Warner Bros. Interactive has revealed today that their LEGO franchise of games– most recently LEGO The Hobbit, which comes out next month– has been a great success for them over the past few years, revealing that it not only sold 1.6 million units last year, but is the number two selling franchise so far in 2014:
“Since the start of 2013, WBIE has sold 1.6 million LEGO games, and it is currently the second biggest game franchise in 2014 year-to-date in terms of units sold, with 420,200 units. Another strong week could see the LEGO game franchise take the number one franchise spot.
“They also completely buck the sales trend with a huge shelf life. LEGO games are no longer seen as kids products and we ensure they’re available on all platforms, both physically and digitally.”
– Warner Bros. Interactive UK sales and marketing director Spencer Crossley
Crossley says he believes strong sales will continue into the new year, and that Warner Bros. has plans to expand the franchise onto new platforms going forward.
The Wii U Premium Pack is on its way out in Japan. Nintendo’s new Wii Sports Club bundle, announced last month, will be taking its place. This package will launch on March 27.
ArtePiazza has revealed a follow-up to Arrow of Laputa, a downloadable tower defense title released for DSi in 2010. “Arrow of Laputa: A Shadowless Teacher and the Key of Chiron” will be available on the Japanese 3DS eShop next Wednesday. Pricing is set at 500 yen.
You can find a teaser site for Arrow of Laputa: A Shadowless Teacher and the Key of Chiron here. Specific details have not been disclosed at this time.
This week’s UK software sales are as follows:
Individual formats
LW | TW | Title | Format | Label | Publisher | |||
– | 1 | TITANFALL | XB ONE | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
– | 2 | DARK SOULS II | XB360 | BANDAI NAMCO GAMES | BANDAI NAMCO GAMES | |||
– | 3 | DARK SOULS II | PS3 | BANDAI NAMCO GAMES | BANDAI NAMCO GAMES | |||
1 | 4 | SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH | XB360 | UBISOFT | UBISOFT | |||
2 | 5 | SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH | PS3 | UBISOFT | UBISOFT | |||
4 | 6 | PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE | XB360 | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
8 | 7 | MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION | XB360 | MICROSOFT | MICROSOFT | |||
– | 8 | TITANFALL | PC | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
5 | 9 | THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME | XB360 | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | |||
– | 10 | YOSHI’S NEW ISLAND | 3DS | NINTENDO | NINTENDO | |||
3 | 11 | THIEF | PS4 | SQUARE ENIX | SQUARE ENIX EUROPE | |||
14 | 12 | FIFA 14 | PS4 | EA SPORTS | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
10 | 13 | FIFA 14 | XB ONE | EA SPORTS | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
7 | 14 | PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE | XB ONE | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
– | 15 | ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG | PS4 | UBISOFT | UBISOFT | |||
9 | 16 | THIEF | XB360 | SQUARE ENIX | SQUARE ENIX EUROPE | |||
16 | 17 | CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS | XB360 | ACTIVISION | ACTIVISION BLIZZARD | |||
17 | 18 | FORZA MOTORSPORT 5 | XB ONE | MICROSOFT | MICROSOFT | |||
12 | 19 | THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME | PS3 | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | |||
6 | 20 | THIEF | XB ONE | SQUARE ENIX | SQUARE ENIX EUROPE | |||
– | 21 | KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL | PS4 | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | |||
23 | 22 | BATTLEFIELD 4 | PS4 | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
22 | 23 | BATTLEFIELD 4 | XB ONE | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
30 | 24 | CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS | PS4 | ACTIVISION | ACTIVISION BLIZZARD | |||
13 | 25 | FIFA 14 | XB360 | EA SPORTS | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
11 | 26 | THIEF | PS3 | SQUARE ENIX | SQUARE ENIX EUROPE | |||
20 | 27 | LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES | XB360 | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | |||
