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Hype isn't everything: Metroid outsells BioShock

September 07, 2007 in News comments 43

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and BioShock ... what a pair, eh? Both are shooters, both with their own unique spin on the FPS genre, and both are flagship titles for their respective systems. So what's the difference? Well, one game, BioShock, was hyped to the stratosphere. The other, Metroid, seemed to suffer from a lack of attention until just before release.

So which one came out on top in the sales charts last week when Corruption debuted? The less-hyped Metroid pulled out the top spot. Corruption sold through over 400,000 copies in total. Apparently, Big Daddies are no challenge for Samus.

Nintendo's flagship shooter Metroid Prime 3: Corruption has debuted in the States with a bang, taking the top sales spot in the all-format chart and even outselling 2K's awesome Bioshock in its first week.

Metroid managed to shift over 400,000 copies in total, which must be big news for developers ogling at Nintendo's console and proves that traditional "hardcore" games can still sell on the home of Wii Sports and Cooking Mama.

With Wii releases thin on the ground, Metroid's unlikely to be contested at the top of the Wii sales chart until Super Mario Galaxy rolls around in a few months time. Wii Play meanwhile, is still sitting at the top of the charts in all three main territories.
TwilightPrince via computerandvideogames.com »
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Most recently commented on by on Sep 10, 2007

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  • 0
    FRoGBuster Sep 8, 07
    wow, that's pretty surprising and informative. This will likely make many developers and publishers reconsider the power of the Wii as a money making machine. A Huge User Base does indeed mean a lot. This may also be good news for the poor hardcore gamers with Wiis. They might see something more along the lines of BioShock soon, somewhere behind the horizon
  • 0
    Final Blade Sep 8, 07
    Whats funny is Halo 3 will probably end up like Bioshock here and get second in top sales per week.

    To get serious now..I told you guys MP3 are outselling bioshock and thats surprising.

    MP3 is the bioshock of the Wii FRoGBuster.
    As the title implies hype isn't everything. Makes you wonder how Halo 3 will do. I play halo so don't think i hate it.
  • -2
    volacide Sep 8, 07
    It's just that BioShock will go down in history as one of the best games of all time, Metroid Prime 3 however will not.
  • 5
    bbb7002004 Sep 8, 07
    I disagree, as would many others. MP3 is one of the best games I have ever played, and its control scheme blows duel analog out of the water. I'm not saying Bioshock isn't an excellent game, just don't go bashing other excellent games without good reason.

    I guess what this data really says is that Wii is for hardcore gamers, while only little kids play 360.
    • -3
      volacide Sep 8, 07
      There's this game called Metroid Prime (1) bud.
      • -1
        volacide Sep 10, 07
        How did I get a -3 on talking about how good Metroid Prime 1 was?
  • 4
    Gogetenks Sep 8, 07
    Exactly. Metroid Prime is still considered one of the best games of all time half a decade after it's release, and it is still the fourth highest rated game on Metacritic (the three higher than it are Ocarina of Time, Soul Calibur and Tony Hawks Pro Skater 2, on the N64, Playstation and Dreamcast respectively). Other than Soul Calibur, it was the highest-rated game of the generation, and deserved it. It was superb. Metroid Prime 3, although not particularly original, is more of the amazing formula and is still an experience not found in any other franchise.

    What makes you think Bioshock will be so remembered and Metroid will not? The Metroid series already has two, if not three, games that are considered some of the best games ever (being Metroid, Super Metroid and Metroid Prime). Bioshock is an excellent game, without a doubt. I loved it. But, like bbb said, "just don't go bashing other excellent games without good reason".
    • 0
      volacide Sep 8, 07
      You start that off with "Exactly volacide" and then end with what makes you think BioShock will be so remembered and Metroid won't? That would mean that you don't agree with me.

      Metroid Prime 1 will be remembered, but not Metroid Prime 3 won't even compare.
      • 0
        TwilightPrince Sep 8, 07
        I think Gogetenks was agreeing with bbb.

        Anyway, I don't think Bioshock will be remembered as one of the best games of all time. I could name dozens of games better then it, and many FPS better then it. I can't voice my opinion on Metroid yet, since I don't have it. But I've already played through Bioshock, and yes it's a great game, but it's not the best.

