Star Fox Zero - The Worst Japanese Sales Debut in Franchise History

After numerous delays, Nintendo finally launched Star Fox Zero last month. The Wii U exclusive received mixed reviews prior to launch, and that translated intounderwhelming sales at launch in Japan.

http://www.gamnesia.com/news/star-fox-zero-had-the-worst-japanese-sales-debut-in-franchise-history

Not surprised. Even Nintendo doesn't remember the WiiU.

Has nothing to do with the Wii U and everything to do with the fact that this game was a rushed cash grab, which is disheartening because cash grabs are typically not what Nintendo does.

Wow that is bad. But what about digital sales?

The Wii U comes with a small hard drive, I'm sure most owners buy physical on it.

The games don't have to be installed either so it makes sense.

Digital would probably make up 5% of its total sales if that.

This gives a lesson.

If they had add online mode it would be better.

Nintendo should learn from mistakes

@brah4ever: I have a 2TB hdd connected to my Wii U, as many others and buy mostly digital. I'm very sure many buy their games digital nowadays.

This title is so awesome just for the huge amounts of butthurt it generates.

Wii U games are literally the only games I still buy physical copies of, can't even remember the last PC game I bought on retail, PS4 I have Bloodborne because it came with the console

The tiny WiiU install base along with the fact that console gaming is a dying pastime in Japan doesn't really help.

That graph is a little misleading. For example, if you look at it as a ratio between the install base and the software sales, you'll probably see that Zero did better than all the handheld versions, and was comparable to the console versions.

I say that the graph is misleading because people interpret it as "Star Fox is doing bad" when it's really "Wii U is doing bad".

http://www.gamnesia.com/news/nintendos-digital-sales-are-stronger-than-ever

Digital games for first party software was at 13% of sales. This was in 2015, and it was shown that this number was on the rise (my guess, between 15-20% now). So that's quite a substantial amount of sales that should be taken into consideration.

Good. Maybe they wont remake Starfox 64 yet again now. Maybe now they can focus more on good shit instead.

No Star Flop is doing bad on its own. Games like Splatoon, Mario Karta Smash Bros sold a shit ton on the low Wii U install base. It's just a flop

So means no more Starfox for NX in its lifetime...just like Metroid was given the rest after Other M (Nintendo not happy with its sales). :P

Not surprised.....................the game sucks.

Yea, the lesson they'll take from it is "No one wants Starfox". Nintendo will never even humor the possibility it's of their own doing.

can't really say I didn't see this coming. Sad for the franchise, this might be the last Star Fox.

All Platinum and Hardcore games sell bad in Japan. Bayonetta 2, The Wonderful 101, and now Star Fox Zero. Also Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze. Its just the way it is. Too hardcore for the core. Game is awesome though. Its ballz to the wallz.

Nintendo knows not everyone likes hardcore games. Thats why they make easier games.

@iandizion713: there's nothing hardcore about clunky control and game design

@jcrame10: Git gud bro. Youll master them controls in hours. Also game design was amazing, Boss fights sooo good. Secrets, so secret. Im still hunting for a couple stages, im missing 4 and im 11 hours in.

@iandizion713: I played it. The games not worth the time. I only rented it for 2 days and got most of the way through it. It lacks too much content to waste time learning a control scheme that will never be seen again. Star fox: 1886 is what they should have called it since it's like 5 hours long....

@jcrame10: O, ok, cool story.

@iandizion713: majority opinion says they do not like it, I don't know why the majority would be wrong

@jcrame10: Yep, o wells. Theyll find something else to play.

@iandizion713: too bad it'll probably be nothing on the wii u....unless nintendo announces some new games at e3 for the fall

It's only doing as bad as its previous instalments though (e.g previous Mario Kart and Smash also demolished previous Star Fox). The graph is attempting to suggest otherwise.

I think they have a little surprise for everyone. Plus, Nintendo is not known to walk away from holiday money.

Games like F-Zero and Star Fox needs very good graphics every generation.

When Star Fox 64 came out the graphics were nuts and it sold the best out of all of them

4 Player CO-OP

Independent Day level

Star Fox Zero graphics looked horrible for a console game today, the controls looked awful can't support nintendo here.

Unless you defend the badly aged CORE developed Tomb Raider games and bash everything Crystal Dynamics has done.

@nintendoboy16: what does tomb raider have anything to do with this topic?

And to be fair, Star Fox hasn't always been the greatest in Japan. I'd be more worried about the US sales honestly.

@iandizion713: hopefully you're right!

As a note to how people can actually defend bad controls and how "hardcore" it is compared to being simplistic and easy to use? You were the one who brought up controls, hence my post. But apparently, when I bring up another franchise, it has NOTHING to do with anything despite the fact that, at the same time I BROUGHT something up that DID have something to do with what you're talking about.

@nintendoboy16: are you actually talking about games from 1996-1999 to try and justify a game that was released last month? What?

Does it matter? A badly controlled game is a badly controlled game PERIOD. TR came at a time when MARIO 64 had controls that were dubbed revolutionary. How you can you defend that because of a timeframe is beyond me.

@nintendoboy16: sure, but you think 20 years down the road that one of the biggest publishers ever wouldn't think twice about releasing something with horrible controls

@jcrame10: The game dont have horrible controls, critics and fans stated the game controls have a steep learning curve. They state controls are great once you master them. Also, you can turn on the more traditional controls if you dont like the modern ones. Its a none issue mate.

Look, all I'm trying to say is that you'll be surprised at how people defend bad aspects of games and dub them hardcore. And on another game, I've had ardent Morrowind defenders get on my ass for how bad I thought the combat was in comparison to Oblivion and Skyrim for the exact same reason.

@nintendoboy16: you have to remember that these were the first real 3d games that you had total control of, so people were blown away no matter what. The controls in TR are clunky but the gameplay itself was solid. Mario 64 was not without it's faults either- it has annoying angles and a hard to control camera at a times.

But that was 1996. Nowadays, there's no excuse to get it wrong when hundreds get it right.

Timeframe be damned, my point still stands. Even when you note Nintendo's need to add innovation.

no i saw a twitch streamer playing star fox zero and he was having to move around the wiiU tablet while aiming and he was having trouble aiming at things he would try to twist it around while looking at the tv. He look very awkward during some of the aiming but he liked when he didn't have to use that.

@nintendoboy16: all I'm getting from this conversation is that I need to replay rise of the tomb raider again. Such a good game. And possibly turn on my ps3 and pop in tomb raider 2...the Venice levels were always my favorite. And that violin soundtrack was phenomenal.

Yes,this was OBVIOUSLY the major flaw

@ProtossRushX: Yeah, hes just not use to it, you should only move your wrist, not your waist. Couple times id find myself trying to twist.

Yeah, the game really should have online multiplayer. WTF Nintendo.

Well now we know why they don't make too many star fox games. I'm shocked we ever got Assault or Command, to be honest.

Not a surprise at all the game looks so bad(not only talk about graphics here) and controls are so shitty.

Forced gimmick, short and looks dated. No surprise even if it was with the U. I wanted another Adventures type game or at least a hybrid

You realize that many Star Fox fans hated Adventures, right? Hell, even Rare devs involved hated it.