In the most depressing news of the day, according to the latest NPD data, Steven Spielberg’s amazing Wii exclusive Boom Blox only sold 60,000 copies in its first month of release. Putting that number in perspective, that is only 0.6% of all Wii owners.
While a lot of third parties are having trouble releasing hits on Nintendo’s popular console, this news comes as an extra shock since Boom Blox is easily one of the best games on the Wii. The puzzle mechanics are exceptional and the unique motion controls are used in a truly revolutionary, intuitive way. And, oh yeah, it was created by Steven freakin’ Spielberg.
Despite the low sales, EA remains confident the game will sell better and says it has already met the giant company’s expectations. And, honestly, 60,000 isn't terrible ... it’s just a bit disappointing. To ensure better sales, though, I am making a plea to the other 99.4% of Wii owners: If you like puppies, buy Boom Blox!
What do you think? If you own a Wii and haven't bought this incredible game ... why not?
[Via Shack News]
Chad Concelmo is Destructoid's features editor. He loves hanging out with awesome people. That's why Destructoid makes him so happy, since it is full of THE MOST AWESOME PEOPLE OF ALL TIME! Also, dolphins.
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Contest:
4:07 PM on 06.18.2008
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I really think sales will go up with time, because word of mouth is going to get this game into peoples' hands.
And I don't like puppies.
I was actually the same way -- I was not that excited about the game as well -- but once you play it you come to realize how amazing it truly is. :)
I hate how just because a game didn't sell very well for the first few weeks, everyone thinks it's a failure. What ever happened to shelf life? Let's not forget this is a game for the Wii. Wii owners (typically more casual gamers than say 360 or PS3) aren't the type of people who run out to buy a new game as soon as it releases. Instead, they don't mind sitting back and waiting until the next time they are in a game store (or Target, Walmart, etc..) to choose a new game they would want to play.
I say, give it some time to shine and grow as a retail success. I'll buy a copy eventually and I am sure that this will be just the type of game the casual Wii owning gamers out there will buy eventually also.
I actually agree with you. While the numbers are low when compared to a title like GTAIV, I think this game has the potential to pull in solid sales for a long period of time.
There are just simply SOOOO many "must-buys" that I had to make a priority list. With my income, this didn't even make it in the top 2. (MGS IV, Alone in the Dark)
Is it wrong that I'd rather play ROMs?
Also, puppies are great, but I'm partial to kittens.
Blasphemy, I know. Sorry Mr. Concelmo.
Please forgive me Chad :)
wanna see the real game? check it out:
Real Game: Toblo, made by a group of Junior dev's at Digipen is the actual spawn of Boom Blox. Spielberg probably saw the game and thought he would drop a buck in the game industry by swiping others ideas.
Project website:
http://www.digipen.edu/main/Gallery_Games_2005#Toblo
It is NOT just "virtual Jenga." There is more to it than that.
I guarantee no one in the mainstream above the age of 12 has ever heard of this game and THAT'S who really needs to be aware of it.
Zack&Wiki
It's the name and box art. I'd have called it STEVEN SPIELBURG'S Boom Blox or Steven Spielburg MADE A FREAKING GAME or The Best Part About Playing with Blocks When You Were A Kid by the Guy Who Did Jurassic Park
I have still got Zack and Wiki half-played and No More Heroes with the shrink wrap on it here, give me some time! I have a job and a 15 dollar a month MMORPG habit to support, I can't play games as soon as they come out.
Also, I hate puppies. They're just so damn smug.
When someone sees a title that reads "Boom Blox" they're going to add it to the list of atrocious games.
Another factor is the high price. This game will have steady sales for a long time though, as others have stated.
There were plenty of copies in the store (Target)...
Chad world makes sense.
This game came out right around the time that both Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit did. I bought those instead, thinking that Boom Blox probably wouldn't be that good anyways. I was kinda shocked to see the reviews it was getting. The D-Toid review was actually the first one I'd read of the game... I wouldn't have even clicked to check the score but the review didn't pull any punches and started out pretty positive.
And then, a few days later, EGM shows up and Boom Blox is the game of the month. Totally didn't see it coming.
So, yeah, I'll be picking it up here soon.
I rented this game for a couple of days. Yeah its neat, the physics and controls are cool, but I just couldnt get into it. Then again I only played the tutorials and didnt play much of the "story" mode. I just got burned out I guess.
If I ever have a hankering for it I'll just rent it again and get tired of in within the 3 days rental. Hell I'll be amazed if I get through all of Toki Tori.
It's the best game on the Wii. If you don't have it, you need to get it.
Seriously, this isn't going to appeal to a lot of the hardcore holdouts with a Wii based on aesthetics, and it's not something that's going to appeal to the mass of Wii Sports players on face value. It's got to be pretty tough to sell ANYTHING on the system if you aren't Nintendo, sadly.
Top that with a title called Boom Blox it sounds like another shovelware title. Probably isnt. But just calling it as it is.
I blame poor marketing for not actually showing what the game can do.
Also for what it's worth, I'm paying it forward by trying to get my sister, who also has a Wii to try this game too.
If I had a Wii, I'd probably pick it up, the not so appealing looks aside it seemed to be a interesting puzzle game.
If I ever get a Wii, Zack & Wiki and Boom Blox are up on the list with various other first party Nintendo titles.