Joystiq

Just Dance Greatest Hits drops later this month

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST

A week after announcing Just Dance 4 and Just Dance: Disney Party at E3, Ubisoft revealed Just Dance Greatest Hits today, which will launch June 25 for Kinect and Wii. The $40 product will include over 30 tracks from Just Dance and Just Dance 2, with three tracks from Just Dance 3.

Just Dance 1 and 2 never launched on Xbox 360, so that makes sense, but for Wii owners it's just selections of two games from the multi-million selling franchise in a single package. We've listed the selected "greatest hits" tracks after the break.

Gallery: Just Dance Greatest Hits (360/Wii)

Continue reading Just Dance Greatest Hits drops later this month

Just Dance Greatest Hits drops later this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NPD 2011: Sales across industry between $16.3 and $16.6 billion, Ubi tops software sales list

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST

Assassination and dancing has proven to be a lucrative mix, as Just Dance 2 and 3 and Assassin's Creed: Revelations helped Ubisoft to lead this year's best seller's list with three entries. That's according to the NPD Group, which also estimates the video game industry's profits, comprising "new physical video and PC games, used games, game rentals, subscriptions, digital full-game downloads, social network games, downloadable content, and mobile games," reached sales of somewhere between $16.3 and $16.6 billion in 2011.

Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 took top honors (it's kind of a big deal), while Just Dance 3 and Skyrim occupied the second and third spots, respectively. NPD also says that, despite sales growth in the digital sector yet again, physical copies offered at retail outlets still accounted for the majority of sales coming in at $9.3 billion, "an 8 percent decline over the $10.1 billion in 2010."

That decline was "partially" offset by increases in digital, mobile, and used game sales, which NPD expects to be a focus moving into 2012. "Our overall estimate of the market continues to point toward the increased imperative for deeper visibility into digital distribution than is available today, not only in the U.S. but globally," said NPD prez David McQuillan. Our waning shelf space agrees.

Continue reading NPD 2011: Sales across industry between $16.3 and $16.6 billion, Ubi tops software sales list

NPD 2011: Sales across industry between $16.3 and $16.6 billion, Ubi tops software sales list originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NPD: Sales of dancing games up 326% over last year

JC Fletcher — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST

In the US, dancing game sales are up 326% percent year over year, the NPD told the LA Times. That's for the 12-month period ending October 31. Compare that with overall game sales, which rose 3%.

Of course, at the end of October last year, Just Dance 2 had only started selling. Since then, it's been doing very well for itself, and has been followed by several spinoffs, including Just Dance Kids (and its sequel!), Michael Jackson: The Experience, The Black Eyed Peas Experience, Just Dance 2 Summer Party, and, of course, Just Dance 3.

Too damn many Just Dance games can't claim all the credit for the growth in dancing-machine sales. Dance Central is at somewhere over 2.5 million units, and it's been followed by a sequel; Zumba Fitness has been a phenomenon, and Sony's Everybody Dance is also available.

Update: corrected Dance Central sales figures.

NPD: Sales of dancing games up 326% over last year originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Dance 2 just broke 5 million copies sold in the US

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:05:00 EST

Like some B celebrity reality show contestant, Just Dance 2 continues to tromp all over the competition. Nintendo has announced that Ubisoft's dance-along has sold more than five million copies on the Wii in the United States, making it one of only eight games to do so on the platform.

It also marks the only third party title to break five million on Wii - every other five-million-seller was published by Nintendo, namely Wii Play, Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Mario Kart Wii, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Wii Sports Resort. Also, when it comes to titles that have crossed the five million mark, Nintendo trumpets that the Wii is home to "twice as many as competing current-generation consoles combined."

Nintendo claims the title sold 120,000 units in July, making it the third best-selling individual Wii SKU, though it remains the fifth best-selling title overall, according to NPD. Assuming Just Dance 2 keeps up with our celebrity dancing show analogy, we're sure it will eventually win us all over with its plucky charm.

Continue reading Just Dance 2 just broke 5 million copies sold in the US

Just Dance 2 just broke 5 million copies sold in the US originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 21:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Dance 2 is the #1 third-party seller on Wii

JC Fletcher — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:15:00 EST

The Wii is typically not the best place for non-Nintendo games, but one has managed to come out ahead, with its publisher announcing that it's now the best-selling third-party game on Wii. It's not No More Heroes, or Boom Blox, or even Billy the Wizard.

