Japanese Charts: Animal Crossing Denies Xenoblade Chronicles A Debut Week At Number One

FF7 put up a good fight but it just couldn’t compete with Ring Fit Adventure in the end

Blimey. Look at Mario Kart and Splatoon still going.

Does those faces look merciful to you?

On the one hand surprised Nintendo hasn’t announced a new Splatoon game. On the other hand, I suspect they are trying to figure out how to evolve the series so as to prevent wearing out the franchise.

How did the previous Xenoblade titles sell in Japan in their first week does anyone know?

That does look like a good number to me?

@Rob3008
Xenoblade launch sales in Japan:
> Xenoblaxe: 79,163
> Xenoblade 3D: 43,762
> Xenoblade X: 88,544
> Xenoblade 2: 97.274
> Xenoblade 2 Torna: 4,744
> Xenoblade DE: 90,789

Good launch for Xenoblade DE, though nothing can top the 500 ton gorilla that is Animal Crossing - its weekly sales have yet to fall below 100,000 units even after 2+ months on the market.

@Rob3008 the franchise just isn't a big seller at all in any region.

The entire franchise has sold about as much as the best selling MonHun game on the 3DS. I don't know how well or if this game will sell better than the other games, I believe the best selling game in the franchise is the second game.

It's never been a big hitter at all. It's not a bad game but it's far from being the masterpiece some people make it out to be.

@Rob3008 Some things I found:
"Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (Nintendo, 04/02/15) – 56,932 (New)"
"Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country (Nintendo, 09/21/18) – 5,697 (New)"
"Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Limited Edition Included) (Nintendo, 12/01/17) – 97,732 (New)"
"Xenoblade Chronicles X (Nintendo, 04/30/15) – 85,586 (New)"

@Sszx09 Lol, poor FF7, got beat by an exercise game.

If stock levels are sustained, Ring Fit will surpass 1m by the end of the month.

@Rob3008 appearently XC2 sold 97,732 copies, the original XC sold ~83,000 copies, XCX sold 85,586 copies and XC3D sold 56,932 in the first week (or rather first three days) each

@nintendoknife @westman98 Also, don't forget, this isn't Dec. So those are very nice numbers for such a niche port of an old game that's been released on Wii, Wii U, 3DS, and now Switch.

@Razer Says you. Tastes differ. 10/10 game for me.

Decent performance for Xenoblade. Animal Crossing is King though.

I had a discussion few weeks back about what I considered the relative sales bombing of FFVII Remake. Taking on board what everyone said then I accept it was a big hit worldwide but in Japan itself, land of the JRPG, I still say it was a relative bomb and now has dropped out of the top 10 entirely.

Maybe the Japanese audience just doesn't like what Final Fantasy games are becoming these days with the much more action oriented battling system.

@Quarth Agreed, it's greatest rpg ever made.

@TheFullAndy It dropped off the chart in UK also.

I contributed to those UK numbers. I'm having a special edition shipped from there for the steelbook. Our special edition was trash in North America.

@mesome713

Yes but in the UK that is a bit more expected. I expect Xenoblade to fall way down the charts in the next UK sales week too.

But in Japan I expected much more for the game.

@Quarth I don't hate it, I give it a 7 out of 10 personally. I got it on the Wii and 3DS.

Although honestly, the changes they've made here for the Switch, in my opinion, don't warrant the cost of a brand new game.

I'll wait for a 80% sale if there ever is one.

@TheFullAndy Yeah, very true.

@FX102A There's no real reason to make another one right now. I imagine it will be a game much like Mario Kart where we get a new one with a new system. But as it stands, Splatoon 2 is great! Looks great, plays great, sounds great. Why would we need a new one? I imagine you are from the COD and MW ilk of the past where they steal your money from you on the same system over and over. Welcome to Nintendo, where great games last longer and they aren't trying to ***** you through your wallet all the time.

Ring Fit could hit 1 million next week? Wow.

