
When it comes to high-quality budget offerings on the 3DS eShop, we're not sure that they come any better than Gunman Clive, an action platformer with stylish visuals, multiple playable characters and a number of homages to classic franchises such as Mega Man.
Although originally available on Android and iOS devices, with virtual buttons and inputs on screen, it's the controls of the 3DS that allow it to be enjoyed "as it's meant to be played", in the words of developer Bertil Hörberg in his interview with us. It's not just in utilising the options of the 3DS that's it's been a triumph on the eShop, however, with confirmation earlier this year that the handheld's version had outsold the modestly successful iOS edition and then, more impressively, out-performed the stronger sales of the Android release.
In the latest twist that provides an indication of how the title has truly surged to popularity on the eShop, Bertil Hörberg has now taken to NeoGaf to state that the eShop release has now out-sold the iOS and Android versions combined, going on to say that the "sales are starting to show a slow but visible decline now though, but they're still at very a nice level."
It's a result that is undoubtedly a victory for the eShop, showing that with solid pricing, quality and user awareness it can be a viable option for small developers, with the structured and licensed approach perhaps helping titles to stand out more than they can on the far busier smartphone/tablet markets. For his part Hörberg has told us that his next game "will focus on the 3DS from the start", showing that he's clearly happy with his experience on the platform.
Have you played Gunman Clive yet on 3DS, and does its success compared to the iOS and Android releases surprise you? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
[source neogaf.com]
Comments 48
Excellent!
As I was saying in one of the Fez posts, you can't really hold this up and say eShop releases will sell as well as IOS and Android. On the eShop, there's so few titles, that something like Gunman Clive can stand out and get bought by most of the audience. On the Apple App Store or Android Marketplace, it doesn't stand out at all. It's not a bad game, but it's certainly not great compared to the choices gamers have on the other platforms.
When the top selling eShop game comes close to the top selling IOS game, then it's impressive, but that's never going to happen.
In before someone mentions Fish!
Yes its a good cheap game. It should sell well and hopefully we will see more of his work soon!
A $2 game claiming to be like Megaman? I'd imagine it'd sell well :/
That's some good news right there, I'm chuffed for guy.
I haven't bought it yet (too many games) but I will do eventually.
@Peach64 No it will never compare. That part you're right on but any victory is better then none. After all I'm sure with ios and android combined there is well over 500 million users world wide!
It really is a great game. Its short length actually makes it replayable, because I like to beat it again from time to time with a different character. The 3D effect also looks great.
@Peach64
"When the top selling eShop game comes close to the top selling IOS game, then it's impressive, but that's never going to happen."
It will never happen, but that doesn't say anything about the quality of the games. Many times more people own an iPhone than a 3DS, and generally I would say 3DS owners are more invested gamers and have a bigger appreciation for games with tight gameplay, which is why a game like Gunman Clive sells more on a platform which has proper buttons.
You're not implying Candy Crush Saga is a great game just because it's a top download, are you?
I really will have to get it someday at this rate
At $2, it was certainly one of the easier impulse game purchases I've ever made.
I loved Gunman Clive, but it was a little bit short and easy. However, for 2 quid, totally worth it.
Like what they say, first time for everything.
Totally worth the price and it was a great game. If you havent played it before now would be a good time to get it.
Is this including when GMC was the Free App of the Day on Amazon's App Store?
Considering a LOT of the other offerings on 3DS shop, this game smokes everything out of water! First the quality is superb.. super tight controls and simply executed with perfection. . It deserves all the credit and sales! Best $2 of gaming money I have ever spent.. and possibly in my lifetime!
Great game and I think the "solid pricing" was key.
It's nice to have iOS price on eshop seeing as Nintendo like to price their games high.
Even so it's amazing that the 3DS version outsold Android/iOS combined considering how many hundreds of millions of those devices there are...
Ya the fact that only like 3 games come out a week makes it stand out more and easier to find than something on the app store which has so many apps constantly being added
The key is the buttons, this is already on my 3DS widh list, but I would've never approached it on the iOS with virtual buttons.
iOS and Android are great for certain types of games, but virtual buttons just stink. I've yet to meet a virtual button setup that worked well. My fingers invariably end up moving off the buttons at crucial moments and it's not fun to be constantly concerned about that. Super Crate Box, I think that's the name, is an excellent example. Fun little game. Basically like single-player original Mario Bros. but with guns. Virtual buttons drove me away.
