@Just_Ben, that can't be true. Walmart is incredibly secret about its data and doesn't participate in any of those market research studies. What I suspect from VGC is he gets anecdotal data from small time people who work at local retailers, not data from headquarters.
The local Wal Mart here got in a massive amount of copies (exceeded only by the number of Galaxy copies), so Sega/Nintendo is expecting big initial sales. However, I don't think they've moved as quickly as they hoped.
As I predicted here, people have been initially disappointed with first sales numbers coming in (via vgchartz mind you, I wonder if they get data from Walmart and other big box retailers were I expect this game to sell the most copies). Keep in mind that Sega anticipated 4 million copies sold, they will produce many copies of this game and overtime will probably be able to push to 2-3 million in sales. And also, America won't be the sole indicator of sales for this game, Mario and Sonic have a worldwide appeal.
I wouldn't call it low quality just because Gamespot says so. You'll find their Wii reviews are almost always lower than any other site.
IGN gave the game 7.9/10 and Gamepro gave it 7/10. I think this game will appeal to people who want more Wii Sports, plus it has the added bonus of featuring two frachises.
A game like this doesn't need great reviews to have strong sales, plus it should have longer legs because it will get a boost in sales as Olympic hype starts up in 2008.
Mario and Sonics' debut as a duo fails to earn them a spot on the medal stand.
I find our forecast (2M+) hard to believe with a low quality game in front of the stellar Galaxy
"play as your own Miis which makes it the Wii Sports 2 we've been waiting for. There's not the depth of tennis, boxing, and golf. But when it's your face on characters stumbling over hurdles, passing batons in the relay and stabbing each other with pointy metal sticks, the Olympics really comes alive.
Bigger and better than Wii Play. It's more fun with friends than Mario Strikers Charged."
2
Sorry, there is a E missing. I wanted to say:
ONE Wal Mart