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Pikmin 3’s Effect on Wii U Sales in Japan - Updated

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In the four weeks Pikmin 3 has been out in Japan, Wii U sales have risen 117% from the previous four weeks. Get the full statistical break-down below. 

***Update*** August 23rd, 2013

I’ve expanded the data to include the previous eight weeks before Pikmin 3’s release in Japan. In addition to that, I’ve also updated the current Wii U sales after Pikmin 3’s release.

Eight Weeks Before Pikmin 3 (Wii U systems sold a week - Japan)

Week 1: 6,037

Week 2: 5,648

Week 3: 6,680

Week 4: 6,330

Four Weeks Before Pikmin 3 (Wii U systems sold a week - Japan)

Week 1: 5983 

Week 2: 5329

Week 3: 7060

Week 4: 8251 

Six Weeks After Pikmin 3 (Wii U systems sold a week - Japan)

Week 1: 22,199

Week 2: 14,280

Week 3: 11,373

Week 4: 10,038

Week 5: 9,950

Week 6: 12,047

***Update*** Added August 23rd, 2013

In the six weeks since Pikmin 3 has been released, the Wii U has averaged 13,314.5 units sold a week. In the eight weeks prior to Pikmin 3 being released the Wii U averaged 6,414.75 units sold a week.

In the previous eight weeks before Pikmin 3 launched in Japan, the Wii U totaled 51,318 units sold. In the six weeks after Pikmin 3’s release in Japan, the Wii U has totaled 79,887 units sold. In two fewer weeks, the Wii U has sold 28,569 units more.

It’s getting harder and harder to say Pikmin 3 has not been a ‘system seller’ for Nintendo. The data just contradicts that statement. 

Another interesting thing to note is Nintendo is well on its way to crushing their abysmal 160,000 units sold in Q1. In Japan alone, Nintendo has sold 79,887 Wii U’s since Pikmin 3’s release in Japan on July 13th. About half of the worldwide total for their Q1 sales they reported. Sales in America and Europe have went up since Pikmin 3’s release as well.

Original Story 

As you can see, Pikmin 3 has had a nice effect on Wii U sales in Japan. While not the biggest jump, it’s significant nonetheless. And most importantly, proves that software sells hardware.

In the four weeks prior to Pikmin 3 being released, the Wii U sold a total of 26,623 combined units in Japan. In the four weeks after Pikmin 3 was launched, the Wii U has sold 57,890 units, resulting in a 117% increase over the previous four weeks before Pikmin 3 launched.

Some interesting side notes from this data and on Pikmin in general. 

- In the previous four weeks before Pikmin 3 launched, the Wii U never broke over 8,500 units sold. Nor did Nintendo ever average over 10,000 units sold like the firm did in the four weeks after Pikmin 3’s launch.

- No Pikmin title has ever broken over 2 million units sold worldwide. The Media Create sales charts have Pikmin 3 around 145,735 units sold at retail in Japan. That is not counting digital sales. The Wii U has a user base a little over a million units in Japan. That means Pikmin 3 has a attach rate of at least 14% not counting digital sales.

- Wii U sales have dropped each week since Pikmin 3’s release, but sales are well over the average of the previous two months prior to Pikmin 3 being released. In other words, Pikmin 3  is carrying the console by itself right now.

Conclusion - Pikmin 3 “HELPS” sell Wii U consoles, therefore is a “system seller” for many people.

Overall, quality content can have a nice effect on sales. With more software like Yakuza 1&2 HD, Rayman Legends, and The Wonderful 101 within the next 30 days, the Wii U sales are well on their way to recovery in Japan. Pikmin is by no means Nintendo’s top franchise either.

Sonic Lost World, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, Wii Fit U, Wii Party U, The Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker HD, and Super Mario 3D World are all slated to come to the Wii U this year. Bayonetta 2, Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem, Super Smash Bros for Wii U, and Mario Kart 8 are dropping in 2014.

If Pikmin, a second tier franchise can boost sales like this, imagine how the franchises I listed above will do for Wii U sales.

What do you guys think about these numbers? Put your thoughts in the comments section below.

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