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Wii's winners and losers in Japan
We can't exactly trust the validity of the numbers used to create this list of best-selling games across the three home platforms, since it's just some guy on Geocities doing it (and he claims that he might alter numbers to deter copying) but they're close enough to our expectations for most games. These numbers are purportedly derived from Enterbrain and Famitsu sales data. Kotaku reproduced the top and bottom-selling games on each platform, and we think that's a nice way to organize it.The top ten Wii games are not too surprising, including stuff like Wii Sports, Wii Play, Wii Fit, Brawl, and other big Nintendo franchises. The only third-party game on the list is Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, which, of course, is a Mario game!But the bottom ten is a lot more entertaining, revealing, for example, that poor Opoona sold only 5,000 copies, as did Dewy's Adventure. D3's motivation for putting their Simple games on WiiWare is made clear by the fact that their disc-based releases totally bombed. Though not as badly as Hudson's Puzzle Series Vol. 1 Sudoku, which apparently sold 482 copies total.It's hard to pick interesting tidbits out of the middle of the list (which we won't reproduce after the break in the interest of brevity) but apparently No More Heroes sold just 27,873 copies -- much less than the 84,224 copies of Mysterious Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer 3 that went out!
Perfect Shot at the perfect price
Nyko's Perfect Shot caused a minor sensation when it came out, by being much more gun-like than, and basically superior to, Nintendo's own Zapper. It was even hard to find for a while. The situation seems to have gotten a lot better in terms of availability, though they might sell out again after this. GameStop has reduced the price of Nyko's handgun-shaped Wii Remote shell to just ten dollars.Other price reductions that may interest you: Koei's ambitious RPG Opoona for $30, the first Rock Band bundle for $140, and Dewy's Adventure used for $13. We'll also point out Target Terror for $20 here if only because you could actually use the Perfect Shot with it.
Opoona's European release pushed back
Koei's RPG Opoona won't be arriving on European store shelves next month, as previously anticipated. According to CVG, the game has been pushed back to September, meaning RPG fans will need to wait a bit longer before they jump into the bright and colorful world inhabiting Koei's title.So why the longer wait? Apparently, localization issues and production delays are the culprit here. Considering how poor the critical reception was, we're wondering if you really care all that much right about now.%Gallery-15530%
Europe to get Opoona this July
The dearth of top-notch Wii RPGs meant there was a quite a bit riding on Opoona, which Koei has just confirmed will be coming to Europe in July.Sadly, some damning reviews of the game upon its North American release proved to be the thumbtack to our lovely, shiny balloon of hope, but if you absolutely must play an RPG on your Wii (and have some bizarre aversion to purchasing the masterful Phantasy Star II from the Virtual Console), then you could probably do worse than Koei's nunchuk-only "lifestyle RPG."%Gallery-15530%[Via press release]
Metareview: Opoona
In last week's bevy of releases beginning with 'O,' one title stood as a shining beacon of hope ... rather, we shined a beacon of hope on it, crossing our fingers that the quirky Opoona might rise from the ashes of its lackluster Japanese reception as a worthwhile title. Instead, it looks like the nunchuk-controlled RPG is destined for the annals of mediocrity. Alas, poor Opoona, we hardly knew ye.Games Radar: 60% -- Ultimately, the tedium seemed to get in the way of the game's best qualities. "The already threadbare plot comes to a grinding halt every time you have to take a 10 minute detour over to the ol' licensing office and get your job level increased. The incredibly inefficient city design is unnecessarily confusing as well, adding even more time to your errands. It's extra frustrating that you have a wireless PDA device that constantly downloads new data and could just as easily receive the job/license info while you're out doing the quests ... Give credit to Opoona for trying to wedge a lot of new ideas into its paper thin premise, but the half baked 'lifestyle' elements can't hide the fact that it's a very simplistic and ultimately uninteresting RPG."1UP: 50% -- Like so many titles, fascinating, but flawed. "Despite its good looks, Opoona really stumbles in its localization. The game's English translation is rough and lifeless, with multiple typos and characters that barely sound different from one another, not to mention out-and-out confusion when NPCs say things like "head to that door" when there are multiple doors in a room -- confusion like that unnecessarily slows down progress.Opoona's heart is undeniably in the right place. As an RPG, it's pretty standard, yet it manages to be just plain comforting thanks to its quirky looks and sounds -- and even its easy one-handed control option. The game only really stresses you out when you're figuring out what job to do next and where to go, but once you clear those barriers -- and don't always expect grandeur -- it's not a bad trip."Nintendo Power: 70% -- The Nintendo mag found unrealized potential. "While Opoona boasts nice backgrounds and music, and is fundamentally solid, it's definitely rough around the edges ... These flaws, fortunately, don't ruin the game, but don't expect something with a lot of polish."%Gallery-15530%
