3DS XL, New Super Mario Bros. 2 Selling Well in Japan

[Greg Tito]

3DS XL, New Super Mario Bros. 2 Selling Well in Japan

The bigger console enjoys brisk launch day sales in its native country.

Excuse me, I have to get this off my chest: The 3DS XL is big in Japan. Okay, whew.

If you remember, the first 3DS wasn't exactly a smash hit. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata apologized for the "failure", last 3D console [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/111963-Nintendo-CEO-Takes-50-Pay-Cut]. After the opening weekend, Nintendo may reconsider because the 3DS XL with a 90% bigger screen seems to be extremely popular. According to data released by Famitsu - the Japanese gaming magazine - the 3DS XL sold 193,441 units since it became available on July 28.

Even though the original 3DS also sold well at launch in Japan, nearly 200,000 units in two days is nothing to sneeze at for an update to an already available console. Perhaps that's due to a game that fans can leap onto - New Super Mario Bros. 2 also debuting at the same time. Famitsu reports sales of that title at 430,185, and it's reasonable to suggest many of those sales were made in concert with the 3DS XL.

Both the 3DS XL and New Super Mario Bros. 2 will come to North America on August 19 for $199.99.

Source: Gamasutra [http://www.famitsu.com/news/201207/31018961.html]

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[Waaghpowa]

I think it's also worth mentioning that New Super Mario Bros. 2 is going to be their first major 3DS title available digitally. I was surprised myself when I went on the eShop and saw that they were offering an online version as well as a retail version. Now is it cheaper than retail? I have no idea.

 

[felbot]

wait wait wait, theres a new super mario bros 2? ALL MY FUCKING MONEY, TAKE IT, TAKE IT ALL IJOÖSIRHGUAEIOSGPAERHFJIPWERIOFGVÅAREIGV.

 

[Mr. Omega]

I think it's also worth mentioning that New Super Mario Bros. 2 is going to be their first major 3DS title available digitally. I was surprised myself when I went on the eShop and saw that they were offering an online version as well as a retail version. Now is it cheaper than retail? I have no idea.

It is not cheaper. They try to offer some bonuses for Club Nintendo for an incentive, and while that's better than nothing, the real draw is more the general draw of digital games in general.

OT: Well that's nice to hear.

Hopefully when NSMB2 comes out in the states, there won't be an issue with the servers like there was in Japan. With my limited methods of transport to get to a store, being able to pick it up digitally is the preferred option for me, and I'd prefer not having screw-ups while I attempt to download...

 

[TJC]

Hopefully when NSMB2 comes out in the states, there won't be an issue with the servers like there was in Japan. With my limited methods of transport to get to a store, being able to pick it up digitally is the preferred option for me, and I'd prefer not having screw-ups while I attempt to download...

ugh, nothing worse than restarting a canceled 2gig download :c

Again, it's always nice to hear that a console is selling well. Now hopefully there will be more games worth playing. Kid Icarus isn't going to tide me over the next few months anymore and I already devoured Kingdom Hearts :C

 

[Jumwa]

The Escapist keeps saying that Nintendo wont be making any more 3D systems, but that's false. It's a complete misunderstanding of Iwata's remarks.

When asked if they'd make more 3D handhelds he said:

"But I think it?s an important element, it makes graphics more impactful, it proves a sense of immersion that 2D doesn?t have, so I would say generally that 3D is better than 2D. It?s nice to have good graphics but not necessarily on their own, so I don?t think we?ll present [3D graphics] as one of the key features of our consoles but will probably stick with 3D as one of the minor elements of our consoles in the future.
"

He also commented that 3D is wearing off as a marketing phenomenon, as people grow tired of new things fast, so it wouldn't pay to advertize the feature over other, perhaps newer and more interesting, features.

This is the source the Escapist originally used to claim the 3DS XL would be their last 3D system:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/gaming/satoru-iwata-on-wii-u-i-think-it-will-become-increasingly-difficult-from-now-on-to-compete-over-graphics-7936301.html

It pays to read all the words.