...okay, we all know what it is: Just Dance 2. Ubisoft announced that it was not only the best-selling third-party Wii game of June, according to NPD records, but also the best-selling third party Wii game in the US since its October debut (not that there's been much competition since October 2010). And it's the best-selling third-party Wii game in the US, ever.

The franchise (including both Just Dance games and Just Dance Kids) has shipped over 14 million copies worldwide. Ubisoft is celebrating the success by bundling all the Just Dance 2 DLC as a standalone game, Just Dance 2 Summer Party, coming out on July 19.

Continue reading Just Dance 2 is the #1 third-party seller on Wii

Just Dance 2 is the #1 third-party seller on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Dance 2 throwing a Summer Party on July 21

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:50:00 EST

Ubisoft has officially shared details on Just Dance 2 - Summer Party, after a retail listing outed the game back in June. Rather than spoil the big new sequel coming this October, Summer Party instead offers 21 already released tracks (previously available as DLC), and teases fans with two new songs months before JD3's release. Summer Party crashes down on July 21 for the Nintendo Wii.

In other words, Summer Party is perfect for your little cousin who doesn't understand the concept of downloading content through his/her Nintendo Wii, or for your friend who loves to warm up with dance in a disconnected part of Antarctica. Head past the break for the full track list from Ubisoft.

Continue reading Just Dance 2 throwing a Summer Party on July 21

Just Dance 2 throwing a Summer Party on July 21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Analysts consider dance genre 'bubble,' Ubisoft says more 'The Experience' games possible

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST

Ubisoft's Just Dance and its successful clones like Michael Jackson: The Experience, along with Harmonix's Dance Central, have established the dance genre as a viable market for milking. Now the industry must play the delicate game of sucking the marrow dry without creating a zombie.

Gamasutra hit up go-to industry analysts Michael Pachter and Jesse Divnich for their takes on the sustainability of the genre. Both analysts essentially characterized dance games as part of a bubble that is largely unaffected by critical reception (UK hit Zumba Fitness has a 43 on Metacritic). "In short, yes, the dance category is a bubble," said Divnich, "much like most things in entertainment."

That doesn't mean that the bubble is about to burst -- or that the bottle of suds is close to empty. At least, Ubisoft is planning to keep on dipping in. The publisher's Tony Key teased that Michael Jackson: The Experience is "just the first 'The Experience' brand." He added that there's no reason why "another artist can't make a great dance game under 'The Experience brand,'" but didn't pitch any bright ideas. The Smurfs, anyone?

Analysts consider dance genre 'bubble,' Ubisoft says more 'The Experience' games possible originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dragon Age 2 champions UK sales chart

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:08:00 EST

Dragon Age 2, as it was foretold by the Chantry prophecies, took the top spot on Chart-Track's all formats UK sales chart for the week of March 6. Hawke's ascension meant that s/he pushed back the Pokémon of the White and Black breeds to second and fourth place, respectively.

Fight Night Champion beat up most of the competition to retain third place, while Just Dance 2's seductive moves helped it slide up two spots to fifth.

The big move last week was THQ's uDraw Studio (with Game Tablet), which shot up into tenth place from #83 in its second week at retail. Check out the complete UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Dragon Age 2 champions UK sales chart

Dragon Age 2 champions UK sales chart originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Dance 2 passes a million sales in UK

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 03:30:00 EST

Ubisoft tells GamesIndustry.biz that Just Dance 2 has sold a million copies in the UK. Not exactly the most surprising news to folks who have taken note of the Just Dance franchise's stalwart presence on Chart-Track's weekly top sellers list.

Just Dance 2 may not have brought in the headline-grabbing launch figures when it debuted last October, but much like its predecessor, it has consistently performed in the UK and in the States. Ubisoft's dance titles, which include Just Dance, Just Dance 2, Just Dance Kids, Michael Jackson: The Experience and Dance on Broadway have been shaking player's booties, while the company has been shaking the money tree.

