The UK chart results are in, and from a Nintendo perspective they're rather grim. Aside from the harsh current realities of Wii U and 3DS game sales in the UK, however, this week's results have a quirky side-note that we just had to share.
First of all, a quick rundown of what's happening at the top of the charts. Battlefield 1 has proven to be a big success, staying in top spot despite a number of new releases arriving. Of those new releases (on PS4 / Xbox One / PC) we have The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition in second place, and Titanfall 2 could only manage fourth position. Farming Simulator 2017 is new in fifth place; sure, why not.
The weirdness comes with Just Dance 2017. It arrived on lots of platforms and only managed a modest 26th place in the all-format chart. Here's the story though - 44% of those copies were the Wii version, with the Wii U iteration claiming a 16% share. Despite lacking some of the online features in current-gen efforts, there are still a number of people picking up the Wii version of this game. It's 2016 and this is still happening.
As we said right at the top, it wasn't a good week for Nintendo overall. Only one other notable Nintendo entry is to be found in the all-format top 40, with Tomodachi Life squeaking into 40th place.
Pokémon Sun and Moon can't come soon enough.
[source chart-track.co.uk]
Comments 55
What the... seriously? C'mon people, let's move on here!
That's because nobody plays the game.
o bb
This is not surprising after what they did with Just Dance 2016. The Wii version was the best version of that game, where it was the current-gen versions that were lacking features.
Now the most important online mode has been restored to current-gen versions, but that wasn't known until very recently. A lot of people were thinking that the Wii version might still be the definitive version of Just Dance 2017. And with its simpler, better flowing menu structure and track selection, it still puts up a good fight against the current-gen versions.
What's more, usually Just Dance sales start picking up towards the holidays. For example, I didn't get any version of the game yet, waiting for impressions from other gamers about which version is the best this year and so on.
I'm a grown ass man! ....
But my sister cheats by sitting down and shaking the Wii remote all Willy nilly.
I'm sorry, but I just see games like Just Dance as being no better than shovelware... and the Wii got more of that than any other console in history, so it's no surprise that people who like that sort of thing would be more likely to have a Wii rather than any of the other system.
@DragonEleven Then you're in the wrong, big time. You need to get yourself a Just Dance game and play it in-depth. I recommend 5 hours of playtime at minimum.
Im amazed
@Mahe Ditto. People too cool for Just Dance should re-assess what they're doing with themselves.
@ThomasBW84 So when can we expect your review?
Dance Dance Revolution is better than Just Dance. Come on everybody, wanna beat EGOISM 440 Single Challenge level 19 (Actually level 20 in my opinion) or Over the "Period" Single Challenge level 19 or Paranoia Revolution Single Challenge level 19 ? Those song was the Real Challenge to Dance. Be sure check Dance Dance Revolution A on Youtube. DDR needs 2 more years to celebrate 20th Anniversary.
For reference, here are my impressions of the best versions of Just Dance mainline multiplat games:
Just Dance 3 - Wii
Just Dance 4 - Wii U
Just Dance 2014 - PlayStation 4
Just Dance 2015 - PlayStation 4
Just Dance 2016 - Wii
Just Dance 2017 - ????
That being said, the Wii version has always been very competitive when it comes to quality in the Just Dance games. It's amazing how well that tiny wonder of a console has kept up in recent years.
At work, we only stock PS4 and Xbox One games as we have a limited gaming range. I was shocked when I went in on Saturday to find we had 2 copies of Just Dance 2017 for the Wii and even more shocked when both sold within the hour and we didn't even advertise we had them!
What? That's surprising. I honestly thought the Wii version would be the worst selling version, but I guess not.
@Mahe Opinions aren't right or wrong, only different.
I never said that they were as bad as shovelware, only that that's how I see them.
@DragonEleven Then you obviously have no idea what "shovelware" means. That's not a matter of opinion, it's a matter of definition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shovelware
With the amount of effort that goes into Just Dance games, the high quality of the games, and the constant customer satisfaction that especially the Wii versions have had, nothing could be further from shovelware. You might as well be calling Super Mario Galaxy shovelware.
I am not surprised as these people are perfectly happy to play just dance on their old wii consoles.
They are are not gonna buy a new console to play just dance in HD. Ubisoft will keep supporting the Wii until the games stops selling.
@Mahe I know what shovelware is, and I know that Just Dance isn't shovelware... but I never said it was... I only said that I see it as being no better than shovelware.
And for the record... neither the amount of effort that goes into a game, nor the finished quality of a game is relevant to whether a game is good or bad... it all comes down to whether or not the game is enjoyable, and I personally do not find games like Just Dance to be any more enjoyable than shovelware.
The Wii version is the most simple version of the game, you don't need the Kinnect or PS Camera, you just need your Wii Mote and plenty of fun awaits.
@DragonEleven That's your right, of course. But have you actually played any of the later Just Dance games in any in-depth amount? Your opinion might change if you put decent effort into any of them, like I suggested.
