FIFA 18 has been a notable release on Nintendo hardware in the past week, a first for a number of years. Plenty of focus has been on assessing whether the Switch audience will back the game and, as a result, encourage EA to continue support. Based on initial UK launch results we'll need to get used to the Switch iteration continuing as secondary to its 'main' releases, however - at least if EA follows the money with its investment.
The football title took number one in the UK, of course, but it's the breakdown of sales that are most startling. 97% of sales units for the release were shared between Xbox One and PS4, leaving just 3% left over for Switch and 'Legacy' releases on Xbox 360 / PS3. In fact, in the single format results we can see that the hefty Xbox 360 userbase is still keen on the series; the 360 version finished 5th in the single-format chart with Switch in 7th place. 7th in the single-format results isn't necessarily terrible for the Switch version, but it is very modest by FIFA standards.
Moving on to other Switch titles, a host of familiar names are still shifting units and appearing in the all-format top 40. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe climbed a place to grab 10th, while Pokkén Tournament DX drops nine places to 14th in its second week. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild finished the week in 17th, while some GAME hardware bundles may have helped Rayman Legends: Definitive Edition move up to 18th.
Moving outside the top 20 we have Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle in 23rd, Splatoon 2 in 32nd and 1-2-Switch in 37th; throw in a decent contribution of the Switch version of LEGO Worlds in that title's overall top 10 placing and it was a decent week for games on Nintendo's latest system.
It's unsurprisingly quieter on the 3DS front, with Metroid: Samus Returns dropping out of the top 40 entirely. The only representatives for the portable are Pokemon Gold and Silver in 33rd (Silver) and 38th (Gold).
Let us know if you were among those to pick up FIFA on Switch; it'll be interesting to see how it performs in other territories, too.
[source chart-track.co.uk]
Comments 250
EA - "Well we tried. Pull the plug on Madden and the rest. Nintendo fans just don't want our games"
Hmm. It'll be interesting to see how EA takes this. The Switch does have the smallest install base at the moment, especially compared to PlayStation, but I guess even then the audience isn't really there on the Switch for a lesser version of FIFA. Mind you, if they gave version parity on features, not necessarily graphics, I'm sure that would have helped.
@Folkloner Your probably right , shame.
Switch did ~7,000 units compared to a total of ~890,000, which is pretty horrendous. With about 300,000 units of Switch sold in the U.K. that's an attach rate of 2.3%
I bought the game digitally, which isn't tracked by GFK, but I doubt it would have fared much better there unless Switch has a particularly high digital split.
Disappointing, as while I still think EA will release FIFA 19 on Switch, it probably means the Switch team will get less resources than they'd hope for
@Danpal65 That's a good point actually, plus we don't know what the launch sales are for the rest of Europe / World yet or how it'll sell in the long run.
I've also read a few reports of supply constraints regarding the game in the UK.
I wonder how many copies were released compared to how many sold? I mean there are racks and racks of PS4 and XB1 versions everywhere, but I only saw a few copies in Tesco and Smyths. I suppose it all comes down to EA's expectations, but it doesn't fare well.
Oh dear...RIP third party support on Switch.
Not surprised Metroid has dropped out, been trying to find a copy since launch but no luck at all.
Nintendo fans not buying third-party games shock.
This is why we can't have nice things.
"Let us know if you were among those to pick up FIFA on Switch"
Yes I have. And it's excellent. If it flops that's a real shame.
Considering Amazon has sold out we will have to see what the supply constrains were like. Also when it comes to EU sales, France and Germany are where it counts for Nintendo.
Bearing in mind the majority of your casual fifa community bought xbox and playstation just to play it, this is misleading...
@Folkloner Good points also. Supply constraints would certainly prove problematic.
I'm not sure if I'm misremembering something but I kinda feel that Nintendo hasn't exactly got a strong hold on the gaming market in the U.K. anyway, isn't it more of a PlayStation area?
I've not bought any sport titles for a long period, they're all too same for me, the last FIFA title I've enjoyed was World Cup 98 on PSX, I've fond memories on it's intro & 8 players
local multiplayer using two multitaps is a blast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp5yXNqN--A
Mario Strikers: Charged Football & Inazuma Eleven was a breath of fresh air for me. And those micro-transactions in a new titles which make things even worse.
Most people who like Fifa, have bought a PS4/XBOXONE. Most people who like Switch probably aren't the FIFA demographic. Simples.
Too early to tell. The UK market has shifted to one dominated by PS4/XBO with Xbox usually taking a dominance. Nintendo has a much smaller foothold here compared to Japan, EU and USA.
I'd wait and see sales figures for the territories where Nintendo has much more of an impact. Interesting nonetheless.
@electrolite77 @Mogster This is just one game, wait to see how other third party games sell before start going on about the future for third party support.
@Folkloner actually I really do not want their games. It is nice to have a Fußball game for the console, but only when it is well done and for a good price. A poor port like this one (where a lot is missing when compared with the other consoles versions) does not deserve my money or attention. I will keep my hype for indies and Odyssey.
Put Kirby on the XBox and it won't sell.
@Fuz Golf Story. The simmyest of sports sims imaginable!
I think the Switch version of FIFA actually sold through most of it's initial stock. On Amazon it's on back order until next week. If EA sold pretty much all they shipped for launch weekend then they'll be very happy.
I have not bought FIFA, and if I wanted to, I would have bought the full version.
I wanted this to sell to get other EA releases. I hope it will sell more in other areas. Problem is, for several stores I went to they didn't display the Switch versions. It's like it didn't even exist, not even being mentioned in pre-order deals. Almost makes me believe foul play is involved somehow.
I like football and never played FIFA before, I picked it up on switch and I'm really surprised it's a nice game and EA deserves more than some praise for this
I expected this. There was never any indication of a paradigm shift for those gamers on Switch. 3DS and Vita owners upgrading to Switch doesn't mean fans of AAA games will.
I’m no expert, but I’d say EA will be patient and looking at sales over a longer period than just launch. A big launch on Switch was probably always going to be a pleasant surprise for them. As the only game of its kind in the system’s library they will be asking what kind of sales will it pick up over the holiday period? Or after the holiday rush? There are still metrics left for them beyond launch to make out a Switch strategy, especially as the Switch hits certain milestones itself
I bought it and it's fantastic
Bit ridiculous to compare sales to PS4 & X1 considering how many Switch’s have been sold compared to those consoles. I notice you don’t mention PC sales, so if that is included with the two consoles then that makes it even more stupid to compare them.
Amazon had sold out by release day as had my local Asda. Game said they'd sold a few copies and only had 2 left by the time I'd bought it. Argos also had limited stock. I'd guess it was a similar scenario throughout the country so it's obviously been understocked.
Not having any reviews up until release day was also a bad move.
Despite being a PES only gamer since 2000, I was really looking forward to this on the Switch. Apart from not being able to invite a friend, I'm having an absolute blast playing it. I really struggled to find a pre order of the Switch version though, so I really have to question how much of a priority EA have placed on a game they've apparently put a lot of effort into.
As for the game itself, it's fantastic and one I'm very happy to own. Don't listen to anyone saying it's a poor or lazy port, they don't know what they're talking about.
@FragRed @Fuz
This is the biggest third-party game around and, with offering local multiplayer, a good fit for the Switch. It's even on TV ads for the Switch. It may not put third-parties off on its own but it's not a good indicator.
It was definitely understocked, it was unavailable to order from Amazon last week Argos had none available to order, I'm confident EA pretty much sold through their initial shipment, which they simply have to be happy with.
@setezerocinco
It's not a poor port by even the most vivid stretch of the imagination
I would like to get this game as well, but the thing is, FIFA has never been worth 60 bucks for me. At most, it's a €30 game for me, and even that is stretching it a tiny bit. I just don't enjoy these games nearly enough to justify the full price tag, especially if Nintendo consoles get the stripped-down versions all the time (which is understandable to an extent, but still kind of frustrating). I'll definitely pick it up at some point though, just not right now.
Well, i was going to get it for my nephew but he demanded the ps4 version. It seems Fifa on the go isn't everyone's cup of tea :S
With the low shipments it does sound like a real test by EA. They will be happy if large % of shipments were sold
Well, I bought it (in Germany). And if there hasn't been a Switch version I wouldn't have bought another version of the game. Usually I don't play FIFA that much. But for me it's the right time and the right place/console.
