Topic: Metroid Prime 3: Final sales and sales comparisons

[NWR_pap64]

While I was doing research on potential Game of the year nominees I stumbled upon Metroid Prime 3's overall sales.

According to VGchartz, the game has sold over a million copies worldwide. US sales are around 600,000+ copies.

I've been trying to look for Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2 sales in order to compare the numbers. Does anyone have them or know where to find them?

Also, would you consider MP 3's sales a major disappointment or solid enough?

[Kairon]

You've checked the VG Chartz numbers for the first two, right? I'm sure there are some more concrete numbers out there, but I don't think they're easily available without a bit of leg work.

As for MP3, I don't think these numbers are respectable yet. MP1 had more than a million sales in America alone dinnit? Maybe MP3 will have legs... I HOPE it has legs, because I don't consider it a sales "success" until it maches up equitably with MP1.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Well, that's better than I expected.  500,000+ copies better than I expected.

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
You've checked the VG Chartz numbers for the first two, right? I'm sure there are some more concrete numbers out there, but I don't think they're easily available without a bit of leg work.

As for MP3, I don't think these numbers are respectable yet. MP1 had more than a million sales in America alone dinnit? Maybe MP3 will have legs... I HOPE it has legs, because I don't consider it a sales "success" until it maches up equitably with MP1.

Yep I did.

For some reason, they only list 100,000 plus numbers.

This is just a small part of my research, though. See, while I was looking for games I got curious and decided to look at some sales numbers. Turns out a great deal of Wii games have sold over half a million copies, some worldwide, others in the US.

So, some Wii games are not bombing as some people are saying.

[Kairon]

Quote
Originally posted by: pap64
For some reason, they only list 100,000 plus numbers.

I don't understand?

MP1
MP2

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon

Quote
Originally posted by: pap64
For some reason, they only list 100,000 plus numbers.

I don't understand?

MP1
MP2

Looks like MP3 is right in line with MP2.

[Kairon]

Then that only means one thing... PHAIL!

Well, I guess you could argue that at least MP3 stopped the declining sales of the franchise, but I really don't buy it. It's a game that in every way deserved more glory than what it got... even if it was ultimately a niche concept. The game might actually be performing better than Metroid Prime 2, now that I think about it, considering that the first two MPs got budget re-releases and MP3 is still selling well considering it's full price, but I doubt that Iwata's Nintendo will do that for MP3 or, really, with any game from here on out.

[Louieturkey]

I think budget releases will happen, just 2+ years down the road.  I think when Wiis start actually staying on shelves is when the $20-30 budget "Player's Choice" games will start surfacing.

[Caliban]

Hmph, I guess people don't like to see women kick ass anymore, in a spectacular armour might I add. I hate you, Master Chief.

[Kenology]

Well, to be fair, MP3 is selling much better in its 18th week than MP2 was.  With those legs, it'll certainly crawl its way past MP2's U.S. LTD - though it'll definitely take a while.  

MP3 will pass MP2's worldwide total soon as well.

Anyways, what a missed opportunity for Nintendo... and shame on them for not putting the appropriate and substantial marketing muscle behind the game.  It would've done much, much better otherwise.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kenology
Well, to be fair, MP3 is selling much better in its 18th week than MP2 was.  With those legs, it'll certainly crawl its way past MP2's U.S. LTD - though it'll definitely take a while.  

MP3 will pass MP2's worldwide total soon as well.

Anyways, what a missed opportunity for Nintendo... and shame on them for not putting the appropriate and substantial marketing muscle behind the game.  It would've done much, much better otherwise.

::sigh:: I think you guys are dreaming that think it would have done better with more marketing. Bioshock had tons of marketing and it has not translated into vastly more sales. Metroid Prime is a relatively niche series that is not for the mainstream crowd, and I think we need to admit that. All the marketing in the world is not going to change the 3rd iteration of a series everyone knows what to expect from.

[Ian Sane]

I've come to realize that Metroid is just never going to be a big seller and Metroid Prime in particular certainly never will be because it looks like an FPS but doesn't really play like one and too few people are open-minded enough to wrap their head around that.  So Metroid is just for a small dedicated group that gets it.  That's fine.  In fact that might be better since then it will be less likely to be tampered with to cater to mainstream fans.  Zelda's popularity for example is probably the main reason the series has gotten easier.  Metroid won't have to worry about that.

Though it is always frustrating when something so great is ignored.  Metroid Prime is not some super hardcore niche type of game like Romance of the Three Kingdoms or something like that.  It's not a non-game but it seems like a game that someone who has the patience to figure out Halo or Splinter Cell or Grand Theft Auto or even The Legend of Zelda would like if they gave it a fair playthrough.

[Crimm]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon

Quote
Originally posted by: pap64
For some reason, they only list 100,000 plus numbers.

I don't understand?

