Support NeoGAF

[Apophis2036]

When they announced it, it was pretty clear that it was still in a very early stage of development.

Yes of course but from start to finish AAA console games take on average 36 months in this era and many of the teams making them for other consoles have over 500 staff (Nintendo have under 6000 staff for the whole company !). If they started on it right after E3 2011 then it won't be ready until at least mid 2014 and then you have to take into account the problems Nintendo are having with HD development, how long Zelda games have taken in the past to develop on non HD hardware and the fact that some of the team were taken off the project to work on A LInk Between Worlds / Wind Waker HD. I would absolutely love it to come out next Winter but realistically taking all of the above into account I don't see it releasing until at least the second half of 2015. They also have X and the other Zelda game for the second half of 2014.

Told you guys DQXI is coming to WiiU.

This is an open question to everyone really but how much do you guys think it would cost for Nintendo to secure DQXI as a WiiU exclusive ?. Wouldn't that game alone shift a couple of million WiiU consoles in Japan ?. I suppose if they were interested in this tactic they would have secured KH3 as an exclusive though.

 

[L Thammy]

This is an open question to everyone really but how much do you guys think it would cost for Nintendo to secure DQXI as a WiiU exclusive ?. Wouldn't that game alone shift a couple of million WiiU consoles in Japan ?. I suppose if they were interested in this tactic they would have secured KH3 as an exclusive though.

They can't. If they could, development would be handed off to another company so that Square Enix could handle more attractive products. They certainly wouldn't be calling it a mainline entry.

 

[MasterSheen]

So, is it just console Zelda's that are slipping in Japan, or have the handhelds' performances remained healthy?

I don't know about pre-DS Zeldas, but PH, ST, and OoT3D did well, 900k, 700k, and 600k respectively.

 

[BlackJace]

I don't know about pre-DS Zeldas, but PH, ST, and OoT3D did well, 900k, 700k, and 600k respectively.

Oh wow, interesting. Makes me think ALBW will do decently.

 

[gamergirly]

Oh wow, interesting. Makes me think ALBW will do decently.

I hope it does because maybe we'll get another handheld Zelda before 3DS dies out

 

[Nirolak]

From Siliconera! Wow! http://www.siliconera.com/2013/12/26/dragon-quest-xi-wont-smartphones-says-dragon-quest-creator/

Dragon Quest XI will NOT be on smartphones!

Yeah, at this point I think it's pretty clear that the DQ series has a relationship with smartphones that's similar to the one that Tales had with the PSP, where you saw lots of spin-offs and remakes, but they never put a mainline game on it.

Horii doesn't rule out the platform forever (who would rule out any platform forever?), but he's pretty clear that he doesn't see the mainline games going to smartphones in the immediate future, so DQXI is assuredly a 3DS game.

 

[casiopao]

Yeah, at this point I think it's pretty clear that the DQ series has a relationship with smartphones that's similar to the one that Tales had with the PSP, where you saw lots of spin-offs and remakes, but they never put a mainline game on it.

Horii doesn't rule out the platform forever (who would rule out any platform forever?), but he's pretty clear that he doesn't see the mainline games going to smartphones in the immediate future, so DQXI is assuredly a 3DS game.

With DQ now being higher chance on getting to 3DS, what IP do u think Nintendo should try looking for again now?

I am more on FF spin off like Type-O here actually.

 

[Aquamarine]

Famitsu Rankings, Week 50, 2013 (Dec 9 - Dec 15)

Download an Excel (.xlsx) copy of the Famitsu Rankings archive here:
http://bit.ly/1eHC5zm
(Updated for Week 50, 2013)

Top 30 Combined Sales Rankings: Week 50, 2013 (Dec 9 - Dec 15)
Last Week's Sales Rankings: Week 49, 2013 (Dec 2 - Dec 8)

 

[Nirolak]

With DQ now being higher chance on getting to 3DS, what IP do u think Nintendo should try looking for again now?

