
It's no secret that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of the must-have games in the Switch's launch line-up, but according to GameStop COO Tony Bartel pretty much everyone who bought the system picked up a copy of Zelda BotW too. Demand for the hardware is still high too, with a restock this week seemingly flying off the shelves.
Here's what he said to investors recently:
The demand is incredibly strong for this. As soon as we get it into our stores, it's out within hours. So we anticipate we're going to be chasing supply this entire year.
The other thing is, every game that's out there, to have over a five and a half attach rate to this, signifies that a lot of people are finding this a great platform and they're picking up any games that they can. I mean, we have almost a one-to-one attach of Zelda.
GameStop CEO Paul Raines has previously described the Switch has having "potential to be Wii-like" during an earnings report, which will no doubt be music to the ears of Nintendo's shareholders.
What do you think of this comment on the attach rate for Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Is it the killer app that the Switch needed?
[source gamasutra.com]
Comments 147
Well this is good news ultimately. I've noticed that brick and mortar stores seem to be sold out of physical copies and most online retailers the same. Hopefully Mario Kart will fly off the shelves at 60fps, too.
so glad I've been pre-ordering my games.
BOTW is up there with Xenoblade Chronicle X...
Attach rates for Wii were reportedly low with a lot of people just wanting Wii Sports, so this is good news.
Any speculation on long term success for the console will need to be updated every 3 months, since it's not something that you can predict after a month.
Well... of course Zelda's selling out, it's the only must-have game.
My girlfriend was finally able to pick up her neon Switch from GAME yesterday! Now we've got one each she can finally stop playing on mine.
...but I'm almost done with Zelda... just some Korok seeds left. Need more games.
Lol obviously, there's literally nothing else to buy for the system.
There are only four games on the shelves, with the other three being rather meh. If this wasn't the case, it would be more strange.
Nintendo needed to sell two million units of BotW to hit profit, looks like they'll easily make that goal.
Edit:
Sauce: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/06/zelda_breath_of_the_wild_needs_to_sell_2_million_copies_to_make_a_profit
Lel no wonder with the poor lineup at launchday.
Nice, but not hugely surprising given the lack of alternatives.
@Moon True but it would suck when you are not a Zelda fan. Believe it or not there are actually people out there who dont like Zelda so sucks for them to not have another AAA game option =/
The only reason to buy Switch is for Zelda. I guess the others who didn't are just making sure they have a Switch when another great game comes out.
@Yasume
We already have more games for Switch, both physical and digital.
BTW, still need an Encore to continue your pathetic lamentation ?
No surprise. I wonder what the attach rate is for 1-2switch or zelda on wii u. I know Bomberman has bombed in Japan and I am setsuna. I would have thought Bomberman has faired better in the West. In Japan the switch has sold 440 thousand hardware units and 263 thousand copies of switch zelda software sales at retail. That's still great numbers. Makes you wonder what the other 177 thousand bought if it wasn't zelda,didn't think there was another game worth buying at launch in Japan.
@ottospooky We have to wait another month before we can get our hands on that game. A terrible decision by Nintendo to leave such a long gap between releases.
Not surprising - Botw is on the best games of all time to me. It may not be the most technologically advanced game, but who needs the best graphics? This game is pure fun!!!
Masterpiece IMHO.
Other than that the line up is pretty weak imho.
Are we really shouting software drought after three weeks? Have we gone mental? I picked up four games at launch and have probably spent 90% on just one (the other 10% goes to snipperclips). At the moment any game that I'd buy would play second fiddle to zelda. They have spaced the games to give regular stock on shelves. If they shot their wad in the the first few weeks everyone would be bellyaching about lack of action for the rest of the year.
This story is a positive one for Nintendo. Why are we using it to complain about a none issue. I'll get off my high horse now and start clock watching for splatoon.
I can concur this. After I had to return my faulty Switch console, including the Zelda game.
When I found a new Switch (miraculously), I was unable to find a physical copy of Zelda anymore, so after several days I gave up and bought it digital.
@Anti-Matter But there aren't really. Only small games that the vast majority aren't interested in.
Not surprising as Zelda: BOTW is one of the greatest games ever made(may even be the best, still playing through it) and the rest of the launch games? I'll put this nicely, they're not great and have overinflated prices.
What a surprise! Zelda is literally the only available physical game worth owning for Switch right now, so obviously everyone who bought Switch would get Zelda with it - due to the very limited choice. Even e-shop is lacking good (new) games.
Yep. I finally managed to snag one on Wednesday during their restock. Everybody in line with me was buying it for Zelda, though most of us had already bought it. So I'm betting that "almost" one-to-one attach rate is due to the people like us who already purchased the game in advance.
Every time I tell someone I got the Switch, people can't believe I didn't get Zelda. So yes, everyone sees it as THE game to play.
I'm sure I'll love it, but I really don't have the kind of time the game requires on my hands right now.
There is more than enough on the eshop to keep people busy.
In 2 weeks we have MK8DX and Wonder Boy
@Anti-Matter I don't bother with crap, thank you.
Another way to put this is that Zelda is the only game worth buying a Switch for
What else are you gonna get? 1,2 Switch? LOL!
