Top 20 WiiWare Games in USA (5th Nov)

One of the best top 20 in a bit. Strong bad3 is doing alot better luckily.

World of Goo need to reclaim number 1.

No new releases last Wednesday but there's still a new entry (or technically re-entry).

Here's the Swedish top 20:
(2) 1 - Tetris Party
(1) 2 - Mega Man 9
(3) 3 - My Aquarium
(9) 4 - The Incredible Maze
(4) 5 - Bomberman Blast
(5) 6 - LostWinds
(7) 7 - Midnight Bowling
(6) 8 - Helix
(11) 9 - Wild Wild West
(8) 10 - Defend Your Castle
(12) 11 - TV Show King
(10) 12 - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King
(13) 13 - My Pokémon Ranch
(16) 14 - Cocoto Fishing Master
(14) 15 - Midnight Pool
(15) 16 - Dr. Mario & Germ Buster
(18) 17 - Home Sweet Home
(-) 18 - Toki Tori
(19) 19 - Pirates: The Key Of Dreams
(17) 20 - SPOGS Racing

Things to note:
*Tetris Party passes Mega Man 9 for first place and it's the first time we've had a No 1 not named Mega Man 9 since I started covering it.
*In 4th we find climber of the week. For some reason that honor goes to The Incredible Maze which climbs 5 spots. For the life of me I can't see why people keep buying that crap. Gotta be the price tag.
*Not too much interesting movement in the charts this week so we'll go down all the way to 17th where we find that Home Sweet Home did not capitalize on the two extra days it got this week compared to last week. It's officially a bust. Moving on...
*...to 18th where completely unexpectedly Toki Tori has made a return to the charts. Guess it just goes to show that good games always come back. Guess that might explain why LostWinds are doing so well.
*This weeks biggest faller is SPOGS Racing. It falls 3 spots to 20th. Something that this community probably enjoys considering that there seems to be universal hatred for the game.
*There were only one game that left the charts this week and that was Strong Bad Ep 2. This means that this is the first time since the game launched and perhaps the only time for quite some time that a Strong Bad won't chart on the list, considering that Ep 3 most likely will premier this Friday. Still, momentum is starting to get critically low for this series.

This Friday we'll have new game again! Yay! Meaning next weeks charts will be more interesting. Apart from very likely releases Strong Bad Ep 3 and Alien Crush Returns we could get a few more surprises. For some reason, thing just don't look good for the Art style series quite yet, but maybe Groovin' Blocks or MadStone if they still think that releasing puzzle games are a good idea. Other then that there's more unlikely candidates like Gyrostarr. Or it's possible we'll get Space Invaders or Gradius before the US. Or maybe we'll get a release like Home Sweet Home again, kinda out of the blueish... Oh well, time will tell...

Hey, what gives? I can't edit my comment. That's weird. Anyway, Goo "needs" to reclaim # 1.
I like your new avatar, Corbie. Always in the holiday spirit I see.

Nice to see Strong Bad 3 getting higher. Strange absence from Alien Crush, though. I blame teh internets.

Pong Toss moved UP three spots? Guess Americans aren't getting any smarter. Other than that, it's mostly good.

Shucks... Edit function seems to be broken. Anyway, kinda surprised about Alien Crush... I mean sure, I personally don't get its appeal (it's pretend pinball!) but it's a franchise game and even though that franchise might not be Mega Man or Tetris or similar, that should still be enough to bring in some sales... Atleast enough to break the top 20. Or maybe people in general just find the concept of virtual pinball as lackluster as I do.

Hmm... I can't edit my comment either. OH NOES!!!

In the meantime, here's the UK Charts on a different post.

1) NEW Tetris Party (SUCK ON THAT MY AQUARIUM)
2) My Aquarium
3) NEW The Incredible Maze
4) Bomberman Blast
5) TV Show King
6) Defend Your Castle
7) Midnight Pool
8) My Pokemon Ranch
9) Helix
10) Wild West Guns
11) Mega Man 9
12) Midnight Bowling
13) FINAL FANTASY....
14) LostWinds
15) NEW Home Sweet Home
16) Cocoto Fishing Master
17) Strong Bad Episode One
18) Strong Bad Episode Two
19) <reserved for Strong Bad Episode Three>
20) Pop

The actual number nineteen? SPOGS

No Art Style: Rotohex in there either. I think The Incredible Maze and Pong Toss need to go. Look forward to seeing the UK chart.

The sight of the Incredible Maze on the top 10, and no Alien Crush Returns is disturbing. You guys realize if that game ain't going to sell, we may not get a remake of the better Pinball Crush games: Devil's Crush.

