games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


Valkyria Chronicles strikes back with a vengeance photo

We all want to see solid games that are brave enough to stand apart from the pack do well, but in the case of the stellar Valkyria Chronicles, good looks were not enough, selling only 33,000 units in the month it was released. Many gamers have lamented this news, reflecting on how it is that such an excellent title can perform so poorly. Because of sales, the price on the game was cut to $40 ... and suddenly, things started to change.

Destructoid's own community member unangbangkay spotted the news first: Valkyria Chronicles was making a stunning comeback, both in Japan and the US. According to Sega's blog, North American sales catapulted Valkyria Chronicles into the top 5 PS3 sellers, right behind big boys like Killzone 2 and Guitar Hero.

The game boasted an even greater victory in Japan, ranking as Amazon's bestselling title overall last week and beating out games like Biohazard (Resident Evil 5 to you). I feel like this game was well worth the full purchase price I paid for it, but if a slight adjustment means it can perform better in the market, more power to it. Hooray for good news! Now, go buy it if you haven't already!


Continue: More Sales Records stories





prev next

50 comments | showing # 1 to 50

DonHonk's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:21
DonHonk
Fucking yes!
Primo's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:23
Primo
a very awesome game.
dip's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:23
dip
Fantastic news. This makes me happy.
Kalmah's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:25
Kalmah
At least it's finally starting to get the recognition it deserves.
bluexy's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:26
bluexy
I want this game to be $20 :(
Josh Tolentino's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:26
Josh Tolentino
I think this image deserves a second posting:

aaronf's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:26
aaronf
Maybe publishers should consider dropping prices to $40.00.
SephirothX's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:27
SephirothX
aaronf beat me to it.

See what happens when you dont overprice games?
Josh Tolentino's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:28
Josh Tolentino
Actually, the real credit goes to Dtoider Black Nexus, who told me about it over PSN, and to Gamasutra, whose weekly sales feature seems to be the source for the figures themselves.
kidko's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:29
kidko
I agree, this game is worth the $60 but many games that come out at that price aren't.
CronosBlade's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:29
CronosBlade
$30 at Gamestop probably helped a bit.
Tha Meat's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:29
Tha Meat
ITs listed as 29.99 @ gamestop. I went in 2 weeks ago when the price dropped but I was told all the employees of the store bought the last copies before anyone else could.
Trowble's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:31
Trowble
What a coincidence, I picked it up yesterday. I was going to get it on release, but I lacked the funds and decided to wait for a price drop and low and behold here I am enjoying damn a fine game.
Jack Maverick's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:33
Jack Maverick
This is grand, hopefully this tells Sega what they should do with this franchise. And I hope that it tells them that they should stop doing things with Sonic as well, but if they at least do that first thing right, I'll be happy.
ArcticFox's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:35
ArcticFox
Due to my 360 being in the shop. I decided to finally get around to finishing this game. I have no idea why I ever put it down. It is extremely good, and I forgot how amazing each character is. Good to see this news, because that hints at more VC stuff!
eskimo bob's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:36
eskimo bob
a simple pricedrop and this poorly selling title shoots right into the top? how curious...

now, I don't own a PS3 and have no plans on buying one (it would take way too much saving for my patience to handle. :P), but this is one of the titles I would pick up first thing I did if I ever got one.
nademagnet's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:42
nademagnet
Squad Seven, MOVE OUT!!!
Black Nexus's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:43
Black Nexus
Sega should thank unangbangkay, he promoted the game better than they did.

Hopefully this will show devs that good games DO sell.
Pacopaco's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:50
Pacopaco
I'm wondering how large a role the anime that just started airing a few weeks ago plays here.

