UK software/hardware sales for September 2024
Zelda squeaks in at the end of the month
The latest sales data for the UK has come in, and it offers a look at how things went in September 2024. First up, let’s dive into the top 10 software sales in the UK with further details below it. This breakdown includes both the top 10 physical and digital in a combined chart. Please note that Nintendo titles mentioned do not include digital sales, while other titles do.
In terms of hardware, we don’t have actual units sold per platform, but we do have data on placement in the charts.
- over 126,000 games consoles were sold, which is 35% down on September 2023
- PS5 was #1
- Xbox was #2
- Switch was #3
- Switch has fallen to #3 overall for full-year sales in the UK
The Last Ninja Collection "Origins and Inspiration" Video Feature (UPDATE)
Where it all began
The Last Ninja Collection has been an incredible success, with the game achieving its funding goal in just 40 minutes. That means the game is now a lock for Switch, and will be seeing release sometime in 2025. There’s still plenty of time to pledge your funds, which you can do through this link. You can also enjoy a new trailer for the title above.
Bringing together every Last Ninja title from the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum and Commodore Amiga for the first time, including The Last Ninja, Last Ninja 2, Last Ninja 3 and Ninja Remix, The Last Ninja Collection is joined by incredible games such as Bangkok Knights, International karate and International karate +.
Diamond Ultimate supporters will also receive access to Last Ninja 4 work in progress code & demos from 2002 and 2018, as well as IK++, each of these exclusive additions are never-before-seen developments not available to the public.
UPDATE: Part 2 of this series has been released, and it takes a look back at the development of The Last Ninja 4. You can see the new installment below.
Switch modchip seller claims no wrongdoing, plans to take on Nintendo without a lawyer
This is going to go well...
The legal battle Nintendo has with Palworld developer Pocketpair is the one everybody has their eyes on, but now there’s more courtroom drama bubbling up that could prove to be even more interesting.
Nintendo threatened to sue Ryan Daly back in July over the sale of modded Switch units that enabled piracy, among other things. (h/t VGC) Nintendo said they’d follow through with the lawsuit if Daly didn’t halt sales of the modded Switch units, but Daly agreed to call off his operations. The only problem is that Daly never actually stopped sales.
Daly actually continued on with sales of the modded Switch units while claiming to look for a lawyer. With this being the case, Nintendo filed a federal court complaint with six charges against Daly, including “trafficking in circumvention devices” and copyright infringement. Daly has now fired back, saying he’s done nothing wrong.
Daly, responding to Nintendo’s court complaint, either denied wrongdoing outright or said he didn’t have enough information to confirm/deny, so therefore he denied anyway. Furthermore, Daly listed 17 ‘affirmative defenses’ that would supposedly clear his name, and they include fair use, invalid copyrights, unjust enrichment and fraudulent inducement.
From here, the legal battle will continue with both sides gathering evidence for discovery, and Daly will be doing so without a lawyer. It’s hard to imagine this going Daly’s way, but I guess we’ll have to keep a close watch and see what happens!
As we inch ever closer to the Dec. 20th, 2024 release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in theaters, the marketing machine is kicking into high gear. You already knew that was going to include copious amounts of merch, and Jakks Pacific has been working hard to create some plushes and figurines you’ll find hard to resist.
Jakks Pacific has been creating Sonic toys for years now, and they’re going all-out with the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3. You can see a few figurines from the company’s next slate of goodies above, but the full details on what they’re cranking out ahead of the movie below.
- Sonic 3 Movie 5-Inch Wave 1 Action Figure Case of 6: 3x Sonic, 1x Ivo Robotnik, 1x Shadow, 1x Tails
- Sonic 3 Movie 5-Inch Wave 2 Action Figure Case of 6: 3x Sonic Variant, 1x Knuckles, 1x Super Shadow, 1x Tails with Chaos Hat
- Sonic 3 Movie Shadow 5-Inch Wave 2 Action Figure: “The Shadow 5-inch tall action figure has movie-authentic details and over 20 points of articulation for dynamic posing”
- Sonic 3 Movie 9-Inch Basic Plush Case of 8: 4x Sonic, 1x Tails, 1x Knuckles, 2x Shadow
- Sonic 3 Movie 2 1/2-Inch Wave 1 Mini-Figure 5-Pack: “2 1/2-inch scale figures Sonic, Knuckles, and Shadow; and Buzz Bomber and Drone accessories, all inspired by the movie
If you’d like to get a closer look at these toys and figs or you’re ready to place some pre-orders, you can find the links you need here.
