Tag: Nintendo DS

Cammie Dunaway Leaving Nintendo on October 1

Nintendo of America has announced that executive vice president of sales & marketing Cammie Dunaway will be leaving the company on October 1, 2010. Here’s a press release quote from NOA CEO Reggie Fils-Aime:

We appreciate Cammie’s contributions to Nintendo and the role she played in bringing the Wii and Nintendo DS experiences to millions of people.

Dunaway is a smart executive that got a lot of heat (deservedly so) for trying way too hard at her first Nintendo E3 press conference. While that had very little to do with her actual job, hardcore gamers never forgave that “performance”. Gamers never warmed up to her the same way they embraced Nintendo executives like Fils-Aime and Satoru Iwata.

What do you think of Dunaway leaving Nintendo? Is it related to the Wii’s declining sales? Is it a warning sign? Are you happy she’s gone? Or do you not give a damn about executives at console companies?

Nintendo 3DS Hitting Japan in November 2010?

Kotaku has translated an interesting tweet allegedly made by KeysFactory employee Takahiro Amano who stated that accessories for the Nintendo 3DS will be available in November 2010. If the accessories are available then it stands to reason that the system will be available that month as well.

When I first wrote about the Nintendo 3DS, developers told me that they would have games ready by the end of the year. While some assclowns claimed that I made the whole thing up, my developer chats combined with this accessory dude’s tweet make it look like the 3DS will hit before the year ends. At the very least, this should be one of the more interesting stories to track during Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2010.

What do you think? Will the 3DS be available in Japan this November?

Source

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of August 2010

[Michael Buffer voice] Are you ready?!? And now…the top ten games…of August 2010 as cited by NPD Group. Let’s get ready to rumble!!! [/Michael Buffer voice] Here they are:

[Michael Buffer voice] Are you ready?!? And now…the top ten games…of August 2010 as cited by NPD Group. Let’s get ready to rumble!!! [/Michael Buffer voice] Here they are:

  1. Madden NFL 11 (Xbox 360): 920,000
  2. Madden NFL 11 (PS3): 893,600
  3. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 124,6000
  4. Mafia 2 (Xbox 360): 121,600
  5. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo DS): 110,400
  6. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
  7. Mafia 2 (PS3)
  8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360)
  9. NCAA Football 11 (Xbox 360)
  10. Wii Fit Plus (Wii)

Nobody should be surprised that Madden topped the charts. I was very surprised that New Super Mario Bros. for DS made it back to the top ten. That’s pretty crazy. I’m happy for the peeps at 2K that Mafia 2 did well. On a petty note (and one that I can’t entirely explain), I’m please that Just Dance is nowhere to be found.

Any thoughts on August’s top ten?!? Shout it out in the comments section (please)!

NPD Console Hardware Sales Figures for August 2010

NPD Group has released its console sales figures for August 2010. August is a traditionally weak month for the business and the numbers reflect that. Check it out:

NPD Group has released its console sales figures for August 2010. August is a traditionally weak month for the business and the numbers reflect that. Check it out:

  • Xbox 360: 356,700
  • Nintendo DS: 342,700
  • Nintendo Wii: 244,300
  • PlayStation 3: 226,000
  • PlayStation Portable: 79,400

For the second month in a row, Microsoft has topped the charts. Although the Wii continues to be the market leader, it’s clear that it won’t be putting up numbers like it did in the past. The question is, will this pattern hold for the rest of the year? Since all of you are capable of being industry analysts, I’d love to hear your opinion. How do you think the console wars will play out for the rest of 2010?

Coffee Talk #209: Do You Care About Console Warranties?

While I was in Asia, Sony announced that PlayStation Plus customers are eligible for a discount on the PlayStation Protection Plan. The deal adds a bit of value to PlayStation Plus, but I was wondering how many of you care about console warranties. Certainly console buyers — especially new ones that were burned by the Xbox 360’s red ring of death — are more cautious these days, but does that translate into plopping down cash on something like the PlayStation Protection Plan or a Best Buy warranty?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, 6′ 9″ Aloisia allegedly getting fired from NXT because of naughty photos, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. seemingly getting a pass for being a racist prick, or your U.S. Open picks, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

While I was in Asia, Sony announced that PlayStation Plus customers are eligible for a discount on the PlayStation Protection Plan. The deal adds a bit of value to PlayStation Plus, but I was wondering how many of you care about console warranties. Certainly console buyers — especially new ones that were burned by the Xbox 360’s red ring of death — are more cautious these days, but does that translate into plopping down cash on something like the PlayStation Protection Plan or a Best Buy warranty?