Still say this series is on borrowed time, once the Wii is gone, Just Dance will likely go aswell,
@Mahe I hate the songs and get bored within 5 mins (even some shovelware can keep me interested for longer than that).
Not suprising at all, the Wii was de console that made this game populair in the first place. I played the 2008 version i think a few times, was a fun game to play with my nices but totally not a game i would buy on my own ( that didnt' own a Wii, XB360 nor Ps3 so i missed out a lot of gaming in that period, was enjoying my DS and PSP at the time) .
I think that Nintendo/Developers can still make a nice profit if they make cheap games like just dance. A lot of people still own a Wii.
If Wii is most popular, what's does that say about how much it's selling on other platforms?
My sister buys them for Wii. She has no need for Wii U since I have one. They are well made games, have a good selection of songs and great visual style. With good selection of songs I mean that there are both new and old songs, multiple languages, multiple genres (though I'd like more rock & metal) and there are enough songs to satisfy the player for a while. I don't get why people think the series shouldn't even exist.
It might not be as challenging as DDR. They are not trying to be challenging. They are aiming for more casual play and playing it you look like you're dancing unlike in DDR. My sister loves both franchises and I've tried some of the games as well. I don't see the big fuss.
I'm pretty sure the only thing that annoys people is that they release a new one every year with next to no changes to the gameplay while they could just add more to an existing game with DLC. Unfortunately, their DLC is so expensive that it's cheaper to buy the new game for full price than the same amount of songs. And the game will be 20€ in couple of months anyway since it's Ubisoft. No need to buy them for full price.
@Sanangelo89 The first Just Dance came out in late 2009.
@DragonEleven Well, that's a very strange taste you have, honestly. You must realize that even if you don't like the songs, a lot of people do, and they play Just Dance even hours on end, from month to month and year to year. Just Dance fans play the games a lot.
So casuals don't care about the fancy graphics, or don't care about the next gen hardware, or don't care for the extra features that are only available on the 8th gen consoles?
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Just Dance sales typically start slow and then pick up towards the holidays. I'm one example of that: I'm a big fan of the series in general (even though JD2016 made some mistakes), and I will be buying JD2017 at some point, but not right away.
It is funny how many of you are surprised. It is never about features or anything like that. Just Dance has always been synonymous with the Wii, pure and simple. Millions of owners play the thing just for Just Dance. They have no reason to check out Just Dance anywhere else. They don't care. Many of them don't even play video games otherwise. They want to Just Dance.
I mean, the majority of people who play these games are younger girls who don't play video games (not saying all girls don't play games) and just so happen to own a Wii. Hardly surprising, honestly.
Just dance the night away I say
@Mahe Again... that is my opinion.
Well there's been a flurry of huge releases all month...and Nintendo released what? A Paper Mario no one wanted? SuMo will be there next time
@DragonEleven Yeah. It's a weird opinion and you have a weird way of putting it, though, so you should take that into account when talking about a series that countless people really enjoy.
@Late
OK, Maybe these are my reasons why I like DDR better than Just Dance :
1. I don't like most Western licence songs, especially from USA. I like some European licence song WHICH included also in DanceMania by Toshiba EMI. Their songs comes from EuroDance, Eurobeat, Bubblegum, Trance, etc. Some of interesting European songs like Butterfly by Smile.dk, Pink Dinosaur by Papaya, Witch Doctor by CARTOON, In the Navy by Captain Jack, and also some Japanese cover songs done with English lyrics such as Petit Love by Smile.dk, Cat's Eye Ventura Mix by E-ROTIC, Rhythm & Police KOGG3 Mix, etc. Also, I like collaboration between Konami and Western artist such as Genie in the Bootle by nc feat NRG Factory, A Geisha's Dream by Naoki Maeda + Smile.dk, Dreaming Can Make a Wish Come True by Anna Kaelin and Jun Karashima + nc feat NRG Factory. Just Dance just ONLY offers boring Western licences. No interesting cover, lame song choices, no challenging songs, no unusual songs, not interesting to play for couple times. I have ever tried once long time ago and then never want to try again forever. DDR offers me better songs (Konami or Bemani songs) from slow BPM, upbeat, crazy BPMs (from 20 the slowest until 1000+ BPM), unusual + irregular songs (3/4 and 5/4 blended together, 7/8 tempo, irregular stops), and many more. Some of DDR songs such as CHAOS by De-sire retunes, Fascination eternal love mix by 2MB, Delta MAX by DM Ashura, Anti-Matter by Orbit1&Milo, Destination by Sota Fujimori, Saber Wing by Yasuhiro Taguchi, etc are perfect examples for me to enjoy the game. I will never get boring by that cool songs. Basically, Japanese musicians fascinated me a lot than Western musicians. But I still like some catchy Western songs during 80 s, 90's and early 2000.
2. I like Stepping rather than Moving my body to Silhouette. Also, I like Para Para Paradise so I like moving my hands , body and feet based on arrows, not by body poses.
