Japanese Charts: Bayonetta Origins Makes A Lukewarm Debut

Oof, less than 6500 copies? That's not going to make very many babies.

Companies really need to be smarter with pricing. £50 for 10 hours of gameplay is daft.
It's going to heavily discounted at some point, so just get on with it,
generate some momentum for the game, and improve your image with customers.

It seems just as a lot of people have mentioned that the game being $60 is what is putting a lot of people off. To me so far the game is a lot of fun but also I think it should have been priced at $39.99. There is quite a bit to do in the game for those that like going for 100%.

Is that bad number for this game? That is not that bad I think. Hm oke.

And people wonder why Nintendo hasn’t pumped out a new console. Switch models take up 2, 3, and 4 on the japanese charts. There’s no rush if switch sales are almost number 1 by a few units 6 years later

Well it is a spin-off to a niche series after all

@TheBigBlue vast majority of switch sales are physical which are counted while the majority of sony sales are digital which are not counted that is why nintendo will always have most of the top spots

@TheBigBlue I wouldn't even say "almost" number 1. The three Switch models together are over 49,500 sales. PS5 at 40,400 between its two models ain't close.

Hope for Sony's sake that's a supply issue (which I thought was resolved...eek.) It's only a weeks worth of sales so could quite easily be a blip. Otherwise, if this console is going to last 7 years (and I do believe they said they think this gen will be a long one) then it's going to have to be propped up by the West.

bayonetta origins was priced to high that first week sales number is a epic disaster...

@johnedwin Console sales, not game sales.

Well it looks like the Nintendo Switch is slowly getting back to the top again, add up all the Switch models and it easily beat both the PS5 models in numbers. Odd how Fire Emblem Engage didn't stay in the top 10 for long, it's the only new game Nintendo made this year.

"Over on the hardware front, the PlayStation 5 once again comes out on top, though only by a small margin, with just 1006 units separating the console from the Switch OLED Model"

Commenters have called out Push Square on spinning the narrative about PS5's "marginal top spot", but to think even NL would step on the same rake.😅 The console may have just used up its Rising Sun limelight for now, and it definitely won't be its last anyway, especially with FFXVI on the horizon.

@johnedwin I think the talk was about hardware sales numbers.😅

It's incredible how much the Japanese love Splatoon! Splatoon 2 was a massive hit with more than 2 million copies in 6 months. Now the third game repeats the success.

@johnedwin It's also the reason why Sony is slowly moving towards making a digital only console soon.

@Uncle_Franklin I disagree with the idea that a 10 hour game shouldn't be full price. I would rather pay 60 bucks for a 10 hour game with no dumb padding than pay full price for a 30-40 hour game with incredibly repetitive gameplay.

Ouch. That is much lower than even I was predicting for Bayonetta Origins. I can't seem them making their money back on this one unless things pick up drastically.

Shame about Bayonetta Origins. I’m about four or five hours in and it’s real good. Probably not my favorite of the year thus far, but pretty close.

@johnedwin you are saying they don’t count software sales? Why were Hogwarts Legacy and FIFA 23 for PS so high on the charts for NA for weeks? Is that just physical sales of both games

@TheBigBlue because they sold a lot of physical copies as well hogwarts sold 12 million in 2 weeks..

@Uncle_Franklin Maybe. Maybe not. Physically, this was the hardest game to find in quite some time. I live in a fairly large market and had to drive across the city to find a copy. They did not print nearly as many copies as they did for Bayo 3.

It is Nintendo published so it will only extremely rarely discount digitally - if ever.

I bought my copy yesterday. No regrets. Every day I regret not purchasing the only Platinum game I feel like I missed out on - Infinite Space on the DS. I vowed never to make the mistake again.

The game is worth $60. It should have been $40 but I'll support Platinum for making it this time.

Bayonetta Origins should have been cheaper

@Bigmanfan

Those aren't the only 2 options though.

@Selim If it sold only those units in its first week, it's hard to imagine it'll have good sales numbers within a year. Unless they change its price

@Uncle_Franklin I understand that. But most 10-15 hour games usually have many unique and interesting gimmicks, while really long games are just doing the same thing over and over again. If you can give me an example of a 30+ hour game that introduces unique and interesting ideas throughout the ENTIRE game and isn't super repetitive then please do so.

@Bigmanfan

Odd thing to say, as the main criticism of Origins was that it's repetitive.

