This information comes from Nintendo president Satoru Iwata…
From this summer, we commenced public transport e-money payments, starting with JR East’s “Suica,” on Wii U.
By the introduction of this function, the barrier to make small payments has been lowered, and more consumers who had never purchased products digitally before are trying them. In other words, with the increase in the number of Wii U hardware, which has cleared the barrier for digital purchases, introduction of the Suica payment function has played a role in “lowering the payment barrier,” which is an important issue in the digital business.
In addition, one clear example of the increase in the usage rate for payments under 500 yen is the 24-hour karaoke ticket.We are considering making Suica payments available also on New Nintendo 3DS. If this is made possible, since there is an abundance of under-500-yen digital content for Nintendo 3DS, we are expecting new possibilities and opportunities.
“Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 50-Fact Extravaganza” seemed to have been a very smart move for Nintendo. According to president Satoru Iwata, pre-orders increased “rapidly” after the presentation was shown.
Iwata stated during the company’s latest investor briefing yesterday:
As I have mentioned, “Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS” kicked off very well. Now I would like to explain how it will affect the Wii U installment.
As for bringing the “Super Smash Bros.” franchise into multiplatform format and releasing the Nintendo 3DS version first, there had been skepticism that each would end up consuming the demand for the other or it would weaken a key title for the Wii U platform. We now have a strong belief that our decision is giving the “Super Smash Bros.” franchise even more momentum. On the morning of October 24 in Japan, we released a trailer titled “Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 50-Fact Extravaganza.” A great number of people watched it online and we received a large amount of feedback.
The two installments of “Super Smash Bros.” are packed with elements that utilize the specific features of each platform. Before disclosing the “Extravaganza” trailer, people had been skeptical of whether we could actually have 50 new facts about the Wii U version. But as the trailer showcased the differences between the two versions, which seemed to surpass expectations, pre-orders for the Wii U version rapidly started to increase.
“Super Smash Bros.” is the most appealing when played together with others, and as the two versions have noticeable differences, they will not cannibalize each other. Rather, as more copies of the Nintendo 3DS version are sold and more people enjoy it, the momentum for the Wii U version becomes stronger.
Check out some noteworthy comments from Nintendo president Satoru Iwata regarding overseas 3DS sales below:
When it comes to the overseas markets, we do not plan to launch New Nintendo 3DS/3DS XL for the U.S. or Europe this year. Additionally, there are only a couple of big titles, “Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS,” and “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire,” overseas as no “YOKAI WATCH” franchises or “Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate” will be scheduled this year there. Based on these observations, some might wonder if, apart from the domestic market, the sales of Nintendo 3DS will really be able to gain momentum in the overseas markets.
The overseas markets are different from the Japanese market in both their stages of popularization of Nintendo 3DS and their market characteristics.
This information comes from Nintendo president Satoru Iwata…
Here I would like to tell you about the current situation of New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL (known as New Nintendo 3DS LL in Japan), launched on October 11 in Japan in advance of markets overseas.
The sell-through results of the two models combined was 234 thousand units, which is the largest first-week sales of remodeled devices we have ever released. New Nintendo 3DS XL has been more popular and was out of stock at many stores. We are sorry about the shortage of supply.
As you can see from the graph, the sales momentum was maintained in the second week
And third week. We feel that the new “super-stable 3D” function, new “C” stick, and accelerated CPU of the new models have been well-received by our consumers.
With the new models in addition to the consecutive release of games which could be double-million sellers, we are confident that Nintendo 3DS will establish a presence in the market in the year-end sales season in Japan.
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata discussed strong pre-orders sales for Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire during the company’s latest financial results briefing yesterday. Read on below for his comments.
In addition, we have had very strong pre-orders for “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire” to be released around the world in November. As you can see from the slide comparing them with those for “Pokémon X” and “Pokémon Y” released last year, the momentum of pre-orders has been robust regardless of the region.
Many people in the industry would anticipate that however dramatically “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire” have been remade, their sales would be lower than those of “Pokémon X” and “Pokémon Y,” which were completely new titles, but the trend of pre-orders has gone against their expectations so far. In particular, they have been surpassed by far in Europe.
Please let me show you an interesting hypothesis explaining the reason for such strong pre-orders: Those who have enjoyed the “Super Smash Bros.” series and those who were impressed with “Pokémon Ruby” and “Pokémon Sapphire” as the first “Pokémon” title are of the same generation and overlap substantially with each other. We call it the “Hypothesis of the same-generation of “Super Smash Bros.” and “Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire.”
Those who were elementary school students when “Super Smash Bros. Melee,” and “Pokémon Ruby” and “Pokémon Sapphire” were released have grown up and they are now 18 to 25 years old. Our research in each part of the world commonly indicates that consumers between the age of 18 and 25 represent a large percentage of those who purchased “Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS” in the release period. It is approximately 30 percent in Japan, which is twice the overall average of Nintendo 3DS software, and has even reached 50 percent in the U.S. and Europe. This great momentum for the game in the initial stage was supported by this generation.
Thanks to “Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS,” consumers of this generation pay more attention to Nintendo 3DS and are likely to remember enjoying “Pokémon Ruby” and “Pokémon Sapphire.” We think this is why the pre-orders for “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire” have been strong. They are now old enough to pay for their own expenses. They can afford to buy Nintendo 3DS to enjoy both “Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS” and “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire” if they choose, and they might encourage their friends to play it with them too. We therefore see it important to stimulate their latent demand in the year-end sales season.
Taking into account both the trend of pre-orders and the same-generation hypothesis, we anticipate that “Pokémon Omega Ruby” and “Pokémon Alpha Sapphire” to be released next month will have more sales potential than just another remade game in the industry.
