While gamers in North America have been enjoying Kirby: Triple Deluxe since 2nd May, it arrived two weeks later in the European market. Its début UK chart results are in, then, and the outcome is solid if unspectacular.
The happiest outcome is that Kirby's latest is 9th in the single-format chart, mixing it with a series of major and established titles. It doesn't fare quite as well in the all-format results, dropping down to 16th, which is about on par with the launch positions of fellow new 3DS titles in 2014 such as Yoshi's New Island and Mario Golf: World Tour. The latter has tumbled quickly, however, nowhere to be seen in the top 40 in just its third week.
The only other titles on Nintendo hardware in the charts are Pokémon X & Y — in the single format results they're in 31st and 33rd (X beating Y), while the equivalent multi-format results are 39th and 40th.
Nintendo still has a minimal presence in the UK charts, then, though it'll be intriguing to see how Mario Kart 8 fares at the end of the month; it'll go up against the usual big hitters and the multi-platform Watch_Dogs.
[source chart-track.co.uk]
Comments 20
I'm surprised it even got that high, given the fact it's had no advertising. Here in the UK, fun, inventive games aren't popular for some insane reason. At least not this year.
16th is pretty decent considering it's not been getting great scores. I wish Mario Golf hadn't flopped this bad though as it's a great game and truly deserving of success. Golf is never gonna be a chart topper, but to drop out of the top 40 probably means it's doing under 1000 a week.
In non-Nintendo news, can't believe how well Minecraft has done. I mean, the physical PS3 edition is the top seller this week, despite the digital release being available for 6 months. Despite the physical 360 version being out a year and the digital 360 version being out over two years. That's before even getting into the PC version. Utterly insane levels of success. Surely it has to be close to being the best selling, non-bundled game of all time!
Given that some of these online services make it very hard to remove your card details and the systems might be used by kids (meaning spending spree) I can see why a physical copy of minecraft has appeal as it avoids that completely.
As for thoughts on Mario Kart 8. Will people buying several copies to use with several club nintendo accounts (then find CeX will give them £12 for the game leaving them out of pocket) bump up the sales or are such people the minority?
Wow, I'm impressed! Kirby td was not a greatly reviewed game and was made for a very obvious audience, little kids. So 9th is awesome!
@RainbowGazelle Well Kirby's Adventure Wii is about £50 new. If people didn't want it that wouldn't be the case. (The new one was less well received). Logical reason to not buy it.
Wish the 3dsl was getting more love. Played more Mario Golf than Andre else since it came out!
I find it hard to understand why Nintendo systems don't seem very popular. Is it possible that the generation that grew up with the Wii are simply dismissing the Wii U because graduating to Xbox one or PS4 feels like a rite of passage? Almost as if people have left Nintendo behind as part of childhood? I suppose that even if the WiiU isn't providing the kind of games that would put it at the top of the charts, it is providing great games for some sectors and that doesn't make it bad, it just has a different target demographic. Ideally, every system would have games to satisfy all audiences, but I'm pleased that Nintendo doesn't simply bow to the market and make games that will sell but don't maintain the Nintendo vibe of fun and innovation. Wii U and 3DS are pretty underrated.
@RainbowGazelle joke is that minecraft will be available on basically every platform including mobile apart from Nintendo.
Why Nintendo never made sure this was released on Wii U and 3DS I don't know.
Also the advertising for kirby and Mario golf in the UK is pathetic. I haven't seen one ad yet.
How come there is always a U.K. chart and a Japanese chat but rarely a U.S. chart?
@Tsuzura the US numbers are recorded on a monthly basis.
@RainbowGazelle Fun and inventive means colourful and no hint of guns or footballs anywhere in the uk,which instantly turns them off
@Sakura One thing I've found is that a lot of younger female gamers moved on to 3DS as they matured. I wouldn't be surprised if the Wii generation of Nintendo fans are predominantly female.
@Emblem
That's a really good point though ZombieU, Rayman. Mario Bros and quite a few 3DS games (Fire Emblem, Bravely Default, loads) aren't really geared to female fans in particular. And the games that are, are frankly not the best Nintendo has to offer (thinking fluffy pet simulators, Barbie, Imagine range). Maybe it's just that PS4 and Xbox one are assoicated in my mind with FPS and games with a predominantly masculine tone creating a reality-based combat experience. Nintendo franchises are still quite cartoony in style. It's that reality/fantasy split that strikes me most. I think there's room for both concepts and I love the direction Nintendo takes with most of its games. Would be nice to see something with real popular appeal for that young(ish) male audience though. Very pleased that Nintendo doesn't bow to market pressure, but also slightly worried for the future of the system (Wii U) if it's currently not shifting units. Back to your original point, I am female and like Nintendo, so maybe there's something in that. I know plenty of male Nintendo fans though.
Remember the touch generations and wii sports audience graduated to smartphones and/or left gaming alltogether. Didn't help Nintendo threw Wii and DS under the bridge.
These people won't buy a 3DS for Brain Training as either the fad has passed or the can get a similar app so no need for 3DS (it also not being out in Europe doesn't help)
Kirby's placing is kind of disappointing. I know it didn't get the best of reviews, but it's still an amazing game nonetheless (I differed in opinion, than the reviewers).
On a side note: expect the "UK hates colors and fun" comments coming.
Pity because it's a lovely little game.
I wonder how high would pokemon be if they counted it right with X and Y being the same game. They even count multiplatform games as one, but X and Y are two different? That's crazy.
The British have no taste in gaming. They favour FPS games like COD. Before you Brits start lashing out at me, I'm a UK citizen too.
@kobashi100 In fairness to Nintendo, I haven't seen any Minecraft ads, and didn't even know it existed on the PS3 until now, but it's still top of the pile.
@JosieC84 I'm from the UK and I have to agree with you completely.
@Chubblings Don't worry we've already made those comments.
Minecraft is hugely popular. Even if it meant Nintendo paid development costs, they should have made sure Wii U and 3DS got ports.
It's gonna be released for PS4 and Vita next.
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