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NPD: 2010's bestselling game releases by platform
Gamasutra has obtained NPD data that puts a new filter on last year's US box-copy software sales, ranking the top ten bestselling 2010 releases for each console and handheld platform (PC excluded). Like the monthly NPD breakdowns, these rankings don't include actual sales numbers, but they do reveal some interesting trends. By omitting Nintendo's so-called "evergreen" titles (i.e., games released before 2010), Gamasutra found that -- perhaps unsurprisingly -- Just Dance 2 was last year's top-selling 2010 release for Wii, and among six additional third-party games that made the top ten in sales for the platform. On DS, however, Nintendo games filled out half of the top ten, and Pokemon SoulSilver and HeartGold were the only titles to surpass sales of one million units each. At first glance, PSP software sales look even bleaker, with Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep on top and, according to Gamastura, the only PSP title to break 300K units sold; with the other top ten games each falling below 200K. Of course, these rankings don't include digital sales or box-copy games bundled with hardware, so it's unlikely that Birth by Sleep (which isn't available on the PlayStation Store) was the true #1 bestseller among 2010's PSP releases -- let alone the most pirated. What is certain is that Call of Duty: Black Ops dominated torrents, as well as the games legitimately sold for PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2010. Still, both Sony and Microsoft saw two first-party releases make their console's respective top ten sales charts for the year; though each publisher's most critically-acclaimed release of 2010 -- at least, from Joystiq's perspective -- was not present. Perhaps telling of the two console's core player bases, Madden 11 beat out God of War 3 for the #2 spot on the PS3 chart, but fell to #3 beneath Halo: Reach in the Xbox 360 ranking. Finally, we have to wonder just what were they thinking? They, of course, being all those Xbox 360 owners that purchased Fable 3 and Fallout: New Vegas instead of Mass Effect 2. Three and a half stars plus four still doesn't add up to the Game of the Year, people. Check out Gamastutra for the complete breakdown of 2010's bestselling releases by platform.
Mass Effect 2 PS3 save corruption workaround, issue being fixed in upcoming patch
Earlier this week, we approached EA and BioWare and asked about workarounds for a nasty Mass Effect 2 save file corruption bug, occurring in the recently launched PS3 version. An EA representative tells Joystiq that the publisher is aware of the issue and is finalizing a patch that will be submitted to Sony for approval shortly. According to BioWare's patch notes, which we've placed after the break, the corrupted save games are caused by a "crash related to memory fragmentation." For now, the developer's suggested workaround is to "simply restart your game every few hours." It's good to take a break every now and then ... though save file erasure is tad draconian when used as encouragement. [Thanks, Nizam A.]
LittleBigPlanet 2 debuts atop UK sales chart, Mass Effect 2 PS3 in top ten
The very pretty, Britty build-a-palooza LittleBigPlanet 2 grabbed itself the top spot on Chart-Track's UK sales chart last week. According to the chart masters, the sequel's premiere numbers were "almost identical" to that of the original, being "only 95 sales short" of it. Call of Duty: Black Ops and the magical Just Dance 2 took silver and bronze, respectively. While we're on the subject of the resilient dance game genre, Harmonix's Dance Central slipped one spot from 12 to 13, while Ubisoft's original Just Dance moved up two spots from 13 to 11. LittleBigPlanet 2 wasn't the only game to have a big debut on PS3 last week, our top game of 2010, Mass Effect 2, premiered in the seventh spot overall and in second on the PS3-specific chart.
Digital Foundry pits PS3 Mass Effect 2 against Xbox 360 original
Not satisfied with its analysis of the PS3 Mass Effect 2 demo -- which was apparently based on old code -- Digital Foundry has posted a lengthy comparison of the PS3 and Xbox 360 retail editions of Mass Effect 2. There's a lot of information to digest in the article, including several videos and screenshots. The upshot: Most gamers won't notice the differences between the two games, though it seems the 360 version barely edges out the PS3 one in terms of a consistent frame-rate. The only significant difference, which boils down to personal preference, is the lighting in the two games. DF notes that the PS3 version's lighting is generally brighter than the 360 game, though not necessarily improved from a technical standpoint. The article also examines the effectiveness of the PS3's "Genesis" comic intro, as opposed to actually playing the original Mass Effect on 360. In the end, if you just have to own the most technically impressive version, DF suggests you choose ... the PC version, of course.
PSN Tuesday: Mass Effect 2, Spare Parts, Mega Man
*BOOM* Our top game of 2010 hits PSN. Mass Effect 2 is available now to download through the digital distribution network, but don't expect to be playing it right away. The title is 12 gigglebytes, which means if you start downloading now, you'll be lucky to finish before the Honolulu sunset. Thankfully, the game is also available at your local retailer in disc form. If you're feeling particularly old school, the original Mega Man is also available. There's also the Simon Pegg-voiced game Spare Parts. Check out the full PSN update after the break. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Video: Mass Effect 2's interactive Genesis comic on PS3
After watching the initial cut scene and playing through the first bit of gameplay in Mass Effect 2 on PS3, those who have a Cerberus Network code will experience the interactive comic, Genesis.
