Splatoon’s release over the last week has proven successful, far beyond what even Nintendo has predicted.
The game and its amiibo have officially sold out in Japan, prompting Nintendo Co, Ltd to release an official apology on Twitter. NCL has promised that they will be restocking stores soon, and they had suggested that eager gamers download the game instead.
Based on estimates from sales trackers like Media Create, Nintendo actually shipped 150,000 units of the game, and they sold 80 % of this stock on day 1. This would be approximately 120,000 units.
Splatoon apparently sold ~80% of it's 150K shipment day 1 in Japan (or about 120K)
— SplatsAhead (@Sab_Mas) May 30, 2015
This serves as positive news, not only for the Wii U and Nintendo, but for the whole industry in Japan. Just two week before, retail sales plunged in the region in a record low. Between May 11 to 17, only 235,000 games were sold, a drop of 60 % from the week before. In fact, it was the lowest that the region had seen since 2001.
Splatoon launched in Japan last May 28, the following day in North America and Europe, and then on the 30th in Australia. Within that time, the number of players ranked level 10 and above have increased rapidly, so much so that the threshold to open up Ranked Battles has almost been reached. Clearly, Splatoon is an instant hit, and has the potential to join the ranks of Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros as Nintendo’s guaranteed moneymakers.
#Splatoon players! Ranked battles will unlock once enough players reach level 10 to fill the Ranked Splatometer! pic.twitter.com/PG16VptKmm
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 30, 2015
Just a little more & the Ranked Splatometer will be full! Who knew there were so many skilled splatterers out there!? pic.twitter.com/Fa65RkxiQL
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) May 31, 2015
Have you been playing and enjoying Splatoon? Are you at level 10 yet? Or are you planning to buy the game and/or a Wii U now? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