I am more on FF spin off like Type-O here actually.

To be honest, at this point I'd just work hard to keep what's there still going.

Like I feel they should try to make sure they don't lose things like Bravely Default.

Square Enix doesn't have a ton of output, so as long as they try and keep the (preferably growing) success of what's there, other things have the highest chance of happening naturally.

 

[saichi]

big week coming up... VITA will outsell 3DS with FFX HD remake!

Spoiler

;-)

 

[big_z]

This is an open question to everyone really but how much do you guys think it would cost for Nintendo to secure DQXI as a WiiU exclusive ?. Wouldn't that game alone shift a couple of million WiiU consoles in Japan ?. I suppose if they were interested in this tactic they would have secured KH3 as an exclusive though.

it would probably cost them the entirety of the development and some manufacturing cost and would be a waste of money for Nintendo. DQXI is going to be a 3DS game and having the franchise on your companies platform is all that matters.


if Nintendo were to spend the money on making the DQXI a console game it would be wiser to lock it as an exclusive near launch for the wiiU replacement console.

With DQ now being higher chance on getting to 3DS, what IP do u think Nintendo should try looking for again now?

I am more on FF spin off like Type-O here actually.

actraiser HD and Super Mario RPG 2.

 

[casiopao]

actraiser HD and Super Mario RPG 2.

Those two games will sell to like 5 people here sadly. T_T(me + u)

In more serious talk, I think getting some Tales of spin off and some FF spin off is going to be good for the future of 3DS here.

Getting Bomberman would be my own guilty wish though. T_T

 

[Chris1964]

first day sellthrough

Zelda - 60-70%
FF X-2 - 30%, the other SKUs are selling better

 

[Bruno MB]

first day sellthrough

Zelda - 60-70%
FF X-2 - 30%, the other SKUs are selling better

Zelda sell-through looks higher than I expected, either retailers were very conservative or it may be over-performing.

 

[Jackano]

first day sellthrough

Zelda - 60-70%
FF X-2 - 30%, the other SKUs are selling better

How much Nintendo have shipped for ALBW? Idk, 500k? If so it should place the first day sales at 300k, which is pretty meh :/ I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Alrus]

Hmm, that seems like a nice Sell-through for Zelda. I guess it all depends on the shipment... Pre-orders didn't seem that hot so it might have a low shipment numbers.

Hope it at least does better than OOT 3D.

Edit: A 300k first week start would be pretty good actually.

Edit2 : Heck, a 300k first week would place it amongst Zelda's best opening in a long long time. It's not going to happen...

 

[Sandfox]

How much Nintendo have shipped for ALBW? Idk, 500k? If so it should place the first day sales at 300k, which is pretty meh :/ I hope I'm wrong.

300k would actually be pretty good for Zelda from what I've read.

 

[tolkir]

How much Nintendo have shipped for ALBW? Idk, 500k? If so it should place the first day sales at 300k, which is pretty meh :/ I hope I'm wrong.

300k would be one of the best Zelda first weeks.

 

[Anth0ny]

first day sellthrough

Zelda - 60-70%
FF X-2 - 30%, the other SKUs are selling better

I hope that translates to some high Zelda sales. That game really deserves it.

 

[u_neek]

Famitsu Rankings, Week 50, 2013 (Dec 9 - Dec 15)

Very impressive GTAV numbers - should hit 600k before the end of the year.

And I don't think LR's numbers are too bad. I didn't expect it to do much better.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Nirolak is trying to save face but deep down he's devastated right now.

 

[Takao]

Dangan Ronpa series shipments surpass 600,000 http://www.famitsu.com/news/201312/27045576.html

 

[Nirolak]

Nirolak is trying to save face but deep down he's devastated right now.

Well there was a lost potential for a hilarious thread, but I actually like Dragon Quest, so if they ever localize this it's by far the better option for me, haha.

 

[metalslimer]

How much Nintendo have shipped for ALBW? Idk, 500k? If so it should place the first day sales at 300k, which is pretty meh :/ I hope I'm wrong.

