Smash Bros. delay could spell doom this holiday for Wii

by David Hinkle { Oct 15th 2007 at 1:30PM }

In speaking to Chris Kohler over at Wired, Michael Pachter stated that the delay of Smash Bros. Brawl could be a very bad thing for Nintendo and their Wii this holiday season. He thinks that Microsoft might be a contender now, stating "instead of Nintendo being the clear winner this holiday, maybe Microsoft has a chance of keeping up. There's not as much compelling Nintendo content this holiday without it." Instead of it being the killer app for Nintendo, Pachter thinks their big title will now be one from Activision. A little known title called Guitar Hero III.

Even though it's releasing next month, we'd like to think that a title called Super Mario Galaxy is going to be the big hit this holiday

Tags: smash-bros-brawl, smashbros, smashbrosbrawl

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

troy @ Oct 15th 2007 1:47PM

Agreed, Sir Hinkle. Everybody and their Mom's DAD is gonna get this game when it comes out. It will be the Mario game of this decade, if not the most significant new Mario in over 15 years!

troy @ Oct 15th 2007 1:47PM

By 'this game' I meant Super Mario Galaxy.

Hirsbrunner @ Oct 15th 2007 1:52PM

If Pachter knew the difference between sh*t and Shinola, then I might consider his opinions valid.

Alas, I do not believe that to be the case.

mian @ Oct 15th 2007 2:06PM

I'm looking forward to Galaxy more than SSBB, but the fact remains that Galaxy + SSBB would move more systems than Galaxy alone. SSBB Brawl will still be a system mover once it releases, but since that's going to be after the holidays, this does present an opportunity for MS to grab some holiday dollars that would have otherwise been going to Nintendo.

Acknowledging that it has an impact is not the same as admitting defeat.

troy @ Oct 15th 2007 2:14PM

I think its smart because its not like there are going to be a lot of Wii units to buy this holiday anyway so this will just mean lots more people buying in Feb. And then Wii Fit for us around that time I imagine.

Metayoshi @ Oct 15th 2007 2:14PM

Wait... isn't Guitar Hero III coming out for Wii anyway?

Jumbo @ Oct 15th 2007 2:47PM

Troy, i'd say Mario 64 was the most significant mario in the past 15 years.

Sonic_13 @ Oct 15th 2007 3:13PM

His argument is a terrible one:
"instead of Nintendo being the clear winner this holiday, maybe Microsoft has a chance of keeping up."

According to him Microsoft will only "maybe" have a chance of keeping up with the doomed console. Still sounds like Nintendo is coming out the winner.

troy @ Oct 15th 2007 3:23PM

Sure, Jumbo, it is NOW! I really think this one will be better. Look at how it has music from Mario 3 for NES, and all the powerups, plus a bunch of cool new ones, plus cool levels that are like forced 2d by having narrow walkways. How about NOSTALGIA+INNOVATION! How about no camera problems, but only 3D PERFECTION. That is what I see coming to us on November 12th. And it will be a HUGE DEAL.

Ethan @ Oct 15th 2007 3:28PM

Smash Bros doesn't need the holiday period, because people will still buy it for themselves. It's not a present-only game.

Matt @ Oct 15th 2007 3:32PM

Epilogue: Holy crap, I wrote a novel!

---

I'll come right out and say it... Halo 3 notwithstanding, there is there little-or-no chance whatsoever that Microsoft will catch up to Nintendo, or even beat their sales numbers, in this upcoming season. Super Smash Bros: Brawl's availability (or lack thereof) will have a less-than-significant impact on performance this Christmas.

Look, I know everybody *here* (myself included) is frothing at the mouth for SSB:B, but you all have to realize that we're in the minority as highly-connected, hardcore gamers. A whole lot of Nintendo console owners (the clear majority, I'd wager) have *never* purchased a Super Smash Brothers title in any incarnation. A slightly larger percentage have played someone else's copy, and many more have heard of it. The negative effect of its absence from the shelves for the next three months can't begin to compare to the positive effect of the *presence* of universally appealing titles that EVERYONE has been waiting for. Especially one in particular...

