Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Brawl is one of the best games of the year so far.
If retail sales are indication, it might also be one of the best-selling.
The popular cartoon fighting game for the Nintendo Wii console has set a new record for Nintendo of America, selling a whopping 1.4 million copies in the U.S. in one week – including 874,000 copies its first day of release, March 9.
Similarly, Super Smash Bros. Brawl became the fastest-selling Wii game in Japan with more than 1 million copies sold in 11 days. Canadian numbers aren't available yet.
"Super Smash Bros. Brawl has made the leap from video game to cultural phenomenon," said Cammie Dunaway, spokesperson for Nintendo of America.
Next up from Nintendo is Mario Kart Wii (April 27), which ships with the Wii Wheel racing peripheral, and the Wii Fit (May 19) fitness suite, which includes the wireless Wii Balance Board.
Nintendo's Next Big Thing?
In related news, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has already hinted at big things to come for the holidays.
In an interview with GameTrailers TV this week, Fils-Aime confirmed a "big game" will be unveiled July at the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, adding it will be available for the Wii over the 2008 holidays.
The only clue given is that it'll appeal to both the casual crowd and hardcore players. Hmm, let's hope it's the next instalment in the beloved The Legend of Zelda franchise. Fils-Aime also revealed a new Wii music game in the works would likely be announced at E3.
The top 10 PC games
With all the news surrounding the console scene it's easy to ignore computer game fans. If you're itching to play a new PC game on your new laptop, here's a quick look at the top-selling computer games for the week ending March 1 (source: NPD Group):
1. The Sims 2: FreeTime (Electronic Arts)
2. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision)
3. Sins of a Solar Empire (Stardock)
4. Frontlines: Fuel of War (THQ)
5. World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment)
6. World of Warcraft: Battle Chest (Blizzard Entertainment)
7. The Sims 2 Deluxe (Electronic Arts)
8. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (Blizzard Entertainment)
9. Lost: Via Domus (Ubisoft)
10. Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate (Activision)