Nice to see the "legs" on Defend Your Castle are still quite strong, indeed! Seems fairly consistent compared to the international charts, too.

Good there UK, Mega Man 9 stalled... Phew... With last weeks gargantuan drop I was getting slightly worried there for a while.

And yes, No Rotohex is disappointing. It's my fave of the bit gen. games even though it's not really my genre of choice. But I think the reason is the problem that other titles like Madstone, Potpourrii and Plättchen has fallen victim to, just the shear over-saturation of puzzle titles. That it's now affecting a game like Rotohex really shows that releasing another right now is deeply stupid...

MM9 4th?
Lostwinds 19th?
whats wrong with people

Well, most of the sales arent surprising. I knew the stupid maze was gonna be up high, b/c it is a good idea, but a crappy game. Peeps uneducated in the world of wiiware(craft, lol) decided it be cool to go, after realizing it a stinker. I thought alien crush would do good however. I dont know why peeps keep getin pokemon ranch.

If you're angry about MM9 at four, then I wouldn't look and the UK chart, shadows...

How the freaking hell is Impossible Maze so high?

@wiiloveit
GASP
why 11th?
jeez talk about disapointing
i thought you people in the UK wanted it more than we did...hmmmm your right 4th is good

the top 5 wiiware games that should:
1: World of Goo
2: Mega Man 9
3: Tetris Party
4: Bomberman Blast
5: Lostwinds
btw wheres Alien Crush Returns at?

Some people have... 'questionable' taste. I mean c'mon. Incredible maze, midnight bowling, and my aquarium in the top 10? And why is pong toss still on the list? Plus, not seeing ACR on the list makes me wonder why so many are missing out on a great game... I guess people are waiting to see what DLC is available before they buy it.

My top 5 Wiiware:
1.World of Goo
2.Mega Man 9
3.Tetris Party
4.Dr. Mario Online RX
5.FFCC: My life as a King (Due to the amazing Graphics)
The worst part of this list in how high the incredible maze is, not mine the current US one.

@Crazynoodle:
Pokemon ranch is high because a crazy amount of people who own nintendo systems are pokemon fans... and I guess they keep multiplying... or something. I don't know, it's a mystery to me too.

Nice to see Toki Tori at least in the Top 20 of Sweden, sad to see it's just on place 18... =(

@BrazCanMan
What's wrong with My Aquarium?
On the topic, WHAT THE CRAP ARE MIDNIGHT BOWLING AND THE INCREDIBLE MAZE UP SO HIGH!?!
@ Corbie
Love the new getup for your avatar!

@supermarioman
i agree w/ your top 5 wiiware games too.
FFCC graphics are really good?

NOOOO wheres alien crush?

@Nintendork
Well, if you like feeding virtual fish and listening to midi format classical music... then nothing is wrong with it! =P

Seeing TIM @ #6 makes me ill, and I'm disappointed that ACR isn't on there. I hope it picks up in a few weeks, and doesn't become SSR part 2. ACR is actually worth 800 points.

And Tetris Party still reigns surpreme! Hazzah!

It seems Wednesdays are becoming too early to monitor the sales of new games. I don't imply we should move these updates to another day, but I think we need to wait a few more days until we worry about ACR. Hopefully it won't come to worrying...

Strange absence from Alien Crush, though. I blame teh internets.
I blame teh timing...as Virus said basically.

I'm guessing it is sales over the past 7 days and with the Wii shop there doesn't seem to be this day 1 rush going for it.

That said can someone look at the US charts tomorrow and tell us if things have changed? I remember a couple of weeks back World up Goo shot up two places in one day and last week World of Goo was knocked down 1 place in the period of three hours...

Edit: Yay edits work? Just noticed the Haloween avtar Corbie at first glance I thought it was count bleck styled one...

I'm surprised how well My Aquarium is holding up and above Mega Man 9 in the top 20? What's up with that?

Well, I suppose that the top 20 list is about as good as it can realistically get. There's always going to be a few awful games that sell well, especially since so many Wii owners are casual gamers and usually don't read many reviews (if any) before they buy a game.

@ Corbie

Nice Thanksgiving avatar

Kinda boring week. Strongbad up;down and as often is the case, the new entries did not yet place. _yawn

I'm surprised how well My Aquarium is holding up and above Mega Man 9 in the top 20? What's up with that?
500 Wii Points vs 1000 Wii Points. Relaxation vs. Intense action. Can't die vs dying at every screen.

We usually pin it on the first one but the others work out too. The first one also explains why the Uncredible Maze charts well (the other reason with that game is it sounds like the Incredable Machine).

