Challenger will be hitting the Japanese eShop as a Famicom download on March 13 for 500 yen. Screenshots of the game can be found above.
This week’s Japanese eShop update is as follows:
3DS
Downloadable Titles
Azito 3D Osaka – 500 yen
@Simple DL Series Vol. 8 The Uwaki Kareshi – Uwaki no Daish? – 300 yen
Arc Style: Happy Ocean – 500 yen
Mansion Percussion – 500 yen
Pretty Rhythm – My Deco-Rainbow Wedding Demo – FREE
Doraemon Nobita no Himitsu D?ga Hakubutsukan (retail title) – 4,700 yen (from 03/07)
Virtual Console
Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri D?ch? (Famicom) – 500 yen
Nekketsu K?k? Dodgeball-bu (Super Dodge Ball, Famicom) – 500 yen
Wii U
NA
Video Content
Wii Karaoke U promo
10-minute Super Robot Wars UX video
Professor Layton and the Azran Legacies preview video
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon commercials
Gameplay footage for Nano Assault Neo, Mansion Percussion, Simple DL Series Vol. 8, Azito 3D Osaka, and Arc Style: Happy Ocean
New Super Mario Bros. U Super Play videos
ChronoBlade developer Corecell says that its game is still in development. It has undergone a name change, however. ChronoBlade is now known as “AeternoBlade”.
Corecell is currently involved with AeternoBlade’s final testing and localization. Once that’s done, maybe the title will be ready for primetime.
This week’s Japanese software sales are as follows:
01./00. [PS3] Dynasty Warriors 8 #
02./00. [3DS] Professor Layton and the Legacy of Civilization A
03./00. [PSV] Senran Kagura Shinovi Versus: Otome Shoujotachi no Shoumei #
04./00. [3DS] Dragon Ball Heroes: Ultimate Mission
05./03. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf #
06./00. [PS3] Macross 30: Ginga o Tsunagu Utagoe #
07./00. [PSV] Phantasy Star Online 2: Special Package
08./01. [PS3] Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance #
09./00. [PSP] Shining Ark
10./02. [3DS] Dragon Quest VII: Fighters of Eden
11./00. [3DS] Touch Detective: Nameko Shigeru
12./00. [PSP] D.C.III Plus #
13./07. [3DS] New Super Mario Bros. 2 #
14./08. [3DS] Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (Best Price!)
15./06. [WII] Taiko no Tatsujin Wii: Super Deluxe Edition #
16./39. [PSV] Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational #
17./10. [3DS] Taiko no Tatsujin: Chibi Dragon to Fushigi na Orb
18./04. [3DS] Magi: The Labyrinth of Beginning
19./12. [3DS] Mario Kart 7
20./09. [3DS] Fantasy Life
Let’s face it: sales of the Wii U simply aren’t up to snuff. There are likely two reasons for that – a lack of games and a high price point.
Ubisoft’s executive director for EMEA territories Alain Corre told EDGE that while the company is “optimistic” about the console, it “always” likes to see systems at a low price point – perhaps hinting that Ubisoft would be interested in seeing Nintendo make a move in this area.
“Always. We always want the hardware to be at a low price because we want as many fans as possible to afford to buy our games, so that’s for sure. We think that Wii U will find its public at some point. Some were expecting sales to be quicker but we are optimistic. I think Nintendo has said that the Wii U sales in general were below expectations originally and the software tie-in ratio is also stable, so I think that when less machines sell, less games sell.”
According to Corre, Ubisoft saw a “productive” Wii U launch. He spoke about how the publisher tends to throw a lot of support towards new consoles when they first hit the market:
“It’s part of the Ubsoft DNA to be first on new technology and to innovate – and also release some games that have created some good momentum that we can use for the future. If we globalise all that we did and consider all of that then what we did on Wii U for launch was productive.”
This week’s GameStop deals are as follows:
Yet another round of Kid Icarus: Uprising AR card packs are available in Japan. Two more packs can be bought from Nintendo’s online store – volumes 19 and 20. Each costs 263 yen.
The first two months of 2013 have been underwhelming in terms of new retail releases for Wii U. That’s about to change this month. Need for Speed: Most Wanted U and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate are both slated for the console. There’s also a little game called LEGO City: Undercover on the way.
It’s been a fairly long wait for LEGO City. After all, it was one of the first games announced for Wii U. But the wait may be worth it – executive producer Loz Doyle believes his project will be Wii U’s best title. Doyle also thinks that LEGO City could move consoles.
“I hope other developers don’t mind me saying this, but this is the best game on the Wii U at the moment. I think the game is eagerly awaiting by many people and I’m sure that it will sell consoles for Nintendo. I also think it’s got real long term appeal, I don’t see it getting old for the life of the Wii U so I hope it will be a huge success.”
Doyle also discussed how LEGO City couldn’t be accomplished on another console:
“I can’t imagine the game working on any other system. We’d always wanted to do a Lego City game, and we’d always wanted to work with Nintendo. The Lego and Nintendo brands are a very natural fit, I think anyone would agree. When we were first shown an early version of the Wii U, we knew they Lego City Undercover was the perfect match for the console. The available RAM on board meant we could create the city we wanted to, and the GamePad just opened up so many gameplay opportunities. We had to reign in the design team because they were coming up with so many uses for it.”