Wonder if that's the end of Labo, plastic > cardboard.

I'm on my 3rd Labo set now, skipped the too big 1 trick pony robot, and wouldn't mind something else interesting. Maybe a periscope for a VR submarine assault game.

@RPGamer @mesome713 😃👍

@Razer That's up to you, mate. I've only played the 3DS version so this was a welcome release for me.

Playing XC:DE for the first time, only 8 hours but LOVING it. 10/10 for now

@Razer I think he was just pointing out that your "it's not a masterpiece as people make it out to be" seemed to be very condescending and written as if fact.

Many "make it out to be" a masterpiece because in their eyes it actually is. In yours, it isn't. I'm a long time WRPG fan, going back to Baldur's Gate days and I could never get into JRPG games such as Tales or Final Fantasy. The characters never gripped me and the worlds, although interesting, couldn't keep me engaged because they always seemed shallow.

To me, personally, Xenoblade was the game that started up an interest in even picking up these various franchises again. The undeniably great music, the strong unique art design, the great voice acting, characters and an engaging story with a diverse cast all kept me coming back to it. Judging by the internet I see others feeling the same.

Opinions are opinions - and yours is just that. As for what you think on the price, I'll just straight up disagree. Xenoblade Definitive is branded and advertised as a "definitive edition" in its title, much like many other definitive editions that come out with no improvements over the original games other than smoother framerate in places. In this package you're getting the game remade in a new engine with new animations, improved models, added features, VERY much improved questing system which saves TONS of player time as well as a re-imagined soundtrack with the original still being in the game and easily selectable. Oh and not to mention the entirely new 10-hour epilogue chapter slapped on top as well with brand new voice acting, story and even new gameplay elements not present in the original game. The original game offers countless hours of content with 60-70% of it being completely optional and for those who want to be completionists. There is never a point in the game where you need to grind your ass off and the combat is actually on your feet and linked directly to player engagement and skill unlike hot garbage like FFXV. You can play as 7 characters and combinations thereof in your party to experiment and mix and match with their unique skill sets, hell they even threw in a challenge mode in the new version just for fun with its completely separate from the main game currency and ranking system.

I don't know what to you is worth the price tag on a definitive game. I don't know if you're just being cynical for whatever reason, but the original Xenoblade deserves the praise it gets. I do believe anyone who would say that Xenoblade for a full price in this current state isn't worth it is seriously insane. I'm 25 hours into my game and I'm not slowing down in playing in on the way to work and even at home (even though I prefer PC gaming at home and not my Switch). I'm also only about 25% through the main story. That's saying a lot man.

Animal Crossing is the game of our time the fact it was this close is amazing for the future of the Xenoblade series.

@FX102A - "Man it's only been three years since the last game, that's a long time. Hope they make a new one."

F-Zero continues to weep in the corner, unheard.

Real talk though; Nintendo's internal teams have a plethora of games that have seen nearly a decade of absence. It would be folly to just loop around and hammer away at a new Splatoon when it's still pretty active game.

@Varkster I wrote a big ass reply to this, but I've been around in circles with various people on this matter so I'll let you think whatever you want to think. I completely disagree.

It's a bit two faced to sit there and moan about old ports being full price when they come on the Switch because we've never had them on Nintendo hardware before, but then being perfectly happy with the 3rd irritation of this game at full price, because it has DE sticker slapped on it.

But do as you like, I'm not going to tell you how to spend your money.

@Varkster agree 100%.

Those ps4 bayo numbers.... ouch.

@Varkster oh wow you really are funny... You've basically made my point.

So here... Let me quote you.

"Did you expect this to be FF7R or something? It's advertised to players as Definitive Edition"

This is exactly it, this isn't FF7R, exactly like you said. It took them less than 2 years to implement these small changes. You think that warrants £50/$60.... LOL... I can't tell if YOU'RE joking.

There are developers who spend 6 years making a brand new game and even then they don't merit full price.