Unfortunately we have stock problems here in Germany with duty causing a delay of 1 week. Only one retailer sold his limited stock. So I expect bad sales numbers here in Germany as well. I guess a lot of people rather bought another version of the game instead of wait another week to get it on Switch.
Here's hoping that EA puts that in the right context.
Need that Metroid game on the Switch. That's why.
As others have mentioned, there is some issue with stock for this game.
My friend couldn't find it at ASDA or Tesco and online Argos doesn't' have it in our area and Amazon is promising delivery of it within a week.
I think EA underestimated the demand and has sold everything they had on release day.
There was a similar problem with Dragon Ball X2 in Japan were all the physical copies were sold out in the stores as well.
So the devs clearly were not confident enough about their games on the platform and were not expecting it to sell so well.
A shame, cause it is a really good game. Seems portability is not a selling point for UK gamers. Lets see how it fairs in other countries, France mainly cause of the popularity of both Switch and football. Too bad "soccer" is not so popular in the US, it could have saved the day.
Not been interested in Fifa since 98 on PSX. Dang that intro with Song 2 was cool.
I really can't justify to spend £55 on a game I will most likely not enjoy in hopes EA will develop something I will like for the console. Especially that Fifa games devalue faster than an Alfa Romeo.
I believe I picked up Fifa 08 for PS3 for like 99p in 2010. Didn't like it however.
I bought it for Switch and I didn't expect big numbers. I love FIFA and was excited for portable football. But the stories of what was missing had me reconsidering until the morning. I really only bought it because I'm gone from the house all week with school and work.
With that said it's a good experience, being able to play on the go. Even so I would have lied more features, the game is good but FIFA players want the presentation and extras or they would be PES players wouldn't they?
Hopefully this shifts more numbers and also hopefully FIFA does a bit better next year.
As others have mentioned, I can't quite square the idea that the game bombed with no stock left on Amazon.
Personally, I bought it on the eShop.
@Yosher You hit the nail on the head for me. Its all about value and price. If I want a FIFA game I can walk into CeX and most days find a copy of FIFA 14 or 15 on the PS4 for under 50p. The value of FIFA games drop so fast (especially in the UK where they are so popular) that by this time in a year FIFA 18 on post formats will be at least half the price.
So when I see the Switch version for £55 on the eShop, I can't help but sit back and laugh.
Amazon.co.uk is sold out, new stock 9 Oct. None on display in Game Telford this weekend. If there is no stock people can't buy it!
Plus, no pre-release review copies. With EA's past performance, I and many others were waiting for reviews so didn't pre-order.
@Untempered-Link on the flipside this means there's no resale value to FIFA, so (for Day 1 at least) buying digital isn't too painful if you are going to keep the game for a few years.
If they get the stock up and a good marketing campaign, it could be a good Christmas campaign. Those getting a Christmas Switch, will get Mario or Zelda, but if people see the FIFA brand on the shelf next to it, then it could do well.
For me it's got to come under £40. I was going to stick to last years which came packed in with the XBONE, and I got burned by FIFA 13 on the Wii U, but if the Switch offers solid campaigns, and drops to a lower price then I'd go for it.
Otherwise I know I can wait a few months and get it for half the price on another system.
@electrolite77 for me it is a poor port when many of the functionalities are not available.
@Fuz
I'm slightly exaggerating. However the history of Nintendo systems shows third-party generally struggles. Even lots of games that seemed like perfect fits have struggled e.g. Rocket, Silicon Valley, Billy Hatcher, Okami, Zack and Wiki. But then the catch 22 for any third-party putting their games on Nintendo is that anybody who genuinely wants proper third-party support these days buys another system to sit alongside their Nintendo.
I bought it and really enjoying it. Surprised it didn't do a little better.
@setezerocinco
It's just different. The main thing that is missing-the Journey-would require a different engine which wouldn't have run as well as the flawless 60fps (even in handheld mode) Switch version.
@Fuz I think the key thing is despite indie games being technically 3rd party games, they are generally considered separate entities. So like the 3rd party term is used for big 3rd party developers like EA, Activision, Ubisoft, etc. whereas when smaller developers are being referenced people use the indie term instead.
Not exactly fair but that's what I've noticed.
@electrolite77
There is truth to that. I'm new to Nintendo, but just from this site I can't count the times I have read" I don't want game x, too violent, too mature, graphics aren't cartoonish, I wait for good games like Mario, etc. A large number of Nintendo owners don't seem to want to touch anything that isn't Nintendo or cartoon feeling, of course only based on this site.
And I can vouch for the second system. I was excited for the Switch, I preordered, this was my first system I ever preordered. And it's my system of choice for games, coming from a Sony guy since the PS2. But I wouldn't have bought he Switch if I hadn't already had a PS4.
Not a knock on Nintendo at all, there are quality games, but there are so many third party and Sony games that are also good, that by being a Nintendo owner only you will probably never be able to play.
Hopefully some of the Switch owners break the mold, because it looks like third party support is actually coming, with lots of good indies, and some big name games on the horizon.
My copy will be arriving tomorrow. It has been a long time since my last EA game.
Looking forward to playing it, seems like the only way I will see my Swans win for a while...
@Fuz That's true, but think of the players with an Xbox and a PS4 wishing they could play Zelda, Mario Kart, Mario+Rabbids and Splatoon 2! I'd take those over Cuphead - which does look admittedly cool.
As for Fifa, I think the depreciation argument is totally valid. As nice as it is to have up to date rosters, you generally get virtually the same game for a quarter of the price if you get last year's version. I want Fifa Switch to do well, but I'm not sure I'm getting it this year. Maybe after Christmas, when I'll be presumably done with Odyssey and will want something to take a break from Xenoblade C2.
Release a gimped port and expect gimped sales. The Switch version of FIFA 18 accounted for 1% of all physical sales in the UK. That's horrificly bad. Here's the charts in full.
Individual Charts
All Formats
@Rumncoke25
Agree with every word of that
@Fuz
It does look good doesn't it? I'm tempted (lord knows my XB1 is due a bit of love beyond its current life as a Media player) but being digital only has put me off. Ironically if it was on Switch I'd (like you I guess) have bought it straight away.
@Folkloner Well i know i don't.Can't speak for anyone else though
Wouldn't EA be probably more interested in the attach rate for FIFA on Switch at the moment, rather than raw sales? You can't really compare the install base of the Switch to the other current gen consoles quite yet.
I'm in Italy, so not part of this data set, but I had it preordered. The game is excellent and I'll be very disappointed/surprised if users don't pick this up.
I think Switch users make up a different demographic than PS4/Xbox. Those systems have users that only want to play EA sports games. Switch users not so much.
But again, if you enjoy video games in any form, FIFA is 100% worth it. I never play sports games and I'm loving it.
@electrolite77 Well if it is true what others have been saying in the comments, it sounds like EA have sold through most if not all their initial shipments in the UK. So that isn't a bad sign.
Oh dear the future of 2D Metroid is not looking promising...
I'm happy to go a little out of my way to support third party games, I'm going to get Skyrim and Wolfenstein just to try something I normally wouldn't, but I'm sorry you couldn't pay me to play FIFA as I have no interest in the sport or the game.
If the game has sold through its initial shipment quickly, then EA has no reason to be unhappy.
Add me to the list of people who will never play FIFA. Not into sports.
I've bought the game for switch but this news is not surprising at all. Ea need to earn the respect of nintendo fans and its going to take time and patience. For years on the 3ds and wii all we got was reskins of the first build of fifa for those console's from 08 to 15 by this time nintendo fans are sick and tired of crappy reskins . I'm glad ea put some effort in the fifa 18 switch game but with no demo and hardly any news for the switch version you shot yourselves in the foot. How can switch owners try out the game and see your hard work this year if theres no demo. For all we know it could have been a lazy crappy port yet again. Its called advertising EA. And you clearly haven't done enough of this for the switch version. Sure the install base is smaller then the xb1/ps4 but no excuses. Give us regular updates this year and try your very best to get frostbite on fifa 19 on switch. Show your committed every year to Nintendo and you will win back fans slowly but surely.