PSA: Mass Effect 2 PS3 Cerberus Network issues currently being worked on
Mass Effect 2's Cerberus Network is currently down on PS3. Joystiq has an email from EA support saying that the publisher is aware of the problem, and sources at Sony tell us it is working on a fix. There is also this EA support log which states: "The Cerberus Network and comic part of the Cerberus Network is currently down and hope to be up and working in next 24-48 hours." We've contacted Sony and EA for an official explanation of the situation. Normally we'd guess this is a classic example of the "PSN hasn't updated yet" issue, but at the moment, neither corporation will confirm that. Update: Players report it's working now. [Thanks, Luke]
Mass Effect 2 available on PSN January 18
You'll be able to buy Mass Effect 2 for PS3 without bringing another massive Blu-Ray box into your house. You may have noticed advertising to this effect on the PlayStation Store, and now BioWare has confirmed via the PlayStation Blog that the game will be released simultaneously on both Blu-Ray and PSN, next Tuesday, January 18. No price has been announced for the downloadable version, which also includes the "Overlord," "Lair of the Shadow Broker" and "Kasumi" DLC, but the disc-based release carries the standard $60 MSRP. Not only is the PS3 catching up with the other console, but Mass Effect 2 for PS3 will actually come out ahead of the Xbox 360 release -- the Xbox version has yet to be made available via Games on Demand.
Preview the 'Mass Effect: Evolution' comic
If you found The Illusive Man just a bit too illusive, the upcoming Mass Effect: Evolution seeks to shine some light on the galaxy's mysterious puppet master. BioWare has posted a seven page preview from the four issue comic. ME: Evolution was written by Mass Effect 2 & 3 lead writer Mac Walters and John Jackson Miller (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), with Omar Francia, who drew the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 comic adaptation, handling art duties. The series will cover The Illusive Man's role in "humanity's first deadly days on the galactic stage." The previous Mass Effect comic series, Redemption, concluded with The Lair of the Shadow Broker DLC.
Kill Screen's inaugural 'High Scores' show Limbo and Mass Effect 2 atop 2010 leaderboard
In its first annual "High Scores" ranking, our friends at Kill Screen broke down 2010's releases into two main categories: "Big Games" (including blockbusters, full retail releases and subscription-based MMOs) and "Small Games" (including indies, downloadables, DLC and expansions, mobile, social, free-to-play and completely free titles). Then, a whole gang of critics, Joystiq's Andrew Yoon and myself included, were elected as judges, each allotted 100 points per category and able to award any game 2–40 points. (A judge, for example, could have totally given 1 vs. 100 all 40 points it rightfully deserved!) Scoring in the top spots across the two categories were two titles that also appeared in our own Top 10: Mass Effect 2 (the "big" game) and Limbo (the "small" one). Notably, Minecraft landed in the #3 "Small Games" position, just below Super Meat Boy, showing how much critical love there's been for the just-in-beta world-building game. Also of note: BioShock 2's "Minerva's Den" and Mass Effect 2's "Lair of the Shadow Broker" charted, representing the only DLC to earn a "High Score."
Original Mass Effect 2 pre-order bonus items to be offered free through PSN
"I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite free DLC on the PlayStation Network." When you start the PS3 version of Mass Effect 2, you'll be able to start off looking sharp -- as sharp as someone who pre-ordered the original versions of the game from GameStop, in fact. The Terminus armor (which increases running speed and shields, and augments ammo capacity) and the M-490 Blackstorm Heavy Weapon (which creates tiny black holes), offered with Xbox 360 and PC pre-orders of ME2, will be distributed to PS3 Mass Effect 2 players for free via PSN through February 23. Mass Effect 2 be released for PS3 on January 18.
Mass Effect 2's 'Cerberus Daily News' to go on hiatus, pick back up before more DLC
One of the key props in the grand illusion of Mass Effect 2 is the Cerberus Daily News, a news feed that has displayed daily happenings from around "the universe" (in 2185 CE and into the new year) on Commander Shepard's computer terminal -- the game's title screen. These briefings began on launch day, January 26, 2010, and kept us hooked into a wide array of galactic goings-on over the months: from a Cerberus "torture den" to a trapped family in decaying orbit to the long-term effects of performance-enhancing drugs on athletes. Then, yesterday, a fourth wall–smashing "out-of-game notice" confirmed that the Cerberus Daily News would go on hiatus beginning January 24, ending its surprisingly long run of (phony) news updates. It seems that even a hundred and seventy-five years from now, we'll still be struggling to keep the news in business. (Read the update in full after the break.) On the bright side, the CDN editors will get some temporary work during three weeks this year (2011 CE). The first week of updates will precede what we assume will be the final Mass Effect 2 DLC release, which BioWare has continually insisted is in the works and will likely feature the completion of that treacherous bridge ... to the next game. Speaking of Mass Effect 3, two additional weeks of Cerberus Daily News reports will lead up to its release at the tail end of this year. Is it wrong to want 2011 to be over already? [Thanks, Anthony]
WRUP: Your 'Best of 2010'
You've seen our "best of 2010" and (some of) our "best of the rest" for 2010. What were your favorite games this year, and will you be playing any of them this weekend?
