The Wii U has endured a largely consistent loss of momentum in 2013, which a release lineup that — despite some excellent titles — has largely failed to inspire substantial sales. Nintendo has, unsurprisingly, lined up a significant range of titles for the second half of 2013, starting off with Pikmin 3.
The latest title in the series — which had two entries on the GameCube — has come in at number one in the latest Media Create Charts; released on 13th July, it accumulated 92,720 physical retail sales (eShop downloads aren't included) in its debut weekend. The standalone retail disc of New Super Luigi U placed fifth in the chart.
1. [Wii U] Pikmin 3 – 92,720 (New)
2. [3DS] Yokai Watch – 53,654 (New)
3. [PS3] Earth Defense Force 2025 – 37,024 (191,713)
4. [3DS] Tomodachi Collection: New Life – 26,065 (1,259,847)
5. [Wii U] New Super Luigi U – 24,881 (New)
6. [PSV] Toukiden – 20,853 (186,963)
7. [PSP] Toukiden – 19,262 (118,404)
8. [PS3] Dead Island: Riptide – 18,462 (New)
9. [PS3] Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection – 17,599 (New)
10. [3DS] Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D – 12,963 (206,322)
11. [PS3] Gundam Breaker – 10,224 (242,819)
12. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – 10,088 (3,325,123)
13. [3DS] Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon – 9,184 (825,026)
14. [PS3] The Last of Us – 9,158 (173,181)
15. [PSP] Hanayaka Kana, Ware ga Ichizoku: Tasogare Polarstar – 9,046 (New)
16. [PSP] DanganRonpa: Academy of Hope and High School Students of Despair (PSP the Best) – 6,106 (91,204)
17. [3DS] Digimon World Re: Digitize Decode – 5,912 (50,952)
18. [3DS] Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl – 5,870 (106,914)
19. [Wii] Taiko Drum Master Wii Super Wonderful Edition – 5,203 (516,866)
20. [PS3] Atelier Escha & Logy: The Alchemist of Dusk Sky – 5,031 (72,873)
In the hardware stakes, the 3DS LL (XL) remains the number one, continuing its remarkable run; for Wii U there's the welcome sight of a meaty bump in sales taking it up to second place behind its portable brethren. The results are below, with last week's sales in parenthesis.
3DS LL – 29,594 (29,716)
Wii U – 22,199 (8,251)
PlayStation Vita – 15,662 (20,776)
3DS – 13,841 (14,506)
PlayStation 3 – 12,698 (11,683)
PSP – 5,830 (5,768)
Wii – 1,434 (1,334)
Xbox 360 – 393 (313)
It's a welcome boost for Nintendo's home console, and after an encouraging increase eyes will shift to next week as we see whether the system can maintain some momentum during Pikmin 3's first full week; as for 3DS, it just keeps on selling regardless.
[source gematsu.com]
Comments 83
5 and a half million dollars isn't bad for an opening weekend in a single country ... (if my math is right)
Am I seeing that less than 400 XBoxes sold in a week - that is a difference from USA
Does anyone have the numbers for the first week of Pikmin and Pikmin 2? It could be an interesting comparison to make.
This is VERY GOOD NEWS!!! With the other triple AAA titles coming out later in the year, I have a good feeling we're about to witness a serious turn around. We saw it with the 3DS and we'll see it here.
That's good news. If Japan devs see the bost. We might get some great Japan development. Like the 3ds
wow! I was totally not expecting that
It took 2 years for the PS3 and XBox 360 to gain their stride. It's much more difficult to judge a home consoles success solely on the first year. Let a couple of Christmas seasons pass and we'll then see how things are truly shaping up. I personally believe we'll see a Wii U turnaround =)
wiiu is not doomed!
This is awesome to see! Way to go Japan residents! Now us NA's and EU's need to step up and do our part. The great games are finally starting to roll out, and we need to support them.
