Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue - Kotaku Comments

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

P4P — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 08:48:00 MST

I feel glad that people like Type-R here don't actually go outside and get fresh air. I wouldn't want his/her nonsense mixed in with my oxygen.

But he should be in the gaming industry...he knows so much about how it works and why companies make games...like selling a demo for retail price. It's about passion people.

Type R here's a clue. Once you make a sequel to something that doesn't have a story to it...it's not about passion anymore.

P4P

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Type-R — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:17:07 MST

GT5P is in no way an "over-glorified demo". The GT series has always issued Prologue editions prior to release, so this shouldn't come as a surprise or anything. Polyphony could care less about money, GT is their life and passion. Comparing it to say PGR3, which seems more like a "glorified demo"? Don't forget it's also been ~4 years since GT4 release, and the fans desperately crave something. GT5P will also be getting an online update through JPSN later this month, rest assured this is a full game in of itself. Anyone who says otherwise should actually try playing it before making assumptions.

Type-R

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Witzbold — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:06:07 MST

@VampireHunterZ: Blue Dragon DS. D:

Also forgot what the other game they were working on was.

Witzbold

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

VampireHunterZ — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:59:21 MST

Don't know what Mistwalker is going to do next. If they can't make their money back in the US and EU it's pretty much over for them. A lot of development went into Lost Odyssey and all trailers I've seen of the game looks great. I'll definitely pick it up but there isn't enough buzz in the US to make major sales.

VampireHunterZ

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

thegunshow — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:41:53 MST

GT5 Prologue is definitely more than just a demo. It has more content than Motorstorm when it came out and people paid 60 bucks for that. I can't wait until this game comes out here in the US, i love the GT series.

thegunshow

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

baked ham — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:54:06 MST

@charsuipau: It's not like it's expensive or anything. It's cheap, like downloading anything else off of the PSN or Xbox Live Marketplace. It's a Prologue, not a demo. Equate it to how people paid 20 bucks for Half-Life 2 Episode One when that first came out. And that probably provided far fewer hours of fun than the GT5 Prologue will, due to replay value. HL2: Ep1 was only like 3 hours long. And that's if you took your time.

baked ham

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Captain Fury — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:54:44 MST

I dont know....demos do not include over 50 cars, 5 race tracks and online racing in them....

worth the price, If you ask me

Captain Fury

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Witzbold — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:20:19 MST

Prologue looks very very nice so not too suprised its up there.

Witzbold

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Latonone — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:28:40 MST

Tacgnol ftw.

I know its long awaited by some. but I'm not at all surprised this is @ 27 in the charts.

Latonone

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Billkwando — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 07:08:31 MST

@Latonone:

I know you're just making jokes in grand Kotaku style, but it is long-awaited for some.

My wife has been waiting for a NiGHTS sequel for 10 years. That's longer than Longcat, and as we all know, Longcat is looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong.

Billkwando

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

quen — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:47:41 MST

@Nathan24: Actually, you're missing the key point of this particular sales chart. If I remember rightly there have been all-DS top 10s before? But in this case, the top 10 works out as follows:

6 Wii
3 DS
(1 PS3)

Twice as many successful Wii games as DS games this week, in other words. Now that's impressive. We all know that in Japan the DS is a confirmed success in every respect, so it's only the Wii where doubt remains - and this week's chart is going some way to reduce that.

@jayntampa: Wii Fit selling more copies in Japan than Super Mario Galaxy is a 'real story'? How about a 'foregone conclusion' or 'just as everyone expected'? Actually, Wii Fit is a bit less all-conqueringly successful than some of us thought, although perhaps that's because they didn't manufacture enough...

Mario Galaxy is doing really well to stay in the chart above Wii Sports; hopefully it can stay there after Christmas, too, who knows.

As for third-party Wii games, there are two in the top 10. That's hardly a failure for third party overall. There have been some notable failures though, it was really disappointing that Zack and Wiki sold so poorly despite being so great.

quen

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Latonone — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:14:33 MST

@charsuipau:

dont worry, just look at people who buy it as customers paying to be your beta testers.

Latonone

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Latonone — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:58:14 MST

"What didn't perform too well? The long-awaited sequel NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams"

the obvious reason being.. its not long awaited.

Latonone

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

finder39 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:34:52 MST

Damn, the PSP didn't do so hot. I think that I only saw one game. Ouch...

finder39

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

charsuipau — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 02:51:26 MST

Wait wait wait... GT5 prologue, is a demo of the final game? that people actually have to pay for?

I'm not into racing games as such, so totally ignored GT5 news, but how does that not annoy people...

