New Pokemon duo sell 1 million in 5 days in US
by Ross Miller 
{ Apr 26th 2007 at 3:55PM }
In addition to announcing a megaton year in sales, Nintendo has released a statement congratulating themselves on the latest Pokemon duo Diamond and Pearl, which -- in the spirit of their titles -- have sold a combined total of 1 million units in five days since its launch in the U.S. According to Nintendo's press release, that is the fastest rate of any U.S. Pokemon titles to date. Massive damage, indeed.The figures should come as no surprise, as every single iteration of the franchise has reached platinum sales, and we expect both Diamond and Pearl to each hit that mark, as well. In Japan, the two titles have sold an aggregate of 5 million since its launch in the region September 28 of last year. Of course, these sales all but guarantee two more titles in the Pokemon franchise, Kryptonite and Adamantium.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex @ Apr 26th 2007 4:02PM
The massives sales of every pokemon game wont stop until we get a damn MMORPG; that will be the end of the kids' outside world if that day comes, they'll all be on their TV or handheld 24/7
Jack of No Trades @ Apr 26th 2007 4:08PM
At this rate Nintendo will have more money than Sony.
samfish @ Apr 26th 2007 4:10PM
Sony already doesn't have money.
Oh, and Pokemon Kryptonite > Pokemon Adamantium.
Zertoss @ Apr 26th 2007 4:12PM
Appropriate image. Does the Poke-jewelry also print money?
These two are the fastest selling to date? I felt like the hype surrounding them was significantly less than previous titles (except for Crystal and Emerald). I guess everyone who has it or is getting it soon is excited to find out what's new on the DS versions.
ScreamingSkull @ Apr 26th 2007 4:19PM
Aren't they all the same game, just with new characters? I've never been able to understand the draw of the "collect'em all" game types.
Unit @ Apr 26th 2007 4:23PM
but but but teh pokemon franchise is dead!!!lol....
i also felt like people were less excited about this version too, but these sales have stated other wise. And from reading the various boards on the net, it seems to have bought back alot of gamers who jumped on the series from the start but fell off. The full chat during the online battles is a big plus too!!!
NintendoFanbot @ Apr 26th 2007 4:25PM
In the world of professional videogame wrestling, Teh Pokemanz is the greatest Tag Team Champions since the Super Mario Broz! But the Money-in-the-Bank winners "WiiDS" could steal the title at any given moment!
But seriously, if anything can send this series rocketing Online play was definitely it.
Zertoss @ Apr 26th 2007 4:27PM
"Aren't they all the same game, just with new characters?"
Each generation of Pokemon is about as similar to the last as each Final Fantasy is to its predecessor (not counting XI). The core gameplay and plot are basically the same, but there is always a bunch of new stuff to do.
sheppy @ Apr 26th 2007 4:27PM
"Aren't they all the same game, just with new characters? I've never been able to understand the draw of the "collect'em all" game types."
Neither did I, until I got hooked on Shin Megami Tensei. Dragon Quest Monsters just rocked my world. While everyone else was trading pokemon, I was breeding the monsters, creating hella powerful creatures, and generally having a blast. I haven't have much freetime to put into my copy of Diamond but so far it's entertaining.
I do, however, think that since this series has been around on the ever, ever and continues to milk people dry, it's about time they invest in a little thing I like to call "animation." It's a shocking concept at first. You know, instead of having a sprite move up and then down to indicate a hop, you'd throw in some cycles. It isn't all that hard to do and since Nintendo has sold 4+ million copies of this fucking game batch, why is all the animations and enhanced graphics by SNES era standards seem to be home console exclusives?
Unit @ Apr 26th 2007 4:27PM
@#5, the biggest draw to these games were not only collecting them, but using them to battle against your friends and trading them.
NintendoFanbot @ Apr 26th 2007 4:34PM
"it's about time they invest in a little thing I like to call "animation." It's a shocking concept at first. You know, instead of having a sprite move up and then down to indicate a hop, you'd throw in some cycles."
I imagine animating nearly 500 Pokemon sets would take forever. In 3D it isn't so bad because it's mostly just rigging without having to draw the whole model over and over, but it's still a shitload of Pokemon. Though they've achieved some success in spin-off games (like Pinball/Snap/Ranger/Mystery Dungeon).
I would like to see this someday though. :)
Konny @ Apr 26th 2007 4:39PM
In terms of IP asset value:
Pokemon >>>>>>>>>>> Mario >>>>>> Zelda
Its just nuts.. the only weakness has always been the console pokemons.. they have never sold well. The wii pokemon (with online) bombed in japan... people just want wiisports.
JodyAnthony @ Apr 26th 2007 4:45PM
thats the pokeymans I picked to start with in pearl!
sheppy @ Apr 26th 2007 5:01PM
"I imagine animating nearly 500 Pokemon sets would take forever. In 3D it isn't so bad because it's mostly just rigging without having to draw the whole model over and over, but it's still a shitload of Pokemon."
Last time I checked, DS was capable of 3D. But even without that, would it be so hard to set up the follwoing animations?
Entrance: Done on opponents side already
Idle: Not that hard to do. Usually just an 8-14 step cycle.
Physical Attack: Once again, under 20 frames would be more than sufficient.
Special Attack: Easy enough to do. We watch this shit in the cartoons all the time. Have them go into a dramatic pose and launch the attacks how they do now.
Buffs: Like leer, growl, so on and so forth.
Retreat: Easy as well
Faint: just falling over.