WRUP: It's all about the O edition
No, not Overstock.com, we're talking about this week's new releases! They all start with the letter O. Weird, huh? We think so.For us, as much as we'd like to pick up Opoona, we know we just don't have the time for it right now. Putting an RPG on our plate right now is like beating Yogi Bear to death with a picnic basket. Sure, it's the stuff that sustains us, but too much, and we die.So we're just going to stick to shooting zombies in the face and brawling this weekend, mostly. What about you all, though? What game or games do you have lined up to play this weekend?%Gallery-15530%
Wii releases for the week of March 24th
This week's releases are brought to you by the letter O. At least, they would be if this were Sesame Street, but alas we have not a single soul here that can teach us how to count. Sad face.All kidding aside, it's quite the coincidence. But, hey, enough about the games starting with the same letter. Let's move on to the discussion regarding which title (or titles) you're going to pick up this week. Octomania Obscure: The Aftermath Opoona %Gallery-15386%%Gallery-15530%
Oodles of Opoona
Someone really wants to make sure you're not forgetting about poor little Opoona, the nunchuk-controlled RPG set for release later this month. To that end, a sudden burst of videos seems to have appeared, demonstrating everything from the battles to the futuristic world of the rotund protagonist. And frankly, we're pleased that we're getting to see so much of the title. Let's hope Opoona has a chance out of the gate this time, though with Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the horizon, we're a little worried about every other game releasing this month (and maybe next!).Head past the break for a few more tantalizing video snippets.%Gallery-15530%
Delve a little deeper into the Opoona-verse
We've told you pretty much all you need to know about Koei's upcoming RPG, Opoona, which will hit North American Wiis this March. Yet, if you like a good dose of visuals with your information, you might want to check out these videos.The trailer embedded up top is an introduction to the storyline, and not unlike what we've seen before. You'll find out more about the conflict going on in a text-heavy (but interesting) opening. To see some gameplay footage (and to find out why the characters have "bonbons" on top of their heads), though, make sure to venture past the break. %Gallery-15530%
Koei to roll Opoona out late March
If your days are spent yearning for a game in which you play a bald kid with an orange orb hovering over his head, circle March 25th on your calendar, the date Opoona, that other Wii-exclusive epic RPG, makes its stateside debut. Then you can put a happy face in that circle, draw a smaller circle above the face, and, will you look at that, you've got a picture of the game's titular hero!After a spaceship-wreck interrupts his family vacation, Opoona finds himself stuck on Planet Landroll, forced to begin a new life in the strange world while searching for his siblings and parents. Opoona's hardships range from trying to find a job to fighting against the Dark Rogues terrorizing Landroll's people. We assume he also has to deal with the self-esteem issues that often come with balding at such a young age.As with the entire game, combat during the turn-based battles is handled with just the Wii's nunchuck -- you can fire projectiles and direct the trajectory of your attacks with different nunchuck movements. Without having tried the single-hand controls out ourselves, we're still not sure about them yet, but it won't be long before we'll get that chance! Hit the gallery below for Opoona's packshot, artwork, and a huge pile of screensshots from the US release.%Gallery-15530%[Via press release]
Opoona won the battle easily!
It's no secret that Koei's Opoona sank in Japan. But numbers that low don't really say much about the game's quality, because nobody tried it. Perhaps a lack of marketing is more to blame than anything. In any case, we'll get our own chance to try out the Artepiazza-developed RPG when it is released stateside this spring.The latest video to show up takes us through a simple battle. Aside from a couple of graphical flourishes (as in, monsters actually moving) and really cute narration, Opoona's combat is your basic Dragon Quest turn-based fighting. Except, appealingly, in the future. We don't actually know if Opoona's any good, but we don't want any original game to suffer the fate Opoona did the first time.
Koei to put the "NA" in Opoona?
