Ni No Kuni Nabs First Place Sales in the UK

Level-5 and Studio Ghibli have already done a wonderful job reaffirming that JRPGs are still a viable source of grand adventure with Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, and it looks like the public is catching on as well. The game topped the U.K. charts this week, keeping FIFA 13 and Black Ops II's constant struggle for dominance at bay for another much needed week.

High flying adventures, bright colors, and a distinct art style saved for the likes of children movies, many had doubts as to whether such a cartoony fairy tale of a video game could exist in the world of violent games. Hopefully Ni No Kuni's success could bring a much needed change in perception that all of us dig our pastime as just an outlet for suppressed outbursts.

With the success of the game, Namco actually turned to representative Lee Kirton in an interview with MCV to thank gamers and the fabulous PR team behind Ni No Kuni for making the game a hit.

"We expected good sales as the pre orders were close to shipment. In the end we have created a demand for this amazing game and have stock going out to channels this week."

"We have focused PR, marketing and the community has been brilliant. We have been solid with communication and reviews in the UK have been astonishing. We are very pleased, but ultimately it's down to an incredible game from Level 5 and some strong communication from me and my team."

It remains to be seen if the success will be replicated in the States. The Whole list for the past week is as follows.

1. Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
2. FIFA 13
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
4. Far Cry 3
5. Hitman: HD Trilogy
6. Assassin's Creed III
7. Need For Speed Most Wanted
8. Just Dance 4
9. Hitan Absolution
10. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
11. DMC
12. Football Manger 2013
13. Halo 4
14. Forza Horizon
15. Skylanders Giants
16. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heros
17. LEGO The Lord of the Rings
18. Sonic & All Star Racing Transformed
19. WWE '13
20. Sleeping Dogs

Last's weeks Number 1 game, Black Ops II, fell to third place, with FIFA 13 sales picking up, keeping it in solid second. It hasn't fallen below second place since its debut last year. The only huge debut to the top 10 was Square Enix's Hitman: HD Trilogy. Capcom's DmC Devil May Cry dropped from the Top 10, selling just 50 copies shy of Skyrim.

See at Amazon