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Kotaku: Switch keeps dominating PS4 sales in Japan (first 26 weeks sales data)

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watershed

Banned
It would be cool to see software sales comparison between the 2 platforms launch aligned. The best thing about the Switch selling well in Japan specifically is all the cool Japanese games coming to the system and being localized. It's gonna be a gamer heaven from that perspective.
 
Not really. I mean 6 months isn't a long time and games drive sales, so if there was a game drought then sales would drop. Not that I think it will. I'm sure it'll be a gigantic success, maybe not quite on the level of Wii, but still amazing. But it's still too early to know that, like obviously too early.

I don't see this thing getting game droughts. More and more system sales just lead to more and more developers getting on the train. Nintendo has been smart in their release schedule, a system seller in Zelda, tent pole titles in Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon ( which is a system mover on its own in Japan), a flood of indies, and highly anticipated titles on the immediate horizon ( Mario), with momentum generating news like Metroid Prime 4 and No more heroes. This thing is going to do gangbusters over the next few years. Just wait till Pokémon drops. I'd like to see a new Trauma Center and Phoenix Wright announced soon.

There was a lot of caution coming off the wii U and while it's too easy to predict ' to what degree' it will be successful, as it will it be 60 million successful or 80 million successful, it's clear that the concept is something that people can get behind, and Nintendo can and will market it accordingly.
 
Not to mention the discussion on its battery duration on handheld mode and how people where saying it would basically negate it being a PROPER handheld.. Im rolling my eyes sooooo hard right now. Some people just HATE to see Nintendo do well.
This thread summarized tl;dr
 

marmoka

Banned
Of course it wouldn't. You've missed my point. Nintendo will be lucky to see a fraction of the AAA support Sony and MS receive on their current hardware. The Switch is the way it is today because Nintendo doesn't create products that cater strongly to third parties, particularly in the west. If they did, the system would be very, very different. Nintendo creates products for their first party development almost entirely, with the hopes that some third parties will jump on board. And honestly, it's a smart strategy for them in many cases. Xbox and PlayStation take a very different approach when designing hardware, as they see third parties as vital to their success.

Agree here. Both Sony and Microsoft have a huge dependency on third parties. Their franchises in general do not sell as much as Nintendo franchises. Examples like Uncharted, God of War, Halo and Forza are blockbusters, but the rest aren't that popular.
 

SgtCobra

Member
It's not gonna hurt your PS4...
This statement is not entirely true. Now that the Switch is doing some good numbers several Japanese developers may opt for a Switch version instead of a PS4 one (talking about exclusive here) for their games which could hurt PS4 owners snd Sony too :p
 

geordiemp

Member
Of course it wouldn't. You've missed my point. Nintendo will be lucky to see a fraction of the AAA support Sony and MS receive on their current hardware. The Switch is the way it is today because Nintendo doesn't create products that cater strongly to third parties, particularly in the west. If they did, the system would be very, very different. Nintendo creates products for their first party development almost entirely, with the hopes that some third parties will jump on board. And honestly, it's a smart strategy for them in many cases. Xbox and PlayStation take a very different approach when designing hardware, as they see third parties as vital to their success.

So you now saying its the design of the hardware more than relationships ? I agree.

Ps4 is

1080p - check
Target good console TF performance for realistic graphics - check
Large file sizes for lots of updates and DLC - check
online parties and big online functionality - double check

Switch is the opposite of that, a mobile FOCUS device that fits the Japanese market. It has nothing to do with relationships.

If Nintendo had created a 6TF console, online parties and a 2TF HD with Nvidea, it would do worse in Japan and better in EU / USA and would alreayd have GTA5 and Destiny for example.
 
So you now saying its the design of the hardware more than relationships ? I agree.

My point is that the hardware is designed the way it is because of these relationships. Sony and MS work with third parties very early on when designing their consoles, particularly in recent generations.

If Nintendo had created a 6TF console, online parties and a 2TF HD with Nvidea, it would do worse in Japan and better in EU / USA and would alreayd have GTA5 and Destiny for example.

