We're automatically skeptical of any reports coming out of an organization who uses the letter "Z" to pluralize, but we find it difficult not to believe in a recent finding from VGChartz (sigh), who claim that Wii Sports has surpassed Super Mario Bros. as the best-selling video game of all time. After compiling last week's software sales, they've concluded that Wii Sports has barely crept past the 40.24 million mark that kept SMB on top of the pile for a bajillion years.
Of course, its worth noting that both games were bundled with their respective platforms (except in Japan and South Korea, whose Wiis were Sports-less), greatly boosting their sales. We wouldn't be surprised if the report proves to be accurate -- nor would we be shocked if Nintendo is currently looking for the highest, broadest rooftop from which they can proclaim their latest sales triumph.
Reader Comments (170)
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 1:21PM (Unverified) said
It's because they ARE inaccurate. They're completely wrong. They're nowhere near the NPD numbers, which, while not taking all sources into account, are at least based on actual sales, and not some guy pulling numbers out of his ass after calling two of his friends that have access to Gamestop's records.
You could poll Joystiq readers for sales numbers and get the same level of accuracy.
Reply
You could poll Joystiq readers for sales numbers and get the same level of accuracy.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 9:37PM (Unverified) said
Wii sports wasn't bundle in japan
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 10:21PM (Unverified) said
A sports simulator (especially a bad one) is not a game, VGChatz statement == bullshit.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 10:32PM Mr Khan said
goal-post moving is fun, isn't it?
I declare that hardcore games are not games, because they are too serious for that sort of kiddie business. Therefore 360 and PS3 are no longer game consoles, and have never ever mattered.
Stay tuned next week for the next exciting episode of Fun With Revisionist Reality!
Reply
I declare that hardcore games are not games, because they are too serious for that sort of kiddie business. Therefore 360 and PS3 are no longer game consoles, and have never ever mattered.
Stay tuned next week for the next exciting episode of Fun With Revisionist Reality!
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 11:29AM (Unverified) said
@Alien:
while I have no doubt Wii Sports is up there w/the best selling games, VGChartz 'data' is ridiculously fraudulent. Love me some Wii Sports bowling
Saying that sports sims aren't games is one of the dumbest things I've seen in a while. Aren't sports, by their very nature, GAMES? So a game of a game isn't a game?
Please don't procreate.
Reply
while I have no doubt Wii Sports is up there w/the best selling games, VGChartz 'data' is ridiculously fraudulent. Love me some Wii Sports bowling
Saying that sports sims aren't games is one of the dumbest things I've seen in a while. Aren't sports, by their very nature, GAMES? So a game of a game isn't a game?
Please don't procreate.
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 10:28PM (Unverified) said
So what the hell is it?
Of course it's a game...
Of course it's a game...
Posted: Jan 4th 2009 11:00PM (Unverified) said
Is this even applicable, considering how difficult it is to buy (not resale) Wii Sports -without- the rest of the Wii with it? Equating console sales to game popularity is some very slippery math.
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 12:31AM (Unverified) said
Okay, Wii fanbois. Super Mario Brothers DID NOT come with every NES. If it did, there would be more than 40 million copies sold. Dumbasses! Therefore, there were sales seperately, because it was not always a bundle, i.e. It counts. If nintendo were to stop bundling Wii Sports, they'd have trouble selling it seperately, because it would have already lost 40 million plus customers! Therefore, standalone sales will be unlikely. Worldwide standalone sales, mind you, since the US is the biggest gaming market. So Wii Sports does not count. Sorry! It just doesn't, never mind that it's a piece of shit anyway.
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 1:47AM letherclad said
If this is true, it marks the beginning of the end of the videogame industry.
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 9:29AM (Unverified) said
Fun game played by many, yes truly this will be the downfall of videogames.
Reply
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 2:46AM (Unverified) said
Just typical of the Anti Wii posters. First they say that the Wii has no games and the only reason the Wii sells is Wiisports. Now that the Wii has almost outsold both HD consoles and gets this accolade all of the sudden the Wii didnt sell because of Wii Sports?? Seriously - WTF???
Well just goes to show you that if Wii gets some good news the whingers will find any excuse to rag on the Wii. Its fun watching them try.
Well just goes to show you that if Wii gets some good news the whingers will find any excuse to rag on the Wii. Its fun watching them try.
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 4:52AM (Unverified) said
I can see Wii sports being the best selling game of all time because it was bundled with the Wii console...but in the same instance it is definately the least played game in my collection - Which makes it the most 'sucky' game of all time in my personal GOTY awards. Suck it in Nintendo - Wii sports is crap!
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 5:47AM (Unverified) said
I'm automatically skeptical of any articles coming out of an organization who uses the letter "Q" in place of "CK".
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 9:29AM (Unverified) said
According to vg-chartz nintendo has 14 of the top 15. Only gta has no.15
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 10:51AM FredFredrickson said
I couldn't possibly be the only one here who doesn't take VGChartz.com's data entirely seriously... could I?
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 4:17PM (Unverified) said
Sad...
wasting all this time fighting with each others for no reason. You guys should just go and play games... yeah anything from Wii Sport to Solitaire... whatever that makes you happy.
By the way, my father is stronger then yours!
Ahahahhahahahahha!
wasting all this time fighting with each others for no reason. You guys should just go and play games... yeah anything from Wii Sport to Solitaire... whatever that makes you happy.
By the way, my father is stronger then yours!
Ahahahhahahahahha!
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 11:50AM Vidikron said
Mediocrity triumphs again! Congrats, Nintendo.
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 2:03PM (Unverified) said
All this dumbass arguing and asterisk-ing could be avoided if they just say "The most PLAYED game of all time" or something similar. Because that's the significance: SMB and Wii Sports are the videogames with the widest penetration rate ever, not that they were "purchased" in a bundle.
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 6:29PM (Unverified) said
And I quote...
"We're automatically skeptical of any reports coming out of an organization who uses the letter "Z" to pluralize..."
and I say...
this coming from an organization who uses the letter q to spell joystiq?
...that is all :D
"We're automatically skeptical of any reports coming out of an organization who uses the letter "Z" to pluralize..."
and I say...
this coming from an organization who uses the letter q to spell joystiq?
...that is all :D
Posted: Jan 5th 2009 3:59PM (Unverified) said
Nice gfx...