Speedrunners at the ready! This week, Nintendo Switch Online members can take on Competition #13 in Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition. The following five challenges feature in the World Championships and Survival modes:
- Quick Copy (Kirby’s Adventure™)
- Mushzoom (Super Mario Bros™)
- Specknose Spectacle (Kid Icarus™)
- Ka-Boom Boom (Super Mario Bros. 3™)
- Balloon Burster (Balloon Fight™)
These challenges will be featured from now until 10/14 at 1:59 a.m. PT. Show the world what you’ve got!
Oh, and did you participate in last week’s competition? Be sure to check the game to find out how you placed overall and against other players in your birth year, and to watch replays of the top run for each challenge. (The replays might even show you ways to improve your own times!)
Celebrate the Halloween season with costumed characters in Fire Emblem Heroes
All fired up for Halloween
As of Oct. 4, Special Heroes carrying scores of candy were made available as part of a festive new summoning event in Fire Emblem called Special Heroes Summoning Event: Festival Guide.
Special Heroes wearing characteristic costumes are here! These Special Heroes are available as part of a 5★ summoning focus during this event.
This event’s Special Heroes also appear in the new Paralogue story “Festival Guide,” and there are some limited-time quests to go along with them. There’s even a Log-In Bonus where you can get up to 13 Orbs before Oct. 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT.
Event period: From Oct. 4 at 12:00 a.m. PT until Nov. 5 at 10:59 p.m. PT
Pokémon: The Complete Pokémon Pocket Guide Box Set now available
A must-have for dedicated trainers
Pokémon: The Complete Pokémon Pocket Guide Box Set is available right now, and you can grab it for just $27.
Pokemon: The Complete Pokemon Pocket Guide Box Set is a slipcased, two-volume set of full-color databooks. Each book in this two-volume set is filled with descriptions and stats, including Abilities, Moves, and Evolution for a whopping 898 Pokémon!
It’s going to take a long time to get through these books, as there’s a whopping 1,112 pages of content to sift through! Still, if you want to be the very best, there’s no better book duo to go with! You can see all the places its available and make your purchase through this link.
SEGA shares Alien: Isolation - The Collection unboxing and a Lofi Girl collab
It's Xenomorphin' time
Earlier today, we found out that the soundtrack for Alien: Isolation would be getting a vinyl and cassette release via iam8bit. Turns out SEGA has even more in store for the game’s 10th anniversary, and it starts out with a closer look at the upcoming physical Switch release.
Pre-orders for the physical release of Alien: Isolation on Switch when live earlier this year, and that included Alien: Isolation - The Collection Collectors Edition. That package is shipping out now, but the video above gives you a full run-through of everything waiting inside the box. This Alien collector’s dream packs in the following:
- Alien: Isolation - The Collection Collectors Edition Includes:
- Physical Copy of Alien: Isolation - The Collection for Nintendo Switch
- Alien: Isolation - The Collection Collector’s Edition Box
- Alien: Isolation - The Collection VHS Style Box
- Alien: Isolation - The Collection SteelBook
- 18” x 24” Double Sided Poster
- Sevastopol Station Replica
- Art Cards
- Patches
- All seven DLCs including ‘Last Survivor’, a recreation of Ellen Ripley’s final mission on board the Nostromo.
Along with that, SEGA has teamed up with the iconic LofiGirl for a chilling collaboration. Transport yourself to the eerie, atmospheric world of the Sevastopol Station with these relaxing beats that set the perfect mood for studying, relaxation…or running from Xenomorphs. Put on your headphones and relax through space… but don’t forget to check your motion tracker!