I love this news, and this game on my 3DS...though it's hard at times! But in a good way that reminds me of playing NES as a kid. Regardless, I think this is as good of an example as any to show that virtual touch controls suck and will always be inferior to buttons unless the game is designed for a touch screen like Angry Birds or something.
I've come to loathe virtual buttons, and any game that uses them. There are plenty of games that work on touchscreens, but platformers aren't among them.
This game is really fun to pay, good-looking and overall has a huge value for its price.
This should teach devs (and Nintendo too) that pricing a game reasonably, or even more on the cheap side, if the game is good, doesn't hurt at all.
@Chrono_Cross Mutant Mudds developers said something mildly similar, alongside others that I can't remember.
This was a nice, fun game. I'm glad I bought it. I like that it was bite-sized, and priced accordingly. I'd like to see more games that follow that model. I don't need hundred-hour games anymore, so this sort of thing is right up my alley.
Gunman Clive was just such an excellent game. The graphics and 3D effect were great, the controls worked perfectly, the gameplay was very strong, and the music... simply beautiful. And people spend two dollars on a drink sometimes...
Hopefully Nintendo and third party companies will take note of everything that is right about Gunman Clive.
Awesome, it's great to hear his next game will be 3ds focused. Gunman Clive is a great game and I've recommended it to everyone I know willing to listen.
Buttons,less crowded shop, and respecting the consumers seems to have paid off here.
I would gladly pay $5-$10 for his next game.
I love Gunman Clive!!!! So glad to hear the eShop version has been a money maker for that dude and his wife.
First, congrats to Mr. Hörberg & company. Second, many good points made here.
Personally, I also see iOS and Android as a great platform for many games, but not all. Also, this game's success can be attributed to the developer for making a good game and taking a risk on the price. Also, gaming websites, such as this one, have assisted by reporting about the game and bringing it to our attention. Besides, this game has hardcore appeal written all over it. For as many sales and successes the iOS and Android games have had, many of the most sold games are the casual ones (Angry Birds). Casual players, there are many. Nintendo knows this. But also, those casual players are not willing to pay for games like the hardcore do. Hence, in a market where games are not plenty, but rather, in abundance, and the casual player's wallets rule, Gunman Clive had the odds stacked against it from the start. Input that hardcore game in a dedicative gaming platform (and have good press support), that is where the developers will find success.
@rayword45
Show a link for Mutant Mudds. I believe the reason you can't name another example is because there aren't any.
Glad I could jog your memory.
Quality title and a quality price...why wouldn't it sell...maybe it will get the message out
It was a pretty good game.
@Chrono_Cross There was absolutely NO reason whatsoever for you to act all superior in your tone. Lighten up a little.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/02/developer_interview_renegade_kid_and_a_history_of_nintendo_development?page=1 - It did not indicate any sort of combination beating out the other platforms, but it still beat them one-by-one AT LEAST.
It was a great game at a great price. Glad to see it do so well.
Really enjoyed this game and I agree with @Peach64's assessments.
I feel apart of this news. I just got this game.
@rayword45
My point still stands.
niice! but how many have bougt it for the 3DS then? 10 000 or 50 000? any clues?
Excellent game! With the success I hope he makes a sequel.
@daggdroppen IKR! how many units are sold?
@idork99 (sheds tear)
Truer words have never been said.
Go Gunman Clive! Well earned. It's a fab game and deserving of as many sales as possible. Plus the extra cheap price compared to other titles certainly warrants a purchase from everybody who owns a 3DS.
I was honestly considering getting this game not to long ago (one week to be exact). Now that I know that the game is performing well I must be a "must-have title".
I'm so glad to see Gunman Clive doing well. I knew it would long before it came out. Thanks for the great game!
It's helped notably by being $1.99 and GOOD. If more companies took a more mobile priced approach on there I'm sure they'd do quite well. I have to wonder if some of these $15 games would have made more at $10 or $5 in the long term. But I guess it's easier to just lower prices as interest decreases.
I really don't think anyone could argue about the price they charge for this game. You are getting well worth your money for this game. It also helps that it is actually a pretty good game to boot.
I love it on 3DS. I can't even imagine what it would be like to play a platformer on a touchscreen.
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