Super Mario Galaxy is going to sell approximately 1.2 metric f*ckloads more copies than SSB:B ever will, regardless of when the latter is released. It simply has a much broader appeal and notoriety than (the comparatively niche) SSBM. SMG will be a must-have title this holiday season, and it will be readily available as such.

Now, take into account the other imminent, highly anticipated game releases for Wii: Zack and Wiki, Manhunt 2, Fire Emblem:RD, Mario & Sonic, Rayman:RR2, Trauma Center:NB, Link's Crossbow, Super Swing Golf, NiGHTS:JoD. I know I'm missing a couple.

Finally, add to that the increased availability of consoles for the holidays, and we're looking at an unprecedented spike in holiday console sales for Nintendo. And this guy wants to talk about a slump in the numbers for Wii and its titles? There is absolutely no chance. And let's not even *talk* about DS sales...

Indeed, the delay of SSB:M may be a very good thing for the Wii: after the holidays, when console sales inevitably fall off, the Wii will have that game's release (and our insatiable appetite for it) to keep its numbers relatively high when compared to its competitors.

Jumbo @ Oct 15th 2007 3:44PM

It'll be a fine game indeed, but it won't be nearly as significant or ground breaking as Mario 64 was. It's simply takin what Mario 64 started and building upon that.

Mr Khan @ Oct 15th 2007 3:59PM

Agree with consensus;

Galaxy is going to light some fires. Hell, Sunshine sold quite a bit, and it was on an unpopular platform, and not much of a departure from 64

Galaxy has everything going for it that Sunshine didn't

WhatIsThatThing @ Oct 15th 2007 4:09PM

Ahem. Rock Band. That is all.

red_cobra @ Oct 15th 2007 4:11PM

First of all, this man is an idiot. Secondly, anyone notice the two megatons Super Mario Galaxy and Mario vs. Sonic at the Olympics? I'm actually starting to believe that Mario vs. Sonic will be the biggest game of the holidays. Think about it. Everyone and their grandmother has played Wii Sports now, and they are looking for a sequel with more sports to play with their wiimotes. Although it isn't Wii Sports 2, it's as close as one could possibly get. Throw in Mario and Sonic and you have a the biggest game of the holidays.

Andrew @ Oct 15th 2007 4:28PM

I personally have sort of gotten past the dissapointment of ssbb delay, because I know I'll be playing galaxy for a long time, and plenty of other rental games. (I might even get gh3) but I've talked to various people who already told me they're buying mario vs sonic initially as a "collector's item" regardless of how good it actually is.

Based on Galaxy and Mario vs Sonic alone, I think the chance of nintendo selling a lot this season is not bad. Not to mention countless other releases and people who still don't have a wii getting stuff like zelda.

zenprism @ Oct 15th 2007 5:39PM

I love my Wii and my 360 like my own unborn children, but NOTHING is getting in the way of me playing the hell out of Mario Galaxy when it releases. I'm talkin' prepackaged foods, time off work, no sleep, and a container for unloading fluids.
So yeah, while I do look forward to Smash Bros, Mario Galaxy will put everything else on my life on hold for a good while.

Fanboy +1

flameofdoom666 @ Oct 15th 2007 6:27PM

There are SO many games coming out, brawl wont change any sales. Not enough Wii's to go around anyway! Its better for it to come out in February, it will keep the demand high.

LV426 @ Oct 15th 2007 6:32PM

#6 hit it even. If there is a shortage most likely, it means they dont have to do as much to move systems, and save some big guns for afterwards.

Jeremy @ Oct 15th 2007 9:15PM

Nintendo will not need SSBB to rule this Holiday season. People are only going to spend so much money in three months on games and there is a ton of them between now and Christmas. Pushing back SSBB is a smart move if you ask me, now it can get the sales it deserves without all the competition of about 60 other games coming out for the Wii before X-Mas.

Elsnerma @ Oct 15th 2007 9:42PM

Xbox 360 will barely be able to keep up with PS3 pretty soon, much less the Wii. Nothing is going to stop the Wii, and I doubt the holiday sales of Xbox 360 will be very impressive.