Just Dance 2 passes a million sales in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Killzone 3 holds off Bulletstorm for top UK sales spot

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST

Killzone 3 beat out the other high-profile FPS premiere, Bulletstorm, on the UK charts last week, but it didn't out-debut its predecessor, Killzone 2. According to Chart-Track, Killzone 3 is the "14th fastest-selling" Sony title in first-week UK sales -- Killzone 2 is the fifth.

More shooting, and some kicking, got it done for third and fourth place in last week's sales ranking, as Call of Duty: Black Ops and FIFA 11 took the spots below the two debut shooters. The previous week's almost top title, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, slipped from second down to seventh.

Where's Just Dance 2, you ask? In fifth, of course. Unstoppable beast!

Continue reading Killzone 3 holds off Bulletstorm for top UK sales spot

Killzone 3 holds off Bulletstorm for top UK sales spot originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just grab a partner for Just Dance 2 DLC

JC Fletcher — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 03:00:00 EST

Judging from Ubisoft's earnings, we feel pretty confident in saying that you have a copy of Just Dance 2 in your house. Yes, you. The teeming millions of Just Dancers should be thrilled to know about the new Valentine-themed DLC available on the Wii Shop -- especially as a welcome break from Katy Perry's "Firework."

The three new tracks all feature Duet choreography (and, coincidentally, duet vocals!). For 300 Wii Points each, you can download "Why Oh Why" by Love Letter, "Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes, and "American Boy" by Estelle and Kanye West. We might be a day late alerting you about this holiday-themed DLC, but if we prevented just one person from giving Just Dance 2 DLC as a "romantic" gift, it was worth it.

Gallery: Just Dance 2 (Valentine's Day DLC)

Continue reading Just grab a partner for Just Dance 2 DLC

Just grab a partner for Just Dance 2 DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dance games made it rain on Ubisoft's holiday quarter

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:40:00 EST

Ubisoft today reported sales figures for its fiscal-year third quarter, which ended December 31, 2010. For the period, the French publisher recorded €600 million ($809 million) in total software sales, up just over 21 percent from the same quarter in 2009 (though factoring in constant exchange rates -- nearly 60 percent of sales were made in North America -- year-over-year growth was closer to 15 percent).

In 2010's three-month holiday period alone, Ubisoft shipped a staggering 10.5 million copies of dance titles, which included Just Dance, Just Dance 2, Just Dance Kids, Michael Jackson: The Experience and Dance on Broadway. Additionally, the company claimed an 18 percent market share of the Kinect platform in the US (and 21 percent in Europe), following its push to become the "top third-party publisher" for Microsoft's successful motion-control add-on. Ubisoft put its Kinect game shipments at over 2 million -- "a very nice level of profitability," CEO Yves Guillemot said in an investor call today -- for the fiscal third quarter.

Add in all those copies of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and Ubisoft outsold its projected quarterly sales total by €80 million ($108 million), bringing its nine-month fiscal 2010-11 year sales up to €861 million ($1.16 billion) -- a marked increase over the €661 million in sales generated during the same period in 2009, and making it a near certainty that the company will return to profitability at the end of its current fiscal year (on March 31, 2011). With a relatively quiet fourth quarter of scheduled releases, however, the publisher anticipates its total fiscal-year sales to reach only €1.02 billion. Still, "cash flow generation is expected to be positive."

Dance games made it rain on Ubisoft's holiday quarter originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

NPD: 2010's bestselling game releases by platform

James Ransom-Wiley — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST

Gamasutra has obtained NPD data that puts a new filter on last year's US box-copy software sales, ranking the top ten bestselling 2010 releases for each console and handheld platform (PC excluded). Like the monthly NPD breakdowns, these rankings don't include actual sales numbers, but they do reveal some interesting trends.

By omitting Nintendo's so-called "evergreen" titles (i.e., games released before 2010), Gamasutra found that -- perhaps unsurprisingly -- Just Dance 2 was last year's top-selling 2010 release for Wii, and among six additional third-party games that made the top ten in sales for the platform. On DS, however, Nintendo games filled out half of the top ten, and Pokemon SoulSilver and HeartGold were the only titles to surpass sales of one million units each.

At first glance, PSP software sales look even bleaker, with Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep on top and, according to Gamastura, the only PSP title to break 300K units sold; with the other top ten games each falling below 200K. Of course, these rankings don't include digital sales or box-copy games bundled with hardware, so it's unlikely that Birth by Sleep (which isn't available on the PlayStation Store) was the true #1 bestseller among 2010's PSP releases -- let alone the most pirated.

