UK Charts: Zelda: Skyward Sword HD Stays Second, NEO: TWEWY Debuts In Tenth

Could have sold better if it wasn’t more expensive than the average switch game. Can’t understand why is that.

In Mexico it costs the equivalent to $75 usd, compared to the usual $62 usd for every game.

Was never a big fan of TWEWY but might give the sequel a chance when it's on sale.

so Neo TWEWY sold better on Switch?

@KBuckley27 Makes sense considering TWEWY is way more commonly associated with Nintendo and a much larger fanbase on those platforms

I haven't picked up a copy of TWEWY yet, but I absolutely will sometime this year, pains me to wait, but we've waited years for this sequel so I can wait a bit longer if I have to

Honestly NEO starting in 10th for a sequel to an really good, but incredibly niche DS game from over a decade ago is actually quite nice to see

I've barely gotten into it but I do dig the switch in combat style. But maybe it's because I'm on a bit of an action RPG high right now

Nice to see NEO in the top 10 at least, decent enough for such a niche game. Still think they’d have done well to include the original with it Bayonetta style, would have gone a long way in getting newcomers on board.

I am like the biggest fanboy of the TWEWU series ever, but I've been telling OTHER fanboys for weeks that the reason we will never get an official translated anime and that NEO would a continuation of the plot from the JP version instead of masterfully localized so both stories continue simply because it just doesn't sell in the West.

Unfortunately, I was right about both.

The Tuesday release really bummed me out, seeing that might mean market research for it's potential sales in Japan are not outstanding. Games sell better if they come out Tuesday, but if your game is going to be a big deal in Japan, you're kinda expected to release it on Friday so people don't skip school to play it. It's not set rule at all, but just an indicator.

@CactusMan

I mean given I've bounced between Japan and Canada my whole life, I've written several articles on localization highlighting how it dose more then most people think and is deliberately hard to see.

My best one IMO is about TWEWY, given the plot of the game is the exact opposite based on locations. TWEWY is about finding a place in society and letting others help you (a problem Japan dose NOT have) while It's a Wonderful Life (the Japanese game) focuses on the valuing your own individuality over societies expectations (a problem the West dose not have).

TWEWY = There is nothing outside you personal experience you care about.

It's a wonderful life = The Status quo is awesome and if your not happy it's because you don't see that.

Not really sure where you got the idea that stating the fact that this game will continue the JP game means I don't wish it wasn't the case.

Would have liked to see Neo TWEWY up there more.

@HeadPirate I mean, my impression of the first game was that it was about finding a balance between individuality and society, with pre-game Neku representing pure Individuality, and Megumi representing pure Society. Neither would have succeeded without learning to accept the other. After all, it was Neku convincing Joshua that individuality was important that led to... The endgame (to avoid too much spoilers).

I know nothing about the original script so this is just about the localization. But as someone who doesn't know better, NEO:TWEWY's localization has felt like a natural continuation of the first game at least (though I'm not finished yet, so we'll see how I feel after things get really crazy).

Edit: as an aside, thinking about it, it's the Secret Reports in the first game that really stress how critical individuality was, while the game's script itself leans toward society outside of the last couple days.

@Thoughts I saw that in the US it was around $65-70 at launch.

Here in Mexico it was the equivalent to $75 usd, compared to the usual $62 usd for every game.

I don't get why this game is different in its pricing.

The UK has never been Nintendo's strong area, but the Switch continues to hold its own against the PS5 and Xbox in the region. Impressive.

@HeadPirate 14 years, to the exact date (as far as I can tell), since TWEWY's JP release.

Far cooler than being on a Friday.

@fafonio It's $84 here while Nintendo games tend to be $69 in Australia to back up your point. No More Heroes is $69 for example so it's not just because it's more niche.

@kingbk Nintendo handhelds have always done extremely well here.

@link3710

A good example of the duality is what I would consider the key moment in the game, the 3rd reapers game.

In both US/JP, his entry fee (the thing he hold most dear) is all the other players. On the first day, it's his memory.

In the US the explanations is that he gives up his personal identity (which is tried to brands and idols, but that's still personal) day 1, and on day 3 he's learned how much he need to relay on other people.

In JP what he holds most dear is knowledge what society expects and wants from him on day 1, and on day 3 it's the fact that everyone sees him as his own person.

So in both cases, losing his memory and all other players is the thing he holds most dear. They COULD have just translated it, it's not like the JP story would get zero traction in the US, but they chose to make that change, which is an example of amazing localization.

But that's just authorial intent, which means next to nothing OTHER then to talk about how great the localization was. What you're going to take from the story is your own reflection as you fill in pieces based on your own experiences. As long as you can tie it to the text (I feel this because this) it's not any more or less wrong then anyone else's experience.

@CoastersPaul

I HATE Friday releases. I also don't see the point. The games release at midnight and kids still skip school on Friday. What are they afraid they are going to take the whole week off?

Good launch for NEO TWEWY.

Personally, I was expecting it to completely bomb in the UK given the type of game it is.

@HeadPirate That's fascinating to understand though. Like... I'm struggling to imagine Neku holding society's expectations for him most dear tbh. That would take a ton of changes to make work.