How much do you think Zelda sells?

 

[L~A]

In more serious talk, I think getting some Tales of spin off and some FF spin off is going to be good for the future of 3DS here.

Ha! Namco-Bandai can't even be bothered to put friggin' Tales of the Abyss on the Nintendo eShop, so you're more likely to see GTA6 as a Wii U exclusive than NB putting even a straight port of Tales of Symphonia on 3DS.

And good news for DQXI, and seems much smarter to me. Release on traditional gaming platforms at full price, rake in the dough, rinse, and repeat with a smartphone port later down the road.

 

[slaughterking]

Nirolak is trying to save face but deep down he's devastated right now.

He won't live this down.

 

[watershed]

Ha! Namco-Bandai can't even be bothered to put friggin' Tales of the Abyss on the Nintendo eShop, so you're more likely to see GTA6 as a Wii U exclusive than NB putting even a straight port of Tales of Symphonia on 3DS.

And good news for DQXI, and seems much smarter to me. Release on traditional gaming platforms at full price, rake in the dough, rinse, and repeat with a smartphone port later down the road.

I'm guessing SE will fit some paid DLC into DQXi as well, even if it is on the 3ds. Stuff like expansions or even small stuff like SP drinks in Bravely Default, Since the 3ds allows for it, SE will find a way.

 

[Visualante2]

I think it's pretty phenomenal how much of a swing and a miss Mario and Sonic has been across the board.

 

[Nirolak]

He won't live this down.

Don't worry. I'm sure they'll ship something else you all love off to tablets eventually.

You'll see. You'll see!

 

[Aaron Strife]

3D FFVI remake for 3DS plz

 

[Alrus]

I wouldn't put it past Square to release a TWEWY sequel as an iOS exclusive... But then again I was certain Theaterhythm would make a permanent move toward iOS too...

3D FFVI remake for 3DS plz

That ship has long sailed imo, we won't see portable FF remake outside of the awful looking iOS ports...

 

[Sandfox]

I wouldn't put it past Square to release a TWEWY sequel as an iOS exclusive... But then again I was certain Theaterhythm would make a permanent move toward iOS too...



That ship has long sailed imo, we won't see portable FF remake outside of the awful looking iOS ports...

It would probably be smarter for SE to release that on handheld and port it to mobile later but who knows with them.

 

[Nirolak]

I wouldn't put it past Square to release a TWEWY sequel as an iOS exclusive... But then again I was certain Theaterhythm would make a permanent move toward iOS too...

Theatrhythm is kind of odd in that they seem to be using the iOS model (this is the last game according to them, and it will serve as a DLC platform going forward a la Rockband 3), but it's on the 3DS.

The main possibilities I see are that 3DS DLC sales are very healthy and/or they're launching on 3DS first since it's much better for getting bulk sums of money and heading to iOS/Android later.

 

[L~A]

Theatrhythm is kind of odd in that they seem to be using the iOS model (this is the last game according to them, and it will serve as a DLC platform going forward a la Rockband 3), but it's on the 3DS.

The main possibilities I see are that 3DS DLC sales are very healthy and/or they're launching on 3DS first since it's much better for getting bulk sums of money and heading to iOS/Android later.

It's pretty clear they're making quite a bit of money with those 3DS games, so going straight to iOS doesn't make sense. Why say no to some additional dough? It's not like making Theatrhythm is making them bleed money, quite the opposite. Their current approach is real smart imo, and not strange at all.

 

[Bruno MB]

The World Ends with You sales performance was pretty mediocre, why should Square Enix release a sequel?

First Week Sales

[NDS] The World Ends with You (Square Enix) {2007.07.27} - 81.326 / NEW <41,0%> 198.389 estimated copies shipped.

LTD as of December 30, 2007

[NDS] The World Ends with You (Square Enix) {2007.07.27} - 81.326 / 192.955

 

[Sandfox]

The World Ends with You sales performance was pretty mediocre, why should Square Enix release a sequel?