        Hopefully Metroid 3 continues to sell this well, and Nintendo reconsiders their 'casual gaming' approach.
        • 0
          volacide Sep 8, 07
          Hahaha he edited his post, it started off with "exactly volacide."
      • 0
        Final Blade Sep 8, 07
        He agreed with the Metroid prime 1 not 3. And i disagree volacide, Metroid prime will be remember probably more so than bioshock. Hell no one will remember Bioshock when Halo 3 comes out.
        • 1
          volacide Sep 8, 07
          You're *bleep*ing crazy. BioShock is going to be right alongside Half-Life 20 years from now.
        • 0
          Final Blade Sep 8, 07
          Oh im sorry but i didn't realize you can predict the future ok then allow me, MP3 will be alongside SSBB in 20 years from now.

          Since your statement is pretty much idol speculation and your opinion i will take it as a grain of salt. Thank you.
        • 1
          TwilightPrince Sep 8, 07
          And Metroid Prime 3 will always be remembered as the game that 'redefined console FPS controls.' Try going back to dual-analog after playing an hour of MP3, you can't.
      • 0
        Gogetenks Sep 8, 07
        I was referring to bbb's post. However, the comment was aimed at you, volacide. Notice the comma, they are two seperate statements. Since you replied to his post, now my post is no longer directly below his, so it looks a bit out of place. I'll edit your name out just to clarify, anyway.

        But in other words, I agree with bbb. Chances are, Halo 3 will steal all it's thunder coming out a mere month after it. Frankly, I think Bioshock deserves the attention much more than Halo 3, but I'm quite sure it won't get nearly as much. Shame, really. It'll still sell, but without a doubt Halo 3 will hurt it. In fact, I think it could even hurt other games' sales on other consoles a little, although not as much as on the 360.
      • 0
        Guticb Sep 9, 07
        Twilightprince. I HIGHLY beg to differ. I've played Metroid Prime 3 now (Got about 4 hours of playtime) and I can very easily go back to playing Warhawk on my PS3. Hell, any PC FPS game's controls still blow both of those out of the water.
  • 1
    gameboy613 Sep 8, 07
    Honestly I'm not surprised at all. I'm tired of people underestimating Metroid because its on the Wii. I swear if it had PS3 or Xbox 360 on the cover everybody would be raving about it >.>.

    But anyway, this game was anticipated to be epic and it seems it's fulfilled it's sale expectations. Not to take anything away from Bioshock, it's a great game but Corruption is better, IMO.
  • 1
    ConkerASkyJockey Sep 8, 07
    I'm not surprised. Sure BioShock is a good game, but its not the best. They are better FPS.

    But on a serious note, MP3 deserves to outsell BioShock. It has great gameplay and controls. It was bound to pass Bioshock one day.

    Besides, I'm betting two cents that nobody will give a ass about BioShock once Halo 3 comes out. I'm even wondering if they will still reminber it.
  • 0
    Pyrazor Sep 8, 07
    I was under the impression that BioShock's hype occurred in a period that is roughly slightly before and mainly after it's release and was caused by receiving five perfect reviews.

    This being the case it only seems natural that it was outsold in the first week. Metroid Prime is a series and as such can be expected to get sales without hype. Two prequels are hype enough. BioShock would logically have to enter that gamer trial period.

    Personally, I don't think much of either game.
  • -2
    Kokoro Sep 8, 07
    It doesn't really surprise me. Metroid Prime 3 seemed more anticipate than Bioshock.
  • 2
    Seeker X Sep 8, 07
    I really don't see how sales actually PROVE that one is better than the other.

    Just take the console's sales and the fact that the Metroid Prime series has a bigger fanbase than the System Shock/BioShock series ever will (about the majority of the Nintendo fans/Wii owners and you can bet this outcome is as predictable as 2+2 being 4.
    • 0
      volacide Sep 8, 07
      Indeed, just look at Halo. It's not the best game ever but you might think it is looking at the obnoxious sales.
  • 0
    Theory of Chaos Sep 8, 07
    I really did not expect this to happen. I love them both, but after playing Metroid, it's hard to go back to dual analog. Maybe that preview channel worked after all...
  • 0
    MikeyW Sep 8, 07
    Gosh, I'd not really heard much about Metroid here, but everyone's going on about bloody Bioshock. That's a shock in itself.
  • 0
    Solid Snake 4Life Sep 8, 07
    Dude man Metroid deserves it. Nintendo finally pulled off the timing and the sales show it.
    (Wait I agree with FB? The apocolypse)
  • 3
    TwilightPrince Sep 8, 07
    Over 11 million people disagree with you.
  • 0
    Bale Fire Sep 8, 07
    I wouldn't call them people, after all who would buy games like Mario Party and Wii Sport of there own free will?

