Review Round-Up - December 2012

While the new feeling of the series might be fading,

New Super Mario Bros. U still earned a 9.0.

The last month of 2012 brought with it five new reviews to SuperPhillip Central. We started off with the Game Boy Advance's Astro Boy: Omega Factor, which earned itself an excellent 8.0. Then we turned our attention to the pink puffball that was celebrating his 20th anniversary. The game we looked at for our retro review was Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards, a game that netted an 8.25. Next, Style Savvy: Trendsetters strutted on the catwalk and dressed itself for success with an 8.5. 2 Fast 4 Gnomz for 3DSWare got a respectable 7.0. Finally, SPC's first Wii U review, New Super Mario Bros. U, was posted. The game ran and leaped into a 9.0, earning the Game of the Month title. What games will be reviewed in 2013? Only one way to find out, and that's to stick with SuperPhillip Central!

Astro Boy: Omega Factor (GBA) - 8.0
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards (N64) - 8.25
Style Savvy: Trendsetters (3DS) - 8.5
2 Fast 4 Gnomz (3DSWare) - 7.0
New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U) - 9.0

Style Savvy: Trendsetters fitted into a size 8.5.

Central City Census - December 2012

Last month, the results were ruined by Blogger going down and subsequently not even mentioning that their polls were a problem. Well, I said "goodbye, Blogger" and "hello, Polldaddy." Not only do you get a more detailed look at the results, but it is presented in a cleaner way. Without further ado, let's see what the Central City Census's results for November are!

By the end of its life, how many units do you think the Wii U will sell worldwide?

The question posed was SPC reader theories on how well the Wii U will sell in its lifetime. The most popular answers were less than Wii but more than the 360, and more than PS3 but less than 360. I'm sort of stunned that there were so many who voted less than 20 million units. That is astounding. Either we have a lot of people who aren't familiar with history, or we have ten people doing wishful thinking. Regardless, let's look at what December's Census is going to ask.

'Tis the season to be getting gifts from friends, family, and other loved ones. The Central City Census for December simply asks if you plan on receiving a console or handheld as a gift this holiday season, and if so, which one(s). Poll will close at the start of 2013.

December 2011 NPD Results

We might be in the year 2012 now, but that doesn't mean we cannot take a look back at 2011. That is exactly what we're going to do with the NPD, showcasing the last month of sales in the United States. Which titles performed the best? Let's find out! Data courtesy of NeoGAF.

NPD Group's U.S. Games Industry Sales (New Physical Sales Channel*) - December 2011 & Annual 2011
5- week month; December retail reporting period 11/27/11 through 12/31/11

Software:

December 2011 Top 10 Games (New Physical Retail only; across all platforms incl. PC) Rank Publisher
1.) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (360, PS3, Wii, PC)** 1 Activision Blizzard
2.) Just Dance 3 (Wii, 360, PS3) 2 Ubisoft
3.) Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (360, PS3, PC)** 3 Bethesda Softworks
4.) Mario Kart 7 (3DS) 4 Nintendo
5.) Battlefield 3 (360, PS3, PC)** 5 Electronic Arts
6.) Madden NFL 12 (360, PS3, Wii, PSP, PS2)** 6 Electronic Arts
7.) Assassin's Creed: Revelations (360, PS3, PC) 7 Ubisoft
8.) NBA 2K12 (360, PS3, Wii, PSP, PS2, PC) 8 Take 2 Interactive
9.) Super Mario 3D Land (3DS) 9 Nintendo
10.) Batman: Arkham City (360, PS3, PC)** 10 Warner Bros. Interactive