MP1
MP2

lol japan no liek metroidz

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon

Quote
Originally posted by: pap64
For some reason, they only list 100,000 plus numbers.

I don't understand?

MP1
MP2

I was using a different chart and search engine. It always gave me low sales numbers for some reason.

As for MP3's overall sales, that's not so bad. I mean, you have to consider that:
- The game was on a system that is nigh impossible to find right now
- The console is dominated by non and casual games
- The game had big competition in Bioshock and Halo 3

You have to remember that the reason the first Prime sold so well was because not only was it a major revolution in the Metroid franchise it was the first Metroid game IN YEARS! People snatched it up like crazy. Afterwards, Samus made more frequent appearances across Nintendo's platforms so the hype died down a little.

[ShyGuy]

Another factor in Metroid Prime 1's success was the fact that it was part of a Nintendo system bundle for a holiday season: http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=7949  

[bustin98]

I almost bought Bioshock instead of Metroid Prime 3. I'm glad I did, but I still want to play Bioshock.

[Ian Sane]

"You have to remember that the reason the first Prime sold so well was because not only was it a major revolution in the Metroid franchise it was the first Metroid game IN YEARS! People snatched it up like crazy. Afterwards, Samus made more frequent appearances across Nintendo's platforms so the hype died down a little."

While I'll agree that Metroid's absense helped create hype in Metroid Prime I think a big reason why it sold better than the sequels is because a lot of people who bought Metroid Prime wanted it to play like an FPS and it didn't so they decided they didn't like it and thus didn't buy the sequels.  I think Nintendo's attempts to portray Metroid Prime as their Halo has hurt the series because it's not a fair comparison.  If Nintendo had a different FPS series to compete with Halo and Metroid was allowed to just be Metroid I think it would stand out more.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"You have to remember that the reason the first Prime sold so well was because not only was it a major revolution in the Metroid franchise it was the first Metroid game IN YEARS! People snatched it up like crazy. Afterwards, Samus made more frequent appearances across Nintendo's platforms so the hype died down a little."

While I'll agree that Metroid's absense helped create hype in Metroid Prime I think a big reason why it sold better than the sequels is because a lot of people who bought Metroid Prime wanted it to play like an FPS and it didn't so they decided they didn't like it and thus didn't buy the sequels.  I think Nintendo's attempts to portray Metroid Prime as their Halo has hurt the series because it's not a fair comparison.  If Nintendo had a different FPS series to compete with Halo and Metroid was allowed to just be Metroid I think it would stand out more.

Ian you do have a point there, Nintendo disappointed many by their attempts at comparing it to Halo (I believe MP2 tried to do this). Let's face it though, most gamers are out for the bang bang, shoot bad guys FPS than ones with puzzle solving, it is just how it is.  

[NWR_pap64]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"You have to remember that the reason the first Prime sold so well was because not only was it a major revolution in the Metroid franchise it was the first Metroid game IN YEARS! People snatched it up like crazy. Afterwards, Samus made more frequent appearances across Nintendo's platforms so the hype died down a little."

While I'll agree that Metroid's absense helped create hype in Metroid Prime I think a big reason why it sold better than the sequels is because a lot of people who bought Metroid Prime wanted it to play like an FPS and it didn't so they decided they didn't like it and thus didn't buy the sequels.  I think Nintendo's attempts to portray Metroid Prime as their Halo has hurt the series because it's not a fair comparison.  If Nintendo had a different FPS series to compete with Halo and Metroid was allowed to just be Metroid I think it would stand out more.

I personally hated the game back when I first played it. I wasn't expecting lots of shooting, but I WAS overwhelmed by how slow it was and the amount of backtracking you had to do, so I don't blame some gamers if they felt the same way and have avoided the rest of the MP games.

Hell, even if fans claim that MP 3 is LEAGUES better than its predecessors due to faster backtracking and great controls I am still doubtful of it.

The first MP game left that big of a negative impression on me, so I wouldn't be surprised if everyone else feels the same way.

[Kairon]

As if Nintendo would ever make an FPS.

But you know, last night GP and I were PMing back and forth about this and she said that if Metroid Prime was a failure, there'd be dozens of games out there that wished to have just the same sort of failure. Maybe Metroid Prime 3 is selling BETTER than we should expect it to given its gameplay style, audience, lack of advertising, etc. It's a great game with a world of troubles arrayed against it, but despite all odds more than a million people are beating their way to its door regardless.

[Kenology]

Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix

Quote
Originally posted by: Kenology
Well, to be fair, MP3 is selling much better in its 18th week than MP2 was.  With those legs, it'll certainly crawl its way past MP2's U.S. LTD - though it'll definitely take a while.  

MP3 will pass MP2's worldwide total soon as well.

Anyways, what a missed opportunity for Nintendo... and shame on them for not putting the appropriate and substantial marketing muscle behind the game.  It would've done much, much better otherwise.