Not necessarily. Simply having a powerful box isn't the sole reason those games are on those platforms. You need to work with third parties to gain early support. Otherwise, Nintendo probably wouldn't see those types of games on their hardware until they were proven sales successes. Third party relationships are important.
 

Calm Mind

Member
I wonder when Switch will outsell Xbox One, my guess is 3 years or so.

And for outselling for PS4 in Japan, hmmm 1 year and a half or so.

Hobestly i think Nintedno should abandon secondary game devices and just step over to full mobile and keep one hardware/software platform going forward. Seems like putting the heavy first party support worked out wonders if they ditch their secondary hardware platform they can sustain that first party release momentum without huge droughts like on wii u and even 3ds back then.

Just release 2 or 3 mobile games a year for easy bank and brand recognition and keep big first party support on their primary console.

Multiple SKU's like a Switch handheld only version are fine tho but let all devices be able to play the same software in a generation.

I simply think 1 primary hardware+mobile works better because as time and dev costs increased it was harder for them to support 2 game platforms as easy as in the ds/wii or older gameboy+console combo days. And mobile seems like a good replacement for that they have a bice amount of huge ips for it to make lots of money there and then they can easily support their main game platform too.

Great post. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the future Nintendo has in mind going forward.
 
I wonder when Switch will outsell Xbox One, my guess is 3 years or so.

And for outselling for PS4 in Japan, hmmm 1 year and a half or so.

Hobestly i think Nintedno should abandon secondary game devices and just step over to full mobile and keep one hardware/software platform going forward. Seems like putting the heavy first party support worked out wonders if they ditch their secondary hardware platform they can sustain that first party release momentum without huge droughts like on wii u and even 3ds back then.

Just release 2 or 3 mobile games a year for easy bank and brand recognition and keep big first party support on their primary console.

Multiple SKU's like a Switch handheld only version are fine tho but let all devices be able to play the same software in a generation.

I simply think 1 primary hardware+mobile works better because as time and dev costs increased it was harder for them to support 2 game platforms as easy as in the ds/wii or older gameboy+console combo days. And mobile seems like a good replacement for that they have a bice amount of huge ips for it to make lots of money there and then they can easily support their main game platform too.

I agree with pretty much all of this.
 

commish

Jason Kidd murdered my dog in cold blood!
Doesn't it make sense that something new would outsell something old since lots of folks already have the old thing since it's been on sale so long?

Anyway great to see N doing well in any capacity. Give me my FE!
 
Doesn't it make sense that something new would outsell something old since lots of folks already have the old thing since it's been on sale so long?

This is a launch-aligned comparison. Meaning the first 26 weeks of the Switch are being compared to the first 26 weeks of the PS4.
 

oti

Banned
I wonder when Switch will outsell Xbox One, my guess is 3 years or so.

And for outselling for PS4 in Japan, hmmm 1 year and a half or so.

Hobestly i think Nintedno should abandon secondary game devices and just step over to full mobile and keep one hardware/software platform going forward. Seems like putting the heavy first party support worked out wonders if they ditch their secondary hardware platform they can sustain that first party release momentum without huge droughts like on wii u and even 3ds back then.

Just release 2 or 3 mobile games a year for easy bank and brand recognition and keep big first party support on their primary console.

Multiple SKU's like a Switch handheld only version are fine tho but let all devices be able to play the same software in a generation.

I simply think 1 primary hardware+mobile works better because as time and dev costs increased it was harder for them to support 2 game platforms as easy as in the ds/wii or older gameboy+console combo days. And mobile seems like a good replacement for that they have a bice amount of huge ips for it to make lots of money there and then they can easily support their main game platform too.

I'd imagine that's the plan down the line. But you just can't abandon the 3DS immediately, not after Sun and Moon becoming the fastest-selling game in the platform's history and overall positive growth. Killing it off right now just doesn't make any sense.

I'm also sure Nintendo has realised the potential in Mobile and is going to release full-fledged games instead of mere companion apps. I bet Animal Crossing Mobile will be the real deal and surprise many.
 