    The dark Cesspool that is casual gamers that's who "shudders"
    • 0
      TwilightPrince Sep 9, 07
      That's why MP3, which is a hardcore game, is one of the fastest selling Wii games to date.

      Get your facts straight, buddy.
  • 2
    Sonic Flash Sep 8, 07
    I'm happy to say that my brother bought a 360 Elite last week and my MP3 progress has slowed somewhat as I eagerly watched him play through the game. MP3 is a very fun game as well.

    While the emphasis in MP3 is on control and Metroid-style action, Bioschok is about the story and atmosphere experience. MP3 would have been worse on the 360, and Bioshock would have been worse on the Wii. Each are fine FPS games that I adore too much to compare.

    I'm honored to have both in my house right now; my brother and I contributed to both sides of the contest.

    To those Wii owners that diss Bioshock; go try it. Spend some dark evenings with it and some buddies and really get into it, it's pretty cool. MP3 will still be a notable title on the Wii and in FPS progressio. They're too different to try and compare.
  • 0
    Solid Snake 4Life Sep 9, 07
    I'm not gonna call Bio a bad game. I just prefer Metroid to Bioshock as it revolutionizes the FPS controls while still having a deep emphasis on the adventure.
  • -1
    Ameer Sep 9, 07
    Maybe they're buying Metroid because they have no other alternative?
    • 0
      Final Blade Sep 9, 07
      That makes no sense, its not like there getting forced at gun point. They have other alternatives. People buy metroid cause they like it, case in point.
    • 1
      gamefreak101 Sep 9, 07
      Well, that doesn't follow much logic. That's like saying that Lair is going to do well on the PS3 because there's really no alternative at the moment. (And whether or not any system has no other alternative is an ignorant opinion) If the game is bad, it will not sell well. People don't just randomly waste 50-60 dollars just because there "is nothing else to do with it". They'll buy Metroid because of reviews and personal tastes.
    • 1
      bbb7002004 Sep 10, 07
      Ameer, The exact same comment could be applied to Bioshock as well.
  • 0
    Solid Snake 4Life Sep 9, 07
    Maybe but does that mean it doesn't desevere it? No.
    • 0
      Ameer Sep 9, 07
      Did I ever say it didn't? I'm merely pointing out that the Wii has a genuine lack of games that are any good and this is filling that void.
  • -2
    Riku31069 Sep 9, 07
    Actually, I'm not surprised after reading this article. MP3 deserves to outsell BioShock. BioShock has poor gameplay and storyline. But MP3, on the other hand, has excellent gameplay and storyline. So there you have it.
    • 1
      Ameer Sep 9, 07


      That comment is a joke.
  • 0
    gamefreak101 Sep 9, 07
    Wow, lot's of fanboy ranting going on here. Well, to stray away from that, the only thing I take away from this article is proof that the Wii is not meant only for children, and developers will no longer have to hesitate to bring mature games to the system.

    And really people, Bioshock is almost a completely different game and is just as good as MP3, so just stop comparing the two.
    • -2
      iLLmatic Sep 10, 07
      There is nothing 'mature' about Metroid. riku, your comment really is a joke.
  • 0
    TwilightPrince Sep 9, 07
    quote
    And really people, Bioshock is almost a completely different game and is just as good as MP3, so just stop comparing the two.
    QFT

    Both games are awesome in their own ways. Let's just leave it at that.

    (man, I've noticed a few comments getting deleted)
  • 1
    Bale Fire Sep 9, 07
    quote
    Maybe they're buying Metroid because they have no other alternative?
    That makes sense, after all if Brawl, Mario Kart and Galaxies were all released right now Metroid probably wouldn't be selling nearly as well

    quote
    That makes no sense, its not like there getting forced at gun point. They have other alternatives. People buy metroid cause they like it, case in point.
    FinalBlade I'm so used to you being a PS3 fanboy seeing you supporting a Nintendo game is almost ....creepy
    • 0
      Final Blade Sep 9, 07
      Im just making a point, nothing scary really.

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