First Week Sales

[NDS] The World Ends with You (Square Enix) {2007.07.27} - 81.326 / NEW <41,0%> 198.389 estimated copies shipped.

LTD as of December 30, 2007

[NDS] The World Ends with You (Square Enix) {2007.07.27} - 81.326 / 192.955

They've been teasing a sequel so it could happen and I actually think a sequel would perform a bit better than the original given the positive reception the game received.

 

[hiska-kun]

first day sellthrough

Zelda - 60-70%
FF X-2 - 30%, the other SKUs are selling better

I hope Nintendo has prepared a second shipment for this weekend.

Spoiler

Then, can't wait to see the game beating your prediction, Chris

 

[Alrus]

The World Ends with You sales performance was pretty mediocre, why should Square Enix release a sequel?

First Week Sales

[NDS] The World Ends with You (Square Enix) {2007.07.27} - 81.326 / NEW <41,0%> 198.389 estimated copies shipped.

LTD as of December 30, 2007

[NDS] The World Ends with You (Square Enix) {2007.07.27} - 81.326 / 192.955

Well when you look at the absolute numbers, it's quite a good start for a new IP in the JRPG genre. I'm surprised they shipped that many copies at launch, maybe they still thought the SE name meant guaranteed sales.

They also teased a sequel with the iOS port. But anyway, I was jesting because TWEWY is a beloved game for a lot of people and an iOS exclusive sequel would make a lot of people angry.

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

Well when you look at the absolute numbers, it's quite a good start for a new IP in the JRPG genre. I'm surprised they shipped that many copies at launch, maybe they still thought the SE name meant guaranteed sales.

They also teased a sequel with the iOS port. But anyway, I was jesting because TWEWY is a beloved game for a lot of people and an iOS exclusive sequel would make a lot of people angry.

Eh it really isn't especially considering it was on the DS. I didn't know its sales were so... mediocre :/

 

[Jackano]

300k would actually be pretty good for Zelda from what I've read.

300k would be one of the best Zelda first weeks.

How much do you think Zelda sells?

With ALBW, should I say ALttP2 good critics and DNA legacy, I actually hope for a better start than the previous entries. Starting at 300k~ in the first week will led it to the other recent handheld instances numbers, just sub the million mark. But I hope it can break it.

 

[Alrus]

Eh it really isn't especially considering it was on the DS. I didn't know its sales were so... mediocre :/

Huh? Outside of Ni No Kuni (which had the Ghibli name + Level 5 at the height of its fame) and Inazuma (helped by the popular anime), I struggle to find new IP Jrpgs on the DS that did much better...

 

[hiska-kun]

With ALBW, should I say ALttP2 good critics and DNA legacy, I actually hope for a better start than the previous entries. Starting at 300k~ in the first week will led it to the other recent handheld instances numbers, just sub the million mark. But I hope it can break it.

In my opinion if Nintendo wanted to cross the million mark they should've released the game by the end of november (like everywhere else). The game has missed Christmas time, ok, still has new year, but missed sales potencial.

The best we can expect is 700-800k, what that will be one of the best results for the latest Zeldas.

 

[extralite]

Eh it really isn't especially considering it was on the DS. I didn't know its sales were so... mediocre :/

Outside of L5 no one was able to establish high selling new RPG IPs on DS. And I11 started even lower.

No EO, which was one of the bigger new RPG IPs on DS, outsold TWEWY actually.

And I think the cameos of TWEWY characters in KH3D made it pretty clear that Nomura was preparing a possible TWEWY sequel on 3DS.

 

[L~A]

Those TWEWY number seem pretty decent, especially from a brand new IP. But does it really warrant a sequel? Who knows. But I'm pretty sure I read somewhere Squeenix had an audition for new singers, some/a few months ago. I think a TWEWY sequel is definitely in the works, or has been at one point at least.

