Nintendo is starting to perk up with increased sales on the 3DS. The release of the long-awaited Zelda: Ocarina of Time port for the 3DS has done exceptionally well in the U.K. Debuting at number 2 on the GfK Chart-Track list, Zelda has reportedly been purchased by over 20% of the installed userbase for the 3DS.
This could be big news for Nintendo, who has not seen the warmest reception to the 3D enabled device. Strong sales could do well for the myriad of big name titles set for release this summer.
“We generally find that summer time is a good time for handheld gaming and we have lots of sampling and summertime events to get more people hands on with it – that leads us nicely up to all that great content coming out,” Nintendo U.K. boss David Yarnton told MCV.
Nintendo is about to see several big franchises finally release on the 3DS. With entries from Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid, Super Mario and Star Fox on the way, the 3DS is poised to make a strong showing for summer 2011.
Nintendo previously acknowledged that the 3DS fell a little short of expectations, and with consumers reacting less than positively to 3D, the 3DS is now looking to the games rather than the gimmicks.
“If we were to acknowledge any mistakes from the launch it’s that we underestimated the different features of the 3DS,” said Yarnton.
“We’ve explained the 3D effect very well and succinctly – people get it, but you can’t actually see it if you advertise it on TV. So we worked hard to get people to try it and that did very well. People understand that it’s 3D.”
“But what we didn’t have was something explaining the broader range of features with it. You’re at the point now where people are getting to grips with things like Street Pass and the more social elements.”
“There are aspects to the 3DS that are rising to the top, people are saying ‘I get it now’ and are ready to see what other games it has to offer.”