Okay Nintendo, as Tetris Party is so popular and you have the licence for it, RELEASE TETRIS ATTACK for the SNES!

I wasn't keen on Tetris Party. Tetris rules but there were too many modes and the DS version had better music. But that's my opinion.

Yay for My Aquarium

So... No Canada today?

Nice to see World of Goo still doing well.

Some people have... 'questionable' taste. I mean c'mon. Incredible maze, midnight bowling, and my aquarium in the top 10? And why is pong toss still on the list? Plus, not seeing ACR on the list makes me wonder why so many are missing out on a great game... I guess people are waiting to see what DLC is available before they buy it.

My Aquarium is awesome actually, and that's coming from a hardcore gamer.

Though I want to know how the hell Incredible Maze and Midnight Bowling are so high, and how pray tell did PONG TOSS go up?

@Corbie. Love the pilgrim get-up!

Good news: My Pokémon Ranch stayed stll and Strong Bad 3 rose.
Bad news: So did Beer Toss.

Then again, due to the episodic nature of the Strong Bad games, the casualties of the 1st two is to be expected.

Now, if you excuse me, I am going to luagh at Alien Crush Tetris

My top 5
Tetris Party
DFC
World of Goo
Lostwinds
Art Syle: Cubello

@Starwolf_UK - I should be able to check the US charts tomorrow. I might even post the VC charts since I'm such a nice guy .

On a side note, here is my ideal Top 5 (in terms of sales, not necessarily which I think is best)
1. Toki Tori
2. World of Goo
3. Art Style: Orbient
4. Alien Crush Returns
5. Mega Man 9
I think that Mega Man 9 is the best game of the bunch, but I think Toki Tori's Top 20 spot is long overdue, and I think that World of Goo, Orbient, and ACR fit into the spirit of WiiWare better. Again this list is in terms of ideal sales, and not necessarily which game is better. Toki Tori and WoG win the prize for the most WiiWare-like games. They are perfect fits, and they should do the best even though I think Mega Man 9 is a bit better than they are.

I cant believe My Aquarium is actually doing better then Megaman 9.

Alien Crush just needs a bit to get moving.

It's not as friendly looking compared to the other games they've put out. Even if it is just Pinball.

I don't have it yet for lack of pts Hudson is sending. But I'll get it for sure when I do.

Also, omgwtfbbq Amazing maze? Being 500 points and a Wiiware game must be gold.

Okay Nintendo, as Tetris Party is so popular and you have the licence for it, RELEASE TETRIS ATTACK for the SNES!
Tetris Attack on the SNES is about as likely as Street Fighter 2 for the Commodore 64 (Pokemon Puzzle League is the superior version if you put aside Yoshi nostalga). Besides that last I checked Nintendo didn't own Tetris Online Inc or Hudson so they don't have the liscence.

Since there is so few information about games in the wii shop, people buy on what they think the game is about, or the idea of the game.

For example, had I not read the incredible maze review (or seen those hideous screenshots (big screenshots)), I would have probably downloaded it.

Same with all the other trash games.. Wiiware definitely needs at least an easier way to get info on a game, a video, etc.. from the wii shop channel. (Not from that other channel that no one even has any more).

Why is 'My Aquarium' selling better than Mega Man 9... ever?! Why is it in the Top 10 at all?!

WWWWHHHHHHYYYYY?!?!

@Jockolantern
That's what I want to know. I mean, it's not much of a game. I downloaded it when it came out and I was unimpressed to say the least. It's fine for relaxing but that's it. Sure you unlock new fish once in a while, but there is (very) limited space in each of the aquariums to put them in. The music can get annoying (it would've been better if they used real instrumental samples and not a midi keyboard) but the graphics are good though, and it is cheap. I'm not saying it shouldn't be in the top 20, I just don't think it should be in the top 3, especially in front of mm9.
EDIT:
I almost forgot, my top 5:
1)World of Goo
2)Megaman 9
3)Lostwinds (when is the sequel coming out anyways? It's looooong overdue!)
4)Alien Crush Returns
5)Tetris Party (It's 5 because I have Tetris DS, and I think it's a bit better.)

RELEASE TETRIS ATTACK for the SNES!

Panel De Pon is more likely but there's a few menu screens of Japanese text that could be a problem. I wonder if Nintendo could edit the in-game title to something they can use like they have with the signs in Wave Race 64. "Yoshi's Puzzle League" anyone? We wish.

"I wonder if Nintendo could edit the in-game title or something they can use like they have with the signs in Waverace 64."