@electrolite77 a game which can not connect to friends online, bugs including assets not loading properly in-game isn't what I would call nice. Although I agree Nintendo buyers don't tend to buy 3rd party games (I still remember reading the comments on this site about Splinter Cell: Blacklist not having local multiplayer as a reason not to buy the game). I'll hold my judgement for when Skyrim and Doom release cause they appear to be more complete (yeah I know some features are missing) compared to Fifa
How many copies did they deliver? Here in Sweden I bought on release day. There was only two copies left of the switch version...but a lot stock for the other versions of FIFA 18.
Even jumped up review scores couldn't help it. I've seen a few sites give it 8's, hoping this will help boost sales and get more support from EA. It's more like a 6. Nintendo fans aren't stupid.
Why should I buy a game I don't like in the least just for the "chance" of getting a game I want.
I don't care about FIFA but I'm forced to buy it if I want a chance at EA releasing a Star Wars game for the Switch?
Isn't that a kind of extortion? Obviously I'm not buying FIFA
Honestly I prefer they brought back Mario Strikers then another soccer game we see every year
@Grumblevolcano I swear I hate where people do that. Every publisher outside the manufacturer is a third party. Saying Activision, EA etc are the only third parties is just inflating their egos. That is why I found that Respawn developer's comment so insanely ignorant.
@MJL link to source on sales numbers?
Well, the only EA game I'm looking forward to play on my Switch is Fe. I don't really care about a bare boned version of Fifa.
Even if this title doesn't sell that well, I suspect that if the Switch overall continues to tell well, unlike the Wii U which flat lined so hard it may as well have ceased to exist, EA will be around.
And I think so long as Nintendo can keep the flow of quality games coming to the Switch that they've had the last few months, then the Switch itself will continue to sell.
The Problem with Fifa and many 3rd party ports is just that - they aren't made for the system, they are made for PS4 and Xbone, and then brought to the Switch as an afterthought. That's gonna make them subpar versions.
But if we look at 3rd party titles like Mario+Rabbids made by Ubisoft specifically for the Switch, we get a masterpiece of a product.
Bought it on e-shop as it is nice to always have it available on the go and I must say I think it is a great version of the game. Perhaps the portability will grow on people and sales number will increase. I also think it would be interesting to see the digital sales figures.
From Amazon
@SLIGEACH_EIRE you really are a Muppet and you have a blatant anti-switch agenda.
To claim reviewers are pushing high scores is pathetic. Because the game is scoring higher then you want you resort to claiming reviews are not truthal.
Add to the fact that you haven't even played it makes it more funny.
The truth is that you are hurting over the Wii U and it pains to see switch doing well and seeing games being released on switch. You hope to see games fail so you can shout from the rooftop that the switch is a failure.
@NintendoFan4Lyf There's only one person on this site that comes to mind, so yeah.
NOBODY can be blamed, if Fifa 18 sales poorly, than EA itself!
I don‘t know the situation in the UK, but where I‘m from, the Switch version does essentially not exist. At retail I had to be lucky to find one, at amazon it wasn‘t avaible at launch and you have to search especially for the Switch version and there where no commercials whatsoever.
I hope Doom and La Noire doesn't suffer this same fate.
FIFA 18 on Switch has sold around 8,000 copies at launch. Nothing spectacular in the slightest, but to be expected given the fact that the Nintendo fanbase hasn't had a FIFA game in 5+ years. The hardcore FIFA fans are on other platforms.
Will be interesting to see how things hold up during the holidays as more casual shoppers pick up a Switch.
Game was too expensive and should've been priced accordingly.
That's so disgusting to see the truth like that. They literally hate Nintendo, pretend it never does exist.
What the heck with those UK gamers like that.
What a Pathetic gamers with Lame mindset like that...
Sorry for my rants. I have RIGHTS to express my disgust feeling. I'm so sick and tired to see such a circumstance like that. That should be changed, maybe by a little bit of "Force".
I bought digital copy. The game is great and I don't really feel like it's missing anything. People should try a game prior to rating it or not rate it at all.
Hopefully the numbers pick up over time. Have this game and love it. Have played it handheld, on tv and brought it to work today for some tabletop action. It plays great. The 2 guys at work who are PS4 Pro users were very impressed.
For €50 I'm more than happy with this purchase and would definitely stand by the reviewers score on this website.
@Peach64 Sounds about right to me - I bought my copy from ASDA, who sold through all the Switch versions they had in stock on launch day; and it seems to be out of stock pretty much everywhere else.
Clearly even with the sales estimates being pushed putting it at less than 10,000 units EA were expecting a sub-10K launch period in the UK. I expect, as the idea catches on and more casual players get Switches for Christmas or whatever, the game will have a decent tail-end.
@kobashi100 NintendoLife and Nintendo Insider both 8/10.
Pocket Gamer 7/10, Gameblog 6/10 and Metro 7/10.
Not dealing with your other rubbish and lies.
@Danpal65 I would imagine EA will look at the percentages of switch owners buying the game.
@JamesR ooh that's an interesting point. I'd say out Mario kart on Xbox instead of Kirby....
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
Who the HECK CARES with the Numbers ?!
6 or 7 or 8 from 10, Who the HECK CARES ?!
If you like it, buy it, play it, enjoy it.
Don't like, don't buy it, stop insulting it was someone fault. Actually it was your fault to insult whatever Nintendo did for Switch. Geez....
So what's the real story here? I'm skimming a bunch of comments here from the locals saying that amazon other online and local stores sold out or mostly sold out. If they moved supposedly so few copies yet they're all coming up as sold out or nearly so that would mean EA had little faith in it at the time and did a small batch.
What if they only did a run of like 10000 copies and they sold over 7000 or so? That wouldn't be as bad as if they ran 100000 copies you know?
@electrolite77 I loved Silcone Valley! Thanks for the reminder .
Might help if it was available in stores
@Mogster Really? No copies of Metroid found? Thats good news!! That means the game has surpass Nintendo estimates at least in the UK. Wojuuuuu Metroid ain't going to the vault.
As for FIFA 18 on the US e-shop is one of the top ten best sellers so I guess it all comes down to expectations from EA. I would KILL for a Plant vs Zombies game on Switch.
@Folkloner "Nintendo fans just don't want our games"
It's true though. Only Nintendo fans are to blame for the 3rd party woes. Well, fans and Nintendo themselves.
@kobashi100
Don't bother mate. He hasn't even played it. He just wants attention.
@Shellcore most people who like 3rd party gaming of any kind have already bought a PS or XB. Not just FIFA.
@tanookisuit Basically, the game didn't perform super well, but EA wasn't expecting it to perform super well based on the fact it sold through so quickly. Alternatively, this is all the game needed to sell to be a success... which wouldn't surprise me, seeing as it was a project by a small team on a development cycle under 1 year.
@tudsworth I knew a few commented back to me already, it wasn't so much a direct what question but rhetorical. You're right though, it didn't perform awesome on the big picture, but for the copies allotted it did it appears. UK got shipped effectively a minimum batch by EA, perhaps as a test, can't say. Given the tiny team as you said and stunted development cycle it's not a surprise either as they invested little to it. Next year, if they keep to comments and bring it into mode parity and give it a true go of it, then we'll know. Perhaps another small batch of these for the UK are needed to see how they move too. Also this is just the UK what about all of Europe?
Not surprised. I went with the PS4 version,
Nintendo needs to fix the online play (like yesterday) and Publishers cant make what is a gimped Handheld game and charge full price. They will get more sales once it hits the sale bins.
"you can take it on the go" does not make everything worth buying.
@gatorboi352 You can't blame Nintendo fans for not buying a game. If they don't like it they have no obligation to buy it. Simple as that
Sorry, but EA is not going to exploit me. Had they offered a fully-featured game, then I would have supported the effort. It's the same reason I never bought Call of Duty on Wii U, or any other third-party release that is fully-priced but not fully featured. There is absolutely no reason that they couldn't have offered what was cut! They got lazy, and it sucks that this is the standard that they are operating under. RIP, EA support, who never had any intention of making Switch support a priority anyway. I'm sure that other developers will pick up your slack.
I'd rather play Golf Story anyway.