Now thats what I call really milking it, hope thats not the future for 'next-gen' games. I can imagine it now. To recoup cost, devs release prototype versions of games for people to play but charging them to play, effectively making people buy the game multiple times before its even released. Good tactic though to reduce costs, but so very evil in a greed way.

Sorry if it sounds like a rant... I like ranting. rant rant rant.

charsuipau

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 02:26:49 MST

@McWhertor: Some of those translations seem questionable. Google for Layton Demon's box, Layton Pandora's box, and Layton Devil's box, and Devil's box gets the most hits. Doesn't the box kill the opener, supposedly? That's not a property of Pandora's box. Is there an official website or box art that contradicts the Google consensus?
Also, "Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon: The Labyrinth That Time Forgot" sounds way more like English than what you put. Unless SquEnix has announced an English title for it already, but I'd bet a lot that what you put isn't it.

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Armagilius — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 02:05:35 MST

Only seven of the Top 30 games are not on a Nintendo platform.

Scary.

Will Nintendo make a clean sweep one day?

Armagilius

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:54:16 MST

@Mezodon: Capcom could have advertised it, you know, at all.

Torgen got his apology faceplate but not his fixed GH3 disc

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name. — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:48:20 MST

@DefenderShip: Well it is more Western oriented...

They should just market it more. What little boy/teenage male could resist the chance to be a badass otaku wielding a beam sword and using wrestling moves dammit?

Sabre_Justice: Okay, no more long name.

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

LostToys — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:33:25 MST

@Lezard:

MS bankrolls Mistwalker (at least the first three games). If anything, Mistwalker is still making money. It is MS which is not getting anything out of the deal.

LostToys

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

SupaPhly — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:31:08 MST

well, I guess mistwalker fails to sell lost odyssey more than expected :(

but ill still buy it anyway

SupaPhly

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

King Louse — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:08:29 MST

@ssjmichael: NeoGaf had them separated - 250k offline, 50k online.

@ssjmichael: Personally for me it does, the posters there are quite reputable.

King Louse

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

WillSerenity — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 01:03:47 MST

The casual party games are just rocking in Japan, heh.

Next week, I'm looking to see Final Fantasy 4 on DS to be number 1...and, crying because I wish I had it ;_;

WillSerenity

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

LittleBigPlaneteer — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:59:03 MST

@King Louse:

Can you provide an official source. NeoGaf doesn't cut it dude.

LittleBigPlaneteer

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

LittleBigPlaneteer — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:58:10 MST

@King Louse:

First week? Did you factor in PSN sales? I'm guessing they sold about 170K or more combined in the first week. I haven't seen any expectations for GT5 Prologue. Considering this is merely a demo of GT5 I'd say they did better than anyone expected in their first week

LittleBigPlaneteer

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

King Louse — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:54:47 MST

According to@BPMOmega: According to the chaps at NeoGaf, it was a first week projection.

Like I said, poor bastards:)

King Louse

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

BPMΣ — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:50:18 MST

@King Louse:
First week prediction? Or total sales prediction? I'm sure they'll pass that soon...

BPMΣ

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

King Louse — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:38:53 MST

Sony's own projections for GT5 Prologue were 250k.....poor bastards can't seem to catch a break.

King Louse

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

slacker164 — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:30:59 MST

I don't know why people were expecting much from Nights. The first game is known as a cult-classic, not a mega hit. It basically bombed given the marketing Sega put behind it. It gained a small, dedicated fanbase, but it never really captured the mainstream audience. The sequel doesn't have any of the marketing the first one had, and by most accounts, it's not very good. It was never a AAA title to begin with. It's not Nintendo's fault Sega screws everything up.

slacker164

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Lezard — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:29:42 MST

@Kyle81: If Mistwalker made one mistake, it was lining up their biggest debut titles as 360 exclusives. Final Fantasy is a huge name around the world, but Sakaguchi isn't a household name in most parts. Mistwalker would have been better off to work more on the PS3 or Wii if they wanted to establish a strong base of support in Japan.

Lezard

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Pound my tom-tom — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:42:39 MST

@drbrownt0wn: they sold the same amount Wii Play and Sports so i'm going to assume they were bundled together other wise it just happens to be for every person buying Wii Sports they or someone else bought Wii Play to match it

Pound my tom-tom

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

chilicoke — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:25:53 MST

=)
I'm one of those crazy people who paid for GT5 Prologue.
Been enjoying it for the past few days, and I am completely blown away by its sexiness.

Although I have to admit I am a little bit surprised that it's the 3rd highest, I wonder how many people purchased it via PSN.

chilicoke

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Mongoosekun — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:19:27 MST

GTP is perfect as a download title imho. I like having games like Tekken DR installed and ready to go any time. However I can't seem to stop playing Oblivion GotY on PS3 now. I think GTP did well considering it was also sold as a download too. Yeah, we saw Nights was going to tank like No More Heroes from the first day sales reports. Time to move those third party Wii titles to PSN / XBL.

