Support NeoGAF

[Relaxed Muscle]

3DS is in big trouble, clearly the actual software is useless to bring people to buy the hardware but even if we look forward the situation looks as bad.

If Nintendo thought they could sell the 3DS on brand name alone, they were so wrong...

 

[Chris1964]

Next Nintendo retailer meeting won't be far. We should get some dates there. Maybe seeing the situation Nintendo will have to change the original release schedule.

 

[iidesuyo]

This is what Nintendo gets for not having a Mario game ready at a handheld launch.

And just WOW @ PSP. I always liked the system and believed in its potential, but I never thought it could pull off such an immense comeback.

 

[Father_Brain]

OoT is an enhanced port. People can post whatever they want, but it's an enhanced port. It's not like it was rebuilt from scratch. Some things were improved (some significantly), but it's a very small percentage in the grand scheme. There's a reason people have posted screenshots that look fundamentally identical (Because they are).

I agree, but I also think that the visuals have been enhanced enough for that distinction to be meaningless to the average consumer.

Anyway, OoT should sell very, very well in all territories, and will at least significantly spike 3DS sales in Japan in the short term. If Twilight Princess' performance is any indication, it'll have more of an impact on hardware sales in the West, though.

Next Nintendo retailer meeting won't be far. We should get some dates there. Maybe seeing the situation Nintendo will have to change the original release schedule.

And the annual report (and the accompanying investor briefing) is at the end of the month. I'm hardly in the 3DS doom-and-gloom crowd, but it'll be interesting to see how Iwata spins these figures.

 

[Takao]

I honestly don't think the 3DS is in any danger (while the Sony fanboy within wishes it was). There isn't any compelling software out there, and I'm afraid Steel Diver, and Pilotwings won't cut it either. Things will get huge once a real Mario, or Pokemon game is released.

 

[Mrbob]

This is what Nintendo gets for not having a Mario game ready at a handheld launch.

And just WOW @ PSP. I always liked the system and believed in its potential, but I never thought it could pull off such an immense comeback.

In some ways the PSP in Japan is similar to the performance on the 360 in the USA. As the system ages sales aren't decreasing. Both platforms are bucking the trends hardware should be going down so late in the cycle for each respective territory.

 

[Azelover]

It amazes me that the several "viral" aspects of the 3DS haven't worked to catapult it to a sales level on par with weekly DS sales from years ago. Software alone may not do it, I think the 3D may actually be turning people off.

 

[Canova]

Japan doesn't need NGP, PSP is making a huge comeback. Release NGP in EU and NA this year and in Japan mid-next year

 

[idwl]

Even though I love nintendo to death, I'm happy the 3ds isn't selling that well. Prevents them from being too arrogant , and should serve them right for making it ugly as sin, just so they can get a revision out later. Zelda can't come soon enough <3

 

[The Abominable Snowman]

Japan doesn't need NGP, PSP is making a huge comeback. Release NGP in EU and NA this year and in Japan mid-next year

I came in to post this exact thing.

NGP in the US September or October. Exclusive Battlefield game and a bunch of PS3/360/Wii ports along with a lot of promises of the future.

Hey, that's better than what the 3DS has coming this year.

Edit: or was it Call of Duty? I get those things confused. Maybe I should say "Exclusive high profile military shooter game"

 

[Mrbob]

Agreed it would be a tactical error to release PSP2 in Japan first. It is the one territory which doesn't need the PSP2 this year. Having the PSP2 ready for the holidays in the West would be huge.

 

[Kyoufu]

I don't want the NGP delayed in Japan. Don't think that is a good idea at all.

 

[Chris1964]

I really wonder if some of have any idea what Nintendo will release for 3DS at Q3, Q4 and you want NGP to miss 2011.

 

[iidesuyo]

I lot of people I've showed my 3DS just said that it's nice but too expensive. "And they'll release an improved version next year anyway, you're stupid for buying the launch version." In retrospective it was not clever to release the DS Lite so shortly after the fat DS.

 

[Bebpo]

I agree, but I also think that the visuals have been enhanced enough for that distinction to be meaningless to the average consumer.

Anyway, OoT should sell very, very well in all territories, and will at least significantly spike 3DS sales in Japan in the short term. If Twilight Princess' performance is any indication, it'll have more of an impact on hardware sales in the West, though.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Zelda does the weakest in Japan of the 3 major territories?

I really wonder if it's enough to sustain 3DS sales for the year until Mario something arrives before x-mas.

 

[Graphics Horse]

It amazes me that the several "viral" aspects of the 3DS haven't worked to catapult it to a sales level on par with weekly DS sales from years ago.

Hey that's not quite fair, this week in 2005 the DS sold 43,023, that's only 44 more units!