You're trying to justify this as a full price game is a joke, if you are okay with this on the merit of a small few changes, then you shouldn't be two faced and complain when a 3rd party puts an old port on here for full price on the merit that we've never had it before.

@Razer I deleted my long reply to your comment as well so let me just put it blunt and clear to you.

Old ports coming from other consoles with no improvements or additional content is what people whine about. Some of these ports have sh*t performance even though they were initially designed for PS3/X360. People didn't whine when Witcher 3 came despite it being a clear downgrade because it was a port done right. It becomes a problem however when a game you release as a cheap port on the system for full price with no extra features has a current much cheaper counterpart on other systems. That's a real problem. People aren't whining about Xenoblade because it is an improved version of the older game in every sense of the word and the original still holds up very well in the modern scene. You can't play this game anywhere but Nintendo systems. You can't play this superior version of the game anywhere but the Switch.

I don't know what mind game you're playing trying to convince me it's not. It's factually improved in every. single. way.

That plus 10 hours of new content which, some full priced games aren't even 10 hours long, so how tf can you tell me this ain't worth the price?

I put my money into developers that deserve it. If I see a Dark Souls dev shun the Nintendo fanbase for years then release a delayed crappy port of their game just to make a quick buck, yeah, sorry my guy. Not gonna support that sh*t. And this is coming from a Dark Souls fan.

Holy crap, Nintendo Switch just sold over 100k even though Nintendo is still facing supply issues in Japan. Nintendo is gonna dominate PS4 numbers and no bluray, nor Netflix, etc. Amazing.

@Paraka @Ninjatiptoes Had to amend my comment as it seems people think i was bemoaning there having been no new Splatoon game in 3 years (Seriously? Quotation marks for a quote that was never there?) First one didn’t do it for me and I don’t even own the second game.

Was mainly saying how most other publishers would have pumped out 1-2 additional games with only minor updates and changes, yet Nintendo is likely looking to see how they could change things up. With sales still tracking numbers though, there is no need to do it quickly.

I may watch too much "weeb" stuff...but Shulk in that screenshot looks like he reached "something"...( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

@Razer FF7R is an unfinished game dude. Not only is it a very clearly unfinished product, but it's also a very conflicted game in its development. Without its sequels it's a terrible investment for players because the story isn't even halfway through and they're planning to release the second and third part (if not fourth) with re-used assets and quite possibly entirely trash the story up. The reason it's priced the way it is is because it's an investment, you're not getting the full package. For reference, look at RE2 Remake reception as opposed to RE3. This exact same thing already happened and people were angry.

The quality of that game (which many fans and non-paid critics already sh*t all over) is an entirely different debate/discussion which I can't participate in since I've yet to play the game.

Also you seem to be going into the Dev territory assuming you know how long each game takes to make and how much dedicated manpower there is behind a project. I won't even argue with you there because I think you know why you're wrong.

Is there anyone who reports total sales? I’m not convinced physical copies are a very meaningful metric.

@Varkster Well put!

@FX102A I agree. I love that they don't often wring their franchises. Wouldn't be surprised if Splatoon takes the role of Mario Kart and Smash. One game per generation.

Nintendo Switch weekly sales have been a sine wave over the last 2 months, fluctuating between weeks of 100,000+ units sold in a week to <40,000 units sold per week.

@FX102A I think that splatoon is more of a franchise that releases every console generation just like smash bros. I also think that releasing splatoon 3 would be a bad idea as it would split the playerbase.

Ugh I already own the first Xenoblade twice already. It's fine for people who never played it I guess but I won't buy it again and I have no interest in the new one either. The first one is the only one I'd ever replay more than once and owning it twice already is fine.

NOW Animal Crossing is different. It's a game a lot of people need right now and is super relaxing and cute. This is the first AC since gamecube days that I played a lot of and the one AC game I played the most. I have HUNDREDS of hours on it already. I can understand why that hype is still high.