If Pikmin 3 is that successful in the West, the Wii U has a brighter horizon!
Got my answer with Famitsu numbers:
Pikmin 1 first week: 101,299 (GC install base 242,429)
Pikmin 2 first week: 161,930 (GC install base 1,372,517)
Pikmin 3 first week: 102,188 (Wii U install base 982,801)
Thank you NeoGAF.
So WiiU sales tripled (more or less) from last week to this week?
That works for me.
Big jump in WiiU hardware sales, just under 3x more since Pikmins release. Some people will put out negative spin about it, but at the end of the day it is a significant rise even if temporary, but one that will be replicated in next few months, and into early next year as more key franchises get thier WiiU release.
Although Nintendo titles will hardly make Sony/MS fanboys turncoat on thier systems those who like to own a Ninty system along side thier Ps3(4)/Xbox and those still waiting to upgrade from Wii as these titles are released in the west and hopefully we will see a decent rise in the WiiU's sales, maybe even close to how the system sold in its first few monthsof release.
It's amazing to see how one quality release helps a console out.
Awesome for Nintendo, hopefully the momentum keeps up! It's always a joy looking at the Japanese list, just a bunch of Nintendo and Sony stuff
@KodaSmooss - Nice job adding in the install base numbers, most people seem to forget about those. Can't believe how poorly the Gamecube sold in Japan, WiiU will surpass those hardware numbers for sure once Kart and Smash come out. Actually probably even before that.
@tchaten
yeah the xbox360 has traditionally done very poorly in Japan.... actually it's only sold roughly 1.64 million in japan since it's release. They just don't seem very interested in western games and part could have to do with the way microsoft seems to ignore them too. Microsoft would be smart to just not waste the time with the xbox one in japan.
Has anyone else noticed how Microsoft seem to be losing the console war? Not quite as off topic if you look at those sales and not a single Xbox game in the top 20! You'd be forgiven for thinking Japan doesnt even have the Xbox!
According to vgchartz...
pikmin 1 first week sales- 103k
pikmin 2 - 189k
So, not really sure what to make of the wii u numbers... did all that exposure with Nintendo land and new play really help sales?
@rjejr Remember thats for only being on sale for like a day... Tomorrow we will see the results of a full week on sale.
Unless unlike in EU/USA who don't yet track digital games sales and Japan do then I'd imagine quite a few more copies of Pikmin would of been sold than listed due to digital sales.
This is great for nintendo and i have to admit i am a little surprised. Seems like a fun game but not one that would be a system mover. Amost triple last weeks console sales is not bad at all. I have to wonder if the wii u is kind of a sleeper where allot of people are intrested in it but they they are just waiting for there title to be released. Im really starting to believe if they would get out wii u sports this thing would sale like crazy.
Viva Pikmin 3 day on buy for me
@KodaSmooss the Pikmin 3 numbers is that just the weekend or the whole week?
@tchaten Pikmin 3 came out on 13th July in Japan, the Media Create Chart for this week runs up to 14th July. As I said in the article, these are opening weekend sales
Awesome News!!!!!!! If you sell them people will buy games that is. The Wii U will be fine as soon as the games come ... Many have said this and it is true... Can't wait to get my Copy of Pikmim 3 and all of the other great titles coming our on Wii U this Fall !!!! Good times ahead for Nintendo & Wii U ... 3DS & Wii U 1&2 Nice to See!!!!!! Let's Go Nintendo & Wii U
@Magotoo Its a big game for Nintendo, especially in Japan, I't could be classed more towards a cult game in the West, but those who ever tried the past 2 games for the most part realised that beneath the looks is quite a deep and challenging strategy game.
Maybe P3 wont be quite as challenging due to not having a set amount of time to complete the story but then there seems to be plenty of new additions to the game to make-up for it.
@ThomasBW84 I could see the trend last a few weeks in Japan. Anything like here in the UK, Payday is a week or 2 away for most which is always the optimum time when people will buy games.