27 | 28 | GRAND THEFT AUTO V | XB360 | ROCKSTAR | TAKE 2 | |||
– | 29 | THE LAST OF US | PS3 | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | |||
24 | 30 | CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS | XB ONE | ACTIVISION | ACTIVISION BLIZZARD | |||
32 | 31 | ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES | XB360 | SEGA | SEGA | |||
38 | 32 | POKEMON Y | 3DS | NINTENDO | NINTENDO | |||
35 | 33 | DEAD RISING 3 | XB ONE | MICROSOFT | MICROSOFT | |||
– | 34 | THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME | PS4 | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | |||
40 | 35 | POKEMON X | 3DS | NINTENDO | NINTENDO | |||
18 | 36 | GRAN TURISMO 6 | PS3 | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | |||
36 | 37 | FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014 | PC | SEGA | SEGA | |||
21 | 38 | ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG | XB360 | UBISOFT | UBISOFT | |||
37 | 39 | DONKEY KONG COUNTRY: TROPICAL FREEZE | WII U | NINTENDO | NINTENDO | |||
33 | 40 | GRAND THEFT AUTO V | PS3 | ROCKSTAR | TAKE 2 |
All formats
LW | TW | Title | Developer | Label | Publisher | |||
– | 1 | TITANFALL | RESPAWN ENTERTAINMENT | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
– | 2 | DARK SOULS II | FROM SOFTWARE | BANDAI NAMCO GAMES | BANDAI NAMCO GAMES | |||
1 | 3 | SOUTH PARK: THE STICK OF TRUTH | OBSIDIAN ENTERTAINMENT | UBISOFT | UBISOFT | |||
4 | 4 | THE LEGO MOVIE VIDEOGAME | TRAVELLER’S TALES | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | |||
2 | 5 | THIEF | EIDOS MONTREAL | SQUARE ENIX | SQUARE ENIX EUROPE | |||
5 | 6 | FIFA 14 | EA CANADA | EA SPORTS | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
3 | 7 | PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: GARDEN WARFARE | POPCAP GAMES | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
6 | 8 | CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS | INFINITY WARD | ACTIVISION | ACTIVISION BLIZZARD | |||
7 | 9 | MINECRAFT: XBOX 360 EDITION | 4J STUDIOS | MICROSOFT | MICROSOFT | |||
8 | 10 | BATTLEFIELD 4 | DIGITAL ILLUSIONS | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
10 | 11 | ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG | UBISOFT (MONTREAL) | UBISOFT | UBISOFT | |||
– | 12 | YOSHI’S NEW ISLAND | ARZEST | NINTENDO | NINTENDO | |||
9 | 13 | LEGO MARVEL SUPER HEROES | TRAVELLER’S TALES | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | |||
12 | 14 | GRAND THEFT AUTO V | ROCKSTAR NORTH | ROCKSTAR | TAKE 2 | |||
14 | 15 | ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES | GEARBOX SOFTWARE | SEGA | SEGA | |||
11 | 16 | RAYMAN LEGENDS | UBISOFT (FRANCE) | UBISOFT | UBISOFT | |||
16 | 17 | FORZA MOTORSPORT 5 | TURN 10 STUDIOS | MICROSOFT | MICROSOFT | |||
13 | 18 | NEED FOR SPEED: RIVALS | GHOST GAMES | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
21 | 19 | PAC-MAN AND THE GHOSTLY ADVENTURES | NAMCO | BANDAI NAMCO GAMES | BANDAI NAMCO GAMES | |||
– | 20 | KILLZONE: SHADOW FALL | GUERRILLA GAMES | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | |||
18 | 21 | LEGO BATMAN 2: DC SUPER HEROES | TRAVELLER’S TALES | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | |||
15 | 22 | WWE 2K14 | YUKE’S | 2K SPORTS | TAKE 2 | |||
17 | 23 | BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS | WB GAMES MONTREAL | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | |||
22 | 24 | NBA 2K14 | VISUAL CONCEPTS | 2K SPORTS | TAKE 2 | |||
36 | 25 | LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII | SQUARE ENIX | SQUARE ENIX | SQUARE ENIX EUROPE | |||
25 | 26 | DISNEY INFINITY | AVALANCHE SOFTWARE | DISNEY INFINITY | DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS | |||
35 | 27 | THE LAST OF US | NAUGHTY DOG | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | |||
19 | 28 | TOMB RAIDER: DEFINITIVE EDITION | CRYSTAL DYNAMICS | SQUARE ENIX | SQUARE ENIX EUROPE | |||
23 | 29 | LEGO STAR WARS: THE COMPLETE SAGA | TRAVELLER’S TALES | XBOX 360 CLASSICS | DISNEY INTERACTIVE STUDIOS | |||
31 | 30 | POKEMON Y | GAME FREAK | NINTENDO | NINTENDO | |||
28 | 31 | DEAD RISING 3 | CAPCOM VANCOUVER | MICROSOFT | MICROSOFT | |||