"HORAY!" either way, though.
Snidesworth's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:51
Snidesworth
Hopefully the price will come down in the UK as well. My housemate just added a PS3 to our collection and I've enjoyed the demo thoroughly, but the price put me off.
Josh Tolentino's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:53
Josh Tolentino
@Pacopaco

Somehow I doubt it had much effect. The anime hasn't started airing here, and given the general speed of licensing, probably won't air until after the top sales period for the game is over. Even the fansubs show that the subbers probably have not played the game itself, and are treating it as any other anime.

Whether that means people will think of it as anime/manga first, game second, only time can tell.
Isay Isay's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:54
Isay Isay
I don't even own a PS3 and I bought it.
Los255's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 13:55
Los255
I got the $30 Gamestop one too. I feel bad cause I promised myself I would get it when it first launched, but never did.

Awesome.
TheToiletDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 14:19
TheToiletDuck
You know what else would give this game a boost in sales.. releasing it in the UK!!!!!!!

>:
rockydil's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 14:22
rockydil
I pretty much bought my PS3 for this game a few weeks back. 25 hours in, I can say it was totally worth it.
playahatea45's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 14:24
playahatea45
Got it yesterday... Cant wait until it gets here!
hpv's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 14:27
hpv
i'd been holding off on buying it because of the length. something about getting older and having less time makes it harder to justify purchasing long games than short ones that I might actually finish.

Almost wish I hadn't waited until it was $30. this game is absolutely fantastic! Easily one of the highlights of this generation so far. Go pick it up if you haven't already.
KMCC's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 14:29
KMCC
Hooray! This ended up being one of my favorite games of all time.

VC shows how to do characters.
Chronic Logic's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 14:30
Chronic Logic
I'm really surprised, I thought Killzone 2 would've hogged the spotlight from any PS3 games.
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 14:47
ArrestedDeveloper
I hope if anything this will convince more PS3 games (both blu ray and PSN) to put out demos. I had little to no awareness of this game but tried the demo and fell in love.
TheHunter234's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 14:57
TheHunter234
Awesome. It definitely deserves the attention.
Tubatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 15:02
Tubatic
I got it yesterday! Annapolis Mall's last copy!
Kraid's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 15:41
Kraid
I love this game and I love you all for buying it , BRING ON THE SEQUEL MOFOS!!!!
Magnalon's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 15:41
Magnalon
SRPGs were a dying archaic breed, and I cannot stress ENOUGH how much this saved the genre. Seriously; riveting visuals combined with a well done action-turned based strategy mechanic=win.
worm jerky's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 15:56
worm jerky
Kickass, it's great to see this game getting some well deserved attention.
DemonEyes23's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 15:59
DemonEyes23
wow that's good news and it also makes me realize why the DLC seemed to be alittle on the pricey side for this title.
zanthox's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 16:01
zanthox
Is their a point in someone else saying how great this game is, how fun it was and how it actually did something for the genre?

JUST GO BUY IT!
CommanderPoopypants's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 16:06
CommanderPoopypants
I just bought my second copy for 29.99 @ gamestop in a recent sale.
BGFUSAB's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 17:24
BGFUSAB
Great news, hopefully this will secure a sequel and better yet ensure a US arrival of it but I still don't own a PS3. Please please please port to 360, PLEASE!
TheCleaningGuy's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 17:44
TheCleaningGuy
GO. BUY. THIS. GAME!
and a PS3, if necessary.
akathatoneguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 17:46
akathatoneguy
I'm glad to see the game is doing better. Maybe we'll see a VC 2 now. I still mourn the lack of hope for a Gladius sequel, and I was worried that VC was headed in the same direction.
Kyousuke Nanbu's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 17:52
Kyousuke Nanbu
I'm happy its selling but this is a bigger problem with gaming than anything else.

The game is released, its wonderful, its awesome, its praised nobody buys it.

The game lowers its price, suddenly a bunch of people buy it, what's the problem with supporting the developer at the game's original price? This goes right back to the "DLC SHOULD BE FREE" argument and other shit, gamers are way to cheap and have huge self-entitlement complexes.

