@Gaara42, I was about to post about how this game targets an audience similar to Mario Party titles, but also goes beyond that as it appeals to Sega fans too and the Olympics. And I was about to post how Mario Party is an old series with dismal scores for most of the games, yet they still sell well, espeically MP8's score/sales. But I see Gaara has already mentioned most of this stuff. Thought I'd voice my agreement though.
For many who will start shorting this stock due to the low review scores coming in, remember that Mario Party 8 (Wii) got a Metacritic score of 62 yet has sold 2.9 million copies so far. Review score don't affect these type of game's (party/mini-game) sales as much as they would a 'hardcore' game.
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games is a step-up from Wii Sports and Wii Play but it feels like just another mini-game compilation. Multiplayer is fun but the lack of options is a bit debilitating.
"It's enjoyable -- and to be honest, more fun than I expected -- but it's not quite the evolution of Wii Sports we've been looking for."
Despite the multitude of mini-game fests that the Wii has already, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games delivers a fun and surprisingly deep multiplayer experience.
"Yeah we’ve seen it all before in things like Rayman or Mario Party 8, but this mascot mash-up is more focused, refined, and classically rooted."
People may be forgetting that this is a world wide launch and that US figures may end up being only 30-40% of total sales. Also they might have overlooked that the Wii is being launched in China (and South Korea) soon and with China going crazy over the Olympic games (they are naming children after it). If Nintendo and Sega play their cards right they could pick up a good deal of sales there (if they are not just pirated and sold that way).
People will be initially disappointed by first month sales but give this game a year or more and it will have sold 3 million copies or more world wide. Plus this game has the holiday's and the Olympic games as two areas to get sales boost, so it should do well over the long run (especially since many sites indicate that the game will actually be good).
@Alchemy, I don't think its a substitute for SSBB, but I think with SSBB out of the picture this holiday many Wii games will benefit with greater sales, including this one. It also has the mascot factor. The younger crowd, longtime Nintendo/Sega fan base crowd, and mascot lovers will enjoy picking up M&SatOG. With SSBB out of the picture this game looks a lot more appealing, but that doesn't mean its a substitute, just a beneficiary.
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I was about to post about how this game targets an audience similar to Mario Party titles, but also goes beyond that as it appeals to Sega fans too and the Olympics. And I was about to post how Mario Party is an old series with dismal scores for most of the games, yet they still sell well, espeically MP8's score/sales. But I see Gaara has already mentioned most of this stuff. Thought I'd voice my agreement though.