Opoona's visual style -- sci-fi spaceyness with adorable, rounded characters -- is as arresting as ever in this trailer, and the story of a child searching a space station and surrounding planet for his lost parents. Also, despite the lack of motion control, we think that one-handed Nunchuk controls are a smart design decision for an RPG. In short, we are pro-Opoona. Which is why we were quite happy to see this new trailer with some English subtitles.But what's that at the end? "Spring 2008?" Well, the game's already out in Japan, so that means that Koei is planning to release the game outside of Japan in the spring! We question the wisdom of such a decision, since the game bombed spectacularly in its first release (really, just a breathtaking sales failure) -- but it benefits us, so we aren't going to complain too much.
TGS07: A very short glimpse at Opoona
The first rule of taking video at a game show is you do not talk about Fight Club make sure half of your video does not consist of the back of some random dude's head. Considering the video is on the shorter side, this isn't that big of a deal. We still get a good glimpse at the character status screens, along with a small chunk of environment exploration. But, know this: if you do it again GameSpot, we're coming for you.
Opoona gets delayed in Japan, US release still unknown
The few unfortunate RPG addicts in Japan who only own Wiis were probably eagerly looking forward to Opoona's release on September 27, desperately holding out for an original RPG on a system devoid of such content. They're going to have to go back to Shiren the Wanderer or Breath of Fire II on the Virtual Console for a while, because the game's been delayed until November 1st. Maybe work on Opoona is taking a back seat now that Artepiazza is working on those Dragon Quest remakes for DS.A delay on this game is bad news for everyone-- the Japanese audience doesn't get the game until the holiday rush, and we have to wait even longer for it to be localized. That is, if Koei decides to localize it.
It seems like forever since we talked about Opoona
Seriously, the last time we had anything to report on the game was back in May. May, people! That is way too long to go without anything about our favorite nunchuk-driven game. Finally, our thirst may be quenched, as JeuxFrance has put up a new video for the title. In it, you'll find everything that initially piqued our interest in the game, so be sure to head on over and check it out.
Opoona's website does not require the Nunchuk
Koei has opened the official website for their adorable Wii "Lifestyle RPG" Opoona, and the site is as colorful and, well, round as everything else we've seen about the Nunchuk-only game. There's not much English to be found, but the links all have English labels, allowing you to navigate with ease and find visual content. Clicking around will get you plenty of screenshots, and the "dark rogue" link takes you to a gallery of enemy creatures. They are mostly-- that's right-- colorful and round. It's kind of a major theme in the design.
More Opoona screens for fans of cute space RPGs
Koei has released some new screens from Opoona, showing more interaction around the space station area. Some of the locations revealed include a coffee shop, an art museum, and a library. Little Opoona looks quite cheerful as he explores these areas, for someone who just became separated from his parents. He's the spheroid Ryo Hazuki of the future.This latest update brings us the names of some of the characters in Opoona's world. His father and mother are called Daddiina and Mommiina, which is just adorable. Gordy, the captain of the space station's guards, a young boy named Ted who wants to grow up to be a guard, and a young honor student named Mira round out the known cast. It's starting to sound like an RPG, isn't it?
New Opoona trailer shows off gameplay, induces drooling
A new gameplay trailer for that quirky title from Koei called Opoona has made its way over to IGN's video section. This newest trailer shows us some environmental exploration, lots of character dialogue and some battle footage. Personally, the more we see on this game, the more we can't wait to get our hands on it. It should also be noted that some of the cutscenes in the trailer might spoil the story for some of you.Also, IGN decided to play nice now and have allowed us to embed the video past the post break, as per our usual routine
More Opoona screens and concept art
For those of us who're still scratching our heads and wondering just what this Opoona business is all about, we don't have anything new to contribute aside from some screens and a few pieces of concept art. Sadly though, they still don't explain how the game will control. The article also explains how "energy candy" will be used in combat.Check out some of the screens past the post break.
New Opoona screens still don't explain the controls
We've had our eye on Opoona since the initial announcement-- an RPG for the Wii is, at this point, a rarity, as is a game from Koei that doesn't involve beating on thousands of soldiers in ancient China. But, of course, the real issue with Opoona is the control scheme, which uses only the Nunchuk. Whaaaaa? Unfortunately, these new screens don't really provide an adequate explanation for that design choice, though they do a pretty good job of showing the game in action, as does this new trailer. Sure, the Nunchuk is adequate for cycling through menus and for analog movement, but so is the Wiimote. We don't exactly get it.What we do get is the art design and the environments. We are completely buying what Koei is selling over here, because the look of Opoona is basically Lego Phantasy Star Online. Anything that recalls the vaunted PSO gets our attention. We've posted some selections from the gallery after the break-- if you're interested, be sure to follow the "read" link and see the full 35-image preview.