@TheLightSpirit he's wrong about more than just that but I genuinely cannot be bothered to reply to him anymore 😂.

I mean him no offense though, I'm just too lazy to get into all this again.

Well... Animal Crossing New Horizons is a brand new game, whereas Xenoblade is a remastered port. It's simple where I put my money.

@Ryu_Niiyama I like how your avatar kinds visualises your comment haha Animal Crossing Vs Bayonetta

@Razer xenoblade isn't a big seller?

xenoblade chronicles 2 sold 1.7 m copies last time we got sales data

name another jrpg who can do the same on a single console with only two installments in their series in the same amount of time, I'll wait

as an example the persona series took 24 years and 6 games to reach success

@mesome713 Games sell consoles not features. I'm happy when life is that simple.

Yeah I feel like Xenoblade Chronicles games are more subjective in terms of quality than others seem to think. Huge RPG fan since mid 80s, and I'm 0/3 on enjoying the series, but everyone's tastes are different. Wish I enjoyed them more than I did, but I'm not losing sleep over it.

@GrailUK Can’t disagree there, well said.

@TheLightSpirit I don't understand how it's a full game when it's named "Remake" and doesn't tell a full story with a clearly unsatisfying ending. This "full game" was planned with sequels in mind in pre-production.

I still remember people giving Deus Ex: Mankind Divided a hard time because it was clearly a plot setting up a bigger threat even though THAT by all means was a big AAA new game with new characters and story beats. FF7R gets a pass despite it being a remake of a pre-existing plot?

FF7R doesn't stand as a full game with a full conclusion on its own in my eyes.

Like the other guy said I don't really feel like arguing either, I'm tired, there's plenty of other worse problems to worry about than debating remakes of video games. I likely won't reply to anyone elses comment after this so feel free to prove me wrong, I'm not gonna bother.

Have a good day though.

@Darkthany @Razer I don’t think it’s that amazing either, even though I’ve played every FF and DQ game and a ton of other JRPGs (Lufia, Bravely, Octopath, FE, some Pokemon, Baten Kaitos (how I’d love a return)). So I think I know the genre a bit.

And I agree with you that it’s not that defining. It’s ok, a 7,5/10 for me (3ds, haven’t bought it on switch).

I am not a massive fan of Japanese RPG games, but nust admit ws considering getting the 3DS version, glad I didn't as the Switch version looks great, and everybody seemed to feel the same looking at the screens a while ago, then somebody mentions the resolution and people are up in arms, I bet the game looks amazing.

@Varkster

Yeah, it isn’t a full game. I agree with you and don’t know how anyone could argue otherwise. It’s a remake of a full game, but split into parts. The next FF7 game isn’t going to be a sequel to FF7, it’s going to be another section of FF7. That isn’t a full game, folks.

@TheLightSpirit

Animal Crossing isn’t a boring game. It just isn’t the type of game that suits what you want to play, which is why you think Xenoblade is better.

@Harmonie I don’t think Animal Crossing being a brand new game matters when it comes to if people buy it. Plus, the game isn’t brand new anymore. It’s been out for 2 long months.

@riki_sidekicks You’re right. Digital sales for animal crossing is probably far higher than xenoblade.

@Friendly Taste is subjective, and no matter how many Jrpgs one plays, your opinion will not determine whether a game is defining or not. It will be the aggregate of many opinions, reviews and feedback over time that finalizes the legacy of titles. Sentiment about Xenoblade Chronicles is that it is a defining title, especially of its release time.

That's not to say your opinion on the game is not valid, relevant or of interest. It's just to say that the tide is against you. I know the feeling. I really don't understand the appeal of the first two Fallout games, I could never get into either of them, even being a huge rpg fan. I've come to accept that my taste differs from the mainstream on those titles.

@KarmaGoona It mattered to me. I'm not going to claim it's that way for everyone, or even the majority, but it is still definitely a factor for some people.