I'm also sure Nintendo has realised the potential in Mobile and is going to release full-fledged games instead of mere companion apps.

Well yeah, they've already done this. They're not going to release $40-$60 titles if that's what you're getting at though. Animal Crossing Mobile may be a full fledged title, but it's going to either be F2P or $10-$15.
 
Zki6LEk.gif
 

oti

Banned
Well yeah, they've already done this. They're not going to release $40-$60 titles if that's what you're getting at though. Animal Crossing Mobile may be a full fledged title, but it's going to either be F2P or $10-$15.

People expected Animal Crossing to be a mini game collection or something. I think it will be a real AC game on mobile. No idea about the pricing though. Surely Nintendo would abandon the idea of premium apps after Super Mario Run, but you never know with Nintendo.
 
People expected Animal Crossing to be a mini game collection or something. I think it will be a real AC game on mobile. No idea about the pricing though. Surely Nintendo would abandon the idea of premium apps after Super Mario Run, but you never know with Nintendo.

Oh, I agree AC will probably be much closer to a traditional entry than some match 3 puzzle game or whatever. I think Super Mario Run showed that Nintendo is willing to create mobile titles that feel somewhat similar to their console brethren and AC is the type of series that will translate to mobile much better than a Mario platformer.
 

oti

Banned
Congrats to Nintendo, deserved. I wonder if Sony is feeling the need to make a portable now?
I wouldn't count in it. Sony should be occupied trying to get more PS VR headsets on Japanese shelves right now anyway. Those things are super popular but always sold out.
 

redcrayon

Member
I already have a Switch, but I bought one sooner than I had planned. I was originally waiting for a revision as well.

The main issue with the Switch right now I think is the battery life. That's not really Nintendo's fault though. They already put the biggest damn battery in the thing they could. It's more a problem of battery tech and until some 3rd party makes some breakthrough, then Nintendo, smartphone designers, and everyone else is stuck with crappy battery life. It would be nice if this is a breakthrough that happens within the next year or two and then Nintendo is able to utilize that in a revision 2-3 years from now. I wouldn't hold my breath though. More likely, battery life will be increased by improving efficiency and power draw elsewhere. Replacing the X1 with Nvidia's next gen chip would help, for example, but it may be a while yet before that's available for consumer electronics.

It could also stand to be slightly smaller, which would be possible with better battery tech and a more efficient cooling system. It's not a bad size now, but anything to shave a little off the weight is a bonus for a handheld system.
I think battery life has become less of an issue with portables as time goes by, due to people becoming used to the relatively short life of phones/tablets when running games, Nintendo finally adopting the industry standard of USB which has potential charging ports everywhere, and a wide variety of available battery packs etc that then double up as you can use them for phones etc.

4 hours was a problem on 3DS if you had to carry a bulky proprietary plug with it to charge during the day, 4 on a Switch less so as a USB to USB-C cable is much easier to keep in the case, and any computer/TV/battery pack etc can charge it.
 

13ruce

Banned
I'd imagine that's the plan down the line. But you just can't abandon the 3DS immediately, not after Sun and Moon becoming the fastest-selling game in the platform's history and overall positive growth. Killing it off right now just doesn't make any sense.

I'm also sure Nintendo has realised the potential in Mobile and is going to release full-fledged games instead of mere companion apps. I bet Animal Crossing Mobile will be the real deal and surprise many.

Yes i forget to adress that i ofcourse ment all of that after 3DS is fully done for sales wise ofcourse. It's more of what they probably or might do after 3DS is done with selling etc and a future plan. No harm in supporting 3DS and producing more till it stops selling. My guess is they will produce more till end of 2018 or early 2019 atleast especially due pokemon coming out. And the Switch did not have a price cut or bundles at 299 yet. So the 3DS is still a nice medium till that all of that happens and till the software/hardware sales decline and ofcourse more mobile titles now there is just around a handfull only.
 

mejin

Member
This statement is not entirely true. Now that the Switch is doing some good numbers several Japanese developers may opt for a Switch version instead of a PS4 one (talking about exclusive here) for their games which could hurt PS4 owners snd Sony too :p

Nope. This is the same mistake some people did with XBO last year IMO. All focus on US as if it's the world. PS4 never did worse than XBO, but several thought XBO was doing better cause of US.

