The Random Little Game that (Unexpectedly) Could

No analyst could have ever predicted this. Not one could have ever seen this coming.

Splatoon isn’t just selling well after minimal advertising and expectations, but it’s become one of the biggest games in WiiU’s history, the best-selling WiiU game in 2015, and the most successful new Nintendo IP since Xenoblade. After seeing multiple sequels based off of the usual Nintendo properties not do well in a quickly-dying console, this game rose out of nowhere and was shoved into the WiiU lineup as a bridge between Smash Brothers and the upcoming Xenoblade sequel (Super Mario Maker wasn’t treated as a major game but has become a hardcore title, but that’s a discussion for another day).

It destroyed multiple notions on its way to over 2 million copies sold (and still counting with bundles and extra goodies on the way). It was assumed that after Goldeneye (I know, reaching farrrr back) and the Metroid Prime Trilogy that shooters no longer sell well on a Nintendo console; with Call of Duty being an absolute bomb in the Wii/WiiU systems while selling millions anywhere else. It was assumed that new IPs just don’t work on Nintendo consoles, as we see awesome ideas and clever newer Nintendo experiences from this century reduced mostly to the handhelds (Phoenix Wright, Professor Layton, Golden Sun, Brain Age, Elite Beat Agents, etc.). Lastly, it was assumed that a game that clearly is reliant on Nintendo’s online functionality would fail and burst into flames. Instead, the online community for Splatoon is even more vibrant (and nearly stronger) than that of Smash Brothers WiiU.

There is a chance that it’s a fluke success, which sometimes happens even in the cutthroat gaming industry. In a random example, Just Dance 2 for the Wii sold nearly 10 million copies, more than any Metal Gear Solid game to date. Or, it could be the ultimate proof that Nintendo needs to continue producing these new IPs or at least do a better job bringing some obscure ones out from the dead. This current gaming generation is lacking in many genres, and the third-party shooter genre is one that is extremely rare. Nintendo needs more RPGs (an answer to Final Fantasy), more racers (a response to Forza), more shooters (Advance/Battalion Wars has been quiet lately), and most importantly more mature titles outside the usual suspects of Zelda and Metroid (Eternal Darkness 2 may never happen, but something along these lines).

The main reason for the lack of hardware sales during Nintendo’s eighth generation is the lack of exciting software. Unlike the Wii and especially the DS, there just hasn’t been that many new and innovative titles to convince the disgruntled hardcore and fleeting mainstream gamers to purchase a WiiU. Splatoon however is the ultimate proof that if you throw a good fresh title in the market, the gamers will reward you and will come back in droves. From the ashes of a usually-slow season in gaming, we see Splatoon becoming the sixth best-selling game in all of 2015. Nintendo needs to take note as they prepare for the next generation with the NX, whatever that eventually becomes.





But yea, also expect a Spla2oon in the horizon.