@gatorboi352
That's right.
I have Earthlock : Festival of Magic, Overcooked, Portal Knights ps4 version.
They are Indies / 3rd party games.
But, you know what ?
I will GOT THEM on Switch also !
And for my ps4 version, Adios !
I will consider the ps4 version as the backup storage, not as my main priority.
My ps4 on year 2018 will be a Secondary machine, not as a Primary machine.
Guess I like Nintendo side so much if the games also released on Switch as well.
Hah !
@MrGawain Not that I'm gonna pay £50 for it anyway, but I checked my local Sainsbury's over the weekend and they hadn't started stocking the Switch version. Meanwhile the PS4/XB1 versions were on prominent display at the store entrance...
@taffy
I'm going to make a confident prediction that when Skyrim, DOOM, Wolfenstein and LA Noire are released you will see many instances of :-
"I'm not buying this, it runs badly compared to the (name of system poster doesn't own) version and it's a lot cheaper on (name of system(s) poster doesn't own). Plus (name of Nintendo-published game) is out in (insert date up to 6 months that away) so I'll save my money for that"
@KIRO
Yeah it was great. Never seen anything like it before or since.
I'm curious how it was tracking in the US and other football loving regions, and not just tracking but if we can guess it tracking vs estimated shipped. I don't think EA was trying.
Personally I don't watch it, not into it and never was even as a kid so I don't buy football/soccer games let alone much if any sports games at all. It looks like a lot of fun even if a mode or two were inexcusably missing. Probably should have been priced accordingly to having stuff removed.
@BanjoPickles
EA can exploit me with The Sims 4 on ps4 (or Switch for better choice) or even better is MySims sequel.
I will wait what Surprise from EA for their Casual / Cute games.
@MsgBoardGamer
FIFA has very long legs. Not necessarily this version, because it's on a Nintendo system, but generally.
@MsJubilee you're missing the other side to this argument: all the Nintendo fans that whine and complain about no 3rd party games.
@Anti-Matter
I would be all over The Sims 4 like flies on poo if it was released on Switch! That's what makes no sense to me, because I saw Fifa bombing on Switch from a mile away! A game that is largely gimped, and most people who are hardcore fans of the franchise probably already have an XBONE/PS4, so who is this being marketing towards, exactly? The Sims/My Sims would make sense, as would something like the revival of Boom Blox, or----why not revive some long-dormant franchise like Road Rash, or General Chaos (I would freak out if they brought this game back, even as a downloadable), Skitchin', etc.
I fully intend to support Bethesda's efforts! Yes, they aren't as pretty as the PS4/XBONE releases, but it seems to me like they're actually trying! The fact that Skyrim is being released with all of the DLC is all that it took to convince me to dive in! Doom and Wolfenstein are fantastic titles, and the fact that they said that they would support the Switch in the future tells me that they're deserving of the support because, unlike EA and Capcom, they didn't threaten to pull the plug if Skyrim didn't sell! The dangle the carrot approach is irritating, and a bit insulting.
@Agramonte I agree.
@gatorboi352 Dude literally EA's leader stood on the Switch stage and said "this is the best Fifa Nintendo fans have ever had". After the talk of the unprecedented partnership.......... shouldn't that have been the best Fifa?
Nintendo fans might be to blame in this case but don't pin the blame on us for what happened with EA on Wii U. Fifa 13, Mass Effect 3 and Need for Speed is ENTIRELY on them.
@gatorboi352
It's the Nintendo circle of life.
Complain about lack of third-party games....find all manner of excuses not to buy third-party games....watch in amazement as third-party support disappears....complain about etc.etc.
UK you’ve failed us again. Isn’t football their jam!!! I don’t get it.
@Sentinator
What?! So you want EA to put the best FIFA ever on Switch. How is that possible with Switch being less powerful than PS4/XB1/PC and even if it were possible why should they give Switch owners a better game than the owners of those other systems who've been buying EA games in their millions?
@Kobeskillz it is but I gather most of us bought it on ps4xbox
@electrolite77 exactly
@electrolite77
Elaborate. I said if Wii U is an unprecedented partnership it should have got the best Fifa Nintendo fans have ever had and not the Switch.
Pinning blame in certain circumstances is true but blaming Nintendo fans for EA's Wii U car crash is an outright lie.
Well I can say this much. I walked into GAME on fifa launch day and picked up the last copy they had in store but I had to ask for it at the counter because it wasn't on the shelves and when I asked for it they said it was preorder only until they realised they had one left. So I can only assume that EA didn't really release many physical copies for switch.
@BanjoPickles
Easy, dude.
I just ONLY Need Peaceful games like The Sims 4 or Casual / Cute games like they did on Wii or NDS.
I DON'T CARE at all with other EA games.
I just need The Sims games and any Cute games from EA for Switch. It will be so peaceful gaming time.
Btw, I don't play Rated M games.
I'm Kiddie gamer.
I ONLY play Appropriate games, Rated Everyone, Everyone 10+ & a few of Teen games.
@NintendoFan4Lyf
Thank you. And it might be an exaggeration, since only two names come to mind. I am very excited about Doom, skyrim and the like, not only for those games but for the prospect of seeing more of those games available on the go.
I think what I remember seeing is more comments on articles about third party games that weren't coming and how many people say I don't play that type of game anyway. I'll be the first to say that isn't the majority of posters here. On the outside of the Nintendo community, there is a thought That Nintendo gamers don't want anythg but Nintendo games. Right wrong or inbetween, it's pervasive. I worry that with some on the outside that feel that way, and then games that don't move well, it's an easy thought to just nix some of the bigger support by saying it isn't wanted.
I don't support buying gimped offerings. And companies have to acccept some blame for sales as well, but personally I would love to have as many good games to take with me as possible.
How is this game facing stock issues? Were EAs sales forecasts even lower than this?
As several have pointed out its too early to call doom and gloom on EA support yet considering Switches relatively small user base right now coupled with the fact the UK is basically Sony land. Not to mention we don't know how many switch copies were produced and alotted for launch
I'm hoping it will have long legs once people get over their outrage about the missing modes.
When you sell a game with removed features and more glitches at the same price than the full xbox/ps4/PC version that's expected.
@westman98 Its the new "go to" response for why something didn't sell well.
Saw this coming... they done the same with the Wii U... failed to match the games to the userbase, then blamed the system and cut support.
Screw EA... the Switch is already getting plenty of support from other major third parties... I doubt we'd even notice their absence.
@Anti-Matter I have a preorder of Battle Chasers and Lost Sphere on Switch. Holding off for Earthlock and Hollow Knight for Switch also (would love a Shiness and Typo man release)
That said, not playing any of that (Switch or PS4) once NinoKuni2. Yakuza and Monster Hunter World come out. Indie games are just fill on the PS4.
My son put some of his recent birthday money to the side for FIFA 18. We have both a PS4 and a Switch. He was originally planning on buying it for the Switch but when he saw what was missing, he decided to go with the PS4 version. For him it had absolutely nothing to do with the graphics. It was all about the modes that he cares most about missing from the Switch version. I tried to explain that having it on the go would be really handy but he didn't listen. Last night he learned that the hard way. We had the family TV and he wanted to play FIFA. I said too bad you didn't buy the Switch version....you would be playing it right now!
Ultimately I couldn't blame him though. He's just a kid and getting gifts and money to buy his own games is rare; and he's not going to settle for paying full price for a game missing content even if it's portable.
just picked up a copy from Argos as they had it in stock - whereas Amazon was not getting stock back till 9th Oct.
had a great fun game in the office with a colleague - i was really worried about playing on the small screen.... was fine, and with joy-cons. We put the sliders on the joy-cons at half time and that improved access to the shoulder buttons.
first FIFA purchase in my life... was a PES/ISS man on Gamecube
Any way you shake this, it's not the opening I was hoping for. Kinda shocked to learn that the Switch has only sold 300,000 units in the UK. How many times can they buy GTAV?
Also, how the hell is 1-2 Switch still charting, when Arms dropped off of the list in less than a month? Poor form.
@dkxcalibur It is called Remote Play - if you have the PS4 via hardwire FIFA works fine over it (I've done it 2 times when my girlfriend needed the living room TV.