Even a couple of months in, there are still people getting Animal Crossing New Horizons for the first time.

digital sales are like to be pretty high because there are still lots of people in Japan who don't want to risk going outside for a physical copy so got it digital instead

@GrailUK hmm hadn’t thought about it like that. I was just noticing how low those numbers were( I feel like maybe platinum should have put vanquish on Switch instead now). But hey that’s hilarious.

@Razer Dude, are you not getting tired about writing your negative opinion about XCDE below each and every article that mentions the game? By now, everyone at NL should know that you don't like it as so many others do. Get over it! You will feel better!

I'm playing XCDE now. The graphics look like a mid 7th gen game, but I'm enjoying it.

Can't wait for XC:Ultimate in 5 years. 1080p without pop in? Sweet.

Just want to point out "Nintendo took eight of the top ten this week". No, they didn't; Nintendo published 6 of the games in the top 10.

That's a bit of a bummer. I love ACNH too but it's been out for two months. I would have hoped it would get the number 1 spot for a week. Ah well.

Personally, I've burned out on AC. Well over 200 hours and having played daily since launch, I'm taking a break.

@Razer stop being so negative against the xeno series we get it your not a big fan of it just chill man.

Such is the Power of Animal Crossing!

Everything Else: Oh, you're approaching me? Instead of running away, you're coming right to me?

Animal Crossing New Horizons: I can't outsell the **** out of you without coming closer.

Everything Else: Oh ho! Then come as close as you like!

Great numbers for Xenoblade and yeah, Animal Crossing is a beast. 😁

Really low numbers for Bayonetta on PS4... And to think people actually got salty when Nintendo revived the series.

@Razer "I love going to messageboards and complaining about games I've never played!" - Super Paper Mario

@TheLightSpirit it's because he post it under each an every single article. Read his other comments. He is trying to make a point where no point us there to be made. Just tiresome.

Two comments:

1.) Animal Crossing is an absolute juggernaut. I cannot believe it's selling so highly this many months after launch.

2.) Xenoblade has yet to find commercial success. Nintendo seems to pour a lot of energy, money, and marketing into these games but they aren't catching on. I wonder how active the franchise will be moving forward. There are 2.5 games on Switch now.

@TheLightSpirit he keeps on saying the same negative things about it on every xenoblade article which is getting annoying and we know he not into it but doesnt give him the right to keep on spamming the same post over and over.

Honestly, what would I do without a comments section

@TheLightSpirit

So this is a remake of FF7, from beginning to end? I mean it’s called Final Fantasy 7 remake, has been advertised as a remake, and we’ve been told that it was a remake for all the time it has been in development. So it’s a full remake through and through, right? We won’t have to buy more parts of it in the future to get the full experience, right? No?

Thought so. It isn’t a full game. I’ve played the original FF7. THAT is a full game. Either you say that it’s a full game that does a terrible job at being a remake of the original because it only covers less than 1/3rd of the events/plot of the original game, or you say that it’s an incomplete remake that will be complete years down the line. You can’t have both.

@Razer
I couldn’t disagree more. It’s my favorite game of all time. Masterpiece 100% and the Defintive Edition is above and beyond what I wanted.

@TheLightSpirit

That’s fine, but that isn’t the point of a remake. You don’t take the first section of a game, pad out the length of said first section with generic side quests/etc., and then claim that it’s the full game. It’s just the first section, albeit longer.

I’m not trying to argue whether or not FF7Remake is well made, because it definitely is. A good combat system, soundtrack, gorgeous visuals and the great characters from the original but expanded upon. It’s definitely well made. But it certainly isn’t the full FF7 experience, and in my opinion even if the plot changes weren’t an issue (they are, you aren’t supposed to change the game’s plot in a remake), they bad and undo a lot of what made the original so good.

In that sense it isn’t a full game. If it wasn’t a remake of FF7, I wouldn’t be taking issue with it.