Mongoosekun

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

drbrownt0wn — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:16:43 MST

SMG at #5 makes me a happy boy.

The return of Wii Sports and Play.. makes me a litttttle nervous.

drbrownt0wn

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Ess — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:10:07 MST

I don't get how people are still shocked by the performance of xbox 360 games in Japan. Of course they are gonna drop off the chart after one week. Of course KUF is gonna be gone next week.

There are like twelve Japanese guys who own a 360. And they are all hardcores. ( (I suspect a large portion of the 360s sold in Japan are to US citizens living abroad (military or otherwise). When a good game comes out, those 12 guys all buy it in the first week. Then there are simply no more Japanese 360 owners to buy the game.

It isn't the games that are bombing. It's the system.

Ess

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

LittleBigPlaneteer — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:01:50 MST

@2NinjasTapedTogether:

haha, that's pretty funny. Didn't notice it until you said it to be honest

LittleBigPlaneteer

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

2NinjasTapedTogether — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:57:09 MST

OK I'm not a huge follower of the 360, ya know, not owning a system and all... But there's seriously a game called "Circle of Doom" on it?

Like... For real? Was the developer just making an awesome joke, or what?

2NinjasTapedTogether

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Merus — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:56:12 MST

As always, the story is that for the most part the Japanese couldn't give a toss about console games. Don't read too much into NiGHTS not selling, the true test will be how it sells in the US, as with every hardcore-oriented game on a console these days.

Merus

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Yetanotheruninspiredscreename — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:39:04 MST

@onomeister:

I think Carnival Games was released in Japan and bombed. It's not something the Japanese would get into.

Yetanotheruninspiredscreename

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

phinehas — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:36:04 MST

Man, this is awesome. As a square-enix fan, I hope that they continue making games for these consoles, ESPECIALLY ones that use the Wiimote, etc. etc. Just b/c it's a Wii doesn't mean you can't have a deep, involving story, S*E.

phinehas

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Chewbenator — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:34:33 MST

What's that PS3 game doing up there all alone, doesn't it know its place?

Chewbenator

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Mezodon — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:04:52 MST

@PeonCulture: I wonder if this one is Nintendo's fault too since they set the bar so high. Nah... it's that, as the reviews would indicate, the game isn't very good. It's a shame that a good original game like Zack & Wiki bombs even worse though.

Mezodon

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Doshu — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:00:42 MST

@PapaBear434: I'm pretty surprised to see GT5 prologue up there. I figured it would be big, but I was thinking most people were going to wait for the full version.

I'm not. But then, I purchased all the previous prologues too. My GT5P has been shipped (the demo just whet my appetite), I'm just waiting for it to hit the mailbox.

It'll be interesting to see how online works across the pond. Hope the menu system is as simple as the demo. I'd prefer to not have to call my Japanese friends for translation.

Doshu

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Kyle81 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:00:06 MST

@Hiltz: Many say this but I doubt it. Wii is just selling too big, its just going to get lot of developer attention because of it, and "gamer" games are going to eventually appear more and more on it most likely. Yea lot of shit games and casual family junk is going to flood the system, but good stuff should also appear just do to the sales of the system.....

Kyle81

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Hiltz — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:57:58 MST

If that trend continues, then I think it will prove to be one of the Wii's biggest problems as it will end up making the core gamer frustrated. As a Wii gamer and as an Nintendo fan, I love Nintendo's big franchises, but that's not all I want to play. That's where third-party titles come in and 2007 simply was not good enough. Naturally, I expected as much since this was the Wii's first year since the same basically happened with the DS. Hopefully, 2008 will turn out to be a better year for third-party games on the Wii.

Hiltz

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

SXGlory — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:54:17 MST

Sega should've just made Nights and anything for the 360 and/or PS3. Everybody knows most Sega fanboys migrated to one or both of these platforms.

SXGlory

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Kyle81 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:51:25 MST

@Yetanotheruninspiredscreename: It's easy to make money on shitty mini game compilations. And so far, third party games have generally been selling like shit on the Wii, only a few titles have done decently. What is selling big is first party wii titles.

Kyle81

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

onomeister — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:50:03 MST

Hey... third party Carnival Games sold 500,000 so far... If they release it in Japan, it would probably reach top 5

"Poor Sega. I almost feel bad for them!"

