The Wii- an in-depth sales analysis
Nintendo fans regularly claim that Wii-games aren't so "front-loaded" as the versions or similar versions on other consoles. To confirm or deny this, let's have a look at a few games released for the Wii this year...
1. Monster Hunter Tri
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this is my GOTY. Is also, as can be seen below, had a very unusual sales pattern when we consider EU/America;
http://gamrreview.vgchartz.com/sales/26681/monster-hunter-tri/
For example, this past week, ending n the 29th November, had a larger number of sales as opposed to that of its 3rd week of sales in America (30,000 compared to 26,000). This, whilst it may have something to do with Black Friday, clearly illustrates that there is still a large market for Wii-games of this calibur, and I would expect the "legs" of this game to far surpass 2mil LT, far surpassing Capcom's expectations of 500k in the West
2. Goldeneye 007/ COD: BO
I have posted these games together due to the fact that both games came out at the same time, and that both would be competing against each other. Many expected both of these games individually to pass 1mil, therefore proving further how "doomed" the Wii was for shooters, and that a PS360 port of Goldeneye was on its way. If these early sales figures are anything to go by, there is no worry;
http://gamrreview.vgchartz.com/sales/45651/goldeneye-007/
As you can see, there is very much an upwards trend of a straight increase, where no week has fallen to below half of that of it's opening week, and expect this trend to continue. For reference, let's compare the Wii sales of Black Ops to those of the 360 version
http://gamrreview.vgchartz.com/sales/44952/call-of-duty-black-ops/
http://gamrreview.vgchartz.com/sales/44953/call-of-duty-black-ops/
As you can see, once again the Wii-version remains flat on its increase (this week in fact outselling its opening week!), whereas the 360 version has dived heavily. Everyone knew that the Wii-versions wouldn't stand a chance at beating its HD cousins, but the fact remains that the Wii-version is much less front-loaded, as many have been claiming for almost 3 years
3. Just Dance
Now, moving away slightly from the "hardcore" feel into a game which has been on the market for much longer; a game no-one expected much from. However, these sales prove otherwise...
http://gamrreview.vgchartz.com/sales/40053/just-dance/
The graph quite clearly shows, once again, a trend of the game slowly moving upwards from poor openings, getting progressively bigger and bigger as time progressed, this week reaching a collosal 4.5million copies sold, and there's no sign of it slowing down. I expect sales of this game to be over 7 million when all is said and done
4. Sonic Colours
Another favoured game of mine, one of which never really set the sales board alight, but I believe needs mentioning. As can be seen, the sales once again are picking up nicely from a poor opening;
http://gamrreview.vgchartz.com/sales/45319/sonic-colors/
Once again, no change in sales for America, and a steady increase for EMEAA. A game which, once again, shows no signs of stopping, and deserves al the sales it can get. I expect LT sales of this game to breach 1million, maybe between 1.5-2million when all is said and done. It's THAT STRANGE!
5. New Super Mario Brother Wii
The thread couldn't be completed without an entry from Nintendo, so why not a game which people expected to heavily flop, and when it was said that it would eventually outsell MW2, people laughed.
Now who's laughing
http://gamrreview.vgchartz.com/sales/35076/new-super-mario-bros-wii/
Another game which, whilst flatter than the others, proves that every week it'll be somewhere in the top 30 WW. Now, MW2 on the 360 quickly dropped out of this zone due to spiked sales, so now NSMBwii has outsold this game, a feat many thought was impossible, and ignited the now-amazing 2D renaissance on the Wii. Well played. Predicting sales for this game is lunacy, but I expect 21-22Mil WW AT LEAST.
I could go on for much longer, talking about Boom Blox, Mario Kart, De Blob... and I shall! But another day. Watch this space! For now I shall stop. I expect many new games to continue this trend, such as;
- Epic Mickey
- Micheal Jackson: The Experience
- Donkey Kong Country returns
- Xenoblade
- The Last Story
- Zelda: Skyward Sword
- Metroid: Other M
- uDraw Studio
- Call Of Duty: Black Ops
- Kirby's Epic Yarn
- PokePark Wii: Pikachu's adventure
- Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- Hasbro Family Game Night
- Rabbids go home
- Gold Gym's cardio workout
- The Biggest Loser
- Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz!
- Super Mario All-stars
- Nerf N Strike Elite