They might do that actually. If they can't use the Tetris name, they'll likely rename it Yoshi's Puzzle Attack, or something like that. They're much more likely to do that than translate PDP, as they haven't translated ANY import games so far, and aren't likely to start there. Personally, I'd find it's release to be completely redundant, since we already have PPL, which is superior in every way. The only reasons I can see people buying TA instead is if they're nostalgic for it, aren't willing to spend the extra 200 points on PPL, or hae a passionate hate for pokemon.

I don't really see what the problem is with the Tetris name in the first place. They released Tetris DS in 2006, so they must still own rights to Tetris, right?

LostWinds and FFCC don't need really high positions: they've been out for ages and so almost everyone that wants them will have them by now. I do still agree that MM9 should still be doing better than it currently is.

Also: this weeks chart has suspiciously more comments than usual. *Enters paranoia mode

@Mr. Cheez: They did translate Sin and Punishment for the Nintendo 64. The only one they have done mind.

But like you said, Nintendo could change the rom to use the name 'Yoshi Attack' or 'Puzzle League' (what the series in the West was known as after Tetris Attack).

@RadioShadow: I have to say that Puzzle League is one of my favourite puzzle titles EVER (just behind Tetris, but edging above Picross and Bejeweled) - so nobody - BUT NOBODY - is going to steal it's name for where it doesn't belong. Y'understand me?!?!?

^ What are you on about? That's what the DS Version of Tetris Attack was called. http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/ds/image/938404.html

The thing is N64 games are easier to translate and make texture edits. Though Nintendo won't admit it, the emulators use the current emulator projects on the PC as a point of referance. This includes the replacing textures thing with external files as evidenced with the Ocarina of Time VC title having the mirror shield textures (they changed it remmeber so it isn't the cresent moon) and a few others outside of the ROM.

Wave race probably does the same and the fan translation of Sin and Punishment used the texture trick so with all this it is a no brainer that Nintendo did the same.

With a SNES game no such thing exists so you have to open up the ROM and edit it. Nintendo do edit the the ROMs on the VC But it is only minor things like; corrupting the password system in Kid Icarus (my guess is they didn't want people using cheat passwords and beating it in no time), removing the player names in Tecmo Bowl (understandable), chaning the Yo-Yo in Star Tropics (it is a Star...yeah ) and making special effects more transparent in Super Mario RPG (some kind of anti seisure paranoia I think...as if the message on start up was'nt enough ).

Translations particularly of later SNES games mean dealing with compressed text, compressed graphics and sometimes ASM to change text display routines and limits.

Panel de Pon is a bit of a problem. Tetris Attack is actually a minor improvement*. You can set the AI to control a player (try getting it beat the vs. mode for a fun message) but I don't like the slightly brighter panels. Editing Tetris Attack means having to track down every referance and eliminate it and all you'll get from it is the nostalga sales going down the pan and every reviewer panning the game becuase Pokemon Puzzle League is better.

*-This happens with games at times. Localisation can bring about improvements be it glitch fixes or new features.

@RadioShadow: Yes... that's what I meant. Erm... yeah.

@Radioshadow-They didn't really translate Sin and Punishment. The audio was already in English. In my opinion, just doing the menu and tutorial is not really translating, which is why it irked me that they charged 1200 points instead of 1000. (It was still worth it)

@StarWolf_UK- I checked the list today, and the only changes are as follows:
16 (17) - Strong Bad Episode 1 - Homestar Ruiner
17 (16) - Art Style: Cubello
18 (18) - Art Style: Orbient
19 (19) - LostWinds
20 (-) - Art Style: Rotohex

The rest of the list is the same as yesterday.

Ah well, interesting Rotohex sneaked itself in...wait Thursday, thats the day after this very sites review of the game (a day for the review to take impact). Even more interesting...

I think the problem with Alien Crush Returns isn't the "Returns." Instead, I think it is the "Crush" part of it. My theory is that most casual gamers who have no knowledge of the series would think that it is a game about having a crush on aliens. (at least my friend thought it was...and he's actually a hardcore gamer!) Well I dunno. I just want more people to buy this game so I can have more challengers in versus mode. Of the two games I've played, it's only been against one other person!

Sigh...let's just hope this does better in Europe...

@SmaMan - I'm getting it eventually, I just haven't had the money. I hope its sales pick up too.

Alien Crush hasn't entered the UK charts yet, even the Brain Challenge is now at 19 and Space Invaders at 15 (most likely due to the price)

Just checked and all three new games has already entered the Swedish chart. And in related news, Mega Man 9 has overtaken Tetris Party for 1st again. That's impressive.