34 | 32 | THE SIMS 3 | THE SIMS STUDIO | EA GAMES | ELECTRONIC ARTS | |||
27 | 33 | LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS | TRAVELLER’S TALES | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE | |||
37 | 34 | SKYLANDERS SWAP FORCE | VICARIOUS VISIONS | SKYLANDERS | ACTIVISION BLIZZARD | |||
32 | 35 | POKEMON X | GAME FREAK | NINTENDO | NINTENDO | |||
20 | 36 | GRAN TURISMO 6 | POLYPHONY DIGITAL | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | SONY COMPUTER ENT. | |||
29 | 37 | FOOTBALL MANAGER 2014 | SPORTS INTERACTIVE | SEGA | SEGA | |||
38 | 38 | SONIC GENERATIONS | SONIC TEAM | XBOX 360 CLASSICS | SEGA | |||
30 | 39 | DONKEY KONG COUNTRY: TROPICAL FREEZE | RETRO STUDIOS | NINTENDO | NINTENDO | |||
26 | 40 | JUST DANCE 2014 | UBISOFT (FRANCE) | UBISOFT | UBISOFT |
This week’s European Nintendo Downloads are as follows:
Wii U
Pure Chess €5.99 (£4.99)
Wii U VC
Castlevania – NES (US Version) €4.99 (£3.49)
3DS
Pure Chess €5.99 (£4.99)
3DS VC
Devil World – NES €3.99 (£3.59)
=====
Price Reductions:
Wii U
Nano Assault Neo €7.49 (£6.70) until 10/04/14 22:59 UTC
3DS
Nano Assault EX €7.49 (£6.35) until 10/04/14 23:59 local time.
Art of Balance TOUCH! €5.20 (£4.70) until 10/04/14 23:59 local time.
Jett Rocket II: The Wrath of Taikai €5.20 (£4.70) until 10/04/14 23:59 local time.
Mutant Mudds €5.99 (£5.39) until 03/04/14 23:59 local time.
Angry Bunnies €4.85 (£4.49) until 17/04/14 23:59 local time.
Fishdom H2O: Hidden Odyssey €3.74 (£3.35) until 17/04/14 23:59 local time
Permanent
3DS
My Exotic Farm €6.99 (£6.29) was €24.99 (£19.99)
Along with today’s screenshot, Sakurai passed along the following message on Miiverse:
That item that brings victory one step closer…the Smash Ball! Of course everyone wants it! Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced any of the Final Smashes yet… Then again, if I introduced every single one, it’d take over a month’s worth of posts.
ON THIS EPISODE:
Laura discusses the impressive (and sometimes genuinely frightening!) art style of A Hat in Time’s alpha release, Jack briefly touches on his first-impressions of Gunman Clive and some minor Wind Waker HD observations, and Austin rounds out “what we played” with a list of things he *likes* about The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds after beating it this week.
PLUS:
Not a whole lot of news leads into a listener mail segment dominated by one letter regarding Ocarina of Time and Majora’s Mask, and how the two compare and contrast.
AND:
Our book club discussion of Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward gets heated as Austin, Laura, and Jack debate the merits of the game’s characterization, writing, and overall story. Regardless, all three seem to be finding the game getting more interesting as time goes on…
This Week’s Podcast Crew: Austin, Jack, and Laura
Download this episode (click this link)
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We were recently given the opportunity to interview Nic Watt, founder/creative director for Nnooo. Watt tackled questions about Blast ‘Em Bunnies, escapeVektor, the eShop, and more.
Head past the break for our full interview.
Wrestling Gamers United’s new title, Pro Wrestling X, is only slated PC, Mac and Linux at the moment. But the team has been receiving a bunch of requests for a Wii U port, and that’s something that may be considered.
The official Pro Wrestling X Twitter account posted the following message today:
@ShawnLong85 I have to admit… we've have gotten a TON of Wii U port requests. So much so we might have to do the math.
— Pro Wrestling X (@ProWrestlingX) March 17, 2014
You can check out Pro Wrestling X’s Kickstarter page here, which contains a bunch of details about the game.
It’s sounding like Watch Dogs will offer players an extensive amount of content.
The game, according to creative director Jonathan Morin, will take 35-40 hours to complete. And that’s just for the main story. You’ll need to spend about 100 hours to see and do everything, Morin estimates.
He wrote on Twitter earlier today:
@vytla102 I would say the average player which does free roam a bit tend to reach the end within 35-40h. But doing everything is close 100h.
— Jonathan Morin (@Design_Cave) March 15, 2014