Another month, another milestone for Mario: Super Mario Galaxy became the ninth Wii game to sell more than 5 million units in the United States, according to the NPD Group, which tracks video game sales in the United States. The Wii system, which crossed 39 million units sold in February, now has nearly twice as many 5-million sellers* as competing current-generation consoles combined.

“Wii continues its record-breaking run by surpassing 39 million units in its 64th month, a pace that is unmatched by any other system in U.S. history,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Titles like Super Mario Galaxy help explain why Wii continues to resonate with consumers. The fact that one of the best-reviewed games of all time is available for a suggested retail price of $19.99 speaks to Nintendo’s combination of quality, family fun and value that is unmatched in our industry.”

Other Nintendo milestones achieved in February include:

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On this week’s episode: Kid Icarus: Uprising, Mario Tennis Open, VVVVVV, Super Mario Bros. and Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 3D.

When we last heard about Fractured Soul 3D, the game was set to be released by Ignition early this year. Before this, though, developer Endgame Studios had completed a 2D platformer under the same name  (minus the “3D”) for the DS. Graffiti Entertainment intended to publish this version.

We’re now three months into 2012, and haven’t seen Fractured Soul 3D or the DS title. To clear up some confusion, Endgame co-founder Grant Davies took a few moments to discuss the status of both games.

Davies first commented on the DS version:

“We sold the distribution rights for that to N3V Games. Basically, what happened was, toward the end of the project when they were looking to place it with distributors, the DS market kind of fell down at that point — the 3DS was coming out. They had a bit of trouble placing it with distributors.”

N3V teamed up with Graffiti to distribute Fractured Soul for the DS, but it has remain unpublished. Unfortunately, there’s no much that Endgame can do as N3V owns the rights to the game.

The studio ultimately chose to remake the game with 3D visuals and settled on an agreement with Ignition. However, as Davies explains below, “they got to the point where they could no longer honor their contractual obligations”.

“With the 3DS, we got involved with a publisher on that one [Ignition], and they got to the point where they could no longer honor their contractual obligations to us.”

So where do things stand right now? Well, Endgame owns the rights to their own title, and are considering putting Fractured Soul on the eShop. If they pursue this path, Fractured Soul 3D could be split into two downloads on the 3DS’ store.

Davies said:

“Now it’s no publisher, and we have the rights, and we have a completed game, so that’s why we’re kind of thinking maybe eShop is the way forward.”

Source

Crush3D will finally be available in North America tomorrow.

SEGA has confirmed on its Twitter account that the game will be sold exclusively at GameStop. Unlike most 3DS titles, Crush3D will be sold at a lower $19.99 price point.

Source

This trailer seems to be basically the same one as the Japanese video we posted earlier today, but with English text and voiceovers.

Minneapolis, MN – March 8, 2012 – Activision Publishing Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), today released new information for the Wii™ system from Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ hand-held system versions of the upcoming BATTLESHIP® videogame. Inspired by Hasbro’s classic naval strategy game BATTLESHIP, this seek-and-find adventure is taken to spectacular new heights. Developed by Magic Pockets, the Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS versions offer turn-based strategy gameplay as players are at the helm of their own naval fleet trying to fend off the alien advancement.

Players are in the middle of alien warfare on the high seas and are in charge of a naval fleet of real-world vessels like submarines, destroyers, patrol boats and more. Turn-based gameplay features elements of actual naval warfare command as well as Navy personnel characters that each have their own unique abilities and are key to defeating the alien invasion. With unlockable content and customizable modes, each BATTLESHIP videogame experience is exclusive to the Admiral behind the controller!

The Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS versions are rated “E10+ for Everyone 10+” by the ESRB. Versions for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system are rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB. All versions are available May 2012 in North America and April 2012 in Europe. For more information on the game, please visit www.battleshipthevideogame.com.

Source: Activision PR

Nintendo Show 3D: March 8, 2012
Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream Video
Fun! Fun! Minigolf Touch! Video
Kid Icarus: Uprising Medusa Video
Zuma’s Revenge Video

The first two screenshots were labeled as Wii images, but they honestly look like 3DS captures to me… especially based on the resolution.

Mario Stadium, Hard Court

– “A legendary court revered by top players”
– Bounce = Strong
– Ball Speed = Normal

Mario Stadium, Grass Court

– “Tennis aces face off on this famous court”
– Bounce = weak
– Ball speed = fast

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