 

[poppabk]

In some ways the PSP in Japan is similar to the performance on the 360 in the USA. As the system ages sales aren't decreasing. Both platforms are bucking the trends hardware should be going down so late in the cycle for each respective territory.

I think this is because the market leader was a generation behind in terms of hardware power, so you can upgrade at a discount price with a vast catalog of software available, a lot of it again at budget prices.

 

[charlequin]

Are they just going to wait and see if Nintendo will put out titles to turn it around all on their own, and then complain that only Nintendo games sell again?

The most likely outcome, to me, is that Capcom will have a big hit on their hands with something like RE:R (like SE did with FF3 on the original DS), and then attention to the platform will pour in. But we'll see.

It amazes me that the several "viral" aspects of the 3DS haven't worked to catapult it to a sales level on par with weekly DS sales from years ago. Software alone may not do it, I think the 3D may actually be turning people off.

I honestly think it's ridiculous to draw conclusions about the 3D when the software lineup and price in combination provide a plenty logical explanation for the system's performance.

 

[Bebpo]

Also I think what those PS2 sales are telling us is that certain devs should not have abandoned the PS2 and gone X360 only. Having both PS2 and X360 versions would probably have helped their overall financials.

 

[Dedication Through Light]

Next week's releases {2011.04.14}

[3DS] Pilotwings Resort (Nintendo)
[3DS] Pro Baseball Spirits 2011 (Konami)

[NDS] Cosmetic Paradise: Princess Life (Global A Entertainment)

[PSP] Super Robot Wars Z 2nd (Bandai Namco)
[PSP] Persona 2: Innocent Sin (Atlus Co.)
[PSP] Pro Baseball Spirits 2011 (Konami)
[PSP] Last Ranker [Best Price!] (Capcom)

[PS3] Pro Baseball Spirits 2011 (Konami)
[PS3] Homefront (Spike)
[PS3] WRC: FIA World Rally Championship (CyberFront)
[PS3] Lost Planet 2 [Playstation 3 the Best] (Capcom)

[360] Homefront (Spike)
[360] Cross Channel: In Memory of All People (CyberFront)
[360] WRC: FIA World Rally Championship (CyberFront)
[360] Lost Planet 2 [Platinum Collection] (Capcom)

Wow, only a month different for Homefront, wonder if it will do better than Crysis 2, for shooters. P2P, awesome, hopefully it matches or exceeds P3P.

 

[Bebpo]

The most likely outcome, to me, is that Capcom will have a big hit on their hands with something like RE:R (like SE did with FF3 on the original DS), and then attention to the platform will pour in. But we'll see.

RE isn't an rpg though and it doesn't sell like FF. I think a more casual hit like Layton probably has a better chance at re-igniting sales than an RE game in Japan.

 

[IonicSnake]

I wonder if the NGP reveal is helping PSP sales since you will be able to play every PSP game you buy from the PS Store.

 

[DR2K]

I wonder if the NGP reveal is helping PSP sales since you will be able to play every PSP game you buy from the PS Store.

Nope.

3DS needs games.

 

[Lesiroth]

HW numbers this week are way too wierd. Seems like Sony did well by planning a Fall launch for the NGP, with how well the PSP is doing against the 3DS.

 

[Bebpo]

Nope.

3DS needs games.

Which is pretty much the problem of every Japanese launch. I can't remember a Japanese launch that actually had enough games for the first year to sustain the system on anything other than potential and hype. Launch systems are those you buy and play for a week at launch and then they gain dust for months and months during the year while you occasionally take them out to try something new. Then in year 2 you start getting actual games.

US launches are different because they usually come later and have both previously released JP software and US launch software, aka the Dreamcast launch. I can't explain the X360 US launch though, that was just sincerely a good launch.

 

[Sadist]

Is it me or are people just uh, overexagerating? I could be wrong, but isn't it normal for new hardware to sell less than established hardware in it's introductionfase? I know some of you have insanely high expectations of the 3DS, but I feel every time when a new console or handheld releases everyone is raising the bar for succes or failure. I didn't expect the thing to sell millions out of the gate, but I think it's doing okayish. Could have been better with a big Nintendo title demonstrating the hardware...

Still curious about Nintendo's new third party strategy.

 

[Chris1964]

RE isn't an rpg though and it doesn't sell like FF. I think a more casual hit like Layton probably has a better chance at re-igniting sales than an RE game in Japan.

Layton comes out every year and is on decline.

 

[Bebpo]

Is it me or are people just uh, overexagerating? I could be wrong, but isn't it normal for new hardware to sell less than established hardware in it's introductionfase? I know some of you have insanely high expectations of the 3DS, but I feel every time when a new console or handheld releases everyone is raising the bar for succes or failure. I didn't expect the thing to sell millions out of the gate, but I think it's doing okayish. Could have been better with a big Nintendo title demonstrating the hardware...

Still curious about Nintendo's new third party strategy.