::sigh:: I think you guys are dreaming that think it would have done better with more marketing. Bioshock had tons of marketing and it has not translated into vastly more sales. Metroid Prime is a relatively niche series that is not for the mainstream crowd, and I think we need to admit that. All the marketing in the world is not going to change the 3rd iteration of a series everyone knows what to expect from.

Bioshock is an original IP though and I think you're severly underestimating Metroid's fanbase and general appeal.  I disagree that Metroid is a niche title.  When Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion sell over a million units and the substantially less marketed Metroid Prime 2 sells over 800,000 copies, the "niche title" arguement goes down the drain (unless you're talkin' about the series in Japan).

Now, Zack and Wiki, that's a niche title.
 

[Kairon]

I dunno... much has been made of the link between Bio Shock and System Shock.... In many ways Bio SHock is a spiritual sequel, yeh? But yeah, with the way System Shock 2 sold Bio Shock is, for all intents and purposes, an original IP.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kenology

Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix

Quote
Originally posted by: Kenology
Well, to be fair, MP3 is selling much better in its 18th week than MP2 was.  With those legs, it'll certainly crawl its way past MP2's U.S. LTD - though it'll definitely take a while.  

MP3 will pass MP2's worldwide total soon as well.

Anyways, what a missed opportunity for Nintendo... and shame on them for not putting the appropriate and substantial marketing muscle behind the game.  It would've done much, much better otherwise.

::sigh:: I think you guys are dreaming that think it would have done better with more marketing. Bioshock had tons of marketing and it has not translated into vastly more sales. Metroid Prime is a relatively niche series that is not for the mainstream crowd, and I think we need to admit that. All the marketing in the world is not going to change the 3rd iteration of a series everyone knows what to expect from.

Bioshock is an original IP though and I think you're severly underestimating Metroid's fanbase and general appeal.  I disagree that Metroid is a niche title.  When Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion sell over a million units and the substantially less marketed Metroid Prime 2 sells over 800,000 copies, the "niche title" arguement goes down the drain (unless you're talkin' about the series in Japan).

Now, Zack and Wiki, that's a niche title.

Metroid Prime 2 was hyped as a Halo killer. Let's face it after the 3rd iteration of a series your fan base is not going to grow unless you radically change the formula. You are dreaming if you seriously think Metroid Prime 3 could have sold better on a system that is more casual oriented in a market that loves run n gun shooters. Metroid Prime 3 had nothing to sell it to the mainstream crowd, and the Nintendo fanbase you are referring to BOUGHT it regardless of marketing, so who would you be advertising it to? Beyond what Nintendo did try to do (Market it as a Wii Play, family game) there is really nothing. Nintendo could have poured millions into the game advertising it and guess what? If I am right, which I believe the numbers show and history shows, Nintendo would have made far less profit off it, maybe putting the series in jeopardy.

So is Metroid Prime or the Metroid series a niche series? Perhaps not on a Zack and Wiki level, but it still is a franchise that isn't going to grow any new fans until it changes to meet the new market. As it stands the series is mainly for a large, but stagnant hardcore Metroid fanbase (as shown by the similar sales numbers in MP2 compared to MP3).  Heck a great comparison would be the latest Ratchet and Clank game, Sony at least understands that your aren't going to grow your fanbase for a sequel even with marketing. If people didn't like the R&C games before they aren't going to be suddenly persuaded to buy the next one unless it really shook up the formula. Heck even Halo 3 for all its advertising still has yet to beat Halo 2.

[Kairon]

[whiny]
But...but at least Rachet & Clank had that amazing "It's a wonderful world" commercial that runs even now on cartoon network...
Why can't we have something like that?
[/whiny]

[Chozo Ghost]

I'm not going to lie; I am really disappointed by Nintendo's decision to turn the Metroid franchise into a Halo clone. The franchise was not designed to be an FPS type of game, so if Nintendo wanted a FPS game they should have created a new franchise from scratch rather than degrade an existing and well respected franchise to fill that gap in their game selection.

That said if MP3's sales are a disappointment then I seriously hope Nintendo will realize this mistake they made in making it FPS and bring it back to its roots. I desperately wanted a game that captures the feel of Super Metroid, but after all these years I'm still waiting. Imagine what it would be like to Zelda and Mario fans if those franchises were suddenly transformed into FPS games. Would Zelda and Mario fans like this dramatic change? Probably not.

Another serious problem with the Prime games is they aren't really different from each other. The leap from Metroid to Super Metroid was enormous and certainly justified its existence; Can the same be said about MP2 from MP1? I haven't played MP3 yet, but I'm sure the control scheme is innovative and impressive, but other than that, is it really much of an advancement from MP2?

I think this is the problem with the franchise as it stands right now. Metroid is the only major Nintendo franchise to be neglected entirely during the N64 era, and then later find itself resurrected in an alien FPS form. As a Metroid fan I am outraged.