I think there are lots of games, but the one that immediately comes to mind is Breath of the Wild.
In fact, most of the 3D Zeldas are big and introduce new items and throughout the adventure.

But then I liked DK64, so perhaps my judgement on what is repetitive isn't wholly sound.

For full price I feel I need at least 20 hours (an option not included between your 15 hour and 30+ hour options).

Man those are some rough sales numbers. I knew it was a long shot, but I really wanted the game to succeed. Well worth the $60, but people really don't give these beautiful art styles a chance. People rather play their generic Pokémon than try games like this and Okami.

@Uncle_Franklin What I was saying had nothing to do with origins. I haven't played the game and don't intend to. I'm just really tired of people saying 10 hour games aren't worth full price. Like seriously, I thought we were done with this topic when Metroid dread released. But apparently it's still going. Great. And also yeah, botw is a great example of a game being 100 hours and really having 100 hours of content. Great game.

NL once again conveniently forgets The Switch is actually ahead of PS5 when both systems have their models combined [The normal way when people compare sales performance to account for splits] continuing the trend that Sony lost their short lived momentum. Last week the gap was mostly closed. Now Sony lost it.

Has nothing to do with “stock issues” that Sony fanboys like to default into when the last few weeks stock is still healthy. The reason for the decline is simple: Lack of high profile PS5 games will eventually come back to bite you after the initial batch of “I need PS5 now I waited too long!” crowd disappears since that boost can only last so long.

@nhSnork NL did this before. They have some weirdly bias writings that pops up sometimes in articles like these.

The Switch is making a comeback, just need to produce more OLED models, and some limited editions.... plus a price cut might be in order as well.

@Bigmanfan

Oh fair enough. I was actually quite tempted by Origins.

Interesting about Metroid, I feel that Prime's is a more reasonable price point.

In any case, thinking about what I originally said, was that it's not smart to provide every game full price, not necessarily that they shouldn't.
There are so many games for me to choose from, it's difficult for me to choose one that's £5 an hour, especially if I'm using the vouchers.

@Arawn93 sony won the last 5 or 6 weeks in a row

@uptownsoul agreed

@Uncle_Franklin Like i said on another post, a Nintendo game being heavily discounted? Where this exist?

I hope Nintendo is aware that this game will barely touch the 500k copies mark.

I'm really not at all shocked it flopped considering it just seems so uncertain as to what it even is. A budget but still fully priced T-rated spinoff of an established firmly adult series that isn't really a giant deal to begin with just seems like a game aimed at no one.

@johnedwin
Even accounting for digital SW I doubt PlayStation systems would have much presence in the top 10. The Ps5 physical attach rate is well known to be horrendous and even with digital sales, it’s not thought to be that great. (Apparently the Japanese digital game sales percentage is on the low side.)

Bayonetta Origins is a really nice game, glad I bought it and supported it - it deserves supporting.

@Uncle_Franklin I actually think you kind of hit the nail on the head. While I might believe a shorter game can be worth 60, it doesn't mean all of them are. I think it's completely fair that you have a line where you think a game is worth the price. But the issue is when people that don't think a game isnt worth it are toxic to those who think it is.( To clarify, you're not one of the toxic ones.) Also, prime was less than dread because prime is 20 years old.

Interesting on the hardware front but mostly for the PS5 numbers. "Logically" one would expect PS5 to keep outselling Switch, since the install base is still establishing itself. Always happy when I see Nintendo on top though

I think the demo actually hurt sales for this one. I was interested, but I tried it and the game just wasn't fun. I don't know if anyone can tell me if it gets better, but it was just kinda meh to me. It felt like a mediocre £15 indie, albeit a wellmade one, and trust me if it had been a game I'd have wanted I would have easily dropped the £50.

@uptownsoul Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a flop. But I think we won't be hearing about 10 year life cycles is all I meant lol.

@Bigmanfan

From what I understand Prime remaster was pretty comprehensive and Nintendo don't always seem to take age into account. I was pleasantly surprised by the price.

Having said everything, replayability is a big thing mind, I would pay full price for Crazy Taxi, but I know and love that game, whereas I don't know how often I'd want to play Origins again (accepting though that your points weren't referring to Origins).

Anyway, I expect people are getting bored of my comments now.

To the gamemobile!

I heard PS5 machine got price cut, right ?

Switch overall back on top, but PS5 still doing well. 2DS outselling XBSS is the real story though!