What is certain is that Call of Duty: Black Ops dominated torrents, as well as the games legitimately sold for PS3 and Xbox 360 in 2010. Still, both Sony and Microsoft saw two first-party releases make their console's respective top ten sales charts for the year; though each publisher's most critically-acclaimed release of 2010 -- at least, from Joystiq's perspective -- was not present. Perhaps telling of the two console's core player bases, Madden 11 beat out God of War 3 for the #2 spot on the PS3 chart, but fell to #3 beneath Halo: Reach in the Xbox 360 ranking.

Finally, we have to wonder just what were they thinking? They, of course, being all those Xbox 360 owners that purchased Fable 3 and Fallout: New Vegas instead of Mass Effect 2. Three and a half stars plus four still doesn't add up to the Game of the Year, people.

Check out Gamastutra for the complete breakdown of 2010's bestselling releases by platform.

NPD: 2010's bestselling game releases by platform originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LittleBigPlanet 2 debuts atop UK sales chart, Mass Effect 2 PS3 in top ten

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:55:00 EST

The very pretty, Britty build-a-palooza LittleBigPlanet 2 grabbed itself the top spot on Chart-Track's UK sales chart last week. According to the chart masters, the sequel's premiere numbers were "almost identical" to that of the original, being "only 95 sales short" of it.

Call of Duty: Black Ops and the magical Just Dance 2 took silver and bronze, respectively. While we're on the subject of the resilient dance game genre, Harmonix's Dance Central slipped one spot from 12 to 13, while Ubisoft's original Just Dance moved up two spots from 13 to 11.

LittleBigPlanet 2 wasn't the only game to have a big debut on PS3 last week, our top game of 2010, Mass Effect 2, premiered in the seventh spot overall and in second on the PS3-specific chart.

Continue reading LittleBigPlanet 2 debuts atop UK sales chart, Mass Effect 2 PS3 in top ten

LittleBigPlanet 2 debuts atop UK sales chart, Mass Effect 2 PS3 in top ten originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

DC Universe Online logs into UK top ten, Black Ops reacquires top spot

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST

DC Universe Online flew into Chart-Track's UK sales chart this week and nipped a spot in the top ten. The PS3 and PC superhero simulator debuted in tenth place and, according to Chart-Track, is only the fourth retail title on PS3 to be online-only. The other internet-required games are MAG, Warhawk and SOCOM: US Navy Seals Confrontation.

The rest of the top ten is composed of the usual suspects playing musical chairs. Call of Duty: Black Ops is back on top, followed by FIFA 11 and the unstoppable Just Dance 2. Speaking of dance games, Harmonix's Dance Central is eyeing a spot in the top ten as it moves from 17 to 12 this week.

Check out the top ten after the break.

Continue reading DC Universe Online logs into UK top ten, Black Ops reacquires top spot

DC Universe Online logs into UK top ten, Black Ops reacquires top spot originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just in: Just Dance 2 goes 5X platinum

Randy Nelson — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST

You know how we're always bemoaning the lackluster sales of third-party Wii titles such as MadWorld, Little King's Story or either No More Heroes game? Well, at least we have one success story to report on: Just Dance 2. Ubisoft announced today that it has struck platinum with a non-Nintendo game on the Big N's console, selling five million copies globally since October 12. (We saw this one coming about, oh, three weeks ago.)

Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime even used the milestone to urge on skeptical third parties, saying, "The strong performance of Just Dance 2 is a perfect example of the potential that can be achieved by an independent publisher like Ubisoft in delivering irresistible content for the Wii system." That's it, then -- other publishers can finally stop worrying about their games selling on Wii. So bring on those Epic Dancing Mickeys, Dance Space: Extractions and A Boy and His Dancing Blobs, already!

Continue reading Just in: Just Dance 2 goes 5X platinum

Just in: Just Dance 2 goes 5X platinum originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

FIFA 11 kicks off 2011 atop UK charts

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST

For the first full week of 2011, FIFA 11 held onto the top spot in the UK's multiplatform sales ranking, according to Chart-Track. The footie franchise has maintained that center forward position for four consecutive weeks.