Not that there was many good choices for Switch.
If you buy a Switch at launch it is only obvious that there is only one game to get with it.
The only people who probably didn't pick BOTW up with the Switch were scalpers.
Zelda BOTW will have great staying power.
Hardly surprising. It's really the only must have game. Everything else for the most part is a port/remake, can be found cheaper on other platforms or is just mediocre and not worth the price.
It's a Zelda machine.
@RadioHedgeFund More like 5 weeks
It's not like literally anyone would buy a Switch for games such as 1,2 Switch.
In other news; water is wet.
@Yasume - BOTW attach rate has nothing to do with the perception that there are no other games for the system.
Neo geo machine
And zelda
@Anti-Matter what other games are there
Like Nintendo, Gamestop has an irritating knack for acting humble and completely "stunned" when AAA products fly off the shelves. NES Mini, BOTW, etc.
Lol, well to me that's pretty obvious. I for one don't mind the limited (but good) lineup of launch games, but what else were you going to buy if you bought a Switch? Surely there were probably about 5 people in the world who bought it for Bomberman.
@UK-Nintendo
1 2 Switch, Super Bomberman R, I Am Setsuna Just Dance 2017, Skylander Imaginator, Neo Geo games and some Switch E-shop games.
Well, at least more than 10 games to be chosen during this month.
Still beginning, not so many Wow Switch games.
@Anti-Matter exactly. Only zelda
@UK-Nintendo
Well... for me , Super Bomberman R caught my attention even actually I gave score 6 from 10 . Decent Bomberman games, good for warming up before playing "Main Course" games.
I still take a look some video gameplay of Zelda Breath of the Wild Switch version. I still have not engaged yet with Breath of the Wild, kinda interesting but still not familiar due to never been played before.
Funny, one of my student is really really Hyped with that game. Almost everytime I meet him at library, he likes to discuss about that game from Weapon list, Durability, Sub Quest, Recipes, Bosses, etc. He is Grade 6 student, 12 years old.
Wait, wait, wait. So, you're telling me, that if you launch a new console with one of the best games ever made, people will want both that game and the new console? That sounds downright nutty. Should have launched the Switch with a new Steel Diver instead. NINTENDOOMED!
@UK-Nintendo Just because you and people like @yasume don't like other games doesn't mean they don't exist. I enjoy Skylanders, do you have a problem with that? Fast RMX too. The whole "Switch has no gamez" thing isn't funny anymore, thanks
What's the attach rate for 1 2 Switch?
@gortsi why should I have a problem with what game you like. It's all upto you. I like fast rmx too, but that's a indie game do you have a problem with that. The "switch doesn't have games" wasn't ever funny. Did you find it funny.
This is a Internet forum you are entitled to your own opinion. Happy
@Anti-Matter I'm glad your enjoying super bombaman. At least your the only one that's enjoying that game more than zelda
@gortsi nobody cares if it's funny or not. When I was buying a PS4, my friends seriously told me that "PS4 has no games, it's not worth purchasing". It was December 2016.
The other consoles really owe Switch a drink for getting the memeheaded crowd off their case for a bit. Meanwhile, the console already has a bunch of games and BotW is nowhere at the top of my first Switch purchase list so far, despite being a genuinely astounding game from the looks of it. If anything, I might end up with BotW Zelda amiibo sooner than the game itself. XD
From I Am Setsuna Mario Kart 8 (I still haven't played 7 properly, but I might actually invest in 8 in advance for local multiplayer), from Voez to The Binding of Isaac, from Little Inferno to Waku Waku 7, from Fast RMX to Snipperclips, I'd have plenty to play even if I didn't have a gargantuan backlog (including many CURRENTLY played games) on several other platforms. BotW is a sure purchase for me but I'm reluctant to pay a chunk of the upcoming wages now for a game I may not start a proper playthrough of until MONTHS AND MONTHS later. Being a digital buyer by preference, it's not like I have to worry about stock shortages.
I think GameStop may have a very skewed perception in this regard. It depends a lot on which store you go into. BotW is a popular sale in many GameStops, however, if you go into the Best Buy across the street from where I work, they have multiple shelves lined with unsold copies of BotW for NS. They have nearly 30 copies just languishing there and wasting space, possibly not to be sold at all until their next big system restock, which might not be for at least another month. I'll keep you all updated on that...
Meanwhile, they have almost entirely cleared out their Wii U stock, have no Wii U copies of BotW, and have no system demo kiosk for NS, only a visual demo. I think this is the first time I've ever seen Nintendo not send out system demo kiosks to as many (relevant and big box) stores as possible after a major product release. Once the first month system sales have completely cleared out, that's not going to help push subsequent sales until the holidays for the non-gaming focused outlets... How is the average customer supposed to get excited about NS if they can't even physically see or touch it before sale?
The national picture being painted in the USA is very rosy, but the situation is very different on the ground, depending on where one looks. Never before, in my entire life, have I seen a store's stock of Zelda look so ready to collect dust.
@UK-Nintendo My local Best Buy pinned NS as a Zelda machine... It didn't work out well for them.