3. DDR also good as an Aerobic, so I like to spent so many times to dance all day long until i'm sweating a lot. Because my love for DDR is very huge, I can play some certain songs without seeing any arrows, just use a Blindfold.
Well, that's all my confessions about DDR and Just Dance. Sorry for the very long comments.
Well, the Wii hasn't received a new title in months. All those Wii owners have to have something to play.
@Mahe I don't think it's as popular as you think... especially considering that it's relying on a dead system to keep it's sales numbers up.
But I realised that people would disagree with me when I wrote my first comment... hence why I apologised at the very start of it.
I know this had little to do with Nintendo, but Titanfall 2's sales performance is absolutely dismal. It sold 25% of what the the first Titanfall sold at launch, despite launching on PS4 as well. The market is becoming increasingly harsh, even for FPSs.
Also, Skyrim Special Edition had the 2nd biggest launch ever for an Elder Scrolls game, only behind the launch of the original Skyrim in 2011. This is a reason why showing of Skyrim on the Switch is a big deal; despite the game's age, it is still a relevant game.
@Anti-Matter: A lot depends on what kind of music you like. Just Dance has expanded its selection and has some Japanese music nowadays as well (although mostly Hatsune Miku) as well as music from other countries. While Just Dance focuses mostly on the newest pop, DDR focuses on Japanese fast-paced music. Both have something different to offer while also sharing some songs.
Just like different people like different music, the gameplay is also something others like while others don't. As I said, Just Dance offers something more akin to actual dancing and dancing is rarely as fast as DDR. DDR requires quick reflexes as you are constantly moving (unless you're playing on lower difficulties). This type of fast arcade type game makes you feel really proud of your AAA ranks. Just Dance can't register movements as precisely (motion tracking vs button presses) and so they have to make the scoring more forgiving. They don't really focus on the ranking system anyways.
I personally enjoy both. They offer different experiences. You can play Just Dance when you're looking for something more relaxing or you have friends to play with. DDR can also be played with friends but unlike Just Dance, it's not as beginner friendly. It's not fun to play against someone who has played a lot and simply obliterates you. DDR is good when you want something hyperactive. You can't escape the sweat.
"Pokemon Sun and Moon can't come soon enough."
Quoted For Truth.
Mario party star rush really deserves better sales!
It's amazing! Best entry ever actually
Keep on rocking, Wii. You are going to outlive your successor. Now don't let the imminent Switch phase you.
@Mahe
Don't you dare compare any third-party game in existence to Super Mario Galaxy. Just Dance IS shovelware compared to that masterpiece.
Just Dance is a cash-in on the casual crowd who are still rocking their Wii's, and Ubisoft Just Dances when they get all that extra cash. Face facts, the concept of the game is a simple money making effort. That is especially clear when the newest games in the franchise are coming out on a platform 10 years old. It's simply undeniable.
But hey, who am I to ruin the casual's fun? I'm Just gonna crawl back into my hate hole of doom. Now, back to hate-Dancing
@DragonEleven Look to the charts in the coming months. Still plenty of Just Dance fans out there.
probably for many people the only console they own is a wii and since theres a new super casual game wii ftw !!
@ya_boy_six haha
For anyone interested, I've bought the Wii U version and it is a solid entry. Not the newest music (American version), but a range from 80's to present. FYI, I bought the Wii U digital version, which is the "Gold Edition." This allows you 3 moths of "Just Dance Unlimited," which allows access to on-line streaming of past JD games. Well worth it; I think. But, there is a problem. I only received 2 days of access. There is supposed to be 2 days & a digital code from Ubisoft; to unlock 3 months. I've yet to get this code. I have a ticket outstanding with Ubisoft to amend this. I bought the version 10/29/2016. So, we'll see. Also, this problem (from Ubi's message board) is across the boards. Most prevelant on the Xbox1 platform.
@Mahe I strongly disagree with PS4 version of 2014 the best version... it's good only if you are playing with the Move. The motion detection is terrible with PS Camera, it's even worse than 360's Kinect motion detection.
I'll be honest, I only opened this article because of the tagline... Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, 👌#OffTheWall
@TheCodemastr Completely agreed. The PS Camera is not worth playing on. Move controllers are a must!
But when you have Move, JD2014 on PS4 is very good.
My girlfriend wanted this for her Wii. I can't seem to find out online if 2017 has any online features or not. I know the 2016 box was missing a wi-fi Pay and Play logo
I don't dance so I'm not into this series but a lot of people love it.
@Pichuka97 I haven't bought any version of this yet, but from online videos and other info I've seen, the Wii version is confirmed to have World Dance Floor online mode. There is no paid DLC though.
Just Dance 2016 for Wii was the same thing. Free online in World Dance Floor, but no paid DLC.
@Mahe Thanks a bunch. Looks like a gift for the holidays this year
@Pichuka97 Glad I could help!
Why is that surprising? the Wii had a much bigger JD userbase than the others. It has never been a popular game on the MS and Sony platforms and for god's sake, the Wii U is a monumental failure.
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