Oh ... oh, look who's in second place, why if it isn't our good friend Just Dance 2. Ubisoft's unstoppable booty-shaking series keeps on crunkin', with the series' sequel inexplicably moving up two spots into second. Thus, Call of Duty: Black Ops finds itself out of its comfort zone in third place, the first time it hasn't been in the top two since its November launch.

It would seem Mass Effect 2's various end of year accolades spurred interest in the game again, as it returned to the top 40 in spot 18. With no new major game releases this past week, the chart is a shifting of the usual suspects. Check out the top ten after the break.

Continue reading FIFA 11 kicks off 2011 atop UK charts

FIFA 11 kicks off 2011 atop UK charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Dance series sales have combined for an estimated 5 million units in US & UK

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST

Following up on the estimated 2 million combined unit sales of Just Dance 1 and 2 in the UK, as calculated by MCV, we contacted market research firm NPD to see how the series has performed at US retail. According to NPD data, the Wii-exclusive Just Dance and its sequel have already combined to sell approximately 3 million units in the US.

These sales revelations may be a surprise to anyone who doesn't religiously follow our weekly UK charts post, but the Just Dance franchise has been a stalwart sales leader all year in the UK, and also, it would seem, in the less frequently tracked US market (we have seen it pop up on the charts over the months). It may not capture headlines, but Ubisoft's dance series has consistently performed at a high level on a platform that's not exactly accommodating toward third parties.

Just Dance series sales have combined for an estimated 5 million units in US & UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Black Ops tops UK charts this holiday, NFS: Hot Pursuit gets sales boost

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:50:00 EST

For a second year in a row going into Christmas, the Call of Duty franchise is king of the Chart-Track UK All Formats chart, with CoD:Black Ops sales slightly up and occupying the space where CoD: Modern Warfare 2 was last year. FIFA 11 placed second, which is nothing unusual. However, coming out of nowhere, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit sales jumped 48 percent, which boosted the game from seventh to third.

Occupying the fourth and fifth spots respectively are Ubisoft's Just Dance 2 and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. Just Dance 2 sales were up fifteen percent this week, which means, unless something very strange happens next week, a member of the Just Dance franchise will have been in the top of the UK charts for all of 2010. The first Just Dance owned much of the early part of the year.

Check out the UK's top ten -- keep hanging in there, Donkey Kong Country Returns! -- after the break.

Continue reading Black Ops tops UK charts this holiday, NFS: Hot Pursuit gets sales boost

Black Ops tops UK charts this holiday, NFS: Hot Pursuit gets sales boost originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Michael Jackson: The Experience moonwalks up UK sales chart, Black Ops king of the hill

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST

Gran Turismo 5 ran out of gas after its debut week, dropping 61 percent in sales and into fourth place on Chart-Track's UK All Formats chart. The top three titles were Call of Duty: Black Ops, FIFA 11 and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. The big premieres for the week were Donkey Kong Country Returns and Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary at 13 and 22, respectively.

So, last week we almost neglected to mention Disney Epic Mickey, because it didn't make the Top 40. We thought its performance might have been an anomaly ... until it missed out again on the Top 40 and maintained its place at #11 on the Wii Chart. Not a good sign.

Comparatively, Ubisoft's Michael Jackson: The Experience, which debuted down at #38 last week, had a thriller of a second week, shooting up to sixth place. It's now holding hands with Ubisoft's stalwart Just Dance franchise, which had its numerical sequel in the fifth spot. Find the full UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Michael Jackson: The Experience moonwalks up UK sales chart, Black Ops king of the hill

Michael Jackson: The Experience moonwalks up UK sales chart, Black Ops king of the hill originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Yes, another set of Amazon game deals today

JC Fletcher — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Amazon refuses to stop tempting us with awesome deals, hosting an all-video-game Gold Box today -- including some popular discounts that came over the crazy weekend, revisited. The deal of the day is Just Dance 2 for $25.99, representing the perfect opportunity for you to pick it up as a gift for someone else. (Yeah, that's the ticket!)

Lightning deals include Plants vs. Zombies for $13.99 on Xbox 360, and several deals that have yet to be named specifically. We've got "guesses" after the break courtesy of Thrifty Nerd. We say "guesses" because, as repeat deals, it's not too hard to figure them out. Likely highlights include discounts on the DSi XL, PS3, and Vanquish. In addition, there's another whole list of "family-friendly" discounts today for day 2 of Amazon's "17 Days of Deals."

