Recent App Store rankings a Touch Deceiving
In the days and weeks since Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1‘s release to Apple’s mobile devices, the game has made its presence known in various top 25 appearances on the App Store, in both Top Paid and Top Grossing categories.
How those ranks are calculated seems very arbitrary, however, as evidenced by Kotaku data that shows the first leg of the new 2D Sonic didn’t even make a mark on the top ten sales for the iPhone/iPod Touch or the iPod.
Data from the past three weeks indicate Sonic 4 has flown under the radar at its $9.99 price point. In fact, the only Sega title touching the Top 10 was Sonic 2, 3rd on the iPhone the week of October 3rd–when Sonic 4 launched–and 4th the week after. The game dropped off the Top 10 last week.
Those calls at one point from some fans to buy classic Sonic when Sonic 4 was released may be ringing in Sega’s heads on sight of this data. That Sonic 2 was budget priced at $1.99 didn’t help or hurt, depending on your point of view.
Figures for XBOX Live and Playstation Network should be made available around the middle of November, and that’s when we can better determine whether Sonic 4 can be considered a success for Sega.
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I saw some kid playing Sonic 4 on the iPhone and he sucked at it (really bad). So he rated the game one star and deleted.
That’s how Sonic 4 gets it’s ratings!
Well, you gotta admit that Sonic 2 is a much better game. At 1/5 of the price, it’s a much better investment. It’s bigger (complete), better in about every way except the graphics (even though the classic design is awesome), and it’s arguably the best title of the classic trilogy.
Considering investment and cost/benefit, and ignoring the hype around Sonic 4, it makes sense.
This wouldn’t have surprised me even if I thought Sonic 4 was GOOD. lol
I always thought the app store rankings were suspect, seems to be like they are updated by apple’s staff rather than hard numbers.
Sega should just drop this platform for future installments. It’s troubling to think they may have designed Episode 1 with the iPhone in mind
Sonic 4: Episode 1 was sadly not as good as I hoped it would be, no matter wich system, Dimps was rather lazy with this title. Fun definitely, but not a classic sonic as it claims to be, the gameplay is just lacking in so many areas, and to top it all off it felt radically different from the original trilogy. You heard that jazz already, no need for me to elaborate.
Here´s hope for Episode 2, but if I don´t see gameplay that feels a little closer to what it claims to be, Sega will lose a customer at least on that game.
That being said, I do hope it sold well enough though, I would hate it to see 2D Sonic disappear again from home consoles.
“Sonic 4 Can’t Crack iTunes Top 10 Sales”
WOW, REALLY!? How can a short, mediocre Iphone game with a price tag of $9.99 NOT be in the top ten sales!? I wonder why!? :O
Wow…these guys really followed through with their statement about buying classic Sonic on Sonic 4′s debut…I’m surprised. Time for Sega to step their game up…(episode 2)
meh seems about right it is the rating it deserves (It realy did suck)
@Jmack
I very sincerely doubt it was that petition that kept the classic titles so high on the list. I think Andre’s theory makes a lot more sense. People are buying the classic games because they are cheaper, longer, and better – not because they signed a silly petition almost a year ago.
I gotta admit, that’s pretty expensive for an iTouch/iPhone title. .-.
Meanwhile, I just got Sonic 4 on the wii Yesterday and I LOVE it. It’s fun and entertaining for such a little game. x3 I’m on Lost Labyrinth Act 3 and I have two Chaos Emeralds so far. I don’t think it’ll do well on the iPhone/iTouch however.; I think it takes a console like the Wii/PS3/360 to do this game justice.
I’m blown away on how the game touches my childhood days, yet keeps my love for the new games. Definitely looking forward to Episode 2. ♥
not surprised at all..
@ChaoticFox
Naw but I believe they could have helped a bit…I completely agree with Andre’s theory, excellent game, significantly cheaper price, more levels, possibly best game of the series…if I had a choice that’s a no brainer, yea I’m going to buy Sonic 2 over Sonic 4…but those petition guys could have helped a bit in pushing Sonic 2 to the top 10 list (the same week Sonic 4 debuted).
@ChaoticFox
you know what else I think happened…I think people (fans who are alot less vigilant of Sonic as we are) came across Sonic 4 and were like “Ooh what is this!” then they saw the price and were like “too much”. Then they figured if the iPhone had Sonic 4 then they should have the classics…then they came across the classics and saw $1.99 and were like “EPIC PURCHASE!!!”.
i think its the price.. people won’t complain when its about a psn or wiiware game.. But a mobile game for 8 bucks??