VGChartz data is definitely quite incomplete for the 3rd and 4th generation. It's worth noting that Nintendo's platformers are the ones that sell, though, and VGChartz data for old Nintendo games is very close to complete. Still, there's only data of half of the software sales on the SNES and NES. The true number for the NES and SNES could very well be 1/3rd higher than the data above suggests.

I'm inclined to believe the Wii will surpass the NES in platformer sales, though. It seems likely the Wii is going to keep having around 10% of its sales be from platformers, and its software sales are likely to end in the 1250 million - 1750 million. (The Ps2 saw a bit over 1500 million). That puts the Wii's platformer sales at 125-175 million. I think that's quite possible, although I find the lower end more realistic.

You assume that budget = ambition. It doesn't.

The thing about indie titles is that it allows a developer to make a different stylistic and value proposition, as they don't have to design the game to be a $40, $50, or $60 title, which may leave out certain conventions because the title needs to be more mainstream to succeed for whomever published the title. Thats why we see a lot of titles that look cool (like Bob's Game) fail to get a publisher - the publisher knows how many units a title is likely to sell at market, and if it is unlikely to break even at retail, then it never gets picked up, no matter how good a concept the title has.

By and large, I think you see indies take far more risks, because they know that the market can support such ideas, and they aren't being pushed into having a massive scope of requirements because the game must sell 500,000 or more copies to even survive, much less thrive. Going further, look at the arguments we make about the audience of the Wii, PS3 or 360. We always argue that the Wii does well on certain genres, while the PS3 and 360 do well on other genres.

Not so with downloadable titles. After all, look at some of the great-selling titles on downloadable platforms - Trials HD, Castle Crashers, Dead Rising: Case Zero, Fat Princess, Mega Man 9, Lost Winds, and so on. None of them would exist as full-price releases, yet are fantastic titles that are wonderful to play, and have a great value proposition. Likewise, they've been met with great sales on their respective platforms.

Eventually, all of the Big 3 will figure out how to really get the most out of promoting the downloadable platforms, and give them the structure to succeed. When that happens, you'll see an even larger paradigm shift towards downloadable games as opposed to retail releases by smaller studios. When that happens, I think you'll see a lot of the argument about genre superiority fall by the wayside, as value propositions take over. After all, you can argue that SMB: Wii did well because its on the Wii. I say it did well on the Wii because there's no analogue on PS3/X360. That may change when downloadables become bigger, as more developers would seek to push out a unique downloadable title that may become a proper analogue, with the right value proposition to garner SMB: Wii-like sales patterns.

I think he's already done that?

So many people butthurt HD fans butthurt in this thread.

Nintendo has always owned that genre, so no surprises there. Good for them.

 I'm enjoying the cheaper, more experimental platformers on the indie side of things then Nintendo just remaking SNES games with a nicer background. That was the exact reason I really couldn't stand Sonic 4 and NSMB just didn't do anything for me, fair enough if you like it but I really couldn't get into it. Lots of people care about the indie scene, the downloadable games and whatnot - it's quickly becoming the only part of gaming with any real innovation.

 Some people seem to play these games and love them for the nostalgic feel and retroness, but that's what puts me off. Oh well.

 If we agree Sonic has done fine on both sets of consoles, I don't think I've seen a 3rd party Wii platformer do that minus Epic Mickey either... that's a grand total of 1 vs 0... hardly an inspiring victory.

 I could make it 1 vs 1 if we include Kung Fu Panda :P.

You guys could keep your overpriced nostalgic games with new coats of paint and that adds nothing new to the genre. I'll play my cheap budgetware games on the WiiWare & PSN, at least they are trying to do different things

@rolstoppable you think the platforms for download are overpriced?? Sonic 4, yeah I could see that. (it went on sale for 10 on PSN, not sure about LIVE or WiiWare) but most of them are ten. YOu think thats too much money? but NSMBWii is 50 and thats perfectly fine??? Hey if thats how you feel knock yourself out. Ill take my 50 and buy the 3d Mario game, Im sure it cost that much to make.

Or better yet, Steam.

Steam is starting to get XBLA's hand-me-downs, especially for platformers. Super Meat Boy was on sale in December for $3.75.

Sufficive to say, it sold gangbusters. Odd series of events. The series was supposed to be a Wii exclusive, then went XBLA/Steam. Its sold more copies on both platforms in 2 months than almost any WiiWare title in history.