It's very normal but by not releasing the hardware before a major holiday period, they didn't get the initial base they wanted and now they have to wait another 10 months for the next big holiday and try again.

imo the 3DS is a prime example of why you NEED to release new systems in the fall leading up to x-mas/new years.

Layton comes out every year and is on decline.

I wasn't talking literally about Layton. I said they need a title like Layton to do what Layton 1 did and bring in the mainstream + gamer audience and help the system get notice and sales.

 

[IonicSnake]

Which is pretty much the problem of every Japanese launch. I can't remember a Japanese launch that actually had enough games for the first year to sustain the system on anything other than potential and hype. Launch systems are those you buy and play for a week at launch and then they gain dust for months and months during the year while you occasionally take them out to try something new. Then in year 2 you start getting actual games.

US launches are different because they usually come later and have both previously released JP software and US launch software, aka the Dreamcast launch. I can't explain the X360 US launch though, that was just sincerely a good launch.

When you say that it makes me think that even if the NGP doesn't have that many launch games it will have plenty of PSP games that will actually play better on the NGP. I know I will be re-playing my PSP games simply because of the second analog stick. But hopefully the NGP will have plenty of launchgames.

 

[Chris1964]

I wasn't talking literally about Layton. I said they need a title like Layton to do what Layton 1 did and bring in the mainstream + gamer audience and help the system get notice and sales.

Project Love Plus 3D

Spoiler

ahahaha

 

[Sadist]

That's how I see it as well.

That's why I'm curious about the E3 in two months and ofcourse TGS. With all the problems in Japan I suppose a lot of projects got delayed and seeing the 3DS is heavily reliant on Japanese support... I'm curious about the line-up.

 

[gofreak]

Is it me or are people just uh, overexagerating?

I think it is easy to overreact. It doesn't strike me as SO bad at all if it stabilises in the 30-40k range anyway. I think it's just the curse of expectation, not helped by Nintendo's own apparent expectations in their launch shipments.

 

[charlequin]

RE isn't an rpg though and it doesn't sell like FF. I think a more casual hit like Layton probably has a better chance at re-igniting sales than an RE game in Japan.

I'm not saying it'll reignite hardware sales, I'm saying it (if it performs well) could urge other publishers to commit resources to the platform -- I'm just talking about more third-party support here. If the platform takes off saleswise it'll probably be something like Layton or a Nintendo game, like you said.

It's very normal but by not releasing the hardware before a major holiday period, they didn't get the initial base they wanted and now they have to wait another 10 months for the next big holiday and try again.

Exactly. Usually platforms that don't have a killer app try to hit up a holiday season (or use a cushion of software from a previous region launch) to get "free" sales and create an appearance of success off the same lousy launch software.

 

[Bebpo]

Project Love Plus 3D

Spoiler

ahahaha

haha, maybe!

Sometimes the oddest stuff takes off in their market. Love Plus was a great example.

 

[Chris1964]

Is it me or are people just uh, overexagerating?

Overexageration or no 3DS had a very soft launch at every territory. Japan could be the least problematic one since you know that the software sooner or later is coming.

 

[Lord_Byron28]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought Zelda does the weakest in Japan of the 3 major territories?

I really wonder if it's enough to sustain 3DS sales for the year until Mario something arrives before x-mas.

While Zelda does do the weakest in Japan it would provide a spike in sales, especially when this will be Nintendo's first "core" game. Also OoT sold better than any other Zelda game in Japan(I believe, I don't know how well the 2D games did). Think of it like 3D Mario and Super Mario 64 DS. 3D Mario isn't as popular in Japan as it is in the west. However, Super Mario 64 sold really well and it's port on the DS also performed better than Sunshine, and the Galaxy games. I suspect there will be a similar result regarding OoT.

We also don't know when anything is releasing and what all is releasing this year. Resident Evil Mercenaries could do well in June as well, Star Fox 64 3D, Mario Kart, MGS3D, a few Level-5 games and other upcoming titles are slated for this year.

Which is pretty much the problem of every Japanese launch. I can't remember a Japanese launch that actually had enough games for the first year to sustain the system on anything other than potential and hype. Launch systems are those you buy and play for a week at launch and then they gain dust for months and months during the year while you occasionally take them out to try something new. Then in year 2 you start getting actual games.

US launches are different because they usually come later and have both previously released JP software and US launch software, aka the Dreamcast launch. I can't explain the X360 US launch though, that was just sincerely a good launch

.
The Wii launch had a great amount of games in it's first year there was Twilight Princess, Wii Sports, Wario Ware, Wii Play, Mario Party 8, Fire Emblem, Super Paper Mario, Resident Evil 4 Wii, Super Mario Strikers, Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles, Big Brain Academy: Wii edition, Metroid Prime 3, Super Mario Galaxy, and Wii Fit were all released in Japan within the 1st year. I believe all of these titles sold over 1 million WW(except for Fire Emblem).

