Although the sales of Bayonetta 2 will in no way effect SEGA’s profits, it’s still a SEGA IP and a major one at that. When it was released it quickly became a fan favourite last generation. The original was the third collaboration between SEGA and Platinum Games and was released in late 2009 in Japan and early 2010 in Europe/America. There has been much discussion about moving the sequel over to the Wii U and whether it would pay off, and now we finally get the first sales data for the title as it was launched in Japan last week, hit the break to find out how well the Witch is doing on the Wii U.
Media Create Sales: Week 38, 2014 (Sep 15 – Sep 21)
01./01. [3DS] Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS <FTG> (Nintendo) {2014.09.13} (¥5.616) – 321,363 / 1,266,008 (-66%)
02./04. [3DS] Yo-kai Watch 2: Ganso / Honke <RPG> (Level 5) {2014.07.10} (¥4.937) – 56,380 / 2,525,591 (+20%)
03./00. [WIU] Bayonetta 2 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2014.09.20} (¥8.316) – 38,828 / NEW
04./00. [PS3] Destiny <ACT> (Sony Computer Entertainment) {2014.09.11} (¥8.532) – 18,393 / 67,896
05./06. [3DS] Dragon Quest X Online <RPG> (Square Enix) {2014.09.04} (¥4.104) – 13,948 / 89,299 (-39%)
Unfortunately the sales for Bayonetta 2 can only be summed up as disastrous. Although the expectations that the sales would be this bad were not unexpected, all the same it is disappointing to see the title performing below the standards set by the original in Japan. At the very worst it should have been hovering above the Xbox 360 version of the original but not even that, it has sold 27,383 less than the Xbox 360 version of the original title. Looking at the first week sales for the game compared to it’s predecessor paints an even worse picture.
First Week Sales;
Bayonetta 1 [Playstation 3] – 138,430
Bayonetta 1 [Xbox 360] – 66,211
Bayonetta 2 [Wii U] – 38,828
Comparing it with the best selling version of the original paints an even gloomier picture, a massive 99,602 reduction in sales and by combining both versions of the title, the sequel has seen a negative difference of sales, selling 165,813 less than the original. It should be noted this cannot all be blamed on userbase, not only has the Nintendo Wii U a larger userbase currently than the Xbox 360 did when the original Bayonetta was released, it has actually outsold the lifetime sales of the Xbox 360. But how likely will Bayonetta 2 stay in the charts and continue to sell? Again it paints a bad picture for Bayonetta 2. Comparing lifetime sales of both version;
Lifetime Sales;
Bayonetta 1 [Playstation 3] – 206,142
Bayonetta 1 [Xbox 360] – 111,829
The Playstation 3 version of the title managed to sell a further 32% in total sales whilst the Xbox 360 was slightly healthier, managing a stronger 40% further sales. If we are to assume that the Wii U version is placed between the two versions and manages a further 36% in sales, we are still looking at sales figures of around 50,000 units. If I was to predict sales, I would imagine it would probably just fall under 70,000 units. Although no guarantee, if it can hold onto a steady pace it might pass that figure I quote however it is highly unlikely the Wii U version will ever match the Xbox 360’s lifetime sales. This wraps it up for this week’s SEGA in the Charts, let’s hope next time I get to report on a SEGA IP it’s much more positive news, til’ next time!
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Games on Nintendo systems do tend to hover on the charts for a bit longer than on others, but yes, either way Bayonetta 2’s performance in Japan is pretty terrible.
“not only has the Nintendo Wii U a larger userbase currently than the Xbox 360 did when the original Bayonetta was released, it has actually outsold the lifetime sales of the Xbox 360.”
Citation please? I find it highly unlikely that the Wii U has sold more consoles total than the Xbox 360.
I think the author is referring only to Japan
@Jonboy, ah, that would make sense.
That is correct, the Wii U is currently at 1.9 million sold in Japan, at the time of it’s release, the Xbox 360 was at 1.1 million and tracking of the console finished with sales of around 1.5 I believe.
If Japanese buyers have the same problems getting a First Print edition as we are having in Europe, with shops cancelling preorders from weeks ago, and most of them not even listing that edition now, it would not surprise me if first week I still don’t have the game because I’m still trying to get the edition I want.
Famitsu/enterbrain reports that Bayonetta 2 sold 40-60% of shipped games
http://www.famitsu.com/biz/ranking/
Very good article Aki…spelling out exactly what the problem with this title’s sales instead of the other knee jerk reactions articles of other sites that don’t tell their audience why exactly the sales for Bayonetta 2 is bad. Well constructed and well thought out article.
As for Famitsu…it depends on how much copies of Bay 2 has shipped. But if this is true and since the sales of Bay 2 in the chart is meant to be based on the first day sales than we should see a big result next week.
These numbers are truly terrible. But you know what? Bad sales on a great game surely beats the game not existing at all. And if certain circumstances of this games’ development are to be believed, it’s probably a good idea just to pick up the game, enjoy it, and just be glad that it has even been made.
tried to tell you it was suppose to be on next generation consoles; should have been an sony exclusive; i bet sony would have chumped at the bit to publish this game themselves knowing that it sells well on their consoles !!!!! Bayonetta and Yakuza belongs on Sony, and only Sony consoles !!!!!!!!