Annual 2011 Top 10 Games (New Physical Retail only; across all platforms incl. PC) Rank Publisher
1.) Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (360, PS3, Wii, PC)** 1 Activision Blizzard
2.) Just Dance 3 (Wii, 360, PS3) 2 Ubisoft
3.) Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (360, PS3, PC)** 3 Bethesda Softworks
4.) Battlefield 3 (360, PS3, PC)** 4 Electronic Arts
5.) Madden NFL 12 (360, PS3, Wii, PSP, PS2)** 5 Electronic Arts
6.) Call of Duty: Black Ops (360, PS3, Wii, NDS, PC)** 6 Activision Blizzard
7.) Batman: Arkham City (360, PS3, PC)** 7 Warner Bros. Interactive
8.) Gears of War 3 (360)** 8 Microsoft
9.) Just Dance 2 (Wii) 9 Ubisoft
10.) Assassin's Creed: Revelations (360, PS3, PC) 10 Ubisoft

**(includes CE, GOTY editions, bundles, etc. but not those bundled with hardware)

Hardware:

Xbox 360: Over 1.7 Million (-8.6%) [Best selling platform for the full year.]
Wii: 1.06 Million (-55%)
PS3: ~936K (-22.6%) [Math from 46% of console sales are Xbox 360 and above numbers.]

Call of Duty is a monster of a franchise that appeals to males young and old as well as some of the female persuasion. Speaking of monster franchises, how about that Just Dance? I'm guessing the Wii version of Just Dance 3 sold the best as evident by seeing Just Dance 2 in the top ten of games sold for 2011. Skyrim (hopefully not the PS3 version) sold well enough to reach third place with Mario Kart 7 coming in across the finish line in fourth. I can only imagine the legs that will come from that title. Super Mario 3D Land also charted, another 3DS exclusive. Does this mean that the 3DS is out of the danger zone?

Hardware-wise nothing has really changed. Kinect helped the 360, Wii is on cruise control, and the PS3 camp is doing fine, too. I'll update the 3DS, DS, and PSP numbers if and when they show up.

Review Round-Up - December

The familiar hero clad in green won best
honors at the SPC Best of 2011 Awards.

The last month of 2011 was full of terrific titles and great games. We started off with Pokemon Rumble Blast, the 3DS sequel to the WiiWare original, which earned a solid 7.0. Then we looked at the 3DS hardware itself and ranked it above average (this was before cool features like Swap Note, the updated eShop, and more). My older brother performed his take on Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and gave it a 7.25. Mario Kart 7 revved its way into an 8.5 while the Best Puzzler of 2011 Pushmo received a tremendous 9.0. Not bad for a downloadable game. We went to Kawawii Island in Go Vacation which got a 7.25, played the Game of the Year 2011 in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, took a shuttle to London for Mario and Sonic's third Olympic Games which did well enough to receive a 7.5, and lastly, Kirby returned to consoles with Kirby's Return to Dreamland. That game inhaled an 8.75. Nine games were reviewed in all, ending the year in style.

All scores are out of 10.
5 = Average
* = Guest Review

Pokemon Rumble Blast (3DS) - 7.0
Nintendo 3DS Hardware - 7.5
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3)* - 7.25
Mario Kart 7 (3DS) - 8.5
Pushmo (3DSWare) - 9.0
Go Vacation (Wii) - 7.25
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii) - 9.5
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii) - 7.5
Kirby's Return to Dreamland (Wii) - 8.75

Kirby and friends rampaged on Wii
with an excellent return to form.

SPC Mailbag - December 22nd, 2011

Christmas is quickly approaching-- just three days away! I think since Santa Claus is digging deep into his toy sack that I should dig deep into my mailbag to grab three letters (e-mails) that would make for an interesting discussion. I wonder what three they will be... No point dragging this on. Let's read some questions!

Final Fantasy XIII-2 sold the least one week amount of copies in Japan for a mainline Final Fantasy game. Do you think the Final Fantasy brand is dying out? What can Square Enix do to remedy this?

Ooh. A Final Fantasy question! How exotic! The problem with the Final Fantasy series is that the brand has been used way too much in the past five years. I mean, how many spin-offs has the series had lately? We've seen two Dissidia games, multiple Crystal Chronicles titles, and Final Fantasy Type-0, to name a few. Perhaps it's brand fatigue that is causing the series to not sell up to the standard the series was known for.