Not great for online play - but the Switch has garbage online play for FIFA anyway - so he would not be missing much. Set it up so the Kid has the full benefit of the PS4 feature set and his hard earned money
@DragonEleven It isn't really. The announcement of Doom and Wolfenstein II in the last Nintendo Direct doesn't make everything rosy. One's a port and they were also the only games announced for Switch during that presentation. And the bulk of the limited 3rd party support that the Switch does have are largely old ports.
overall - having suffered a little drought post Zelda completion... i'm now overrun by great games.... Thimbleweed / Golf Story / Rabbids...
can't wait for the rest
Is it not possible to show up the data from places like France, Germany or other European countries? You know countries that may be smaller but have a much bigger Nintendo fanbase. The UK charts usually always have lackluster sales of Nintendo products.
If it's due to translation problems, I would volunteer to translate the French data.
Why is this a surprise? The UK has a terrible gaming market, let alone for Nintendo games. And for EA to sell 70% of a game, but charge that same price as the PS4/One versions well... they kinda shot themselves in the foot.
@Masurao just port the Gameboy Advance one - it will fit in with the rest of the eShop stuff 😅
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E15Wx2fkhn0
@Link41 You realise that Fifa is one of the 3 games in the UK where the line goes outside the store right? Smaller market or not Call of Duty and Fifa are the biggest sellers here.
I think that fear of a "downgraded port" was still in the mindsets of many folks even if EA tried or didnt try to convince them otherwise. Maybe the sales will get a little better as time goes, I mean some of the most keen FIFA players might decide to double dip later on just so they can play the game anywhere (Work, long car/plane rides, etc.), wait till the Black Friday season when it gets a more tempting discount or like a lot of people, just waiting to buy a Switch for Xmas.
@Agramonte Yeah I forgot about that feature. I'm not buying a Vita and the other options are not convenient for us. It would have been easier to pull this feature off on the Switch, but he's loving the game and the features he uses the most, are the ones missing from the Switch. But thank you for the heads-up about the feature. There's plenty of time for him to play it another time so he'll be okay.
@Sentinator
"EA's leader stood on the Switch stage and said "this is the best Fifa Nintendo fans have ever had". After the talk of the unprecedented partnership.......... shouldn't that have been the best Fifa?"
I misunderstood the wording. I thought you were suggesting the Switch version should be the best version full stop. Sorry about that. That said, FIFA on Wii U was a lazy cashgrab but it was the best FIFA ever on Nintendo. Now the Switch version is comfortably the best FIFA on Nintendo.
I wonder how well the FIFA ganes sold on the Wii?? That should probably be the best comparison to make.
@dkxcalibur Gotcha - sounds like you are doing a good job either way
Yeah, the vita is also not always great because it has no 5Ghz wifi support - I use Rplay with an old ipad and a cheap MFI controller
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/r-play-remote-play-for-the-ps4/id1222889057?mt=8
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Although most of them are old ports... the majority of them have still never been released on a Nintendo system before, which makes them far more appealing, and is a quick way of filling up the system's library.
Ports are also perfect for assessing a userbase to see what is and isn't popular... hence why we are getting a decent variety of releases from the other third parties... these will allow them to better select future games for release on the system, and indicates that they do intend to continue supporting the system in the long term.
EA aren't doing this at all... a single release that has only seen mediocre success on Nintendo systems in the past is a poor indication of the system's potential and demonstrates a complete ignorance towards the userbase of the system.
I personally will never buy any of these sports games. Make something creative.
I’d buy Okami or Katamari in an instant if on Switch. Yea, I know they aren’t EA, but examples of 3rd party support I’d like to see. Will buy Rayman and Mario + Rabbids at some point. Things like FIFA, NBA, DOOM or LA Noire just aren’t my style.
There are a few factors at play here.
The Switch still has a relatively small install base plus FIFA is a very casual orientated game...if you walk into the likes of Tesco or Asda you'll see rows of XB1 or PS4 versions front and centre wheres Switch owners have to scrabble around looking for copies online or in a specialist shop like Game. Then there's also the many people who buy XB1s and PS4s only to play FIFA and CoD, and will buy the console all their mates have...not helped by the fact that EA gimped Nintendo owners once again by not having an in game lobby service to play with friends, which a fair few outlets like Eurogamer have been making a fuss about.
So I'm not really surprised. Nor do I care as I've not bought a FIFA game since FIFA 98, but it'll be a shame if EA do their usual 'Hur dur, Nintendo owners don't want our games, they only want Mario & Zelda and their console is an underpowered piece of crap for babies' nonsense again
@justin233 yep, Or Unravel
https://www.ea.com/games/unravel
perfect for the Switch.
@Agramonte YES! Now that is the type of game I would LOVE to play.
@MariOnline
Mmmm
Shame. Like nba I know it’s better on the other consoles but I’ve already put in close to 40 hour son switch cause it’s portable where last years version on Xbox one I barely put 5 hours or so cause is not as easy to pick up and play.
I blame EA. Gimped version with no friend online. How stupid.
This is kind of disappointing. I quit Nintendo after Game Cube, but got the switch and I think is a great system(Zelda and Splatoon 2 have consumed a lot of my time). I was hoping for several big budget third party games to come to the switch. I don't mind the lower graphics. I bought Fifa 18 on Switch instead of my PS4, but the game really depends of a large player base to be fun. Ultimate team, which is the most popular game mode, needs a large player based because of the trading of cards involved. It seems it won't happen on switch.
I remember readind this article here:
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/02/rumour_ea_and_nintendo_looking_to_rekindle_unprecedented_partnership_on_nx
"EA is being quite bold and is asking Nintendo to spend more advertising dollars during televised sporting events like NFL games, NBA games, MLB games, World Cup matches and the World Series in order to claim this audience. The publisher is citing the fact that both Sony and Microsoft spend a large portion of cash during such events, and that EA's titles are given prominence in promotional campaigns.
Another point of contention involves hardware bundles."
Guess that didn't happen?
Is it my fault or anyone elses fault who owns a switch and does NOT like football, or any sports games on a console?
I wouldn't spend €69.99 on a game that will never be played on my systems ever. It's up to the sports/FIFA/EA fans to buy this. Oh well.
As a new Switch owner, I now realize that Nintendo Players just prefer different kind of games. I am surprise that an indi game like golf story is the best selling game on the e-shop right now, and fifa, which is one of the best selling games every year is on 10th place. This just tells me that nintendo fans have a difference taste and prefer smaller indi games over bigger third party games. As great as golf story is, I cannot see a game like that beating Fifa on sales on xbox or PS4 platforms.
@Shellcore
I'm genuinely curious. Seems weird that a game with such low numbers could face stock issues.
Legs will also be of interest. Games like Rayman Legends and LEGO Worlds have debuted to low sales on Switch (lower than FIFA), but have remained on the charts and have shown good legs relative to their launch sales
Amazon and Game sold out! EA were very pessimistic it seems. If it was some kind of test, then I would say it did better than they were expecting.
@Kobeskillz I was gonna get it for the switch but I play online more. I can't fault ea as it's a great game. Plus it's cheaper with more modes
It's a portable device in 2017 - if you're a big soccer fan and want this for co-op all the time - you likely got it digitally. I think what hurt these sales too was not having a review copies sent when they should have been. I'm only NOW considering it.
everyone relax its sold out everywhere and hard to get a copy. They will make judgements after the holiday period as well. I actually bought it digital because it was not avilable in all shop within 5 miles of the London area. The real question is the sold amount globally and if it hits EA's expectancy. The general expectation is the over 1mil numbers after Christmas which could be possible but no reason to get annoyed. Its actually really great and made well, stupid to think it would be like the other versions as well as the Switch is a very different beast
@MsgBoardGamer
lol at Vgchartz numbers
All the LEGO games on Wii U and 3DS sold far less than their PS4 and XBO counterparts. Heck, up until 2015, the LEGO games on Wii U and 3DS were selling less than their 360 and PS3 counterparts in the UK.
I care a little bit out of solidarity for those that enjoy some of EA's offerings.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
It doesn't (or certainly shouldn't) matter to a Nintendo-only gamer if they're old ports or simultaneous releases. Nor does it matter how they run on other systems or what they cost on other systems if you don't own any other systems. So they're likely to be the target market.
