The first indication of how financially successful the Nintendo eShop may be has emerged, with analysts, FADE LLC, publishing what it estimates is the first year’s worth of sales for the platform.
It’s predicting $US11.1 million worth of software has been downloaded between the 3DS Virtual Console, 3D Classics and original downloadable games. It’s important to remember that these are just estimations, as Nintendo keeps its download sales figures close to its chest, but FADE is usually a reliable source of data.
According to FADE, the top ten games in terms of revenue are:
1. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (Nintendo) – 338,700 Units / $2.3 Million USD (VC)
2. 3D Classics: Excitebike (Nintendo) – 481,100 Units / $1.3 Million USD (eShop)
3. Super Mario Land (Nintendo) – 230,500 Units / $1.1 Million USD (VC)
4. Freakyforms: Your Creations, Alive! (Nintendo) – 112,700 Units / $969,000 USD (eShop)
5. Pushmo (Nintendo) – 93,300 Units / $634,000 USD (eShop)
6. Kirby’s Dream Land (Nintendo) – 84,500 Units / $384,000 USD (VC)
7. Let’s Golf! 3D (Gameloft) – 43,200 Units / $356,000 USD (eShop)
8. Donkey Kong (Nintendo) – 82,800 Units / $348,000 USD (VC)
9. 3D Classics: Xevious (Nintendo) – 47,900 Units / $301,000 USD (eShop)
10. Hyu Stone (Poisoft) – 50,300 Units / $293,000 USD
There’s a problem here, though the numbers are a positive start for a console that initially struggled in the market. The problem is tat Nintendo utterly dominates the sales, indicating that third party publishers, thus far, have struggled. Just two seem to have sold over 50,000 units.
Given that those that haven’t sold well include the awesome Zen Pinball, The early signs are that Nintendo is going to again struggle to attract third parties unless Nintendo can start providing a platform they can sell through.
FADE agrees, with director of research and analysis, Benjamin Schlichter, saying via a release “Nintendo generated 81 per cent of gross revenues among downloadable titles in 2011, asserting dominance during the year. However, in order for the 3DS market to grow, Nintendo will need to promote 3rd parties in 2012″”
