SEGA confirmed its upcoming acquisition of Index Corporation and subsidiary Atlus last night. Following the official announcement, Atlus prepared a few comments of its own.
Consumer software director Naoto Hiroaka passed along the following:
- After thanking the customers for their support, and apologizing for the concern caused, Hiroaka-san explains that Atlus has a very good relationship with Sega and a considerable business synergy. By using Sega’s solid distribution network he expects the company to expand further.
- This new relationship will allow the two companies to complement each other’s niche in the consumer game business, and Sega’s Know-how will enhance Atlus’ brand.
- The continuity of Atlus’ business is considered to be in very good shape.
- At the moment all the employees of the consumer game department of the company are focusing on the development of future titles, and Atlus is looking forward to tackle new challenges in the future.
The “Zelda cycle” is something that has constantly been discussed by players. It boils down to a contingent of fans maintaining a negative opinion about a newly released Zelda title, only to think more positively about the game a couple of years later. The cycle generally repeats with each new release in the franchise.
There may be no better example of the Zelda cycle than Wind Waker. When it was initially revealed, most would likely say that the response to the game was very much negative. The reaction was a bit more favorable when Wind Waker actually launched, but it wasn’t until the game had been out for a number of years that fans looked back positively.
Nintendo acknowledged – and discussed – the Zelda cycle in its new Zelda: Wind Waker HD Iwata Asks. You can find a few comments from Nintendo president Satoru Iwata and Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma after the break.
This week’s Japanese software sales are as follows:
01./00. [3DS] Monster Hunter 4 #
02./00. [PS3] AKB1/149: Love Election #
03./00. [PSP] Brothers Conflict: Brilliant Blue #
04./06. [3DS] Friend Collection: New Life #
05./01. [PSP] Uta no Prince-Sama: Music 2 #
06./07. [3DS] Mario & Luigi: Dream Team #
07./03. [PS3] JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle #
08./09. [3DS] Disney Magic Castle: My Happy Life #
09./02. [PS3] Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist
10./10. [3DS] Youkai Watch
11./13. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf #
12./14. [3DS] Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
13./08. [PSV] Killzone: Mercenary
14./19. [3DS] Mario Kart 7
15./11. [PSV] Ragnarok Odyssey Ace
16./04. [PS3] Dead or Alive 5: Ultimate #
17./12. [PS3] Puppeteer
18./22. [3DS] New Super Mario Bros. 2 #
19./20. [WII] Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Super Deluxe Edition #
20./21. [3DS] Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies
The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:
3DS LL – 236,700
3DS – 40,092
PS3 – 12,146
Vita – 6,020
PSP – 5,449
Wii U – 5,003
Wii – 962
Xbox 360 – 244
For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:
3DS LL – 60,077
3DS – 19,114
PS3 – 13,790
Vita – 7,314
Wii U – 5,702
PSP – 5,493
Wii – 978
Xbox 360 – 201
The latest addition to the Iwata Asks series is none other than The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. You can read the discussion here. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, Zelda producer Eiji Aonuma, and other staffers chat about the upcoming Zelda title in today’s interview.
Along with today’s screenshot, Sakurai passed along the following message:
“Inside the corridor along one of the walls in Pyrosphere, a view that’s really not visible in-game. You can’t tell from the picture, but it’s actually a gigantic open space.”
Wii Sports Club Delivers a New Wii Sports Experience on Wii U
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Nintendo is offering Wii U owners a chance to download a full version of Wii Fit U for free. Starting Nov. 1, Wii U owners can download a complete version of the game and get a head start on their New Year’s fitness goals by trying out all the activities found in the game for a full month – at no cost. All users need is a Wii Balance Board and a Wii U system with a broadband Internet connection. Consumers can keep their trial copies of Wii Fit U at no additional cost by simply purchasing and syncing a Fit Meter to the game. Nintendo announced the special offer along with a number of items related to active gaming during a Nintendo Direct video. To view the Nintendo Direct in its entirety, visit http://www.nintendo.com/nintendo-direct.
“Wii Fit U is all about ‘fun fitness’ for everyone in the family,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s president and COO. “With this special offer, Nintendo is making it easier than ever for families to get active and stay active, making now the perfect time to upgrade to Wii U. This is another example of the kind of value and variety that only Nintendo can offer.”
Nintendo is bringing back its classic Wii Sports release for Wii U. All of the original title’s sports mini-games – bowling, tennis, baseball, boxing, and golf, are returning on the company’s new console.
Wii Sports Club features new HD visuals, MotionPlus technology, and an online multiplayer versus mode. Users will be able to register to state or regional clubs and chat with others through Miiverse during matches. Additionally, you’ll be able to either play casually against other members of your own club or challenge members of rival clubs to increase club rankings.
All of the mini-games will be released individually on the eShop. Starting on November 7, Tennis and Bowling will go live. Boxing, Baseball, and Golf will also arrive “in the months ahead.”
Pricing is set at $9.99 each. A trial pass option will also be available, which allows players to experience any available games for a 24-hour period from when the Wii Sports Club game is started. A Day Pass can be purchased for $1.99 after this period.