@mazzel

To think it actually bothers this guy what other people find worth buying. We get it @Razer, you can’t afford XCDE at full price. It’s okay.

So Switch (lite incl) 106.500
PS4 (pro incl) 5.800

Ok PS4 is on its way out but still how japanese companies like Konami dont invest more on Switch?

I wonder if Animal Crossing can stay no 1 until BotW 2?

@Nintendofan83 define commercially successful? XC sold around 1.5 mio units, XC2 around 2 Mio excl. Torna. I don't know if digital sales are included or not for XC2. These numbers are on par with games like Mario + Rabbids or Octopath. Sure, it's not Zelda or Mario Kart, but for this genre and Bering uni-platform, I think it's actually great performance!

@Trajan Oh come on man, it was bad enough trying to fast forward life to the 29th May! 5 years will be exhausting!

Awwwww... I KNEW I should have bought 11,961 more copies of Xenoblade. Maybe next month.

Oh wow, the vast majority of you who replied to me are children who seem to be incapable of reading.

I said I own the game, twice. So I have played it. I don't think it's a masterpiece and the fact that I have played it give me the right to voice that opinion.

I also do not think the game is worth £50 because the have not implemented nearly enough changes to warrant the price of a brand new game.

80% of this game is the same game I have purchased and played twice.

I personally think if you think that this is worth £50 then you have to be okay with old ports being full price.

If you're not then you are two faced.

Now all you children who replied.

Cry me more rivers. It's hilarious.

Especially @Phostachio... You look 15... You should respect your elders more little man.

@wanghosom yeah okay it got outsold by an unknown IP in the same genre... Lol the entire franchise has sold about 5m...

There's single Wii U ports that have sold more than the entire Xenoblade franchise.

Lol

@mazzel are people not getting fed up of getting angry at others for not liking what they like?

They would feel better for not getting worked up over my opinion about this sub standard game.

I am.a Nintendo fan but I have to admit, this crowd and particularly this site is really bad for people who have a chip on their shoulder for anyone who voices anything negative about anything Nintendo does.

Like this is a prime example of two faced hypocrisy at its finest, I see this fan base littered with it, if other companies tried to do what these guys have done, they would be hung up for it.

But this fanbase and particularly this site is known for giving a free pass when it comes to Nintendo and their subsidiaries.

@Razer Dude, chill. I'm still not sure why you are so obsessed with making this game bad. You haven't played the DE and your opinion is solely based on the fact, that they developed/optimized this game fast. Do you have any internal knowledge that you would like to share with us? Do you know how much resources actually went into these remake? No? Neither do I.
So, if you don't like it, user your wallet as a voice and just don't buy it. But please stop making bitter and negative comments UNDER.EACH.ARTICLE.
Sure, it's your right and no one can stop you and God behold I'm not trying to change your opinion. But if you argue like this then don't wonder why people disagree.
Remember the outer worlds thread? And what you wrote there? Now look at some videos of the game. I bet you wouldn't admit that you were wrong about Monolith in comparison with outer worlds. But you are.
P.s.: why do you think that everyone who likes the XCDE for this price would "slaughter" any other dev/publisher for the same thing? We got a great port/remake here and every other studio that pulls this off got praised here. Switcher, Warframe, Doom, Wolfenstein. All full price (beside Warframe), all great!

@Razer "name another jrpg who can do the same on a single console with only two installments in their series in the same amount of time, I'll wait"

still waitin'

FF7R will definitely see boosts if there's a PC release, when the PS5 comes out, after the PS4 version's price drops, and when the sequels come out. It was always going to have a long tail rather than being a mainstream success; I'm sure Squeenix is pretty happy with it as is.

@Varkster FF7R was actually a great game. Ive only seen nintendo fans ***** on it, possibly due to jealousy. Yeah its a different story, its implementing some Xenogears stuff.

I didn't care for the combat system however.

@wanghosom Xenogears.