@UK-Nintendo I'm not the one making fun of people who genuinely responded to your bait. When an opinion is contradicted by the facts, then guess what that opinion is. @nhSnork what exactly is your point? I never said it doesn't have games myself, others did.
People tend to go to GameStop first, where I live they might be sold out, but most other stores are not. It's just that if you're going to a store to buy a console or a game, people always go to GameStop first. But cheaper electronic stores around the corner have full stock. It's like the consumers haven't realized there are other stores that sells games and consoles. GameStop better try to keep it that way otherwise they might go out of business pretty soon.
@gortsi you've lost me.
@gortsi my point was backing up yours if that's unclear.
@UK-Nintendo look at your responses to @Anti-Matter again
@PlywoodStick I think that's two-fold though. yeah Gamestop has a certain type of customer HOWEVER I last read that Gamestop is now Nintendo's #1 retail partner by overall sales, so Gamestop's perspective, while skewed by customer base, does represent the majority in physical sales.
I also think Best Buy is not as premier a partner for Switch as they were for WiiU. In terms of shelf display materials, online promotion and redirect from Nintendo, BB seems to be very downplayed this time and Target seems to have taken over that position behind Gamestop. Whether that's Nintendo's or BB's decision I can't say. But it was telling that the day after the presentation Target had a banner at the top of their online front page for the Switch, as the top thing on the site. Best Buy had NOTHING on the front page, and I had to go digging for it. Worth noting that BB itself has been having a rough go of it and has been downsizing stores and the like, dropping average square footage by 2000 sqft or more and sub-leasing floor space for "store within a store" modeling, so they might just be in a "stick with what's known to sell" mode. I haven't seen the Swtich display in my Best Buy yet (which is actually one of their largest stores in the US), but last time I was there, the entire video games section looked like a K-Mart from 1987. It was a mess with outdated stuff, random mishmashes of stuff. Nintendo stuff was all there, but other than the PS4 demo booth even the PS/XBO shelves were a mess. And that's a flagship store. BB just seems to be low-prioritizing games in general while growing their mobile, appliance, and "prestige electronics" priorities.
@ballistic90 Actual game sales for Wii even without Wii Sports were very high, but it was hard to measure since Wii Play and Sports Resort were bundled with desired hardware (second WiiMote and Motion Plus, respectively) along with Wii Fit which was really hard to qualify as "games" is it was more an exercise fad than entertainment product, and was thus a whole different market buying it entirely that is unlikely to buy anything for any other games console. It was technically the "QoL" market we've heard about once or twice.
So the attach rate for Wii is by the numbers listed as high, but in real comparative numbers that are useful, if you adjust out "software" that sold due to hardware bundled, the bundled Sports, and the faddish Wii Fit, the actual attach rate for entertainment software wasn't as high as the numbers suggest.
I ordered my Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild online, as it's a lot cheaper. The only other game I've gotten so far is Snipperclips, as I have many games on both a Wii U and 3DS that I have yet to finish. And I'm trying not to spend too much money.
@gortsi which one. Is it the one where I say "what other games are there" ?
@UK-Nintendo yes, and his response was purely factual, even if you don't like these other games (which you are obviously entitled to). @nhSnork that's what I thought too, just got confused by the opening sentence.
@gatorboi352 "It's a Zelda machine." You say that like it's a bad thing
@gortsi read the article and then read my comment. The attach rate of zelda and the switch is high because what other games are there. I like fast rmx. Snippleclips but they are indie games.
My reply to him was genuine. I don't want to waste anymore time on this and apologise if it upset you.
It's the only real big game for Switch atm, so it's no surprise.
@UK-Nintendo If you mean retail, in Europe, or the UK more specifically, there's 5 games. Which yes, kind of does explain the high attach rate. You didn't upset me, we 're just having a discussion.
@NEStalgia I realize my example is very anecdotal, but I still think its's strange. If I hadn't been plugged into the internet, making a solid attempt to be "in the know" leading up the NS release, I would have assumed the NS completely bombed. (And not the Bomberman variety, either ) It's completely different from back when it was still a Nintendo Zone, stocked rare games like The Last Story Limited Edition, honored limited time launch rebates on games like Kid Icarus: Uprising, actually had Nintendo system demo kiosks, etc.
In addition, there are about 10 unsold copies of Bomberman R, almost 10 unsold copies of 1, 2, Milk, and... Only a few copies of Just Dance 2017 left? I know this store in particular has had very nice demo kiosks for Just Dance before, so it has a history of catering to it's market. Based on what seems to actually be selling on the shelves here, though, it feels more like the NS is a Just Dance machine than a Zelda machine... If you can imagine that. 😅
They don't have any NS systems locked in their new release cage, either. They used to have tons of 3DS, Vita, etc systems to see in there. No more. Not even NS consoles to show, I assume they sold out. So there's a weird Blockbuster style case of overstocking on the wrong item in this Best Buy. I'm kicking myself now that I didn't take pictures... Oh well, they'll probably still be there on Monday.
Well, yeah, of course it does. Very few people dropped $300+ to play indies and ports.
