, because the DS Phat also saw a big spike in its percentages with a whopping 230-percent increase. But, I expect this to be short lived due to its "teh suck."Also, look at how crappy the Wii is selling. Hah hah, it's being outsold by the original Xbox and hasn't even sold a single unit! Those percentages look pretty bad.(Via Joystiq)
Japanese software sales chart - Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, Sega does what Sony can't
Isn't it great when the king of the hill is dethroned? Well, if you agree, then you may be happy to know Sega has done what Sony hasn't been able to by outselling all Nintendo games with its new online RPG Phantasy Star Universe.1. Phantasy Star Universe (PS2) - 120,202 / *NEW2. New Super Mario Bros. - (DS) 72,763 (2,974,0273. Brain Age 2 - (DS) 46,662 / 3,119,8574. Final Fantasy III - (DS) 45,949 / 549,0015. Tingle RPG - (DS) 45,496 / *NEW6. Cooking Navi - (DS) 35,689 / 419,7337. Mario Hoops 3 on 3 - (DS) 34,001 / 267,7638. Animal Crossing: Wild World - (DS) 32,605 / 3,181,7359. Rythm Tengoku - (DS) 28,361 / 123,43210. Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop 2 - (DS) 27,540 / 458,474Aside from PSU, there has been some shuffling of Nintendo DS titles, but there are still no PSP games that have made it in the top 10 for the second week straight. Hopefully, this isn't a trend that continues, but it's always nice to see my beloved Sega doing something right every once and awhile.(Via Games Are Fun)
Japanese software sales, August 21 - August 27: coup d'etat edition
Last week, in the land of the rising run, the DS reigned supreme. Unfortunately, however, Nintendo of Japan has one weakness: Role Playing Games. 1. Phantasy Star Universe - PS2 - 120,202 | NEW 2. New Super Mario Bros. - NDS - 72,763 | 2,974,027 3. More DS Brain Training - NDS - 46,662 | 3,119,857 4. Final Fantasy III - NDS - 45,949 | 549,001 5. Tingle RPG - NDS - 45,496 | NEW 6. Nintendo DS Talking Cooking Navi - NDS - 35,689 | 419,733 7. Mario Hoops 3-on-3 - NDS - 34,001 | 267,763 8. Animal Crossing : Wild World – NDS – 32,605 | 3,181,735 9. Rhythm Tengoku - GBA - 28,361 | 123,432 10. Tamagotchi Connexion Corner Shop 2 - NDS - 27,540 | 458,474 Yes, an RPG invariably ends up on this list upon its release in Japan, no matter how clichèd or unoriginal it may be. Final Fantasy III performed a similar feat last week, but looking at the impossibly attenuated sales, one can only assume they're running real short on copies over there. Oh well, we can't be kings forever, right? (This post in no way bashes Phantasy Star Universe or any of its fine publishers or developers. It's just that the game can't possibly be as cool as any other on this list. No hard feelings.)
20 million PSPs shipped
Fanboys love the numbers game, because nothing tells you the quality of a system like the profit margins of a multi-billion dollar corporation. Sony revealed that as of a week ago, 20 million PSPs have been shipped worldwide. Mind you, these are not representative of sell-through numbers, but it is impressive nonetheless. You can see that the PSP is far more successful in the American and European markets than in the Asian ones (Note: JPN includes shipments to the rest of Asia). Although the PSP has been successful, it appears that Sony's not meeting its own sales expectations: you may remember that Sony anticipated shipping 20 million PSPs in 2006 alone. In order to do that, it'll need to ship 15 million more by year's end. Will the Christmas season prove to be the injection of sales Sony's looking for?[Via IGN Boards, Insider membership required]
Hands on with ARINC's iLiad-based eFlyBook
We had a chance to spend some quality time this week with ARINC's eFlyBook, essentially an iRex iLiad all gussied up in aviation trim. True, we know the subject matter may not interest the lion's share of our readers, but finding appropriate vertical markets may prove crucial to the short-term success of the iLiad and products like it -- besides, the eFlyBook is a dead ringer for its unbranded sibling, so if you're in the eBook market, do read on.
OmniPlan
Well, the cat's out of the bag folks. OmniPlan is the name of that now not-so-super-secret new piece of software from Omni Group. As the name oh-so-subtly suggests, OmniPlan does project planning, complete with Gant charts and whatever else you project planning people do. I'm not quite sure what all of the features do, as I have zero background in project planning, but it's sure pretty!OmniPlan has been in private beta for about a week, and a public beta will be released on Wednesday.
April bodes well for Xbox 360
The US charts of hardware and software sales for April are rolling in, and Microsoft is loving it. Taking the top hardware spot, the Xbox 360 was the most trafficked console of the month.Even though a certain Disney game might have taken numero uno, the rest of the Top Six were dominated by 360 titles. Here they are: Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, MLB 2K6, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat and Tomb Raider: Legend.
MMO Account Statistics
Though this site isn't specific to World of Warcraft, MMOGCHART.COM provides some interesting information on the subscriber levels of various MMO's currently on the market as well as the number of people actively playing MMO's. The site has recently gotten its first update of the year, with promises of more updates to come. It doesn't tell us more than we already know - that World of Warcraft is immensely popular - but it does help to put it in perspective. With the next two MMO's below WoW catering to more of the Asian market (NCSoft's Lineage and Lineage 2), it looks like North American competition in the MMO market is pretty scarce.
Japanese hardware sales: Lite on its feet
Taking a break from my usual posting routine, I embarked on a totally manly picnic today and quickly found myself gazing up at the sky and trying to spot familiar shapes in the clouds. A tortoise, a banana, a wolf and Optimus Prime all gently floated by, though none of those were quite as interesting as the Japanese sales chart for the week ranging from 20 March to 26 March which quite unexpectedly made an appearance. I quickly jotted the information down right before the cloud morphed into an uncanny Woody Allen. The ranking, according to number of units sold, is a follows: DS Lite: 119,986 Phat DS: 39,307 PS2: 34,169 PSP: 31,077 GBA SP: 5,627 GB Micro: 4,883 Gamecube: 1,458 Xbox 360: 1,415 Xbox: 117 GBA: 98 Before you whip out your calculators, let me break it to you bluntly: The DS Lite sold more units than everything else on the chart combined (and that's including our Phat friend). Coupled with the news that my DS Lite has finally embarked upon a journey across the ocean, it makes for a very happy Nintendo day indeed.Previous Japanese hardware charts: Lite get! (13 March - 19 March) Lite's out (27 Feb - 5 March) Once more, with feeling (20 Feb - 26 Feb)
OS X Satisfaction Chart
Someone created a pretty darn funny chronological chart (warning: harsh language) of an OS X newbie's experience with Mac OS X. According to the nine-day chart, satisfaction can fluctuate wildly during the early stages of Mac OS X adoption, mainly due to the "I don't know where anything is" and "shoot, I miss my games" factors. I have no idea who made this (I found it through del.icio.us/tag/mac), but check out the full chart for a good laugh at some of those early Mac OS X experiences.