We see the same kind of mentality right now with Switch and Japan.

PS4 is just stronger overall in worldwide numbers. Not just japanese developers, but almost all developers can't deny a ps4 version unless with strong ($$$) motives behind.
 
People expected Animal Crossing to be a mini game collection or something. I think it will be a real AC game on mobile. No idea about the pricing though. Surely Nintendo would abandon the idea of premium apps after Super Mario Run, but you never know with Nintendo.

I don't think Nintendo will kill one of their bestselling IPs, one that has proven to be a significant hardware mover in Japan, by making a game that replaces their full priced mainline titles. New Leaf sold over 11 million copies on 3DS.

Whatever AC turns out to be ("full fledged" or not), it will probably be different enough from "standard" Animal Crossing to incentivize people to pick up their hardware and a full priced Animal Crossing: Switch. Look at Fire Emblem Heroes and Pokemon Go for inspiration. Why have one money stream if you can have two ?
This statement is not entirely true. Now that the Switch is doing some good numbers several Japanese developers may opt for a Switch version instead of a PS4 one (talking about exclusive here) for their games which could hurt PS4 owners snd Sony too :p

The time of thirdparty exclusives is over. Almost nobody makes "true" one platform exclusives anymore (unless a platform holder is heavily involved), the games almost always appear on Smartphones/ PC /consoles after a certain time. Switch is not battling for exclusives, it's fighting for multiplatform titles.
 

NSESN

Member
for a few weeks only, demand is not infinite

Even if the demand isn't infinite, it will be high enough to pull weeks like that. Specially in the weeks around Mario Odyssey, and after Mario Odyssey is holiday season, Nintendo can sell up to 3 million in the last 3 months if they ship enough imo. Then they would need to sell just 300k from january to march to hit 5 million.
 

dracula_x

Member
Same for the PS4

And every product known to exist.

What on earth is your point?

I didn't mention PS4 at all.

Even if the demand isn't infinite, it will be high enough to pull weeks like that. Specially in the weeks around Mario Odyssey, and after Mario Odyssey is holiday season, Nintendo can sell up to 3 million in the last 3 months if they ship enough imo. Then they would need to sell just 300k from january to march to hit 5 million.

What I'm saying is that Switch won't reach 5 mil by March 2018 in Japan, even if Nintendo will fix supply chain.

About Mario – this title is not that big for Japan. Splatoon 2 is their biggest title for this year.
 
It's great to see both consoles doing well. I think it was inevitable that the Switch would do general well from its initial reveal. It is such a strong product in terms of design and practically that the only thing that was really standing in its way is whether consumers would see value in it's price tag. Which it seems people do.

I can't see the numbers slowing either, the marketing of the switch as a lifestyle product - and its design means that it is - i think it will always appeal to people. And once genre specific titles come out that people love - Pokemon, Monster Hunter, and Metroid ( i think it may be finally the time where Metroid goes big), amongst other i can't at the moment see where demand would suddenly fall of a cliff. We're 5 months into its lifespan and demand is just as high as the day it was released. It's certainly no Wii U.
 

oti

Banned
I don't think Nintendo will kill one of their bestselling IPs, one that has proven to be a significant hardware mover in Japan, by making a game that replaces their full priced mainline titles. New Leaf sold over 11 million copies on 3DS.

Whatever AC turns out to be ("full fledged" or not), it will probably be different enough from "standard" Animal Crossing to incentivize people to pick up their hardware and a full priced Animal Crossing: Switch. Look at Fire Emblem Heroes and Pokemon Go for inspiration. Why have one money stream if you can have two ?


The time of thirdparty exclusives is over. Almost nobody makes "true" one platform exclusives anymore (unless a platform holder is heavily involved), the games almost always appear on Smartphones/ PC /consoles after a certain time. Switch is not battling for exclusives, it's fighting for multiplatform titles.