@UK-Nintendo - Indies and arcade ports aren't games? When is a game a game?
@bimmy-lee there not retail games. I'm sure fast rmx a lot of switch owners have but Nintendo will not give the figures yet where as retail or physical games you can get the actual figure. Hope that clears it up for you
@gortsi great. And I meant physical retail.
It just goes to show that people do care if you put full effort into a game.
@UK-Nintendo - It doesn't clear it up. It actually makes it more confusing.
@NEStalgia it's not... for a period of time.
I don't know about "the killer app", but BotW is definitely one of them!
@bimmy-lee I think his point is that... If you are an average Joe/Jane customer, have no knowledge whatsoever of what's available digitally, and only know to look in physical stores to see what's available outside of Amazon, etc... Depending on where you go, you're likely to only see all of 4 games, the major one being either sold out (meaning you can't see it and either have no opinion to form, or think it must be popular), or comically overstocked. (Meaning there's 20-30 copies of BotW lording over the shelf space, and thus think it must really suck, so the kids will probably like Just Dance better.) And by comically overstocked, I mean having far more copies of BotW to sell than actual systems.
Couple all of that with no guarantee of a system demo kiosk, and, well... What chance do non-gaming focused buyers have of actually knowing games like Fast RMX exist?
With my Switch purchase, I picked up Zelda: BotW, Snipperclips, and Shovel Knight Treasure Trove. Great launch day lineup in my opinion, and more than enough to keep me busy before Mario Kart arrives in a month.
Was hyped for Bomberman R originally, but the poor frame rate and input issues scared me away.
@PlywoodStick - I think you make a valid point, but I also think you give him waaay too much credit for actually thinking through to that extent.
@RedMageLanakyn What are you talking about, pretty much everyone here (and on other gaming focused sites) who bought an NS did so to play BotW on it...
@bimmy-lee All of that said, my point (and my guess on his point) was entirely anecdotal, because again, it all depends on where you look. It's very difficult to really get a sense of where everything stands at the moment, or at least on the ground it is. And I'm just inferring his thoughts, UK-N usually has a rather... Minimalist degree of conveyance.
@PlywoodStick thank you. You put the message out better than I could and really happy @bimmy-Lee now understands 😉
i haven't seen a copy of zelda in stores since launch.
@UK-Nintendo Cool! Maybe I should apply as a psychic...
@PlywoodStick lol. Mystic meg will be proud
@UK-Nintendo You're right, man :
Isaac AB+ (console exclusive so far)
Shovel Knight (with one episode exclusive so far)
Fast RMX (console exclusive)
World of Goo (one of the biggest indie)
8 Neo Geo games
= No games
@Tibob you did not list one switch game. And I have most of these indies already on different consoles.
You forgot to add zelda, 1-2 switch.
@Yasume Best comment.
You get a ten.
@jenkje Xenoblade X has many issues mainly being a downgrade in terms of the story. The world is huge which is good and there's a ton to do, but I still feel like I have to complete or accomplish this task just so I can continue the story. Plus Skells come in pretty late.
@Yasume Now I'm really wishing I took pics at my Best Buy, just to prove your first comment's statement horribly, even wildly wrong. So tragically wrong. I'm inclined to go today just to prove how astronomically incorrect that statement is.
@UK-Nintendo
Okay I get it, you're just typing words.
@UK-Nintendo - It's funny how using words to accurately convey your thought and opinions works, isn't it? Not convinced what Plywood said is what you meant though. I think you're just taking credit for his summarization. Based on your other posts, it seems like you just fall into the narrow mindset of, "it's not my type of game, so it's not a game".
The game is a masterpiece and I hope anyone with any interest in the adventure genre plays it. I was listening to the sound track on the way to work today as a matter of fact.
@manu0 My local wal mart literally has dozens of switch copies, and a few wiiu copies as well. It's crazy really, that they got so many when they only got a total of 5 switch systems at launch, and none since then.
@bimmy-lee whatever you feel is right.
On the launch lineup and experience:
It's too bad Fast RMX is not on the shelves right now. It's not for everyone, but it is quality for what it is and great for local multiplayer. Kids are enjoying that right now, actually.
Snipperclips is "must-have" in my opinion, however. Not sure how that would have done on the shelves as a retail release, but it might have been worth it. Really, I think it needs videos and word of mouth to sell it. Fast RMX I think would have been a "throw that in, too" game right from the start and it would have delivered, too.
I speak in past tense unfairly though. We are still just at the start. What's on the shelves almost doesn't matter right now because the console is not "on the shelves" either. Everyone who gets it now isn't making an impulse buy at the store, it's premeditated.
Hopefully the 1.5 mil out there are getting seen and the fact that you can play that Zelda game everyone is talking about will help quite a bit. So, it's time for stock to return for the second wave of interested buyers. First wave hasn't been satisfied yet. I know somebody looking for one but can't be bothered enough to seek it out with any patience. He'll pick it up if he sees it or he doesn't have to stand in line. I think there's a growing number of people like that.
Also, Blaster Master Zero is quite good! If you enjoyed the retro stylings of Shovel Knight, I'd give it a go. Much more fun than I guessed (the original is brutally hard and this one feels too easy so far, though.)