Regarding sales numbers the fault with the Wii U from a business perspective wasn't the number of sales but the fact that it was completely incapable of maintaining momentum. Judging by the upcoming lineup that shouldn't be a problem.
@Magotoo My friend who is living in Japan said "Now that Pikmin 3 is out I finally have a reason to buy a Wii U". Let's hope this is an opinion shared by the majority of people on the fence over the last half a year.
That's what I like to see.
Maybe Nintendo should of done a Pikmin 3 WiiU bundle. Imagine if they did and included a limited edition Pikmin Figure, Keyring or Something and seeing as a lot of Japanese gamers go mad for collectable figurines and such like WiiU hardware would have sold even more over there, these past few days.
Don't know how much something like that would effect Western Hardware sales though.
But given how well Pikmin is selling and effecting WiiU hardware sales Nintendo seemed of missed a Marketing opportunity in Japan.
Let the battle begin!
Here comes Wii U!!!!
/in best Ben Stein voice......."Pachter......Pachter.................Pachter????"
So the Wii U's turnaround begins... Yay!
This could be what we predicted: The big hitters are comming, the WiiU has a purpose and is rising. It may probably never be the system of choice for all the "hardcore gamers" out there, but it will be the system for people, who just enjoy good games instead of graphicaly stunning, interactive benchmark tests.
Remember this is from only 2 days of sales.
Good, now everyone will start to shut up about the Wii U failing. -.-"
Now we're talking!
@KodaSmooss i'm amazed that around half of the gamecube owners at that time bought pikmin 1
that's awesome Now I know I won't be part of the initial Numbers in NA when it is released due to no money but I will be part of the figures sometime
@KodaSmooss Kool, thanks for posting.
Your analysis is correct, that's only 2 days. One of the major videogame websites in france juste say "no so good, it's under the 100 000 of previous Pikmins", without going deeper in their statment. Also, the launch window is not the same. So that's pretty good. Not sure that I will buy this game though : )
that amazing
... That's all I have to say!
that's nice, I didn't expect that Pikmin could make people buy a console! But, yeah, I guess it's not only the game itself, but the new games that are announced to come next, with pikmin being only the trigger that says "buy now" instead of "buy it next month"
U Turn!
@element187 Ah, good point. Also, I'm not sure how many days were included for the first week of pikmin 1 and 2.
Nintendo Back
Also for what it's worth, nsmbu sold 166k in its first week in Japan. Not sure if that was a full week of sales.
Regardless of the exact numbers, this is good news and it would be a nice success story if pikmin became the game to ignite wii u sales. Kind of like the little engine that could...
This is great news. Lets hope that Pikmin is as popular a franchise in NA. I remember being skeptical about the popularity of Animal Crossing in NA, but I got surprised. New Leaf sold like hotcakes here, so I'm expect I'll probably be surprised with this as well. I'll get it when I have the money!
Way to go Wii U! #1, now that's quite a feat!
Impressive. And what's that Yokai Watch 3DS game at second place Nintendo stock also spiked. Good times are a' coming.
See, told ya Pikmin 3 will help start up Wii U's sales.
And its gonna get even better once that game hits here next month.
If Pikmin 3 did that just imagine how Mario Kart 8 will do when it arrives.
I don't know about you guys but I really do feel there's something special about the Wii U. I didn't feel the same regarding the Wii to be honest. I love the tablet controller, the graphical interface, and am really looking forward to upcoming games.
This is the second time everyone is crying victory for Nintendo, and in between there was nothing but 'doom and gloom'... I always said to wait and see, compared it to any random system launch since it always starts slow these past generations, and people kept pulling their hair out and calling me blind for the truth about Nintendo being doomed... Now that everyone is festive, I'd hate to spoil the mood, but,... Just wait and see, please.
We were never doomed to be without great games anyway, isn't that one of the reasons we chose Nintendo?