Joystiq Top 10 of 2010: Mass Effect 2
The Advertising Standards Authority on The Citadel greets every visit from Commander Shepard with a deep, disgusted sigh and a disdainful eye roll. The moment that guy sets foot inside the galactic nexus -- home to millions of aliens and bustling market to many more -- is when all the complaints start rolling in. Yeah, he's saved a planet or two, but the man's obviously a duplicitous douchebag who loves nothing more than inflating his ego through endorsement. Seriously, how can every single store on the Citadel be his favorite? The simplest explanation is that it's a video game, and giving the store a highly marketable nod of approval is something that comes up on the dialogue wheel whenever Shepard talks to a clerk. In return, you receive a discount on your purchases. It's obviously sensible and entirely beneficial to endorse all space shops. The video game you're playing simply does not care.
Choice Mass Effect 2 DLC discounted on Xbox Live today
If you've been holding out for the inevitable "Game of the Year Edition" of Mass Effect 2 to get the DLC, you'd best look away. As part of the "Countdown to 2011" promotion on Xbox Live, all three of the game's mission add-ons -- "Lair of the Shadow Broker," "Overlord" and "Kasumi - Stolen Memory" -- have been slashed to just 200 Microsoft Points ($2.50) each, for discounts ranging from 64–75 percent off today only. But maybe you'd rather spend tonight watching someone in a movie control another person, as if it were a video game? The Zune Marketplace totally has Gamer on sale for 960 points today, as well. Finally!
Garrus Plushie turns Mass Effect's ugliest dude into an adorable doll
If we were given the choice of turn any character from the Mass Effect universe into an adorable plush doll, we'd probably lean towards the Elcor, or one of the Krogan -- you know, one of the cuddlier species. Prickly protagonist Garrus Vakarian? Way, way down on the list.
Today's Steam Holiday Sale discounts Mass Effects, Dead Rising 2 and more
It's another day and you know what that means: more ludicrous Steam deals. Today's highlights include 50% off both Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2, along with reduced prices on Blur, Alpha Protocol, Dead Rising 2 and many more. Hit the jump for the full list.
Digital Foundry puts PS3's Mass Effect 2 under the microscope
Digital Foundry has placed its exacting eye upon Mass Effect 2's PlayStation 3 incarnation, addressing the big talk from both BioWare and Sony about the game utilizing the Mass Effect 3 engine and ultimately being the "definitive" version. DF's takeaway was that the PS3 version, as far as the PSN demo is concerned, turned out to be "different as opposed to definitive." Directly comparing the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, DF found the former to be a "a curious mixture of improvements, downgrades and swapped out effects." To give you an idea of how minor some differences are, however, the hexagon pattern on Miranda Lawson's comes out as looking "flat." There's also discussion of shadows looking more realistic, and biotic effects being of lower fidelity. Also, the PS3 version's framerate appears to be unlocked, which lets the game breathe a little when it can, but DF noted that "tearing is much more apparent in the new game - both in-game and in the cut-scenes." So, perhaps the PS3 version isn't quite definitive, but we're not hearing anything you could still use as an excuse to skip Mass Effect 2 next month.
PSN Tuesday: Mega holiday edition overflowing with goodies
We honestly don't even know where to begin with this week's PSN update -- it's like staring down the business end of a five-foot Philly cheesesteak. There are demos for Dead Space 2, Mass Effect 2 and LittleBigPlanet 2. Not interested in demos? Well, there's RISK: Factions and Echochrome 2 for PS3 and Valkyria Chronicles 2 for super cheap on PSP. It really is an amazing update for the holidays. Check out the full PSN update after the break. (Philly cheesesteak not available, sold separately.) Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Mass Effect 2's PS3-exclusive comic: how it works
Finally! Mass Effect! On the PS3! As a huge fan of the franchise, I was waiting for another excuse to play through Mass Effect 2. New and exclusive to the PS3 version of BioWare's RPG is an interactive comic that summarizes the events of the first Mass Effect. It's a clever workaround to Microsoft's publishing rights to the first game, and considering the importance of these choices in subsequent games, the effort is much appreciated. Unfortunately, after "playing" the comic, I couldn't help but wonder if it was enough to ease newcomers into the franchise. Although most of the game's expansions are included on the Blu-ray disc, you'll have to download and install the free comic from the PlayStation Store before starting the game. The comic is also not the first thing you experience in the game -- you'll have to play Mass Effect 2's impactful intro sequence first. The comic book sequence takes place in-between Shepard's first encounter with the enigmatic Collectors and his arrival at the Cerberus station. (If you opt not to download and install the comic DLC, the game will continue as it did in the original version.) While its position is unexpected, the interlude offers a perfect place for Shepard's life to flash before his (or her) eyes. (Both voice actors of Shepard provide narration for the comic, so don't be afraid to create an Oprah Shepard of your own!) The pace of the comic is incredibly swift, jumping from one crucial event to the next. %Gallery-111548%