Don't feel too bad for them, Mikey... They have Mario/Sonic Olympics at #7, which means two Sega games in the Top 30, which isn't bad...

onomeister

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

symphony_of_the_night — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:47:22 MST

GT5 is one of the few games that can reach the top3 in japan selling a demo. I would buy it if i had a ps3.
I love those games.

symphony_of_the_night

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Yetanotheruninspiredscreename — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:37:36 MST

@Hiltz:

And yet wii titles sell far far more for third parties then do PS3 third party titles. Developers also make far more money on the wii then the PS3.

Yetanotheruninspiredscreename

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Aex — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:36:39 MST

@Hiltz: Nah, Wii doesn't need AAA titles, it just needs titles interesting to the casual masses, to which I'd say they are hitting the target spot on.

Aex

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

subnet6 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:33:31 MST

"I'm pretty surprised to see GT5 prologue up there. I figured it would be big, but I was thinking most people were going to wait for the full version."

Dude, they gotta play SOMEthin!

subnet6

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Yetanotheruninspiredscreename — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:33:26 MST

When will publishers learn to hold back games when they aren't ready for release or when it is a crowded time of the year. If it means an added four or five months to release it in April rather then a crowded holiday season do it.

Why do they think certain titles have a chance during the saturated holiday season? It's too many titles to pick up at once.

Yetanotheruninspiredscreename

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Hiltz — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:32:09 MST

Japan seems to be the least interested in No More Heroes which isn't surprising since it was also the least interested in Killer 7. Grasshopper Manufacture games do better in North America and Europe, and by that I mean they sell in the 50,000 - 150,000 range. I expect the same will happen with No More Heroes.

I suppose the controversy surrounding the European version of No More Heroes is only going to hurt its sales even more and being released right next to Smash Bros. Brawl for North America is a foolish move by Ubisoft.

I still love you Suda 51, so I will buy your game for the Wii. Rock on, Grasshopper.

The only other third-party Wii titles I'm currently interested in are Okami and Oboro Muramasa Youtouden.
Clearly, Wii is in desperate need of AAA titles.

Hiltz

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

PapaBear434 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:27:52 MST

I'm pretty surprised to see GT5 prologue up there. I figured it would be big, but I was thinking most people were going to wait for the full version.

PapaBear434

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Kyle81 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:27:34 MST

An overpriced "demo" sold that well? wow.

And Lost Odyssey totally did not make it into the top 30 after one week. Far worse sales than blue dragaon did... Mistwalker bombs again.

Kyle81

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

tjcrabtree — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:20:47 MST

Glad to see Mario in the top five again.

tjcrabtree

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Aex — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:19:37 MST

o.O Wow, a glorified demo did that well?! I can't imagine what the real thing will do...

Aex

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

IntelSilver — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:13:48 MST

Damn, and thats for a pricey demo. Can't wait to see what happens when the real GT5 comes out. The planet wil stop revolving, that's what's gonna happen.

IntelSilver

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

DAMN YOU WITZBOLDDDDDDDDDDDD — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:10:59 MST

@lifeinthefridge: You weren't expecting more.. Were you?

DAMN YOU WITZBOLDDDDDDDDDDDD

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

jayntampa — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:10:36 MST

Here's the real story: Wii Fit is going to end up selling more copies in Japan than Super Mario Galaxy.

jayntampa

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

PeonCulture — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:05:18 MST

@lifeinthefridge: And it sold more than NiGHTS.

It's kind of depressing to see another third party Wii game bomb, even though it should be expected by now.

PeonCulture

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

goldwings — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:03:38 MST

Hang in there Sony. Bide your time and unleash your power Muhahahaha! Anyways Kudos to Nintendo once again.

goldwings

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

DefenderShip — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:03:19 MST

I bought the new Nights...but just from an ordering perspective, some stores don't give the games a lot of chance in Japan. For example, I went ahead and reserved Patapon (released today!). It turned out to be a good idea, too, since they were only ordering all of ONE copy for the whole store. Yikes.

In a way, though, I can't blame them. I may not live anywhere near Akihabara or even a major city like Osaka, but the big No More Heroes debut seemed to completely sputter out. There's no reason to expect it to do any better out in the sticks.

DefenderShip

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

lifeinthefridge — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:01:04 MST

1 360 game in top 30...

lifeinthefridge

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Mit — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:00:49 MST

There's only one non-Nintendo title in the top 10 o_o

Mit

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Nathan24 — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:00:06 MST

I predict that by the end of 2008, the Japanese Sales Chart will just be the DS sales chart.

Nathan24

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

FP Shindokie — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:59:53 MST

yay gt5 but keep in mind those were sold at stores and not online. who knows how many people bought it online.

Also i would like to rename japan - Wiipan DS

FP Shindokie

Simple 2000: The Japanese Software Chart: Prologue

Green-clad Gamer Dude — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:59:21 MST

No More Heroes is once again not in the top 30. :(

Green-clad Gamer Dude