Nightdive Studios offers a deep dive on Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition in a new podcast episode (UPDATES)
Boomer shooter fans, rise up!
In this episode of the Nightdive Studios podcast, the team is diving deep into what the process was like to work on Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition. If you want unprecedented insight into how this boomer shooter’s revival came to be, this is the podcast to listen to!
Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition, the definitive release of the cult classic FPS by original developer and publisher Apogee Entertainment, the maniacal minds at New Blood Interactive, and the retro gaming wizards at Nightdive Studios, is offering console-crushing carnage right now on Switch.
For the first time in ROTT history, relive the ‘90s FPS glory gory days on consoles. With akimbo pistols in hand, embark on a mission to extinguish shadowy cult activity threatening to set Los Angeles ablaze. Experience classic levels across five intense campaigns and play new content in never-before-seen beta builds. Battle with bombastic weaponry in high-octane online COMM-BAT deathmatches with up to 11-players coming soon to every platform.
UPDATE: Another episode of the Nightdive Studios podcast has been released, and in this episode we hear from Nightdive Studios’ developer, Lexi Mayfield, as she discusses the inner workings of what the Nightdive Studios team went through to bring Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition to modern consoles.
UPDATE: Another episode of the Nightdive Studios podcast has been released, and in this episode we hear from New Blood Interactive CEO DaveOshry as he discusses the inner workings of what his team went through to bring Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition to modern consoles.
Stumble Guys adds "Block Rush Dash" race map
Definitely watch your step on this one
Welcome to Block Dash Rush—the latest race map in Stumble Guys that combines the chaotic obstacles of Block Dash and Laser Dash with an epic racing twist!
Dodge moving blocks, leap across breakable platforms, and avoid deadly lasers as you race through a neon cyberpunk cityscape. Think you have the speed and precision to out-dash your opponents and claim victory?
Stumble Guys is the beloved party battle royale game with 50M+ players every month. Known for its accessible and competitive gameplay, Stumble Guys is always-evolving with new worlds to explore. With the regular addition of new mechanics, players can find a plethora of ways to navigate obstacles, whether on foot, in vehicles, or in the high-stakes First-Person “Stumbler” mode.
Fueled by community-driven gameplay, players can participate in large-scale tournaments and events organized by leading creators, or play with their friends however they like in custom parties. The recent addition of “Stumble Workshop” empowers players to contribute to the Stumbleverse by creating and sharing their own custom courses with the community.
Hannah Telle, the voice of Max Caulfield, chats about reprising her role for Life is Strange: Double Exposure
Maxing and relaxing
In Life is Strange, Max Caulfield discovered her powers on October 7, 2013 - beginning an incredible journey of time travel, friendship, secrets, revelations - and the fate of Arcadia Bay.
In a new video promoting the upcoming release, Square Enix sits down with Hannah Telle, the fantastic voice for Max Caulfield from the original Life is Strange. Now, she’s reprising her role in the upcoming Life is Strange: Double Exposure, doing full performance capture for the character. Join Hannah at the Java Whiskers Cat Cafe in London to hear hear answer all sorts of questions about Life is Strange, all the while surrounded by a bunch of ready-to-adopt cats!
Everyone is hiding something, and in Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Max has the perfect power to solve this mystery as she probes her way through these two increasingly divergent timelines, with the determination to reach the truth at all costs! The fate of her friends, and of two timelines, are at your fingertips.
In Life is Strange: Double Exposure, Max Caulfield, photographer-in-residence at the prestigious Caledon University, discovers her closest new friend, Safi, dead in the snow. Murdered. To save her, Max tries to Rewind time – a power she’s not used in years… instead Max opens the way to a parallel timeline where Safi is still alive, and still in danger! Max realizes the killer will soon strike again – in both versions of reality. Only Max can Shift between the two parallel timelines to solve and prevent the same murder.
Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus DLC "Volcanic Ash" trailer
Look out below!
Publisher Raw Fury and developer Fury Studios announced that Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus, the next major DLC for the atmospheric side-scrolling strategy game, will launch on October 8 on Switch. Today brings us a new trailer and you can check it out above.