[Thanks, Noah]

Continue reading Yes, another set of Amazon game deals today

Yes, another set of Amazon game deals today originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Gran Turismo 5 starts at pole position in UK sales chart

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:07:00 EST

Gran Turismo 5 raced into first place on the UK sales chart last week, becoming the sixth largest PS3 launch ever in the region. In a good sign for the oft-delayed franchise installment, sales were up 6 percent from Gran Turismo 4's launch week numbers in March 2005 on the PS2 (according to Chart-Track).

Call of Duty: Black Ops and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood both took one step back this week, grabbing silver and bronze, respectively. CoD:Blops dropped another 42 percent in sales two weeks after its record-setting premiere, while AC:B slipped off a Borgia tower, but caught itself 32 percent of the way down.

FIFA 11 took the fourth spot with a sales surge, and fifth belongs to... yup, loyal chart watchers, you got it: Just Dance 2 is unstoppable as it waves its arms in the air, selling copies like it just don't care. As for debuts on the chart that didn't go vroom-vroom, Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare shambled in at 14, while Ubisoft's Michael Jackson: The Experience had the late king of pop make one duke-y of a debut down at 38. Find the full UK top ten after the break.

Update: We just noticed that Disney Epic Mickey began its retail quest in the UK last week. It didn't even make the Top 40 in the All Formats chart. It debuted at the 11 spot on the Wii Chart. For comparison's sake, Michael Jackson: The Experience premiered at number five on the Wii chart, which ended up being 38 on the All Formats.

Continue reading Gran Turismo 5 starts at pole position in UK sales chart

Gran Turismo 5 starts at pole position in UK sales chart originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Black Ops maintains top UK sales spot, AC: Brotherhood has strongest debut in franchise

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:01:00 EST

Call of Duty: Black Ops sales may have dropped 85 percent in the UK last week, but even with that massive dip its record-breaking debut ensured that Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood would stop at second place. 63,000 copies separated the two.

According to Chart-Track, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood had the well-deserved, largest debut of the franchise to date. The only other top ten premiere this week came from Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, which raced into third place.

The remainder of spots in the top five are occupied with games that involve feet. FIFA 11 defends its spot at fourth, as Just Dance continues reaping the benefits of its Faustian deal and its sequel does the Charleston in fifth. Check out the full UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Black Ops maintains top UK sales spot, AC: Brotherhood has strongest debut in franchise

Black Ops maintains top UK sales spot, AC: Brotherhood has strongest debut in franchise originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

October NPD: NBA 2K11 tops charts, Xbox 360 'best selling console in 2010'

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:20:00 EST

Here is the second edition of the revised (and less informative) monthly NPD report. With the market research group no longer sharing specific hardware figures, it's noteworthy to point out that only Microsoft has (as of writing) released concrete sales numbers. Major Nelson tweeted that Microsoft sold 325K Xbox 360s in October. Although the figure represents a 32-percent drop from the previous month, it was enough to secure Microsoft's spot as best-selling console of the month. Major Nelson also added that the Xbox 360 "is the best selling console in 2010 [with] 3.5 million" sold so far.

Sony's response doesn't offer console sales numbers, but Patrick Seybold commented on increased momentum for the company's PlayStation Move motion controller. "The PS3 Move Bundle had a 15-percent increase in sales since launch last month, and we're working hard to keep the inventory up across the country to meet strong consumer demand." In addition, Seybold reminded us of the impending launch of Sony's big holiday game: "With next week's launch of the industry's most anticipated title, Gran Turismo 5, we're sure to carry the momentum through the holidays."

Nintendo, as of the time of publishing, had not offered comment.

Software sales jumped 6 percent year-over-year for the month to $605 million. The multiplatform release of NBA 2K11 helped propel it to the top of the charts, undoubtedly aided by EA Sports' cancellation of NBA Elite 11. Fallout, Medal of Honor and Fable all made strong debuts -- but Rock Band 3's 15th-place position in sales has us concerned. NPD analyst Anita Frazier did make a special note in the report, assuring us that "this game has the potential to perform well over the holidays."