1,2 Switch and Bomberman really need a get together to get the value out of them. People who imagine taking the Switch to get togethers when they buy it should give them a try, but many just won't care.
Then, there's all the old stuff. Shovel Knight getting a bit of an early intro to Specter Knight is cool, but I want the Treasure Trove and my wallet hurts so I'm waiting.
For anyone who hasn't played them, Tomorrow Corporation games are solid. Really enjoying Human Resource Machine as I hadn't played it before but won't be picking up the others.
I was going to wait longer to buy these (Fast RMX, Blaster Master Zero, and Human Resource Machine), but I priced out a 128GB SD card at $40 checked my remaining memory and say 23 GB left. Checked the file sizes for the game (paltry) and decided to wait on the SD card and pick up the games for the exact same price, $40. Very happy with that decision!
Anyway, it's time for more stock! And a taste of Splatoon 2 this weekend! Fun stuff.
Anyone waiting for Zelda because you don't have a Wii U or Switch just stay away from videos. The game is all about discovery and if you just let other people do it you are going to miss out big time. I can already feel the disappointed comments coming from people who spoiled the entire game for themselves and then blame the game for it when they go through the motions of what they've already seen. lol.
Our family is getting tons out of the Switch daily. Loving it and not surprised, but it's going to make way more sense for many to wait. Wait until Splatoon 2 maybe. E3 will give more excitement about potential of the system and you can have plenty of gaming variety with Mario Kart Deluxe and Splatoon 2 and Zelda, Snipperclips, etc.
@PlywoodStick I couldn't imagine buying a switch and not getting it. That'd be like buying an N64 at launch and not getting Mario 64.I bet the few people that didn't buy a physical copy bought it digital!
Just like I think the Wii, even at only $250, would've been a tough sell without Twilight Princess, Breath of the Wild has made the Switch an essential purchase. Without it, I still think some consoles would've moved but it would be no where near as successful a launch as it has been. But, that's the power of having franchises like Zelda and Pokemon. Hopefully Nintendo keeps the momentum, the Switch is an excellent piece of tech that deserves to sell extremely well.
@RedMageLanakyn
I didn't get it and so far I'm doing fiiine without it ! In between Isaac, Shovel Knight, Snipperclips and Fast RMX my hands are full already.
@RedMageLanakyn Tell that to whoever bought all the NS consoles here! They somehow missed the ocean of BotW copies on the shelves, saw Just Dance 2017 and 1, 2, Switch, and said, "Yeah, I'll just pick up those two. And nothing else. Because there's obviously no other games to buy." 😆
@Tibob Those games are great too, i would classify BotW as a must play, even if it's down the road for you. It is a time sink, so yeah maybe finish up your other games before getting started on it. Very hard to put down once you get started!
@UK-Nintendo
I get ya Bro. The Neogeoswitch ain't worth buying if u ain't getting zelda and tbh mate its not worth buying for just 1 game,well for me anyway. Just about everything released so far on this new neogeo machine I can get elsewhere. It's all down to the individual person really,many on here will say there are loads of games worth getting and rightly so if they like them but it's all straw grabbing really because once Ninty release many great games ppl won't take much notice of most launch games,ppl don't have much to choose from right now so everything looks good to them. But yeah zelda is the only game on switch worth buying
I'm just amazed that there are people who got the Switch and not Zelda.
@Tibob Problem is, very few non-gamer buyers going into (most) brick and mortar stores even know those games exist, because there's no download code cards, promotion materials, etc distributed to let non-gaming buyers know they exist. There are still Fire Emblem Fates Map Pack download cards lying around, almost a year later, but there's no Fast RMX download cards placed on the shelves alongside BotW and Super Bomberman R. (Except for maybe some Gamestops?) If you're not in the know, then there's a potential to encounter an unintended illusion of having few choices. Nintendo would do well to rectify the situation by around E3, although right before the holiday season begins works too.
@Yasume Nothing else?
I own several games on my Switch
Snipper Clips is Really good
Bomberman is great for 4-8 player couch play
@UK-Nintendo Speaking as somebody who currently only owns Zelda for the Switch, there are a bunch of other games available (now, not upcoming) that I'm interested in trying next, but won't until I finish Zelda. These include FastRMX, Blaster Master Zero, I Am Setsuna, and Shovel Knight. I'll probably also be playing Just Dance and Snipperclips, but my best friend already has those, so I won't buy them for myself.
Maybe some of these games have already been released on other platforms, but I've never played any of them, so it's irrelevant to me if they're exclusives or not. They're games that I can/will buy on the Switch that I have not played before.
I do really wish that the Switch had game demos, though. I realize the feature is supported, but of the 28 games on the eShop, only one game has a demo. There are a few other games that look like they might be interesting that I'm not willing to buy without having a chance to try them first. Binding of Isaac is supposed to be decent, but it's a C$55 game and I'd really like a demo first.