For a multiformat gamer it's different, it would be interesting to see how a simultaneous release fared on Switch. How much impact would portability make vs. better graphics elsewhere? Whether any publisher will take that gamble when they've got proven markets for third-party software on other systems remains to be seen. There seems to be very little appetite for another competitor to PS4 etc.
All of you, stop it. It isn’t a broken port, it is a fantastic game. So happy with my purchase.
This deserves to sell well and may well over time.
A ‘play a friend’ update wouldn’t go amiss though 😉
I do expect Switch sales were disproportionately digital for this game. Still won't compare to PS4 numbers, but I'd probably buy this digital if I were a FIFA fan, and I don't even like digital. But it's a game you just want to pick up and play at any time like Arms, Kart, or Splatoon.
Splatoon 2 in 32nd? What is WRONG with the UK?
I went back to see how well the Wii/DS/3DS versions of FIFA sold back:
=> FIFA on Wii sold anywhere from 10,000-15,000 copies at launch per entry
=> FIFA on DS and 3DS never charted in the UK Individual format Top 40, so each title probably struggled to sell more than 1-2 thousand copies at launch
In that context, FIFA 18 on Switch sold "okay" in the sense that sales were in line with the Wii entries relative to its install base, but the numbers are still very low. Will be interesting to see how the game performs in other territories where Nintendo is stronger, and how EA responds to these numbers.
BTW 9 Switch games in the Top 40 is probably something Nintendo hasn't seen for a single platform in the UK since the Wii/DS era.
Still debating FIFA for Switch. Haven't touched my NEW 3DS XL in a minute except to install ALL those extremely rare stability updates. Still hooked on Mario + Rabbids and started Steamworld Dig 2 a couple days ago. Not much time...
I think this game is great. Fifa on the go, I love it. I'm thinking about getting the PS4 version for when I am at the house, but either way this looks really good on my TV.
I'm having a blast. I bring it to the office and play with separate Joy-cons and it is the first time that I feel like I am in one of those Switch commercials.
Its no suprise. The install base for what is mainly a multiplayer online game is higher on Xboxes and Ps systems. If i had more than one console id choose the one that my friends and collegues game on.
@Masurao You know what? I think you're right. Do something entirely different that would appeal to retro fans AND give an reason for those with other platforms to actually buy it over the other version which theyre much more like to be able to plsy with friends online. [removed] some people could be tempted to buy both!
Dev cost of something retro would be far lower too.
@hadrian Mind your language - Octane
@Sentinator Need For Speed on Wii U was actually the definite version. It even used assets from the PC build!
@electrolite77 "There seems to be very little appetite for another competitor to PS4 etc."
It will be interesting to see how the Xbox One X fares.
Part of the problem is that so many people buy Fifa. if fewer people bought Fifa in total, but the same number bought it on the Switch, the Switch would account for a greater percentage of sales, and EA might stop making Fifa games. That would be a double wammy.
I would had thought these numbers would be expected in the UK.
@gatorboi352 Alex Ward still didn't like how EA and Nintendo treated the game. He even said that is why he left them on Twitter. He complained at the release date, price and the limited printing it got.
If EA weren't sabotaging the release why does he imply feud behind the scenes. In this case feel free to blame the fans.
With Wii U it wasn't those owners specifically. No group would be stupid enough to support the games that were obviously being sabotaged.
@gatorboi352
Great numbers at launch => big drop-off after the holidays and especially into summer 2018
Just like PS4 Pro and Xbox One S.
I picked it digitally.. it's at no3 in the download charts last time I checked
@gatorboi352
Similar to PS4 Pro I expect
Yeah this is doing well digitally at least. It climbed from nowhere to about #12 on release day. Was #6 yesterday and #3 today. I reckon it will sell fine all said and done. I assume EA get to see digital sales as well?
Yeah EA will see them digital sales. Looks like people who couldn't find physical copies went digital. The game will hit EA's targets worldwide. I have no doubts about that
Sold out on game website
https://www.game.co.uk/en/m/fifa-18-nsw-1791273/?merchname=hubFIFA18--standard--nsw
Well before I bought the game digitally I tried to order via the usual channels Amazon, Game, Smyths etc no one even had a pre order of a pyschical copy all that was being advertised was PS4 and Xbox..
The Switch faces two issues here. It is difficult for a person that owns an X-Box one or PS4 to choose the Switch version when those consoles have more features and a sizably larger online community. The Switch version is truly just for those players that only own a Switch or want a version they can play anywhere. I've personally purchased on X-Box One and Switch with the X-Box version getting my attention in the living room and Switch version getting played everywhere else.
One thing you can't take away from the Switch version is how solid of a title it is. Here's to hoping EA continues to build on that along with a better online infrastructure from Nintendo.
Either give people the same (minus the graphical flare) or do something different, that makes it stand out.. I know they keep saying "best portable version" "developed from the ground up" but it's not enough for most. I have zero interest in the sport, so it was never on my radar, but I have a PS4 as well, so the option for the full featured version is there had I wanted it.
Portability is not enough, for some games it makes the world of difference to be portable, others not so much.
And this is why 3rd parties abandon anything nintendo does...however, this is also EA's fault for putting the game out later than the others...hmm...FIFA 2018 and 2019 will be on the other systems here in a few months probably (don't really follow them, but I'm sure the 2019 seasons of all the sports games will be coming after the holidays). Other than that, it's still early for the game to start going up in sales, but I'm sure with Pokken tournament just arriving and Super Mario Odyssey arriving the end of this month, it's a bad time for FIFA to even come out...perhaps last month would have been a little better for it, but who knows...or maybe (as I read more articles on this site) it's some of the glitches in the game? But, all in all, EA will pull the plug once again on the nintendo console, unless the others (when they arrive) do better, but again, even Madden will probably come out later than the other consoles.
@electrolite77 Luckily most third party titles seem to be doing at least decently well. The US eShop chart is dominated by third party or indie titles at the moment! Mario Kart and Zelda are at the bottom of the chart, and Splatoon 2 recently dropped out completely (though that could be due to the bundle).
Anyways, I'm fully confident that Skyrim and Doom will do well. LA Noire will probably flop though. Wolfenstein I'm not sure about.
No online is likely why many are pissed at EA for that
@dimi Actually it did to an extent. The advertising campaign for the Switch here in the US kicked off (no pun intended) with a commercial during the Super Bowl. They aired ads during the NCAA March Madness tournament and during the NBA Finals too.
Nintendo's online ads have shown NBA 2K and especially FIFA, including the opening trailer in their E3 presentation. There's a bit of a limit to how much Nintendo can advertise those games though due to Sony's marketing deals however.
How were people supposed to buy it when it was hard to find on store shelves? When EA prioritised the PS4 and Xbox One versions in marketing, excluding Switch from the Ronaldo edition? They even had team covers for the game available to print...but only on Sony and Microsoft formats, no Switch. They really didn't try to embrace Nintendo Switch as a current gen console. It's understandable they invest in the consoles that can guarantee a profit but "you get what you pay for" works for both the consumer and the company I'm afraid. Little invest put in = little returns.
@JLPick If third parties have abandoned Switch why do I have so many non Nintendo games on pre-order?
@Sentinator never said 3rd parties abandoned...read the comments before making an argument.
Funny thing is in the several shops i've been to that sell games since Friday i've seen more mini snes available for sale than i've seen of Fifa on Switch, which was none. I would suggest it's sell through rate is going to be pretty good judging from comments here.
Metroid falling out of the charts is because they should have released it on switch! As for Fifa they will fix the glitch in time and the price will fall fast then most will buy!
I bought FIFA 18 and it's spectacular! I never buy sports games either. Don't follow them, don't watch them. None of that. But I do appreciate a good sports video game, and it's been years since I played one so I thought I'd give them a go this time around... and I'm so glad I did.
FIFA 18 on Switch is a quality game. I've just been learning as I go, and I'm rolling with it! I would actually considering buying this on another console now, if it didn't come to Switch. But since I don't follow the sport I don't really need annual updates so this one version will probably last me the duration of the generation on Switch. If they come out with a better version next year on Switch I'll probably upgrade though.
