Zelda Pre-orders Hit 250,000

GameKinG · 02-14-2003, 12:05 AM

It seems the zelda bonus has already boosted the games chance at success in a huge way. The deal has yet to even start officialy with little advertising except print ads and already hit 250,000 orders. So, if you really want that disc but have yet to pre-order, you better grab it while you can.

I know the store I preorderd at only alloted 100 pre-orders per game, and I was #112. I had to find a different store...

But I did...

Quote:

February 13, 2003 - Nintendo of America today announced that more than 250,000 gamers in the US have already pre-ordered its anticipated action-adventure Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. That figure is made all the more impressive, according to the publisher, because it's official pre-sell program for the game has yet to start.
Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker follows child hero Link on an all-new epic quest, this time to rescue his kidnapped sister. The game's unique cel-shaded style mingles with traditional play mechanics and never-before-seen additions to the franchise. Wind Waker has repeatedly garnered high praise by the press and Japanese importers alike and is considered to be one of the most important releases of the year.

Nintendo said that on February 16 it would kick off the official pre-sell program for the next chapter in the Zelda series. The firm reiterated that with a deposit for the game at participating retailers, consumers would immediately receive a bonus disc that includes both Ocarina of Time and Master Quest Zelda games free of charge to "keep them busy" until the March 24 release of Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

"This truly is Zelda cubed! Two impressive Zelda games, leading to the highly anticipated new Zelda adventure, for the price of one and only for Nintendo GameCube," said George Harrison, senior vice president, marketing and corporate communications, Nintendo of America. "What better way to celebrate the forthcoming release of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker than to give Zelda fans a collectors item that will provide a nostalgic or for some, a classic introduction to the series."

We'll have much more on Zelda in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

IGNcube

Dyne · 02-14-2003, 12:08 AM

Well, that's great news. I hope it's as successful as the previous ones; that will definitely get the gamecube back on track.

02-14-2003, 12:28 AM

damn thats good

TheGame · 02-14-2003, 03:03 AM

Not even close to GTA:VC... but good

Jonbo298 · 02-14-2003, 07:32 AM

*sigh*Here we go again with comparing GTA to everything. But thats really good considering it has yet to even start yet. And with almost everyone getting their pre-order disc now, word will spread on the street and people will go and pre-order it. I can't guess an estimate of how many pre-orders will be made, but I'm hoping at least another 100,000 pre-orders before it is released.

GameKinG · 02-14-2003, 09:57 AM

Yes or how about the 4 million+ for Warcraft 3...

TheGame · 02-14-2003, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jonbo298
*sigh*Here we go again with comparing GTA to everything.

lol, you act as if people have been doing it for years. GTA:VC isn't even a year old, so it's very much in the present. It's like when peope sed to compare Pokemon to everyting.... but the last pokeon game came out how long ago?

Joeiss · 02-14-2003, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheGame
lol, you act as if people have been doing it for years. GTA:VC isn't even a year old, so it's very much in the present. It's like when peope sed to compare Pokemon to everyting.... but the last pokeon game came out how long ago?

Oh so true.

Perfect Stu · 02-14-2003, 04:56 PM

that's quite good for a Gamecube game...does anyone know how many preorders other big games received...like SMS, for example?

Xantar · 02-14-2003, 08:55 PM

Considering that it's not exactly the kind of game that would be really doing well in the U.S., I was surprised. Maybe it'll even have a decent launch.

I'm expecting sales to drop precipitously in the second week, though.

Jonbo298 · 02-14-2003, 09:03 PM

I meant as in either of the GTA games. I didn't just specify GTA:VC. Maybe I should just stop posting at GT for a week so that you people can have a "happy week"

Jason1 · 02-14-2003, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jonbo298
I meant as in either of the GTA games. I didn't just specify GTA:VC. Maybe I should just stop posting at GT for a week so that you people can have a "happy week"

No johnbo dont! We fanboys must hold strong! Even with the onslaught of GTA and HALO! and

X-BOX! That one's for you bond! X-BOX

GameKinG · 02-14-2003, 10:33 PM

Yes, I think Nintendo knows that this type of game doesnt normaly see much success. It was smart to sweaten the deal.

Heyyoudvd · 02-14-2003, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GameKinG
Yes or how about the 4 million+ for Warcraft 3...

That was the number of copies sent to all the retailers originally - not the number pre-ordered by consumers.

People often confuse these.

The same thing happened with Splinter Cell. 1.1 million copies were ordered by retailers originally, and right away, the false rumour spread that consumers had pre-ordered 1.1 million copies of the game in the US (which was simply completely untrue).

These numbers for Zelda (250 000) are NOT the number of orders from retailers, rather the number of pre-orders by consumers, and like it says, the official pre-sell time period hasn't even begun yet.

GameKinG · 02-14-2003, 10:56 PM

Yes, I know about the SC thing.