I'm not surprised by this. I think Breath of the Wild will surpass Ocarina of Time as the DEFINING Zelda game. It'll certainly be GOTY for 2017 and it has the ability to remain relevant for many years if Nintendo handles DLC right. Additional story content built in to the already-announced Expansion Pass could keep Breath of the Wild's longevity going.
@PlywoodStick Yeah I mentioned that in an earlier comment to someone else, my local wal mart has had 5 Switches since launch, but they literally have a few dozen copies of BotW, and a handful of the other games, which haven't sold at all according to a friend that works in that department. Makes zero sense.
Well, the retail section for Switch is pretty thin at most big box stores here in the US, so the high attach rate is not surprising.
No surprise. It's the only big game at launch.
Now Nintendo needs to increase stock, deal with whatever "production issues" were causing problems with the joycons, and, most importantly, keep the ball rolling at E3.
I have a switch but don't own a copy of Zelda
I must be in a very small minority lol
Truth be told Zelda just isn't my thing but I wanted to make sure I had a switch to avoid a nes mini situation when they games I wanted roll around.
Turns out I was right because I couldn't buy one anywhere locally right now if I wanted one and I'm pleased to say that both bomberman and fast rmx have kept me going nicely until I can pick up lego city and Mario kart so no regrets
Loving my switch
@PlywoodStick Yeah, but Best Buy, honestly if I went by my store (again it's one of their premier flagship stores...they were going to close it, too big and costly to maintain, it's more than 4x the size of your average modern (new) Best Buy store, but they turned it around and kept it. I'd say games, though in the center-rear of the store, is the most run-down department of the store. If I were to use them as the example my feeling would be that gaming as a whole is dying. Slipshod products and placement, obsolete items, missing current items, it just seems like "stuff" is kind of randomly thrown on shelf space. Every other department, the giant Apple department, mobile that consumes half a store, premier appliances, a new high-end camera department (everything up to $10,000 Canon L-glass long lenses) And tucked behind that is the gaming department with a bunch of picked over stuff. Nintendo's placement there isn't good, but I can't say the other two are great either. PSVR is stuck under a shelf somewhere off to the side of the PS4 display. I'm guessing games are so low margin they just don't care. This is a location that had every one of the Nintendo E3 and pre-launch demo events during the WiiU era and did have a Switch midnight opening.
I haven't seen a more "typical" best buy in a while, but I'm thinking, if that's what they do at the flagships, regular stores have to be pretty bad when it comes to games. Flash back about 8-10 years ago, and BB had the nicest gaming setup of any store around.
It makes me wonder who's shopping at Best Buy these days! Unsold Zelda's but sold out on 1-2-S? Unless it's their buyer. Could have bought way more Zelda/Bomberman copies than they were getting Switch hardware, either overestimating Switch hardware inventory or overestimating how many would buy a Switch elsewhere but go there for games due to the subscription game discount program they have. It seems pretty odd for a store that does HAVE a game discount subscription program to not move much core or even party games but unload a ton of Just Dance
LOL, the comparison between Blockbuster and Best Buy is almost too beautiful to add any discussion to I really can't compliment BB very much outside their laptop department which actually IS pretty nice with the biggest selection around.
It's kind of refreshing for Nintendo to pare back from them. There was a time that BB is where you bought tech. Now it's kind of like Sears, if Sears had only the electronics & appliances department. Maybe BB can buy the Kenmore brand as Sears continues auctioning its internal organs to the lowest bidders. (Which is sad, I used to like Sears.)
Nintendo needs to rush the release days of the games or develop more for Switch and ditch 3DS already.
@Jessica286 Until Switch gets its established user base, one software title launched on 3DS, even stealthily, or even the residual royalties from a 3rd party successful eShop game that gains significant traction probably yield more profit than a major game on Switch right now. 5% sales to 3DS's user base is 60% MORE sales than 100% sales to the Switches user base.
They can't drop 3DS until 2018, and even then have to slow track the culling. Even if we assume 50% of 3DS's are dual purchases, we're still looking at 35Million or so versus 2 Mil max right now.
The same pattern was repeated for PS3/PS4.
@Yasume
The articles clearly states the attach rate is 5.5 games per console sold. People are buying way more than Zelda.
@NEStalgia didn't thought about that. You are right! But the sooner the better. Everybody knows 3DS will die soon, Switch is replacing everything and to be honest I'm glad the Switch is an amazing handheld and a really cool console.
@Agent721 I'm one of those. The Switch has me crazy hype all the damn time.
@Jessica286
That's awesome to hear. I got Zelda & 1 2 Switch. As much as people on here love to get on the 1 2 Switch bandwagon that it sucks, I've played it twice with friends and everyone had a rip roaring good time. Non gamers and young gamers loved it. Kids were falling over themselves laughing at the games. Laughter & fun abounded!
However, they had zero interest in Zelda! Nintendo knows what it's doing with 1 2 Switch. It will appeal to the non gamer crowd.
Switch is so popular in the US, you can now only buy it at Amazon, if you also pay for Amazon Prime! Just read this on Polygon.
@aaronsullivan You nailed it, exactly what I was going to say as far as the quality of the games go.
I've loved fast rmx, snipperclips, and even the binding of isaac in addition to Zelda. Love blaster master on the NES, can't wait to pick that up as well.