It feels like a return to the arcadey sports titles of yesteryear. Incredibly easy to pick up and play but hard to master in full of depth... much more than I expected.
Amazon.de is saying 3-5 weeks to be delivered. I was on the fence since I'm not a soccer fan but I do like to play Fifa 14 on my PS Vita. I think I will support EA and just buy it for the Switch when I get home after work tomorrow.
No sh!t that it aint selling. I only see posters and banners with the Xbox one and PS4 versions. They say Switch owners should support it but they hardly promote it as the other versions. Besides the fact it didnt had a demo either on the eshop. If the price lowers to 40 bucks i might buy. But im more interested in Bethesdas games, i never played none of them.
@MadCow74 it's very hard to find in Germany. Retail copies held in customs. Shops still waiting for stock.
I went in 3 Tesco stores today in London. None of them got switch versions in for sale
basically its ea fault and leaving glitches on the game didnt help either.
i don't think its the glitches. I didn't knew they existed before i read your comments so i don't think casual gamer make decisions cause of them. Fifa 08 sold over a million on Wii (on a much larger installed base). It will sell ok when price drops if Nintendo and EA put some effort.
@NEStalgia
Splatoon 2 on 32nd position ?
Blame those damn UK gamers for their horrible lame gaming taste.
Never be an UK gamer like that, the WORST thing ever in the Universe.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE You can more or less walk into a petrol station and find copies of Fifa for Xbox and PS4 in the UK - it's ubiquitous. Finding any Nintendo software outside the very biggest supermarkets (as in actual square metres of the store, not the size of the chain) and specialist video game and toy stores is nigh on impossible. And even in those places, software stock is usually pretty low. There aren't going to be many impulse Switch game buys in the UK. But the UK is a Sonbox nation first, really. Maybe if there wasn't such a big disparity between physical and digital in price, EA would actually be totting up more cash this week.
@Krull Already posted in the FIFA 18 thread earlier about this. They're a dime a dozen in Smyths and it can be easily bought. Nintendo's own UK online store have it, though they're a rip-off. Boomerang and Zavvi have it for ~£48. That's another thing, the price is laughable for a gimped version, that looks worse, missing modes and features, worse online. EA shouldn't be surprised by this failure. So what if it's not available on Amazon, it's available pretty much everywhere else.
Gimped games don't tend to sell well on any platform. There's no parity between the switch version and other platforms! Where's the journey? Where's the missing FUT modes and challenges? Even the GUI isn't the same!
Just to add, Fifa 18 hasn’t been stocked for the Switch at any retailer i’ve checked in my area with the exception of Tesco, that got 3 copies.
This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, Dragonball Xenoverse 2 wasn’t stocked at all, so I have to go to Amazon to buy it.
Hoping others have better luck.
@OorWullie exactly. It was impossible to get one last weekend, whether to be despatched or collected, at least in my area. I can see that today availability is much better, but they definitely under supplied.
@Anti-Matter You're way too attached to this company.
had it on order for ages, but id did fall away on Amazon uk for a while there. Pre-ordered pretty early mind. Playing a good game of soccer so far, with only one change to the controls necessary for me.
Had to re-map long ball and shoot buttons as it felt a bit off for me. (super used to pro evo controls). did a womens cup and tournament so far. Now working through a player career using the Gunners.
i looks to be out of stock again on Amazon UK, and the eshop price is too much i feel. i think if they had gone for 44.99 it would have sold better. i think that 39.99 is a better price for this. I paid 43.99
@Anti-Matter The only thing worse would be having weird ass tastes and viewpoints like you do!
And put a damn shirt on!
@MsJubilee
Not really.
I don't ask much from EA.
Just gimme proper The Sims 4 games for consoles and any proper Casual / Cute games like MySims or the sequel, I will enjoy the games.
I don't care with other EA games because I will not pay any attention to them.
@Ichiban
People have different gaming taste .
I prefer Cute, Kiddie, Whimsical, just like EA did for MySims.
I just only need games like that for my gaming time.
@MsgBoardGamer On the contrary, sports games did just fine on the GameCube and Wii. If they didn't companies would stop releasing such games.
@Anti-Matter "Blame those damn UK gamers for their horrible lame gaming taste.
Never be an UK gamer like that, the WORST thing ever in the Universe."
"That's so disgusting to see the truth like that. They literally hate Nintendo, pretend it never does exist.
What the heck with those UK gamers like that.
What a Pathetic gamers with Lame mindset like that.." Your words brosef
Yes those terrible UK gamers not paying £55 for basically a skinned fifa 16 with most of the content missing and not being able to invite a friend to a game online and not being able to use all the controls in the 2 joycon vs mode. That being said I hear it's good to play and works quite well as a game...fifa 16.
EA should have called this Fifa Switch as it bears little to no resemblance to 'Fifa 18' and the pricing should have been realistic to what it really is, a stripped down port that they managed to squeeze in FUT micro transactions....says it all really GREED !
@MsJubilee
Oh... about that.
Well, sometimes I never understand their mindset.
For me, it was the worst thing that could ever happen as a human being.
They choose something that was not the best thing ever, but they claimed as the best of all.
They would better choose something that supposed to be called the better choices.
I preordered the game in July on Amazon and didn't get the game at release, because they have no stock. Yesterday I got an email that the game will be send to me between October 25th-November 3rd. Perhaps there are some other people who had the problem? And (Haha...) switched to the PS or Xbox version? Or download? Fifa is on second n the eShop sales. Sounds good to me.🙂
@Banjos_Backpack
Btw: I didn't play a football/soccer game for 2 decades, but I'll give it a try now.
I will get this game for sure, because I want to support the thirds, especially EA. They need a second chance after the disaster with the Wii U. Don't bury it please before it really began!
And I can't see where it is "rubbish". Not perfect? Okay. Rubbish: NO!🙂
@JLPick
I have read your comment thoroughly. You were doing precisely what I hate. Only EA, Activision, Ubisoft etc are third parties. Not Indies, Namco, NISA, Koei or any of the other companies supporting Switch right now. That is why 3rd parties abandonned DS, 3DS and soon Switch.
Because those companies aren't third parties.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE That was kind of my point, though. Smyths outlets are out-of-town warehouses found outside some big towns. Can't remember the last time I saw a Zavvi anywhere, and I have never heard of Boomerang. It's not that it's impossible to get hold of Fifa in the UK for the Switch, it's just that nobody stumbles across Switch software in the wild. Conversely, Fifa for Sonbox is at the cashier's desk at Morrisons. The only other software I have ever seen at my local Morrisons is bargain bucket PC CD-ROMs. And that was tucked away, not sitting end of aisle by the tills.
"Why would we buy it?"
Because it's a good game?
"They neglected us for years"
Who's 'us'? They ignored Wii U because it was a poor system doomed to fail from the start.
"the PS4 and Xbox one version is better."
If you have a PS4 or XB1 you haven't been 'neglected'. If you don't them versions are irrelevant. Oh and if the PS4 version being better is your excuse for not buying a third-party game you will never buy one. Oh....I see.
"There's absolutely nothing to make us want to buy it"
Again, who is 'us'?' Speak for yourself please. Any Nintendo-only gamer who wants a good football game or anybody who wants a quality portable football game has plenty of reason to buy it.
"rubbish"
It really isn't rubbish. I nearly rolled my eyes out of my head there.
@Anti-Matter
"Blame those damn UK gamers for their horrible lame gaming taste.
Never be an UK gamer like that, the WORST thing ever in the Universe."
For somebody who claims to only like nice things, you really are unpleasant, sometimes. People have different taste to you. Accept it.
overlook:
Pros:
plays really well
lots of options
good presentation
All of the game fits on the actual cartridge minus a 100mb day one download
(currently using 116mb on my system)
cons:
missing some modes
no friend matchmaking
price (expensive but most switch games are at this point with a few notable exceptions. EA knows they are the only football game in town so to speak and has priced accordingly)
i will attest that the single player experience is very good, not touched ultimate team yet, but keeps drawing me back in so far.
@electrolite77 Well, I'm myself anxiously awaiting Skyrim (never played it before), DOOM (never played it before), L.A. Noire (never played it before)
I own only a Switch because I like Nintendo games, but that doesn't mean I like ONLY Nintendo games, not in the least.