I expect AC Mobile to be great and AC Switch to be reaaaallly great. Fire Emblem Switch should be 3D and way more cinematic than Fire Emblem Heroes. That's how I'd imagine it to go from now on out.
 
This thread is making me laugh like a fucking maniac!

Everyone saying "shocked" and "no shit" or any variation thereof, when there was a thread with the majority of posters stating the exact opposite!

Then you have the "well the Switch launched with more games" people, when we've had multiple threads with people posting shit like "well of course Zelda/Mario Kart/Arms/Splatoon sold well, people are starving for games on the Switch" LMAO!!!!!!

People REALLY hate seeing Nintendo succeed, don't they?
 

jonno394

Member
No.

But again – demand is not infinite. Also, I don't understand where you got that 400k number.

You said they'd only be able to sell 133k a week for "a few weeks" which means after a few weeks pass they won't be selling all 133k consoles because you're saying demand will no longer be there. so you're implying that in total only 400k (133k*3) desperately want one, and once they are satiated, demand will drop to lower levels and Nintendo won't sell every console they put out.
 
how about announcing said secret games in development and create some hype?

does that take time too?

Isn't that what they did with Metroid 4 and the next Pokemon game?

You don't want to announce stuff too early, look at FF7 remaster/remake/whatever, Shenmue III, Kingdom Harts 3, etc.
 
This thread is making me laugh like a fucking maniac!

Everyone saying "shocked" and "no shit" or any variation thereof, when there was a thread with the majority of posters stating the exact opposite!

Then you have the "well the Switch launched with more games" people, when we've had multiple threads with people posting shit like "well of course Zelda/Mario Kart/Arms/Splatoon sold well, people are starving for games on the Switch" LMAO!!!!!!

People REALLY hate seeing Nintendo succeed, don't they?

Indeed. We have a number of infamous threads to prove this too. Never seen goal posts move so fast.
 

FinalAres

Member
I don't see this thing getting game droughts. More and more system sales just lead to more and more developers getting on the train. Nintendo has been smart in their release schedule, a system seller in Zelda, tent pole titles in Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon ( which is a system mover on its own in Japan), a flood of indies, and highly anticipated titles on the immediate horizon ( Mario), with momentum generating news like Metroid Prime 4 and No more heroes. This thing is going to do gangbusters over the next few years. Just wait till Pokémon drops. I'd like to see a new Trauma Center and Phoenix Wright announced soon.

There was a lot of caution coming off the wii U and while it's too easy to predict ' to what degree' it will be successful, as it will it be 60 million successful or 80 million successful, it's clear that the concept is something that people can get behind, and Nintendo can and will market it accordingly.
I don't see it getting droughts either. But it's also far far far from super crazy to think that could happen for a Nintendo console.

However because it's such a popular console it'll have lots of games.
 

Epcott

Member
What is even going on in this thread? 😆

That sales data makes me excited! Switch is going to have so many amazing games in its lifetime. It's taking off faster than the 3DS in its first year, and the library for that is phenomenal.
 
how about announcing said secret games in development and create some hype?

does that take time too?

Are you aware No More Heroes just had a pretty major reveal? There's more stuff coming but the current lineup isn't exactly lacking. Not to mention TGS is in a few weeks.
 

ozfunghi

Member
The Switch is the smartest idea Nintendo has come up with in well over a decade.


It's funny that you 're wording it like this, because the concept is exactly what i said they needed to do well over a decade ago (before it was known what the Revolution was (Wii)) in 2005. A dockable portable that could be used as a homeconsole. Back then, the sales of GBA and DS were insane, and the Gamecube had not done great for them, so their situation was similar.
 
for a few weeks only, demand is not infinite

Pants-on-head crazy. It's been selling out within minutes at every retailer for literally months. There are likely millions of people in Japan right now who want a Switch and can't get one. 133k average per week for the rest of the fiscal year isn't impossible, especially considering they'll ship 1m+ in December alone.

I mean, I wouldn't put money on it. I think it'll finish around 4m by the end of March. But 5m isn't off the table by any means.
 
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