Looks like Nintendo,
/puts on sunglasses
is starting a U-turn.
YYYEEEAAAAHHHH!!!!
The Wii U is a great console. I'm in love with my gamepad, and can't stop playing the awesomeness that is Lego City Undercover. More games will come, and the console will sell. It is a much better machine than given credit for, in many ways.
I'll definitely want to hear what the naysayers will be saying by this holiday season.
@Akira_1975 So do I, but I felt the same about the Wii. Sadly, we never saw the 'game' Sadness, it looked so amazing in concept...
Still, the Gamecube menu beats every other interface so far, by colours, design, sound, music, even the start-up screen is memorable! The only other start-up screen that had me hooked from the first second was that of the GBA.
@ricklongo Probably still 'nay'. It's what they do, and it's all they know. 'Fanboys' don't handle information like regular people do. They make up counter-arguments, and if they can't come up with one, they insult you, your mother, and your... 'amount of life'.
Wow, the Wii U sold almost as many units in Japan as it has been every week worldwide. I don't know if that's really awesome or really sad. XD Awesome to see some growth, though. Keep it coming!
That's something I like to see! This proves that Pikmin 3 can really boost sales!!!!!
that's awesome! finallly some good news for the Wii U. I really hope it does good next week as well, that would be awesome as well. It deserves a good boost in sales.
Kind of off topic but I really want digimon Decode localized. 17th isn't bad for a port right?
Good news~
Don't forget Pikmin 1 & 2 were retail only, Pikmin 3 also has uncounted digital sales so its likely to be a lot more. Good result either way. Also worth noting this is a full week sales since it was only released on the weekend.
@Magotoo you have to remember Shiggy is like. Rock Star god in Japan and this is the first game with his fingerprints on it to come out for WiiU. They also did a Japan Exclusive Direct with him sitting down with a popular talking head to demonstrate and play the game. These sales were only for 1/2 a week and not digital. Just imagine when his mystery new franchise comes out how many units that will move.....with something like Pikman coming out of his head Imcan't imagine what he will cook up next but I would really love to see him do something with an adult narrative atleast once before he retires.
Of course this is just Japan. We still have to wait to see if similar results happen in other regions. I hope so.
Yippeee!! This is fantastic news!!! I can't wait to see what happens in Europe on the 26th and I ESPECIALLY can't wait to see how this boosts the console's sales here in America on August 4th. This just goes to show that first party games REALLY help!!!
@tchaten Maybe, but your use of the word math isn't. It's 'maths'
Despite the small sales bump, I hope this becomes the start of the long road that is recovery.
okay, now bring those sales to EU and US. and spike the sales a bit more.
I’ve seen the Pikmin 3 commercial like 10 times today so either I’m watching too much tv or Nintendo is finally understanding the importance of advertisements.
"3DS LL – 29,594 (29,716)"
...wait. Isnt it '3DS XL'? O.o
Hopefully a sign of things to come
Nintendo life! can you please confirm or deny if the purple and white pikmin of pikmin 3 are really locked to mission mode only? this will decide if I buy the game or not........
Doing a happy dance... wooohooo.. shaking that tail... what?? Hey I'm a Lion... Smiles..
@CAM290 Hahaaa, hopefully there will be a reason for this pun to catch on!
@Gridatttack in japan it is ll for some reason
Week 2 numbers will be salivating - for Wii U figures as well. Can't wait for Aus release.
Considering we all know how such a high percentage of people buy Wii U stuff digitally, the total sales of Pikmin 3 & Luigi U are going to be pretty nice.
And japanese people going boom an praising the Lord Miyamoto saying emotional driven things about Pikmin 3 are also a sign.
Good news but Nintendo have a LOT of work to do yet.
And you guys doubted them... X)
Good job, Nintendo! Let's keep this trend going!
@KodaSmooss
@BFahey3
These aren't Pikmin 3's first week numbers. These only include the first two days of sales.
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