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

Huh? Outside of Ni No Kuni (which had the Ghibli name + Level 5 at the height of its fame) and Inazuma (helped by the popular anime), I struggle to find new IP Jrpgs on the DS that did much better...

What? Seriously? I was looking at PS3 IP's as well so it didn't look too good.

 

[extralite]

What? Seriously? I was looking at PS3 IP's as well so it didn't look too good.

DS got plenty of RPGs but very few did impressive numbers. Most of them were also pretty low budget and didn't need to sell a lot to be profitable.

 

[Alrus]

What? Seriously? I was looking at PS3 IP's as well so it didn't look too good.

Well the PS3 had two new JRPG with better starts, Dragon Dogma (does it even count? It also had one of the best start in recent times for a new IP in general) and White Knight Chronicle (I keep being baffled by that game's "success", it was awful). I guess if you count the best releases it also had Demon's Soul (but the original release did around 180k).

Checked the PSP and I couldn't find a new IP jrpg with a ~190k start... Not sure if LBX is a jrpg or not.

In general, recently, launching a new IP to numbers higher than 200-250k is rather rare it seems.

Those TWEWY number seem pretty decent, especially from a brand new IP. But does it really warrant a sequel? Who knows. But I'm pretty sure I read somewhere Squeenix had an audition for new singers, some/a few months ago. I think a TWEWY sequel is definitely in the works, or has been at one point at least.

Well obviously SE wanted more from the game considering the first shipment. Reception was rather good iirc, so they might feel like a sequel could actually improve on the original... Then again it's been "ages" and I doubt a sequel now would do much better.

 

[Bruno MB]

The Legend of Zelda series in Japan

[NFC] The Legend of Zelda (Nintendo) {1986.02.21} - ? / 1.690.000
[NFC] Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Nintendo) {1987.01.14} - ? / 1.610.000
[SFC] The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Nintendo) {1991.11.21} - ? / 1.160.000
[NGB] The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Nintendo) {1993.06.06} - ? / 540.000
[N64] The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo) {1998.11.21} - 386.234 / 1.147.068
[NGB] The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX (Nintendo) {1998.12.12} - 49.513 / 314.224
[N64] The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Nintendo) {2000.04.27} - 314.044 / 601.539
[NGB] The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages (Nintendo) {2001.02.27} - 191.802 / 373.361
[NGB] The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons (Nintendo) {2001.02.27} - 190.029 / 372.693
[GCN] The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (Nintendo) {2002.12.13} - 287.346 / 742.609
[GBA] The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past + Four Swords (Nintendo) {2003.03.14} - 84.107 / 293.989
[GBA] Famicom Mini: The Legend of Zelda (Nintendo) {2004.02.14} - 36.861 / 217.901
[GCN] The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords (Nintendo) {2004.03.18} - 54.782 / 127.399
[GBA] Famicom Mini: Zelda II - The Adventure of Link (Nintendo) {2004.08.10} - 35.335 / 141.826
[GBA] The Legend of Zelda: Minish Cap (Nintendo) {2004.11.04} - 92.882 / 235.400
[WII] The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (Nintendo) {2006.12.02} - 145.068 / 554.109
[NDS] The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (Nintendo) {2007.06.23} - 288.282 / 902.386
[NDS] The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo) {2009.12.23} - 320.940 / 740.109
[3DS] The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (Nintendo) {2011.06.16} - 182.998 / 600.839
[WII] The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Nintendo) {2011.11.23} - 194.894 / 346.802
[WIU] The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (Nintendo) {2013.09.26} - 31.154 / 45.741	         

Source: Famitsu and [url=http://www.kyoto.zaq.ne.jp/dkbkq103/yso/million.htm]YSO[/url]

 

[Alrus]

It's rather "impressive" how little legs Skyward Sword had.

 

[Magicpaint]

It's rather "impressive" how little legs Skyward Sword had.

SS and WW HD are just disasters. WW HD was definitely limited by the WiiU though.