Fire Emblem: Awakening is one of the best-selling games in the series in quite some time. Fire Emblem: Shin Monsho no Nazo: Hikari to Kage no Eiyu for the DS sold 136,000 in its first week and 274,000 in its lifetime. Radiant Dawn sold 75,000 copies in its first week and 180,000 in its lifetime. Fire Emblem: Awakening, meanwhile, has already surpassed 242,600 units in Japan.

Awakening not only reached a ton of consumers, but also saw a high sell-through rate. Media Create data states that the game sold through 81.63% of its stock. Due to the high sell-through rate, there has been a lack of product at some retailers.

Also noteworthy is that the title outsold every other release on the latest Media Create top 20 chart.

Awakening’s success thus far assures it of surpassing 300,000 copies sold and it may go on to top a half million units.

Media Create believes the five year wait for a brand new Fire Emblem game could have contributed to consumer hype. The sales-tracking company has also said that Nintendo’s advertising/promotions, Awakening’s new gameplay systems and character designs may have appealed to new customers.

One other random note from Media Create: Code of Princess also experienced a high sell-through rate at 72.62%.

Thanks to 4Him for the tip.

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VVVVVV has finally made it past Nintendo of Europe’s submission process. Nicalis shared the news on its Twitter account today.

The studio said they’re “a couple of weeks out”, and followed that up with “MMMMMMay 10th”. Based on those messages, I assume VVVVVV is launching in Europe on that date.

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It’s tough to believe, but there have actually been some rumors implying the Wii U won’t be up to the same standards as current-gen consoles. That sounds like rubbish, doesn’t it?

If you’re still concerned about the system’s power, perhaps a new comment from SEGA’s affiliate marketing manager Craig Harris (of IGN fame) will put you at ease.

SEGA and Gearbox Software have been some of the biggest Wii U supporters up to this point. The two companies will be bringing Aliens: Colonial Marines to the system in the near future. According to Harris, this game wouldn’t be on Wii U if it was inferior to current gen systems.

Harris said:

“Nintendo… has to release hardware that’s of the expectations of the gamer today. … I don’t think we would be bringing the game to a system that would be inferior to current gen (HD) systems.”

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The first instalment from the exclusive partnership between the Blender Foundation and Nintendo set to launch on 2nd May

26th April 2012 – The groundbreaking open movie Big Buck Bunny is coming to Nintendo Video as part of a special partnership with the award-winning Blender Foundation, the organization behind the open source 3D content creation suite. European viewers will be able to watch the film in stereo 3D when it launches in three mini-instalments on Nintendo Video beginning 2nd May.

Big Buck Bunny is one of the Blender Foundation’s most well-known characters. The film follows the adventures of the lovable rabbit as he seeks revenge on a trio of mischievous woodland creatures who have disrupted his peaceful daily routine. The ten minute movie is inspired by the best cartoon traditions and encapsulates the exciting and suspenseful plots of its predecessors.

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Square Enix will be putting a demo for Kingdom Hearts 3D on the Japanese eShop next Wednesday. The trial consists of Sora gameplay in Traverse Town with Wonder Nyan, Neko Cat and Kuma Panda Dream Eater as members of your Dream Eater party.

To download the demo, 90 MB of free space will be required. Players can try out the demo 15 times.

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Engine Software’s Flip the Core is in the works for DSiWare, and it could be added to the eShop and DSi Shop soon. The company has already submitted the title to Nintendo for release.

Flip the Core is a side-scrolling shooter in which players rotate and manipulate the game world to bypass enemies, obstacles, dead-ends, and tight spots.

You can find the first trailer for Flip the Core above.

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Project Cars was thought to be coming to Wii U thanks to a logo found on the game’s official website. It was later removed, making us wonder if developer Slightly Mad Studios had made a mistake or announced something they shouldn’t have.

In any case, we have an absolute confirmation that Project Cars has been in development for Wii U. It’s mentioned numerous times in the company’s “overview” report created back in February. Better yet, it contains some information as to how the title will play like on the new console.

The report makes note of the following points:

• Screen as primary view – Ie.. allowing you to transfer play of the game between the TV and on-the-go around the house
• Screen as secondary view – Switch between rear-view mirror, overhead map, telemetry
• Primary input method – Drive by tilting the controller, onscreen buttons replicate the buttons/switches on a real wheel (push to toggle on/off or flip up/down)
• Secondary input method – Manage decisions in the pits (swiping through tire choices, setting fuel amount),
• Camera – Personalize your profile, pose for the podium
• Menu navigation method – Flick photos from your gallery to the TV, private chat with teammates

Project Cars is currently without a release date, though development will wrap up in 2013.

Thanks to Jake for the tip.

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One of the worst-kept gaming industry secrets has been confirmed today. Black Ops 2 is the next Call of Duty title, and it’s launching in November.

A pre-order card has been located at a Target outlet, revealing a November 13, 2012 release date. Only PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 cards were found, but Black Ops 2 will almost certainly be coming to the PC and at least one Nintendo platform.

Activision is expected to officially announce Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 on May 1 during the first round of the NBA playoffs.

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Even though Fire Emblem: Awakening has been out in Japan for a few weeks now, we haven’t seen a ton of game footage. That’s changed today with the 15 minute video above!