Fire Emblem Fates Has A Phenomenal Launch
Are you having problems finding Fire Emblem Fates in stores? There’s a reason for that. It sold five times as many copies as Awakening did, depleting the initial stock at many retailers. We’re hearing some should be getting new shipments in late this week or early next week. Luckily you can still download it via the eShop where they never run out of copies.
For those into numbers, Fates sold a whopping 300,000 units over the course of three days. That makes it the fastest selling game in the Fire Emblem series. Birthright sold more than Conquest, which is to be expected since it’s more of a traditional Fire Emblem game and from my anecdotal evidence it seemed like Birthright had more copies ordered than Conquest. A third version of the game, Revelation, will be available as a digital download through the 3DS eShop on March 10.
I’m extremely happy to see Fire Emblem finally catching on in our country, as it’s always been a favorite of mine since I first played it on the GBA. In fact, prior to Fire Emblem I was in love with Shining Force on the Genesis, Sega CD, and Saturn. Fire Emblem is extremely similar to those games in execution and graphic style, so it’s a natural progression (and yes, I know Fire Emblem came out first in Japan way back on the NES, but in the U.S. Shining Force hit the market years prior). If you haven’t given it a try yet, I highly recommend checking it out. The strategy/RPG elements are engaging and fun, but it’s the relationship building and team formation that ends up being the biggest time sink and the most fun. Check out my full review of Birthright to get a better idea of what to expect. Read on for Nintendo’s full press release:
REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 24, 2016 – With more than 300,000 units sold between all versions of the Fire Emblem Fates game during its launch weekend, the Nintendo 3DS strategy RPG earns a place in the record books as the fastest-selling game in the history of the long-running, critically acclaimed franchise in the United States. The game sold more than five times as many units as 2013’s Fire Emblem Awakening, the previous record holder in the United States, during its first three days of availability.
“Both fans and critics are falling for Fire Emblem Fates, and the early sales numbers prove the game’s undeniable appeal,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “This strong momentum for Nintendo 3DS is only the beginning, as many more high-quality exclusive games are set to launch for the hand-held system over the next few months.”
Breaking down the sales numbers reveals that Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright was the top seller between both versions, with the more challenging Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest coming close behind. But the adventures are just getting started for players across the country, as people can choose to purchase the other version of the game for only $19.99 through the in-game shop. Both versions of Fire Emblem Fates offer unique stories with new characters, game play and plot twists.
The first DLC map for Fire Emblem Fates launched for free on Feb. 19, with additional paid maps coming on a regular basis through April 21. By purchasing Map Pack 1 DLC for only $17.99, 11 maps plus bonus content will be available as they are released at a discount when compared to buying each map individually. When purchased individually, all of the maps would total more than $24. On March 10, a third story, Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation, launches for a suggested retail price of only $19.99 exclusively as DLC for Fire Emblem Fates: Birthright and Fire Emblem Fates: Conquest. This third path also offers a new adventure that sheds new light on the characters and settings from the other two games, and is ideal for players who have already completed one or both of the other versions.
Fire Emblem Fates is the first of several high-quality role-playing games launching for Nintendo 3DS over the next few months. In addition to all the weekly Fire Emblem Fates DLC, the original Pokémon games (Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version, as well as Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition) launch in the Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS on Feb. 27. Bravely Second: End Layer from SQUARE ENIX launches on April 15, with the massive Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past game hitting this summer and Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King coming later in 2016. Role-playing games FINAL FANTASY EXPLORERS from SQUARE ENIX and Project X Zone 2 from BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment America, Inc. also recently launched for Nintendo 3DS.
For more information about Fire Emblem Fates, visit http://fireemblemfates.nintendo.com/
Craig has been covering the video game industry since 1995. His work has been published across a wide spectrum of media sites. He’s currently the Editor-In-Chief of Nintendo Times and contributes to Gaming Age.
