Wolfenstein sells 106k units in first week, all bets off

by David Hinkle { Sep 11th 2009 at 6:30PM }

When the NPD released its figures for August, we noticed Wolfenstein was absent from the top-sellers list. Sure, the title was only available for purchase during a few days of August (it released August 21 on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC), but one of those versions had to have sold more than Fossil Fighters, which was in tenth place on the sales chart with 92,000 sold, right? Gamespot says, no.

Apparently, id's resurrected shooter only sold 106,000 across all platforms -- 59,000 units on Xbox 360, 30,000 on PS3 and 16,000 on PC. In other words, the PS2 version of Madden alone outsold combined sales of Wolfenstein. Disappointing, for sure, since you must have really been hoping to get your money back.

Tags: activision, id, id-software, npd, wolfenstein

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Durden @ Sep 11th 2009 6:34PM

Anybody here buy this? How is it?

Jrinswand @ Sep 11th 2009 6:41PM

It was much better than I thought it'd be, if not more than a bit old school and repetitive.

Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Sep 11th 2009 6:42PM

It's no RTCW but it's still worth the playthrough.

The Dark Wayne @ Sep 11th 2009 6:48PM

definitely oldschool, very much so which I found quite refreshing actually, i'd really started to miss games with a big focus on fancy weapons like a laser gel gun or tesla coil, i really enjoyed it.

CaramelZappa @ Sep 11th 2009 6:51PM

It doesn't do anything new. Mostly corridor shooting with Special abilities (walking through certain walls, slowmo, etc) The multiplayer is just very plain, so you're better off sticking to something like COD4 or even Halo 3 for your online shooting.

That said, I liked the campaign a lot, and it's a solid game. Not the most innovating game by far, but when is killing Nazi's in slow motion not fun?

Vidikron @ Sep 11th 2009 7:15PM

It should be noted that many people are having issues with the 360 version freezing. Apparently the airstrip level is the most common location. It's so bad that some people can't even advance any further in the game.

Unfortunately for me the freezing started much earlier. I made it through the first area, the dig site, but then in the church level I've had the game freeze on my 3 times. And these are hard freezes that require a reboot of the 360.

It's a shame too because as these other guys have mentioned the SP is pretty good if you like old school FPS games (which I do). It's very much what you would expect out of a Wolfenstein game.

Jared @ Sep 13th 2009 1:56PM

I rented the game. Sucks IMO. If I wanted to play an Old School game, I'd buy one. I like new games to have new features that push the edge of design and game play. I don't want to spend more money on something that's already been out for years and just got a reskin and some new levels.

aaronharmon_04 @ Sep 11th 2009 6:34PM

I thought about picking it up, but there has been so much hype surounding all the other products coming out and I had heard very little abou this title. Is it any good?

xDIRTYSOUTHx @ Sep 12th 2009 10:34AM

It's garbage for $60. Can buy it off ebay now for $25-30. I hated it. The single player was ok but the online was shit to say the least. Failure and i hope they know it.

green11420 @ Sep 11th 2009 6:34PM

I didn't think they pushed the marketing campaign as much as they should have.

Ballistic H @ Sep 11th 2009 7:07PM

Also, the game is more expensive than Batman: Arkham Asylum.

Batman = $$50-$60

Wolfenstein = $60-$70

Mal F4cti0n @ Sep 11th 2009 10:06PM

Doesn't matter what they did with it. It is based on an eight year old engine, the same engine they made Doom 3 with.

And it is a tired franchise without any innovative spin to it.

If they wanted to make a game like this successful, they should not have named it Wolfenstein.

Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 11th 2009 11:22PM

$70?

t_m @ Sep 12th 2009 3:52AM

@Mal:

Yeah, wolfenstein wasn't innovative... ;-)

Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 11th 2009 6:36PM

oooh....

I hear its good...I have it in my GameFly Q and its still on Low for PS3....

Filthy Assistant @ Sep 11th 2009 7:07PM

Playing shooters on a PS3, hahaha.

Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 11th 2009 7:24PM

Umm Yea...SOCOM, CoD4, Killzone 2, Resistance, and others do quite good on PS3... on the other hand I suppose you have a point considering the 360 pretty much IS the FPS Heavy Console....but who gives a shit??

Blkant @ Sep 11th 2009 7:27PM

Yea thats right, we have so many better FPSs that were werent so pathetically desperate to get this game, as it seems you certainly did :)

Blkant @ Sep 11th 2009 8:40PM

Vote me down as you will, but I still stand by my defense against Filthy Assistant when I say that the reason we (PS3 users) didnt by many of this is simply BECAUSE we have better taste in FPS (plus better FPSs) :P

Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 11th 2009 11:21PM

uh huh...whatever..Go play your shooter box 360...and I'll go play the system that has FAR MORE than that...MMOs, RPGs, and More...fact is this price drop will prove JUST HOW MUCH People are getting their heads out of their asses...the PS3 will walk down the 360 and get within 3 Million units by 2011..God of War 3 & GT5 alone will help that cause as it plenty of people waiting JUST for those games....

whylekat @ Sep 12th 2009 1:13AM

Eh honestly if I were to buy a PS3 it would be more for Uncharted 2 & Heavy Rain.

God of War games were the same old same old, it was fun but it's the same thing over & over. And GT has really specific fan base. I don't think it's in anyway a console seller.

whylekat @ Sep 12th 2009 1:16AM

Oh and it's still too expensive.. Maybe not the 120 gig slim, but any version of the PS3 with a smaller hard drive then the slim should be $50-$100 cheaper!