Ultimately, the switch is a fantastic system that can only continue to grow.
Well, BOTW is the only worthwhile system seller on the Switch, so this is no surprise.
@Jessica286 Same for me! I have a big backlog for 3DS and PS4, and up until I had a Switch in my hands, I wanted to still use my 3DS as much as possible. I knew I would love Switch but 3DS had become my favorite console even over SNES, and I hated to lose the 3D display....yet now that I have switch I keep finding even 8-bit indie games to play on Switch instead of playing epics like DQ7 & 8 on 3DS! I just love using the hardware.
@NEStalgia This! Oh my I thought I was alone on this. I have so but so many games on PS4, Wii U, 3DS, Wii and PS3 that I have yet to play and a good chunk are even seal which is crazy I know but with the Switch is diferrent. I want to play the damn thing every single minute I have available and I don't know why. I have been finding myself constantly looking for new games to play on the thing. Is just mental at this point.
@Agent721 1,2-Switch is incredibly fun to play and I have seem on reddit post like yours a lot. Nintendo did poorly with Wii U but they did an amazingly good job with Switch.
@Jessica286 That's the absolute truth. I love all my consoles and really love the 3DS but the Switch just addicts me like a Pachinko parlor... I'm finding games I wouldn't have even played instead of great games because it's just so pleasant to play anything on it!
Now imagine BotW was a Wii U exclusive; the Wii U's sales would have probably exploded.
Nintendo should've just released it sooner, (as in: when it was finished) instead of delaying for over a year just for the Switch.
Arguably, if BotW had been released even earlier, it would've saved the Wii U and the install base would've been significantly higher, which in turn would've lead to more high-profile games being made for Wii U and more attention for the console which in turn would've lead to even more Wii U owners.
I hope it means an special Zelda Switch coming by Black Friday bundled with the game.
What else can be said about how great this game is ?, The thing is this is that rare thing that happens only once in a Full Blood Moon where as the game is really as great as you heard it is , a complete from beginning to end MASTERPIECE that will be remembered and referenced for many years to come . If you are a gamer of any caliber you owe it to youself to play this sweeping SAGA cause ours truly NINTENDO just totally dropped the mic with the release of this title, it is just that good.
@shani It won't have saved it. Period.
Even if it sold remarkably well, it will only have meant 2 million extra Wii Us, hardly important.
Analysis and many veterans said the same about Mario 3D World, Mario Kart and even Splatoon. Guess what? they didn't save the Wii U.
@maceng Only 2 million? I think you're underestimating the pull BotW (or Zelda games in general) has. There were already some people in the past years who only bought the Wii U for Zelda.
But there are many more people out there who don't own a Nintendo console but want to play Zelda games - and this one in particular - but don't want to or can't afford to pay 400€ just to play one game (which is totally understandable).
It would've definitely sold a lot more than only 2 extra millions. I'd estimate it would've at least lead to 20-25 million sold (Wii U) units which would be a lot more than the Gamecube and not far away from the Xbox One's number sold units.
Not only because the Switch's number of sold units is artificially limited to 2 million, but also because the Wii U is cheaper + it probably would've kept/gathered more hype if it had been released one or two years ago, when the memories of the E3 presentation were still fresh and before interesting declined again because the game was delayed multiple times.
Of course, this is only speculation, but thinking that it would've sold only 2 million because Nintendo only produced 2 million Switches is IMHO naive.
And I don't know which analysts you're referring to, but I think it is pretty clear that the Wii U would've had a different fate if Mario Kart 8, Splatoon and Smash Bros. U would've been launch titles.
Just look at the Switch. Without BotW (which is an original Wii U game) its release would've been a complete disasters. The only thing that made its launch so successful is the pull of BotW.
@maceng Please no, I am grateful that I only had to buy one system from Nintendo this time around. I'll take special joycons that are sold outside of a bundle though.
It's the kind of killer app that EVERY console needs. I just wish it could've come earlier in the Wii U's life.
That said, I bought it for Wii U off of eBay 2 days ago because I don't have a Switch, couldn't the game in stores, and downloading it isn't an option. So far I've seen a rainbow, a blood moon, the "Game Over" screen a hundred times or more, and I've just made it to Zora's Domain.
I'm lovin' it!
Behold the power of intrinsic design.
When Kimishima said they'd make profit since the system launch he wasn't joking.
And, yeah, BOTW is the only must-have game at launch, but it will probably be one of the must-have titles for the whole system lifetime
I am quite happy with my Switch and have contributed not only to the high attach rate of BotW, but also that over 5.5 attach rate for games in general (though not via GameStop). I have seven games total for my Switch (four retail; one of those is an import) and I have six more I want on my eShop wishlist. However as you might expect buying a new console and seven games has run me a bit dry so I'm hoping for a sale soon. Or some kind soul to give me an eShop card 8 months before my birthday.
Note that the only game I've been PLAYING is Zelda, though. I literally play it even in my sleep every night.