To fix this Square Enix should clean house. They should release everything they've been working on. If the game is bad, cancel it. No use tarnishing the brand even further with another poor game. Then let the series rest for a little while. The people will note an absence in Final Fantasy titles and want more. This is the way to get people interested in the series again. I mean, when Tales of Xillia outsells Final Fantasy XII-2's first week, you know something is gravely wrong.

Who put QTEs in my Final Fantasy?

How does my site become an affiliate with SuperPhillip Central? What do you personally look for when obtaining new affiliates?

Usually all you have to do is ask me via e-mail to see if I want to affiliate. As for what I look for, I tend to affiliate with like-minded sites who have a fair amount of activity and aren't on an extended hiatus for too long. If your last story was in 2009, there's a good chance that I won't affiliate with you or I will take you off the affiliate list. Affiliates are an important part of site relations. The mutual relationship between sites allows for users of both to check out each other's sites, gain readers, and make new friends among one another's sites. Thus is the circle of life.

Didn't you use to have your stories featured on GoNintendo? What happened to that?

Oh, that's a simple question. I got tired of the owner of the site's need to get hits by using sensationalist headlines, false rumors, among other things. Plus the community is god-awful. I'll leave it at that. (I had something much meaner here earlier.)

===

Ah... nothing like holiday season vitriol to end an edition of the SPC Mailbag. Let's close 'er on up and retire to the living room where the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, chocolate chip cookies are carefully nestled on top of the counter, and the Christmas tree is loaded with lovely lights. If you have a question that you would like answered by yours truly, hit me up with an e-mail at superphillip32[at]yahoo[dot]com.

Central City Census - December

We've reached the final month of the year-- December! It's time for cold temperatures, slush, snow, flurries, and wet precipitation. Yikes! Despite this we're trudging on. Before we start talking about this month's Census, let us look back at the results of November's Census. How did the SPC faithful vote?

Do you utilize auction sites like eBay?

Yes, I buy/sell games using them all the time.	4 (13%)
Yes, but only on occasion.	12 (40%)
No, but I've been interested in them.	3 (10%)
No, I use alternate means to buy/sell games.	5 (16%)
I don't buy/sell used games online.	6 (20%)

Votes so far: 30

The topic was about auction sites such as eBay and whether you use them. Twelve voters responded that they do, but only on occasion. The rest of the votes were pretty much split between the other four answers whether it is all the time, they've been interested but haven't yet, they use alternate methods to buy and sell games, or not going online to buy and sell at all. Well, I pretty much wrapped up the results for this month rather quickly. Nice! What's the question for December, folks?

The holiday season is upon us. Gifts will be given and gotten by loved ones. Do you plan on getting or buying a new console this holiday season? Perhaps you'll buy me a new Xbox 360? I wouldn't mind, gang...

Review Round-Up - December

Well, crap. We didn't have any reviews for the month of December. I hope to change that with the new year, but who knows. Damn that red ring of death and damn you, Microsoft. That's why you won nothing during my annual awards show! Make better hardware next time, Microsoft, and maybe I'll buy it. Probably not. Assholes.

What was I talking about? Oh, yes. Reviews. There weren't any this month, but next month I have at least three in store for you fine readers. Until then, see you in 2011!

Central City Census - December

It's the final month of the year. December is the time where the leaves are dead, the snow is white, and we're freezing our asses off. Unless you live in the Southwest, of course, or in another country where the seasons are different. Regardless, let's see last month's Census!

Yes, two or more.	3 (7%)
Yes, just one.	9 (23%)
Maybe.	7 (18%)
No, not at all.	19 (50%)

Votes so far: 38

The question asked was whether or not SPC users would be getting a new platform (Wii, DS, etc) this holiday season. Most of you are not. All right! More money for more games! Three of you lucky bastards are getting two or more! Call Richie Rich, junior! A near half of you are or maybe are receiving at least one console this holiday season. Good stuff, and thanks for your votes. Now onto December's question.