The price is too high for sure. I'll buy it cheap. Even then while I go for flops like Balan (got to have my Rayman 3 suit game and I enjoyed it I paid $20 and I was happy I wasn't going to pay full price when I knew it would flop even if I did want to play it). I think the reviews don't help. You have people going 'it's not Bayonetta' and it's like no duh it's either for fans that still somewhat are interested like myself for story or something different to use the IP for or 'newcomers' for a 'new audience' that are interested in 'these types of games' imagine that reviewers. Sigh.

Then again I like odd idea games so to me the audience of 'no one' is likely me. XD Even if yes I am into action games so Bayonetta is fit with me going into my action game/visual novel and more introductory period of exploring genres I never did before and having quit doing since. Pitfall Lost Expedition was my first 3D Metroid/vania style games before I even played or knew what that was of Metroid Prime, Axiom Verge and others I'm played or researched.

Then again replayability yeah. While I don't care about that as much I've replayed many games that aren't even if most I do are because 100%ing them was fun or challenges I can do with them (like I don't need to replay Scaler but I did with a no upgrades run of the game while 100%ing it even if say a Ratchet game or Gran Turismo are far more replayable due to their structuring being better designed to be replayable or many other examples of games on other platforms). I'd replay Vanquish not just because of the gun upgrading to max or trophies/achievements but because the mechanics were so fun.

I mean you can replay many games, even Bayonetta games on different difficulties and collect things and buy skins/skill tree moves and so on. But then again I could say the same about replayability for some 3 hr Indie games whether it be to show someone else or to just get through it again to understand what's going on in them story wise, or the trophies/minor collectibles.

The type of game it is also is more appealing to a different audience than the Bayonetta audience so while it is trying to be a prequel, match the style that works with the game and a child character and a really interesting artstyle, and also trying to hold onto an IP they have continued to more than others with mostly one offs it's tough for sure.

I'm going to play it I just haven't bought it because I know the price is too high and for what it is I'm not big into these style of games. Sure played a few Indies or mid range titles like it but it's not one I'm usually going to play.

I mean I got Bayonetta 3 for Christmas but it wasn't that far of a wait either but I didn't pay the high price it was I could have but I waited. I waited for Grid Legends to be cheap and by the time I bought it it was $30 and going to Gamepass so soon, it surprised me so timing for sure.

Other games are around Bayonetta Origins which there is a few, of Wo Long, RE4, Atelier Ryza 3, Tchia, Valheim on Xbox, Remnant from the Ashes Switch port, Rune Factory 3 Special and other particular titles. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_in_video_games

While I'm all for Song of the Deep by Insomniac, Pentiment by Obsidian and other mid range/small team in big AAA company titles (I mean they are what I mostly care for is AA games from the 2000s that got left behind for racing games and platformers even though there is tons of Indies to play there is just that too many and don't have the time or money or even knowledge of their existence most of the time.

Companies like Ninja Theory going from Heavenly Sword/Enslaved to DMC and Hellblade 1, 2 and Bleeding Edge is something or other notable companies that made mid range games and are really big companies now and however much of a mid range game come out or succeed?) with existing IPs or new IPs.

It is tough for sure and it's not surprising why it isn't selling it's too different, it's trying to use an IP in such a different way and depending on the marketing (not seen it) if people even care to play it regardless of knowing the Bayo name that are into these more adventure, more creative/colourful games.

I don't know enough about it but probably not as family friendly depending on what they are going for with her prequel story compared to any other Nintendo game on the market or Indies or mid range titles they could pick up on Switch compared to if it was more around launch it might have been different maybe.

Sure Switch has helped many games but it can't help all games be successful.

Well, I hope this at least means we'll see a steep discount for the game soon.

Doesn't surprise me. This is a bayonetta game without anything the series stand out. And coupled with the huge let down that was Bayo 3's ending, this game would need to mitigate the damage.

@uptownsoul Well, there is truth in that

Bayonetta Origins was never going to make waves outside the truly hardcore Bayonetta franchise, ie. the people who gave a fig about the lore and characters and weren't just in it for the 'splosions and sparkles. Presumably everyone on the development team was aware of this going into the project. Don't forget the mainline Bayonetta games took years to reach fruition while this was seemingly whipped up overnight to piggyback off the launch of the third game. I'm sure the numbers are just fine for what it is.

A low budget game with a $60 price tag on a niche series. Honestly this seems like good sales figures to me unless I'm misunderstanding how this stuff works, which is highly likely.