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata commented on the sales of Super Smash Bros. for 3DS during the company’s latest investor briefing yesterday. You can find his full comments below.
I think the good global start for “Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS” has several implications.
First of all, it proved that the “Super Smash Bros.” series, which has been popular for home consoles, can have a strong presence for handheld devices. Before the release, some in the video game industry were skeptical of the sales potential of “Super Smash Bros.” for handheld devices, but now I can say that they were worrying about nothing.Secondly, the initial sales pace was faster than either Nintendo or anyone in the industry could expect and we are afraid that the lack of stock caused inconvenience for some consumers for some time after the release both in Japan and the U.S. After a vast number of consumers started this game at one time and it spread by word-of-mouth, Nintendo 3DS has been used more actively, and we have noticed increased attention and enthusiasm in the entire market for the device. Considering that the software was released just before the year-end sales season with many anticipated titles scheduled, we believe it has really contributed to improving the momentum of the Nintendo 3DS market.
Furthermore, since characters from various Nintendo games appear in “Super Smash Bros.,” consumers naturally get to know the entire lineup of Nintendo IP and this title could make them interested in other game franchises. In other words, the more this game is played, the higher the overall value of the Nintendo IP lineup becomes.
Not all that much to say about today’s screenshots, looks like Sakurai is just having a bit of fun!
He continues:
“It is bitter, yet tasty.”
Kotaku and Polygon published reports about Nintendo’s Quality of Life plans, revealing a few extra details in the process. Find a summary below.
– Once again, developed with US-based ResMed
– Uses sensors and the cloud to monitor people’s lifestyles
– Ex: non-wearable QOL sensor can be placed next to a user’s bed
– Monitor the user’s sleep and help people develop better sleeping habits
– The sensor might be available through a subscription
– ResMed already developed the world’s first contactless sleep sensor
– This is called the S+
– It’s expected that Nintendo will use its software and gaming know-how to bring this tech to a larger audience
“We only start something new if we think we will be able to create a big market, but as I’m not able to discuss pricing plans and other details today I don’t think there’s much point in giving a figure for our projected scale. By using our know-how in gaming… to analyze sleep and fatigue, we can create something fun.” – Satoru Iwata
– The platform comes from Nintendo’s new health care division
– Slated for release by the end of March 2016
– Non-wearable, non-contact (meaning it doesn’t need to touch your body), non-operating, non-operating and non-installation
– The device is designed to operate on its own, without much set-up
– Uses radio waves to read a user’s movement, heart rate, respiration and fatigue
– Data is then sent to servers to be analyzed
– The QOL system will connect with smart devices and “dedicated video game devices” via the cloud
– Services designed to improve health and quality of life, through diet and exercise will be part of the QOL system
This week’s Wii U eShop charts are as follows:
Software
1. Bayonetta 2
2. Bayonetta
3. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
4. Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
5. Hyrule Warriors
6. Super Mario World
7. SteamWorld Dig
8. Kirby’s Dream Course
9. EarthBound
10. Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
11. Super Mario Bros. 3
12. Zelda: A Link to the Past
13. Zelda: The Minish Cap
14. The Legend of Zelda
15. Super Mario Bros.
16. Zelda: The Wind Wakerh D
17. Shovel Knight
18. Super Metroid
19. Mario Kart 8
20. Paper Monsters Recut
Videos
1. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: 50-Fact Extravaganza
2. Bayonetta 2 – eShop Offer Trailer
3. Hyrule Warriors – Master Quest Pack Trailer
4. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS: The Future King
5. Deluxe Digital Promotion Video
6. Super Smash Bros. – Looks like we don’t have a choice
7. Hyrule Warriors Video – Dragon Knight Volga and a Dragon Spear
8. Paper Monsters Recut Trailer
9. Hyrule Warriors Video – Twisted Wizard Wizzro and a Ring
10. Sonic Boom Combo Trailer
11. Just Dance 2015 Trailer
12. Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures 2 Launch Trailer
13. Lone Survivor: The Director’s Cut Trailer
14. Castlevaina: Harmony of Dissonance Trailer
15. Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack #1 Yoshi’s Circuit Track
16. Bayonetta 2 – Launch Trailer
17. Hyrule Warriors Video with Dark Sorceress Cia and a Scepter
18. Just Dance 2015 Launch Trailer
19. Pokemon Rumble U Gameplay Trailer
20. Mercedes-Benz x Mario Kart 8 DLC Trailer
Source: Wii U eShop
This week’s video additions to the Wii U/3DS eShops are as follows:
Wii U
Stealth Inc 2 Launch Trailer
A World of Keflings – The Curse of the Zombiesaurus Trailer
The Voice Trailer
Thomas Was Alone Trailer
Rock Zombie Trailer
Tetrobot & Co. Trailer
Art of Balance Trailer
5 Games with Spooky Levels to Play in the Dark
Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack #1 Excitebike Arena Track
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze Teaser Video
SpongeBob: PRR Video 2
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth Trailer 2
Bayonetta 2 Accolades Trailer
Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack #1 Yoshi’s Circuit Track
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: 50-Fact Extravaganza
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS: The Future King
National StreetPass Weekend – Halloween Edition
3DS
Stealth Inc 2 Launch Trailer
The Voice Trailer
5 Games with Spooky Levels to Play in the Dark
Zombie Panic in Wonderland DX Trailer
Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack #1 Excitebike Arena Track
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze Teaser Video
SpongeBob: PRR Video 2
Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth Trailer 2
Bayonetta 2 Accolades Trailer
Mario Kart 8 DLC Pack #1 Yoshi’s Circuit Track
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: 50-Fact Extravaganza
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS: The Future King
National StreetPass Weekend – Halloween Edition
Source: Wii U/3DS eShops
