It is almost a new ip since the last game of the serie was released 21 years ago. So the serie start with zero as a fanbase and as to build it alone.

The game is great quality, is edited by Nintendo and needed 4 years of development before its release. It is a high budget 3DS game and Nintendo probably have big expectations for it.

Mario Kart 7 and M3DL proved that the 3DS  can sell big games.

I think Kid Icarus needs to sell at least 1 million copies to not be considered as an average seller, and 2 millions to be considered like a great success. We will see if the word of mouth can take it there.

I think it's just a matter of the hype dying down since its E3 reveal in 2010 with MK7 and SM3DL coming out beforehand and making the game seem less appealing. It will reach a million easily as its the 3DS first year in the market and Nintendo games have some of the longest legs out there.

240k is actually pretty good for this type of game so it's off to a good start imo esp considering it's not really aimed at the casual crowd and lacks the mass market appeal of a mario related game.
I reckon it'll reach 1 million (optimistically 2 million) but I guess we'll see if there's any justice in the world.
Games like this often bomb regardless of their quality so 1-2 million would probably be pretty good (I doubt even nintendo themselves are expecting mario-like sales for this title)

It's better than I thought it would do, but it's still pretty average- I imagine it will have somewhat decent legs

Several issues with the game will keep it from megahit status, not the least of which is the unfamiliar IP and slight lack of accessibility. It should do moderate success and Nintendo will have another game to add to the stable of reliable-seller (but not great seller) franchises.

first week is great, and the game has everything a game needs to keep on selling, online and offline multiplayer

I think it's a great start for a practically unknown franchise and with the not too big yet install-base of the 3DS. It will reach the million easily through legs. Compare it to Resident Evil in the same week, it's not too much behind and resi is a well established name and PS3 and X360 have a massive bigger install-base. Look at Resident Evil: Revelations, same system:
http://www.vgchartz.com/game/45684/resident-evil-revelations/Global/
If you calculate with the later US-start (+85K) it had a start-week of 300K. 240K from Kid Icarus is not that far away, so I'm happy with that number.

Edit: I also think Kid Icarus will have better legs than Revelations, so it will overtake Resi after some time.

I think the 3DS version will set the table and probably sell under the radar for a while, but a Wii U sequel is where it could really take off.

Honestly Nintendo should think about making this into an anime/cartoon series + toy line for kids on top of the games. That would really increase its profile and the IP is tailor made for that.

Despite the learning curve on the controls (use the stand people! It's there for a reason), I think this is my favorite game of the year so far and edging ever so close to Super Mario 3D Land as the best 3DS game. It's so freaking charming and fresh.

Well it's about a quarter of the way to make 1 million, right? In it's first week. That's pretty good considering it's not a house hold name like Mario, Zelda or DKC... I think that they should reveal a NEW kid Icarus game for the WiiU, which would be a launch title! That way they can sell more Icarus games for the 3ds as the WiiU Icarus hits stores (reviving the interest in the 3ds title) and really establish it as a house hold game!

:o!!! That's what I said!!!