Filthy Assistant @ Sep 12th 2009 2:18AM

I was actually talking about how the sticks on the PS3 controller are awful and really imprecise for shooters, but ok. I get shooters for 360 and action games for PS3. HOLY FUCK I MUST BE A FANBOY

Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 12th 2009 8:36AM

People kill me complaining about the sticks on a PS controller...they have been the same for 15 years....I grew up with them....if its not broke why fix it?

And Whylecat don't be blinded GT IS a Console Seller and damn sure if God Of War.....more of the same?? did you not see the gameplay at E3? looks like they added quite a bit...I mean hell its got the same slash and dash but its plenty more they have added to it....to say its the same ole same ole would be dumb as hell...much like Halo...one would try to argue that its the same shit over and over again but that wouldnt be the ENTIRE truth...its added things as well and Saying the PS3 is STILL too expensive is bullshit...hell its $50 more than the WII AND its cheaper than some standalone Blu-ray players...to say its too expensive is just dumb

Azradesh @ Sep 12th 2009 9:13AM

I laugh at both of you, playing an FPS on consoles.
HA! HA I say!

Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Sep 12th 2009 10:09AM

Well I play TF2, Crysis and Section 8 on PC.....

TrendGiveAfuck @ Sep 11th 2009 6:37PM

Oh, I actually missed that the game finally was released!

Faceman @ Sep 11th 2009 6:37PM

too many FPSs out there. This will make a good used purchase tho. It'll hit $20 before u can say brokedevelopers.

The Alex @ Sep 11th 2009 6:39PM

This game is awesome. Definitely a top-notch entry in the Wolfenstien franchise and a solid first person shooter than any fan of FPS games should play.

Don't get me wrong, the multiplayer leaves a bit to be desired... it will not replace the current standards in online gaming we've seen with COD4 and Halo 3.

However, as a single player game, it's damn good. The veil powers, though seemingly gimmicky, work extremely well and are fun to use. The open-world element is a fun add-on. The game is a solid 12 hours and includes a couple missions that are essentially optional which is rarely seen nowadays. AI is top notch. Voice acting is great.

If you don't buy this, you have to at least give it a rental, it is worth while!

Brother Daz @ Sep 11th 2009 6:44PM

This game is bad ass! The single player alone makes the game worth it. The MP is good but like it has been said, its no COD or Halo.

Mr. Manly ESC Mcbeefington Ferguson The Second @ Sep 11th 2009 6:45PM

Is the framerate in the Pc smoother? In the 360 is a bit choppy.

I just did not like that all the achievements,well most of them had to be unlocked in multiplayer when you are going to spend most of your time with the single player campaign.

The Dark Wayne @ Sep 11th 2009 6:52PM

i always hated that how so many low budget games from unknown developers (obviously not wolfenstein with raven and activision) with mostly multiplayer achievements when they should know nobody is gonna play it enough for 250 wins and 5000 kills (im looking at you riddick!)

whylekat @ Sep 12th 2009 1:14AM

It's a shame too cause Riddick is such a great game. It never got the fanbase it deserves.

captainprotonx @ Sep 11th 2009 6:50PM

Ouch.

HighFiveJesus @ Sep 11th 2009 6:55PM

tired of shooting nazis with fps views anyhow. its not like this "reboot" was that different from the 8 year old "reboot".

dogmaticatheist @ Sep 11th 2009 6:57PM

Well it certainly didn't look interesting enough for $60.00.

Einhanderkiller @ Sep 11th 2009 7:19PM

Console versions already dropped to $50 and the PC version is at $30.

Bradwart @ Sep 11th 2009 7:59PM

Heck, Walmart launched the game at 55.

Crayfish @ Sep 11th 2009 7:36PM

Not too surprised. I heard crap all about the game leading up to its release. All I could tell you is that there was some nazis and shooting involved in it.

It did feel like it had a dark cloud about it, though. I can't remember any articles which I did read about that made it sound like anyone was anticipating it.

ChomskyKnows @ Sep 11th 2009 8:02PM

GAME FREEZES IN CERTAIN AREAS/MISSIONS

nriveraexpress @ Sep 11th 2009 8:10PM

Ooo, so close...oh well

BunnySlapper @ Sep 11th 2009 8:39PM

I bought it and actually liked it quite a bit. It doesn't really do anything new, but I thought it was a solid shooter.

I'm surprised it sold so poorly...much worse games have sold way better than that.

soups @ Sep 11th 2009 8:54PM

rented it, beat it in 2 days. It had a dated feel to it, and a pseudo open world vibe. Not worth it compared to other games at similar price points.

ajw1371 @ Sep 11th 2009 9:50PM

Meh....Shoot/Hide/Special Ability....rinse and repeat.
Multi player was a major let down :(

Jonathan @ Sep 11th 2009 9:51PM

I didn't buy this game predominantly because the developers felt the need to put in so many online trophies. Fuck online trophies.

Kokomadeta @ Sep 12th 2009 3:18AM

Online achievements (for me) also prevent me from buying games. If there's ranked multiplayer crap and it takes up more than 100 gamerscore, I don't get it.

Screw online achievements. What happened to playing the game for the actual story?

Dummy00001 @ Sep 11th 2009 9:57PM

After Carmack/Romero divorce id will never be the same...

t_m @ Sep 12th 2009 3:54AM

Romero is gonna leave id???

Dummy00001 @ Sep 12th 2009 7:59AM

> Romero is gonna leave id???

I was referring to the fact that most games id made after Romero left id in 1996 were pretty much junk.

Wolfstein 3D, Doom and Quake in larger part were the genre founding games thanks to the work of Romero.

Carmack and Romero have some general incompatibility, but together they made really awesome games.