The top-ten software breakdown is posted after the break.

Continue reading October NPD: NBA 2K11 tops charts, Xbox 360 'best selling console in 2010'

October NPD: NBA 2K11 tops charts, Xbox 360 'best selling console in 2010' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Call of Duty: Black Ops breaks UK launch records

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:37:00 EST

We already knew Call of Duty: Black Ops shattered day-one sales records in the UK, but let's just add a full week of intel to that with reports of 2 million units sold in the region over five days. Chart-Track estimates Activision-Blizzard's latest installment of the hit franchise took in a comfortable £81.9 million ($131.5M).

For some disturbing perspective, Black Ops grossed more during its launch than the whole UK entertainment software market did over the past couple weeks ... combined. According to Chart-Track, last week became the highest grossing week in UK entertainment software history, with £113.8 million in sales. The last record breaker was £107.6 million, back in week 52 of 2008. (What was the number one game then? Call of Duty: World at War.)

The record-breaking week was assisted by the launch of Microsoft's Kinect peripheral. Eight of the 11 UK Kinect launch titles debuted in the Top 40. The top premieres were Kinect Sports, Dance Central and Ubi's Motion Sports, which took fourth, 13th and 15th places, respectively. Check out the full UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Call of Duty: Black Ops breaks UK launch records

Call of Duty: Black Ops breaks UK launch records originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Football Manager 2011 debuts atop UK charts, Bond finds quantum of solace in teens

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:10:00 EST

Fable 3 lost the UK sales chart crown last week to not one, but two, footie titles. The football revolution sent Lionhead's Albion simulator to third as FIFA 11 maintained its spot in second and ... oh my, the PC-exclusive Football Manager 2011 premiered at the premier spot. According to Chart-Track, it was only the second PC-exclusive title to reach the top spot this year, with the other being StarCraft 2.

Ubisoft's Just Dance 2 maintained its fourth place. If the title has the stamina of its older sibling, 2010 might have a Just Dance representative in the top ten throughout the entire year. Professor Layton and The Lost Future rounded out the top five.

Other high-profile premieres last week, Goldeneye 007 for Wii and 007: Blood Stone, had licenses to kill the #13 and #18 spots, respectively. Spy with your double-0 eye the UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Football Manager 2011 debuts atop UK charts, Bond finds quantum of solace in teens

Football Manager 2011 debuts atop UK charts, Bond finds quantum of solace in teens originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fable 3 crowns UK charts, Force Unleashed 2 and Rock Band 3 debut

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:49:00 EST

Fable 3 took the throne last week in the UK as the top-selling title, moving 128,895 units and 6,000 more than Fable 2 did during its launch week. Fallout: New Vegas sales, which held the top spot the prior week, dropped 55 percent, moving 69,613 copies to wastelanders. FIFA 11 kicked it up and charged back into second place with 75,703 sales, while Just Dance 2 kept its momentum and slid into fourth, moving and shaking 58,375 units.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 premiered in fifth place. FU2 unleashed 56,064 copies on the British public, with plenty of folks likely screaming that abbreviation after spending those hard-earned pounds on the disposable game. Meanwhile, the 7,386 owners of Rock Band 3, which debuted way down at #26, likely rocked the weekend away.

You may have noticed we have actual unit sales this week, that's thanks to UKIE (formerly known as ELSPA). No idea how long this'll last, but it's interesting given the NPD's recent reluctance to share such data for the US. Check out the UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Fable 3 crowns UK charts, Force Unleashed 2 and Rock Band 3 debut

Fable 3 crowns UK charts, Force Unleashed 2 and Rock Band 3 debut originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Medal of Honor claims UK sales top spot; Just Dance 2 debuts in third

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:18:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Here's the latest communique from the UK: Medal of Honor managed to premiere in the top spot of the UK sales chart, ousting FIFA 11, which had a 65 percent drop in sales and slipped to second. Although Chart-Track won't share raw intel on sales figures, it claims MoH had the fourth and fifth biggest premieres for 2010 on Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively.

Just Dance 2, the sequel to the unbelievably stalwart chart topper, debuted in third place. The original Just Dance has been the best selling game on one format in the UK this year and, even with its sequel out, still managed to secure a spot at #12 last week. This is only the seventh time since hitting the Wii-exclusive dance floor that the title has been out of the top ten.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and Enslaved both slipped four spots last week to tenth and eleventh, respectively. There's little hope that either of these quality games will hang around the top ten for more than a couple weeks, especially as the incoming competition keeps heating up. Check out the UK's top ten after the break.