In addition to the DLC’s launch on October 8, players can look forward to a free 2.0 update that includes a collection of quality-of-life improvements, such as options to turn off the tutorial ghost, a new save system supporting up to 10 save slots and more. Along with the update, players can expand their royal experience in the world of Kingdom with two new cosmetic DLC packs: The Archon’s Royal Wardrobe DLC and Regent’s Royal Wardrobe DLC. The supporter DLC packs provide players with more ways to customize new looks for their Monarchs and when purchased (for $2,99 each), will provide an additional way to support the ongoing development of the Kingdom series.
Kingdom Two Crowns: Call of Olympus is set in a fantastical interpretation of Ancient Greece and its mythos. An all-new campaign experience will evolve the classic Kingdom formula, including the ability to unlock powerful artifacts through quests that can be used to defend against the waves of Greed coming at night.
Players must defend their Kingdom and conquer the Greed to find out what awaits them on top of Mount Olympus. As the Monarch, gain access to the divine mountaintop by earning the favor of several gods. Players will embark on an island-hopping journey packed with unique challenges and puzzles to appease the gods and rise to victory on the mountain.
Kill the Crows now available on Switch
Bird's the word
Today 5minlab, a creative studio in the KRAFTON, Inc. family, celebrates the Nintendo Switch release of the top-down shooter Kill the Crows.
Kill the Crows is set in a twisted version of the Wild West, with players taking on the role of “Isabella,” a gunslinger driven by revenge as she faces off against fanatics who worship a mysterious faction of humanoid crows in intense shootouts.
Since its official release on Steam in August 2023, Kill the Crows has drawn praise for its exhilarating action and unique gameplay. That success prompted 5minlab to develop and release this new and improved Nintendo Switch version just over a year after the original launch.
The Switch release marks the addition of a new “Curse” system, which is built for players who are looking to squeeze additional challenge out of Kill the Crows. Players are able to activate Curses that make the game harder by modifying how it plays, such as by increasing the complexity of enemies’ “bullet hell”-style attacks or obscuring the outer edges of the screen behind a dense black fog.
The Nintendo Switch release also utilizes the Joy-Con controller’s vibration function to deliver a tactile experience of pulling the revolver’s trigger. The aiming system has also been adjusted to make targeting easier for handheld devices, and the difficulty level has been re-balanced as well.
UK software sales for the week ending Oct. 5th, 2024
Zelda holds strong
The weekly UK software sales are in! Let’s take a look at the top 40 best-selling games in the United Kingdom for the week ending Oct. 5th, 2024, which you can see in full below.
This marks the second week for The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom on the charts, and the second time its landed in second place overall. Remember, these charts only reflect physical sales for Nintendo games, while physical/digital are combined for other companies’ games.
Pine: A Story of Loss getting Q4 2024 Switch release
Bring the tissues
Back in April, narrative games publisher Fellow Traveller announced they signed Pine: A Story of Loss, a debut game from New York-based developer Made Up Games. That’s when we learned it was coming to Switch sometime in late 2024, and today we find out it’s coming sometime in Q4 2024. Hopefully an official release date isn’t far off.
Alone in the forest glade he shared with his wife, a woodworker wrangles with his grief as he tries to accept her passing. In Pine: A Story of Loss, players will help him hold on to cherished memories of their life together as he struggles to care for himself and his now-empty home.
Created by professional illustrator (Dreamworks, Nickelodeon) and children’s book author Tom Booth and Made Up Games co-founder Najati Imam, Pine: A Story of Loss is a poignant and emotional journey that tells the story of a woodworker grieving the loss of his wife. Inspired by Tom’s personal journey with grief, Pine came about when his beautiful illustration of a woodworker went viral, with audiences deeply moved and sharing overwhelming support.
Determined to bring the woodworker’s story to life, Tom and Najati transformed it into an interactive experience with stunning environments and a beautiful ambient soundtrack. Pine: A Story of Loss conveys that no one has to be alone in their grief.