I think this says as much about the other launch games as it does Zelda, there is no other reason to buy the console yet. To the point where I suspect that if Zelda had of launched on Wii U much sooner the Switch wouldn't have been released until later in the year
@shani
I have to agree,yes the wii u would have sold more,maybe 2-3 million more with zelda been a wii u exclusive. Plus maybe a few million more if they kept it going with games like FE and AC plus other high profile games like Metroid Prime, & luigis mansion,it may of reached Cube numbers but nothing would have saved the system been a commercial failure.. Ppl blame Ninty for many reasons why it failed but I also blame the Ninty faithful fanboys,many didn't buy it even though they confess to love everything Ninty related. Respects to those 14 million that bought it,I was one of them and I ain't a Ninty fanboy,I also buy Sony which I probably prefer more but I have no favourite tbh. It's all about games really. I read many comments on here where ppl defend Ninty with their last breath,but most of it is dust in the wind,especially when u find out they didn't even buy the wii u. What I did notice there was many comments where ppl were saying they have a wii u but also a ps4.it would seem many none Ninty fanboys bought it than many Ninty faithful.. Also I think Ninty as a home console maker are finished,cube and Wii u sales are testament to that and the wii only did what it did because of casuals,the switch won't get them on-board this time but it will tap into the handheld market which I think will shrink for dedicated handhelds and let's face it Ninty have to push it as a dedicated handheld with a neat feature of playing on the tv
Who in their right mind would buy a Switch and NOT Zelda though?
I wouldn't be surprised it it went ABOVE 1:1 for at time.
They can produce more of the game faster than the systems, afterall.
I'm excited about Lego City !
Well, if you only have 1 worthy game for your new console, of course it will have a near 1:1 attach rate. What else are people going to buy?
Anyway, in my experience it's the Wii U version that is never in stock while the Switch version is.
@NintySnesMan Wow, CinemaSins should do a video about what is wrong with this post. It's Nintendo, not Ninty. We have these things called spaces and we use them after commas. The Gamecube is commonly referred to as the 'Gamecube', not the Cube. You never explain why the Wii U would always have been a commercial failure, you just state it and move on. 'Nintendo Fanboys' is a term that shouldn't be used by adults. Not only are Nintendo fans not just male but they are also not exclusively Nintendo fans. It's like some people believe that everyone (except them of course) falls into a fan group that they are exclusive to. You don't buy 'Sony', you buy a Sony PlayStation (pick your number, handheld name) and if you prefer it then you do actually have a favorite. 'Ninty Faithful' you say...what does that even mean. Nintendo is not finished as a console maker, it is what they do. You know that polish on Nintendo games? Wouldn't be there if Nintendo was making games for other platforms. Their games are so good because they know the hardware better than anyone.
@maceng Ah so 2 Million sales is only important when it's the Switch, that same number for the Wii U is unimportant. Color me confused but I am sure your logic makes sense somewhere.
Now consider this, if you bought a Wii U for Zelda you would actually be better off (than buying a Switch for Zelda) because the Wii U has a nice library of games to play after you beat Zelda. In addition the Wii U can play Wii games and has the VC which has games from the NES, SNES, N64, GBA and DS.
Side note, I know some of you Switch owners are itching to get your hands on Mario Kart 8. Let me tell you that I popped in the disc and played it again today and it's great.
@cfgk24 Wow, I can play that right now. You guys living in the past?
@Crono1973 You completely misread my post. First, selling 2 million on the Switch or in the Wii U is unimportant because what really matters is long time sales.
What I was trying to say is that, for Nintendo platforms, not a single game can save the console, be it Wii, WIi U or Switch. People were expecting that Mario World could have saved the Wii U, it didn't. The it was Mario Kart 8.., it didn't. Then some people even say that Splatoon could have saved the Wii U, had it come earlier in the life of the console. No, it couldn't have.
Also, I don't own a Switch, but I'm planning to get one by X-mas or in November, if my wife goes to Chicago for a convention.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild has made this an odd situation where many people would prefer to Buy the Game and Rent the Console.
@KittyKatta Without Zelda the Switch wouldn't be selling at all. Funny thing is though, people don't need to buy a Switch to play Zelda but they do because they have money to burn. Then they port beg for Wii U games to come to the Switch.
@Crono1973 I'm excited about Lego City on Switch, playing it on my boat, Co op, powered by solar panels, in Spain, anchored in a beautiful bay with my sexy wife in a bikini.....
@shani
The Wii U was a failure in branding and marketing. It was poorly named and confusingly advertised. Sorry, but no amount of high quality software could have saved the Wii U from anything other than failure, because great games aren't going to convince the mass market audience that the Wii U was anything but a $300 Wii accessory/add-on.
Had to search all over my little corner of Australia for a copy of BotW and picked up that stores last Switch at the same time.
Now I'm going a bit mad trying to find my last shrine on the peninsula. Good times. 😀👍
@westman98 I totally agree, that's exactly why the Wii U didn't sell that many units. With proper marketing and branding, it could've been a lot more successful even without having those top-quality games at launch.
But I think having those launch titles would've (at least somewhat) made up for the lackluster marketing and branding.
Of course, a combination of both would've been even better.
And as always, this is pure speculation.
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