If I could afford it I would love to get a PS4 too, but since I can own just one system I decided to go with Nintendo yet again.
People like me want ALL the third party games to come to the Switch, but that doesn't mean that I need to buy all third party games just to show support and encourage them to keep supporting the platform. I need to be picky with my money (because it's not easy to earn) and only buy games I really want. That's why FIFA wasn't going to be one of my purchases no matter what. I don't even like football, what should I buy it?
@electrolite77
Well, pardon of my attitude was being sassy sometimes.
I'd buy it if it wasn't 55 quid! And ive not seen a physical copy yet!
@geox30 FIFA sells well in the U.S. I hope the numbers are good.
@Danpal65 Nah, many would have argued that the graphics are not up to par.
The true is that Nintendo fans are just too hard to please. FIFA 18 is a very good game and anyone with a mildly interest in soccer, should have grabbed it, non-parity notwithstanding. If it would have sell well (there is still time), we could have clamored for parity on the next installment, or even an update could have been enough.
@Fuz Man, I really want to play Cuphead (agree with you: it fits the Nintendo demographics), but no Xbox One and my PC would require a big update, graphics card-wise.
@EDF Mind your language, let's keep this discussion civil - Octane
@MsgBoardGamer
Since this is the UK sales charts, I will use UK sales data:
Launch of LEGO Star Wars VII:
http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fsoftware%2Fuk%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=110032&arch=t&lyr=2016&year=2016&week=26
1) LEGO Star Wars VII PS4
2) LEGO Star Wars VII XBO
3) LEGO Star Wars VII 360
6) LEGO Star Wars VII PS3
24) LEGO Star Wars VII 3DS
Not in Top 40) LEGO Star Wars VII Wii U
Launch of LEGO Avengers:
http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fsoftware%2Fuk%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=110032&arch=t&lyr=2016&year=2016&week=4
2) LEGO Avengers PS4
3) LEGO Avengers XBO
4) LEGO Avengers 360
7) LEGO Avengers PS3
20) LEGO Avengers Wii U
39) LEGO Avengers 3DS
All LEGO games on Wii U and 3DS sold poorly in the UK even in 2016, with the freaking 360 and PS3 SKUs selling better. LEGO Worlds selling decent on Switch in not the rule; it's the exception.
@Anti-Matter I...I'm a UK gamer It's not nice being called the worst thing in the universe. The universe is a pretty big place you know!
Let's all do some sort of compromise: "If we don't buy good, highly rated games from third party publishers, then never will we hold it against them for not bringing their games to Nintendo platforms"
@Folkloner They better not! There needs to be hockey, and madden, on Switch!
I hate fifa (soccer) that is why I did not buy it. I hate NBA whatever year it is, that is why I did not buy it. Now if you had release Madden on the console, I would have bought it. If you would have released Need for Speed, I would have bought it. I get it my tastes are different but don't base future development on a sport most people in America hate. Also I hate other companies who follow this blackmail practice.
Firstly, this is not surprising news. It will be interesting to see in another 2 weeks if sales do jump but the problem is that many Nintendo fans just don’t like EA and haven’t for a long time now. They feel that EA have ignored them so they are doing the same.
This is a real shame because there are EA games that would be fabulous on the Nintendo Switch but if FIFA sales stay low, we will not see them. EA will just say we told you so and off they will pop into the Nintendo wilderness. Once more.
But where with the Wii U, EA’s departure was followed by many more third parties walking away, I don’t see that happening this time.
Too many Indies love the Switch and third parties know they can have success with Nintendo.
Having played FIFA 18 solidly since last Friday , it is a great game. The graphics are good, animation is solid and it plays a great game of football on both the big screen and on the go. It is certainly the best portable FIFA and if EA stick with Nintendo , it can improve in the future.
Ultimately though, for EA, their long term commitment will be based on sales of this game. So far it looks like another EA vs Nintendo stalemate with EA unlikely to hang around for the penalty shoot out.
I hope I’m wrong.
@GrailUK
Ooh....
It was not you, darling.
I mean other UK gamers.
@Anti-Matter Please, do not generalize. Sometimes, we are called Nintendo fanboys when we express our opinions regarding games in other websites. I hate when other gamers do that, but I also dislike when we refer to other console owners as fanboys themselves.
I know your mother tongue is not English so I guess that we can chalk up your comment due to not having a full grasp of the language (like myself), but that is why I sometimes think hard and long before writing something that may make others feel bad.
Cheers!
@maceng
Yo, thanks mate.
I felt bad when I got some feedbacks like that.
@MsgBoardGamer
I'm certain the LEGO games on 3DS and Wii U didn't outright bomb in other territories like they did in the UK, but the numbers were still quite low. The 360 SKU of several recent LEGO games were outperforming the 3DS and Wii U SKUs in the US.
My point is, don't use Vgchartz for sales data, especially for recent games.
Truth be told, Nintendo Switch is a different console and nintendo fans are different gamers. I only buy nintendo consoles and mostly first party games. If I ever wanted to play fifa I would have bought a sony or ms console. Totally not interested in the game. In order to make an impact on the switch companies need to focus on exclusives. Kingdom Battle was a nice surprise for me. First Ubi Soft game in my collection in over 10 years
FIFA Switch is currently ahead of the Xbox One version at Amazon France and Spain.
To all the fools saying it sold out on Switch, NO it didn't. It's available in loads of places. So what if Amazon didn't get a huge allocation, many places did. Smyths, Zavvi, Boomerang and Nintendo's own online UK Store have it. Stop making excuses time something sells poorly. It didn't deserve good sales and so it has come to pass.
FIFA 18 on Switch has sold 12,000 in Japan, making it the best seling FIFA game ever on a Nintendo platform in that region.
Granted, Japan isn't a huge market for FIFA, but the game still managed to find a good niche in Japan on Switch. Let's see the numbers in other territories.
All figures are completely meaningless if they don't included digital sales. Fifa seems to be top 3 in Switch downloads last couple of weeks, despite zero marketing effort by EA.
Sales may well be boosted as the Switch is looking like one of the top must-have Xmas presents.
Steamworld Dig & Sonic plus others prove 3rd party games can & will sell if they are good enough.
Besides there are too many games on my list to play already for the Switch, never mind F.E Warriors, Mario, Skyrim & Xenoblade 2 coming soon! (plus Hollow which I'm hoping will not disappoint after seeing the trailer).
Amazon UK ran out of stock even for pre-ordered. Mine is only coming on the 8th. So it seems to have done better than EA allowed for at the very least.
Sales figures are meaningless. You can't buy the game here in Germany in big stores and neither on Amazon (expected in stock in 2 to 5 weeks. LOL). Come on EA...this is a joke!
It's #1 in eShop.
@MsgBoardGamer NBA Live continued to be on the GameCube however. And Madden and FIFA did enough for EA to continue supporting the Nintendo platforms with those games (not to mention far more PS2's were sold). You should keep in mind that selling less than other platforms =/= selling poorly. Had the latter been the case then EA would've pulled support long before the Wii U.
An established series like this will never sell that well on a new platform because people buy it on the system that their friends have it on. Take COD BO2 for example, it was far superior on the Wii U but nobody would buy it for it because the community was all on the 360. Now most communities have migrated to the PS4 (simply because Microsoft shot themselves in the foot) and that is where the majority will buy such games.
I'll probably pick up FIFA at some point for the Switch as I'd like a portable footie game, but modern games always disappoint me (the last one I really enjoyed was PES on the Wii) so it's not high on my list.
I supported FIFA on the Switch. I love having a variety of games, and I intend on having the Switch as my primary platform.
I seriously hope people begin to support these games and stop seeing Nintendo as a Nintendo games only console or we will have he same problems as before with 3rd parties.
Although these are the day one sales, I imagine most day one buyers are more casual gamers, (no offence), as it’s one of those games. So it might just be that Nintendo hasn’t caught the casual gamers yet. So sales of FIFA May continue steadily with new Switch buyers over time, which I think is likely.
@NintendoFan4Lyf You might be passionate, but a lot of what you've written is actually outright wrong. Think about it.
I wonder if they will fix the online so you can play with friends, and add video recording in. epic goal videos may help sales ..we shall see i guess
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