Again I am happy VC is selling but it sucks they had to lower the price for it to happen.
Anus Mcphanus's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 17:57
Anus Mcphanus
I agree with Kyousuke Nanbu. I don't blame people for holding out and keeping an eye on their wallet but at the same time it's a shame that less and less people are willing to buy/support new games which are getting universal praise when they are first released.

Also, it's sucks that this game is hard as balls to find in the UK. Luckily I bought my copy on day 1 but anyone who's now interested in the game is going to have trouble getting it.
Dexter345's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 18:28
Dexter345
I will pick it up now.
Projectexodus's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 18:29
Projectexodus
I feel incredibly bad for not purchasing this game yet. The game came out in the middle of the Q4 tsunami of releases, and I just couldn't afford it. I did however consider to put it on my Christmas wishlist, but I decided not to because another strategy title - Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon - was already on it. So instead I got Prince of Persia... Ugh...

I'm traveling to Amsterdam in beginning of May, and I've planned to get the game there along with Rhythm Paradise. I believe it is fitting, because judging from the demo, the game (some of it at least) takes place in Dutch like enviroments (judging by the windmills).
akathatoneguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 21:13
akathatoneguy
@ Kyousuke Nanbu-

Yes, but it's not as if the people who heaped praise upon it were the ones not buying it. And those that didn't buy it at the original price point aren't responsible for buying games simply because they receive critical acclaim, either. So, I don't know how it can be considered a "problem". It's unfortunate, but that's about it.

The game's art style and the gameplay itself are innovative and all-around awesome, but also a bit "niche". It's no surprise that many gamers waited for a price drop to really consider buying. Everyone has their own personal price point for a particular game, and who can say for sure what causes them to wait?

I will agree that gamers are fucking cheap, though. NES games were $50, Xbox 360/PS3 games are $60, and what form of entertainment can boast such a small amount of inflation? Comic books have tripled in price since those days, going to movies has more than doubled, etc.
Solgrim's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 22:00
Solgrim
/tear
Noah's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/22/2009 00:34
Noah
When I get a PS# someday, this'll be the first game I get. I'm so envious :(
Leinaro's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/27/2009 02:15
Leinaro
This is by far one of the few games where I've seen people buy a PS3 just to play it.

IT"S THAT FRICKIN FANTASTIC.

Then the same people buy and play Warhawk, Killzone 2, Uncharted, and MGS4. Then they'd just wanna smack themselves on why the hell they didn't jump into getting a PS3 earlier.
psychoneko's Avatar - Comment posted on 05/04/2009 23:16
psychoneko
I bought my copy of Valkyria Chronicles towards the end of December and then picked up my PS3 a few days later (because I had to hunt it down - it was a refurbished BC PS3). I have never regretted picking up Valkyria Chronicles at its full price and, since I'm currently in Hong Kong, will pick up the Japanese version as well [the budget version has been released here].
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos


    Win this!
    Dive in! meetup+play for a chance to win a PC

    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Crossfire Remote Pistol review
    Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles review
    Left 4 Dead 2 review
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex review
    Arkedo Series - 02 SWAP! review
    more reviews
    Driver
    Avatar
    GT Racing Motor Academy
    Bad Company 2 beta dishes out meaningful experiences
    Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 50904 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing

    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Jonathan Holmes: Why No More Heroes HD could mean a Wii total victory





















    More Destructoid Originals




     Popular now more






















    Team Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief
    Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor
    Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Dale North
    News Editor
    Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor
    Colette Bennett
    Tom Fronczak Brad Nicholson
    Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
    Conrad
    Zimmerman
    Chad Concelmo
    Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Will Maddock Matthew Razak
    Dyson Joseph Leray
    Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
         
      Dexter
    Adam Dork
    Daniel Lingen
    Hollie Bennett
    Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Stella Wong

    Josh Tolentino




     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online
    seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap
    our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?




    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006