At the very least, Idle should be in there. Seriously, it sucks when you have a flying creature just stuck in midair. Because, you know, Zubat is sooo cool he doesn't need to flap his wings past when you first see him.
It's been a couple years since the last title, the last batch made them mint, and what do we have to show for it? Those simple animations would add a TON to the game. Just imagine the sheer joy of watching an animated evolution.
NintendoFanbot @ Apr 26th 2007 5:23PM
It's capable of 3D, but is there enough on a DS cartridge for all 480+ of them? In my scenario I'm saving the 3D for the consoles at this point, but frame-animation is already showing potential in the spin-off games I listed.
Crystal had frame-animated Pokemon. Oh also, now the list of sprite-sets double because there are male/female sprite versions now. It's getting muy ridiculoso.
But once we achieve full-animated Pokemon we can start clamoring for their cartoon voices. :P
darkchineseboy @ Apr 26th 2007 5:31PM
shouldn't Marvel be making heaps of money any time a company uses the word adamantium? it's not a real metal.
muffin_of_chaos @ Apr 26th 2007 5:40PM
I used to play the games a lot, until I left middle school. They're still entertaining...the idea of having cute- or cool-looking monsters at your command with elemental powers is pretty sweet.
In reply to #1:
I played Crystal Chronicles, and throughout the only thought in my mind was: If they made a Pokemon MMORPG, with the same interface as Crystal Chronicles, they would rapidly destroy Blizzard and rule the world.
Chris @ Apr 26th 2007 5:53PM
can someone paintshop pikachu dumping out cash with shigsy looking on saying IT SH|TS MONEY.
cos i think right now that would be ap[ropriate.
sheppy @ Apr 26th 2007 5:47PM
@Nintendofanbot.
Majority of the time, male/female differences are simply palette swaps. Regardless, at the very least, idle animations should be in there. Especially since, for many, it would just be a matter of reusing animation frames already done on the entrances.
@darkchineseboy
Everyone knows the most indestructable material in the universe is Unobtainium. Rendering Adamantium useless.
Alexander @ Apr 26th 2007 5:49PM
damni gotta cop pokemon
Zertoss @ Apr 26th 2007 5:52PM
"Crystal had frame-animated Pokemon."
I believe Emerald had them too. I thought Diamond and Pearl had them too. Haven't played yet or even watched any videos, so I dunno, just going by what I heard.
Jonathan Tran @ Apr 26th 2007 5:53PM
Back in high school I used to play this in Physics class all the time. Red and Blue, REPRESENT
ALH @ Apr 26th 2007 6:04PM
'"it's about time they invest in a little thing I like to call "animation." It's a shocking concept at first. You know, instead of having a sprite move up and then down to indicate a hop, you'd throw in some cycles."
And this would add to the gameplay how..? That kind of thing is why the console colluseum battle games were made.Adding extra animation would only take away from what makes the series fun- its no fuss, pick up and play and no waiting around.
I'd rather my piplup bounce up and down bit to perform an attack than have to sit through it running over to the other pokemon, smashing it in the face, then running back again like in final fantasy or generic 3d RPG #435345.
NintendoFanbot @ Apr 26th 2007 6:05PM
SHEPPY:
It just registered to me what Idle animations were, and then I thought, YES, those would be a great start. I think they should also work them in so it doesn't delay the gameplay. It annoys me to no end that 'The sand is storming!' text/animation has to show after every turn and then 'Blaziken is buffeted by the storm!'. Especially on 2-on-2 battles. :(
Mr Khan @ Apr 26th 2007 6:23PM
Can't wait to get Pearl, even though i don't regret avoiding Ruby/Sapphire
Something about them just didn't appeal to me. These just seem much more significant
Plus, since all my friends seem to be getting Diamond, i'm set...
Rubang B @ Apr 26th 2007 6:56PM
I think the next pair of games will be Pokemon Cash and Pokemon Credit editions. The things leak money.
jrieth50 @ Apr 26th 2007 9:03PM
So they'll be Player's Choice in week 2 right? Sold for $9.99 each? :)
sheppy @ Apr 26th 2007 10:30PM
@AHL.. tell you what, can you see the difference?
Golden Sun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-Ij1lIQpww
Despite the simple animations, nothing drags down and it's certainly nowhere near as hindering as watching status effects and uber slow text for when you get poisoned or confused.
Pokemon Diamond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XIeRVggSuM
A two on two battle. Notice the difference?
Golden Sun is energized, dynamic, interesting, and even the random encounters take about as long as in Pokemon and where are we for Pokemon? Excessively delayed cycles, unskippable spell effects (see: Leech life), characters standing still when facing off, flashing equals damage, and to top it all off, the battle takes just as long with a hell of a lot less happening.
Your arguement that this would somehow slow down gameplay is rendered invalid simply by the fact that Pokemon already features slow gameplay. It's a staple to the series, actually. And, incidently, most of those RPGs you just bitched about have had optional shortened sequences for the longest time. You really should update your "3D RPG insults" handbook since it seems to still have FFVIII on the cover.
Shockz @ Apr 26th 2007 11:53PM
Pokemon Kryptonite and Adamantium. Special edition for that round: Pokemon Tiberium.
SPOILER: Kane is the final boss.
*realizes that that wasn't funny at all, posts anyway*
Joshua @ Apr 27th 2007 6:59PM
I love this game. I'm glad to see it's the fastest selling Pokémon game in the United States, just as it was in Japan.
But hey, just wondering, does "United States" actually mean North America? If not, then what are the Canadian (and Mexican?) sales like?