The console wars are in full steam, and are heading down the finishing tracks. Or are they? Regardless, which console do you think had the best year?

December 2009 NPD Results

December is traditionally the biggest month for sales in the gaming industry. Let's see how the combatants shaped up last month. To check out previous month totals, just type in "NPD" in the search bar.

PlayStation 2 333.2K
PlayStation 3 1.36M
PSP 654.7K
Xbox 360 1.31M
Wii 3.81M
Nintendo DS 3.31M



NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Nov-09 2.82M
WII FIT PLUS* WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Oct-09 2.41M
WII SPORTS RESORT W/ WII MOTION PLUS* WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Jul-09 1.79M
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2* 360 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD Nov-09 1.63M
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2* PS3 ACTIVISION BLIZZARD Nov-09 1.12M
WII PLAY W/ REMOTE WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Feb-07 1.01M
MARIO KART W/ WHEEL WII NINTENDO OF AMERICA Apr-08 936.1K
ASSASSIN'S CREED II 360 UBISOFT Nov-09 783.1K
LEFT 4 DEAD 2 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS Nov-09 728.5K
MARIO & LUIGI: BOWSER'S INSIDE STORY NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA Sep-09 656.7K

I'm just floored by the Wii sales-- a record-breaking month for Wii and DS easily. Even with announcements of third parties cutting back on Wii development-- on the market-leading console no less, the Wii is selling high and mighty. Just shows how messed up this generation is with third parties, no? Nearly four million in sales, just over three million for the DS. Meanwhile, the PS3 had a terrific month selling over a million as did the 360 which came in third place in the console wars this month. Meanwhile, the PSP treads water with over a half million units sold.

Software sales-wise, New Super Mario Bros. Wii outsells both versions of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Could the president of Nintendo of America be right in his prediction? We'll find out next month on that. Nintendo titles once again dominate the top ten showing at least one company rocking it hard in North America. Other titles include Assassin's Creed II, the excellent Left 4 Dead 2, and the Call of Duty games.

Review Round-Up - December

Kneel before the game of the month,
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.

The game releases slowed down, but SPC kept on running at full capacity! This month featured some excellent titles with The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks leading the charge with a 9.5. Runners-up this month include Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures, and Goldeneye 007 all receiving a 9.25. Both Call of Duty games for PS3, 360, PC, and Wii were reviewed and both were given an 8.5 (though by different reviewers) which was the same score given to the charming A Boy and His Blob. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 got its own installment on the SPC Quickies, and the rotten egg of the month goes to the slightly average Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg.

All scores are out of 10.
5 = Average

A Boy and His Blob (Wii) - 8.5
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time (PS3) - 9.25
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (GCN) - 9.25
SPC Quickies Volume Five - Xbox 360 Blockbuster
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Reflex Edition (Wii) - 8.5
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3, 360, PC) - 8.5
Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg (GCN) - 5.75
Goldeneye 007 (N64) - 9.25
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS) - 9.5

Ratchet was as poised as ever in December!

Central City Census - December

The month of thanks has come and gone, so let's check out the Central City Census results for the month of November 2009.


A surprising result to the question of which big-name November game you folks were most interested in. New Super Mario Bros. Wii took the majority of the vote by a wide margin. Meanwhile, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 took second place with 16% of the vote, and Assassin's Creed II and Left 4 Dead 2 took third and fourth respectively with 13% and 12%. With that out of the way, I wonder what the CCC would like to know this month...

The holiday season is upon us. Greetings, holiday cheer, good will towards all, and yes, presents. The December Census would like to know whether or not you're planning on getting a new console or handheld this holiday season whether it's a new Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, DS, or PSP. Perhaps you're getting more than one! You cheeky buyer!