 

[BY2K]

We already had a Europe bomba thread somewhere, not sure about the US.

Best Handheld Launch in Europe is bomba, now?

 

[Chris1964]

Best Handheld Launch in Europe is bomba, now?

Bomba no, but for the successor of DS it wasn't anything remarkable.
Things don't look very different in US.

 

[FINALFANTASYDOG]

haha, maybe!

Sometimes the oddest stuff takes off in their market. Love Plus was a great example.

love plus was not odd, it was revolutionary for the genre in general.

That year it was the game that got the most attention from academicians. In fact looking at sales charts of it a lot of the re-boom came at the same time one of Japan's leading youth sociologists posted on article about it on 4gamer.

 

[Majine]

Wow, Wii has lost so much ground. Seeing how Japan-centric Nintendo is, they almost have to announce a successor soon.

 

[antonz]

Wow, Wii has lost so much ground. Seeing how Japan-centric Nintendo is, they almost have to announce a successor soon.

Historically the trend of the drought of the Wii magnitude would without a doubt indicate New console is coming very soon. Problem is I dont think Nintendo is a company that you can rely on those trends.

 

[zero_suit]

Bomba no, but for the successor of DS it wasn't anything remarkable.
Things don't look very different in US.

I'm pretty sure we didn't get any figures.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I'm kind of glad the 3DS isn't having a blow away launch, despite the fact that I'm loving the system. I want Nintendo to realize that their little 3rd party experiment failed. Also don't mind it because lets be real, the second they start releasing a steady stream of their AAA games it will be on top for a long ass time.

Glad the PSP is still doing well, always deserved. PS3 consistent as usual. PS2 owning.

 

[zero_suit]

I want Nintendo to realize that their little 3rd party experiment failed. Also don't mind it because lets be real, the second they start releasing a steady stream of their AAA games it will be on top for a long ass time.

Of course sales are going to increase when Nintendo releases their big-hitters. The problem is that some 3rd party developers will whine and claim that they can't compete against Nintendo's stuff.

 

[evilromero]

Wii sports more of a core game than Layton? You must mean wide spread appeal.

I don't mean for the "core" audience but rather the killer app, yes.

 

[AranhaHunter]

I don't want the NGP delayed in Japan. Don't think that is a good idea at all.

I really wonder if some of have any idea what Nintendo will release for 3DS at Q3, Q4 and you want NGP to miss 2011.

Ideally they would release it WW this year, but if they have to delay it in one region, JP should be it, if they have to delay it in 2 regions it should be JP and EU. I think NGP can survive missing a Holiday season in JP, and maybe in EU because Sony can still drop the price of the PSP in both of those regions, whereas they already dropped the price of the machine here in the US and I'm not sure if that had any major effect.

I know it's not an ideal solution, but missing the holidays in the US would be worse for them than missing it in Japan IMO.

 

[Lord_Byron28]

I'm kind of glad the 3DS isn't having a blow away launch, despite the fact that I'm loving the system. I want Nintendo to realize that their little 3rd party experiment failed. Also don't mind it because lets be real, the second they start releasing a steady stream of their AAA games it will be on top for a long ass time.

Glad the PSP is still doing well, always deserved. PS3 consistent as usual. PS2 owning.

I didn't see anything wrong with them trying to boost and help 3rd party sales. The problem is that they relied on declining franchises(Layton) and dying genres(Fighting Racing) as their launch lineup. That was their problem, not that they tried to give 3rd parties the lime light.

 

[antonz]

I didn't see anything wrong with them trying to boost and help 3rd party sales. The problem is that they relied on declining franchises(Layton) and dying genres(Fighting Racing) as their launch lineup. That was their problem, not that they tried to give 3rd parties the lime light.

I dont think its that. The issue is they yet again gave 3rd parties the benefit of the doubt. Layton and Street Fighter are great 3rd party efforts. The problem is the rest arent. Nintendo seems to forget every cycle just how shitty companies like ubisoft etc treat the launch window.

 

[gkryhewy]

Ideally they would release it WW this year, but if they have to delay it in one region, JP should be it, if they have to delay it in 2 regions it should be JP and EU. I think NGP can survive missing a Holiday season in JP, and maybe in EU because Sony can still drop the price of the PSP in both of those regions, whereas they already dropped the price of the machine here in the US and I'm not sure if that had any major effect.

I know it's not an ideal solution, but missing the holidays in the US would be worse for them than missing it in Japan IMO.

I really don't know if there's space in the US market for another portable in any case; people seem to be expecting big things from a prospective handheld call of duty, which strikes me as fairly preposterous. I say launch to strength in Japan, which I think is what they'll do.

 

[Scum]

You guys make it seem like only 1 3DS unit was sold all week...