I’ve had amazing luck with consoles. My Xbox 360 Elite was the first and only console to die on me. With that in mind, I’ve never bought a console warranty — never felt the need to. That said, if the PlayStation 4 cost $600 and the PlayStation Protection Plan is still around…well, I might have to pull the trigger on that one.

Now it’s your turn! Kindly take the poll and share your thoughts on console warranties.

[poll id=”66″]

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of July 2010

July’s best-selling games were also a bit on the Bizzaro side — at least to me. A lot of games that have made the list for the last year were knocked off by newcomers. Check it out:

  1. NCAA Football 11 (Xbox 360): 368,000
  2. NCAA Football 11 (PS3): 298,000
  3. Crackdown 2 (Xbox 360): 208,800
  4. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 193,000
  5. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Nintendo DS): 141,700
  6. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360)
  7. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Wii)
  8. Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies (Nintendo DS)
  9. New Super Mario Bros Wii (Wii)
  10. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360)

I’m so not interested in NCAA Football. That’s what I get for going to a Division III college with a crappy sports program. As a Harry Potter nerd, I’m pleased that the game is doing so well. As a fan of Japanese RPGs, I’m disappointed that Dragon Quest isn’t selling more — what’s wrong with you America?!? Despite the general disappointment in the game, Crackdown 2 made the top three.

Anything on July’s list surprise you? Out of curiosity, did any of you go to schools with legendary sports programs?

NPD Console Hardware Sales Figures for July 2010

July’s NPD numbers are the most interesting console sales figures in a long, long time. For the first time in three years (I think), a Nintendo console is not on top of the list! The quote Brian Fellow from Brian Fellow’s Safari Planet, “That’s crazy!!!” Let’s check out the numbers:

  • Xbox 360: 443,500
  • Nintendo DS: 398,400
  • Nintendo Wii: 253,900
  • PlayStation 3: 214,500
  • PlayStation Portable 84,000

Even though Nintendo sold a lot of hardware in July, it just feels weird that the company didn’t top the charts. It’s like when Hulk Hogan turned heel or seeing Joe Torre in a Dodgers’ uniform — it’s just doesn’t feel right.

Is this the start of Nintendo’s decline (until the 3DS takes over the world)? Can Microsoft sustain the momentum it generated with the Xbox 360 Slim SeXbox 360? Look at those lowly PSP numbers? Is there anything Sony can do to kickstart its handheld system? Or should Sony focus its portable efforts on the PSP2? Answer and discuss (please)!

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of June 2010

Here are NPD Group’s console software sales figures for June 2010. There are a lot of repeats on June’s list, with Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption leading the way. There’s also one omission that annoyed me. And the the top ten are….

  1. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360): 582,900
  2. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 548,400
  3. Red Dead Redemption (PS3): 380,300
  4. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii): 200,900
  5. Just Dance (Wii): 174,800
  6. Wii Fit Plus (Wii)
  7. Toy Story 3 (Nintendo DS)
  8. UFC 2010: Undisputed (Xbox 360)
  9. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Wii)
  10. UFC 2010: Undisputed (PS3)

Ugh. Just Dance is back on the list and Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver didn’t make it?!? Come on people!!! Oh well, as a Harry Potter nerd at least I can be happy about the number nine spot. Expelliarmus bitches!

What did you think of June’s top ten? You surprised that Red Dead is still dominating? Wasn’t it interesting that the only version of Toy Story 3 that made it on the list was the handheld one?

NPD Hardware Sales Figures for June 2010

NPD Group released its console sales data for June 2010. It was an unusual and exciting month for console hardware. Microsoft did very well thanks to the Xbox 360 “slim”. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true. When you get caught between the moon and New York City. Let’s look at the numbers:

  • Nintendo DS: 510, 700
  • Xbox 360: 451,700
  • Nintendo Wii: 422,500
  • PlayStation 3: 304,800
  • PlayStation Portable: 121,000

Nobody should be surprised that the Xbox 360 beat the Wii in June. Hardcore gamers bought the new version of the console while bargain hunters snatched up the older model at marked down prices. Sony recently claimed that its inventory problem will no longer be an issue, so it will be interesting to see how the PS3 does for the rest of the year. As for Nintendo…it keeps putting up excellent numbers.

Nintendo reminds me a bit of the Boston Celtics’ Robert Parish; every year sports writers predicted a decline in his stats, but dude put up the same numbers for like 20 years. Some analysts and a lot of enthusiast gamers keep saying, “This is the month Nintendo will decline,” and the company keeps posting excellent sales figures.

Anyway, let me know what you think of NPD Group’s June 2010 console sales figures. Were you surprised that Microsoft did so well? Or was that what you expected from its console refresh?