Continue reading Medal of Honor claims UK sales top spot; Just Dance 2 debuts in third

Medal of Honor claims UK sales top spot; Just Dance 2 debuts in third originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Jersey Shore wants to Just Dance 2

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:45:00 EST

Who are we to question the judgment of a multi-national, multi-billion dollar video game publisher like Ubisoft? And yet, here we are, faced with a commercial for Just Dance 2 featuring a pair of cast members from MTV's Jersey Shore. The ad has Snooki and Ronnie facing off in a club dance-off to promote Ubi's hit franchise.

Okay, so "dance-off" is being a tad generous. The reality TV thespians (who also have their own RPG) raise their arms and then do a running man-esque move for a couple seconds. In conclusion, if that medium-shot of Snooki dancing doesn't become a .gif or meme shortly, the internet will have failed us all.

Continue reading Jersey Shore wants to Just Dance 2

Jersey Shore wants to Just Dance 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Dance 2 track list released, will grow with DLC

JC Fletcher — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Ubisoft is (indirectly) giving us a mid-Gamescom dance party, by releasing the track list for Just Dance 2. And since we can't read the words "Junior Senior - Move Your Feet" without rushing to YouTube, you all get a musical interlude after the break. And also the track list. And also a trailer.

In addition to the 44 listed tracks, the press release confirms that we'll be able to Just Download even more music "from an expanding catalogue of new hits using WiiWare." Ubisoft didn't mention price, or how frequently this DLC would arrive. Try not to worry about that while you're listening to that Junior Senior song, though.

Gallery: Just Dance 2

Continue reading Just Dance 2 track list released, will grow with DLC

Just Dance 2 track list released, will grow with DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Just Dance 2

David Hinkle — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

This week's Nintendo Channel update is slathered in Just Dance 2, giving those with an active palette a tasty serving of Ubisoft's follow-up. Not only is there a fun vignette on dancer auditions, but there's also a more filling video showcasing on-going development, behind-the-scenes at Ubisoft. For the rest of this week's content, hit the jump.

Continue reading This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Just Dance 2

This Week on the Nintendo Channel: Just Dance 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Dance 2 busts a move on October 14

Andrew Yoon — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Want to go crazy like this lady? With Ubisoft's Just Dance 2, you'll be able to do just that -- with up to 7 other friends as well. Promising 40 new songs, the sequel features new modes like "Just Sweat," Duets, and Face-Offs. Ubisoft will start raking in the millions when it releases in stores on October 14th.

Continue reading Just Dance 2 busts a move on October 14

Just Dance 2 busts a move on October 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Just Dance 2 making moves on Wii this fall

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:37:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Amid the various parties and sword-swinging antics at this morning's Nintendo E3 2010 press conference, a sequel to the wildly popular Just Dance was announced as heading "exclusively to Wii" in fall 2010. Duets, a "Just Sweat" mode, some sort of approximation of bringing it in "dance crew face-offs," and support for "up to 8 players" will be packed into Just Dance 2. Are you ready to "join the movement?" Yeah, we're not sure we are either, but we get the feeling that those millions of people who bought the first just might be.

Just Dance 2 making moves on Wii this fall originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ubisoft begins hunt for Just Dance sequel talent

Justin McElroy — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:00:00 EST

Ubisoft has just announced that it's about to start combing the globe, looking for the hottest dancers and choreographers that it can include in the follow-up to surprise smash hit Just Dance. As detailed by the press release, the auditions will begin in France before moving to London and, eventually, the US. The game's Facebook page has all the details. [Update: That UK event is fine if you can get there, but in the U.S. branch of the contest, you can actually enter a video online! Check it out here.]

Before you get too excited, know that the official Joystiq dance team, Jamaretto, will be participating and -- against contest and federal regulations -- we'll be breaking out all our signature moves like the Grand Crunk Railroad, the Gogurt, the Sprained Cankle and the Spin Around Really Fast. So ... yeah. Bring it.

Ubisoft begins hunt for Just Dance sequel talent originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments