Shop Sales Reignites 3DS Chart Sales

As June swiftly comes to a close, here are the results of the UK sales chart, as compiled by GfK.

Another week has passed, and seeing the UK chart sales clarifies that once again, the top spot goes to a game that helmed the hype-train for some months: The Last of Us Part II. 

Big prediction: by the time it comes out, Cyberpunk 2077 will top the charts. Bet you couldn’t forecast that.

Whether CD Projekt Red’s latest is the catalyst or not, there’s been a growing interest in cyberpunk, and it could take over the zombie genre. Finally. Though I’m not anti-zombie titles, I’m amazed at how much longevity this phase has had. That said, I hope that the cyberpunk genre isn’t milked for the next decade or so, diluting all the quality titles currently out, or coming soon.

Games such as Foreclosed, Resolutiion, Cloudpunk, The Red Strings Club and, of course, Akane are just some of the excellent titles either on their way or available now. There’s another title I covered as a news piece called Ghostrunner. 

Available on Steam, I’ve since played the demo, and while multi-tasking with running, jumping and dodging with a keyboard and mouse felt like playing the banjo with my hands tied behind my back, it’s another stunning example of what’s to come.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in this week’s chart is Bravely Second: End Layer. Frantically scrambling through my notes, emails and then my library, this one slipped through the net, and I have to admit I never heard of it. It works out that it is a 3DS title. Did the game prompt a bit of controversy on Twitter, or does it feature Easter eggs that make this a collector’s piece? Nope. It was available in a sale, and while the kids are still off school, it looks like this was bought to keep them out of mischief/reward them for good behaviour.

Spongebob Squarepants Battle For Bikini Bottom Rehydrated is another title that makes the top three, proving that there’s a good deal of people reliving their youth, whether it be fans of the show or the early 00s title, there’s a market for these games. While my generation is more He-Man and Thundercats, the new trend is Cartoon Network and similar what with Ben 10 getting a new release.

I’m still holding out for Two Stupid Dogs or Cow and Chicken for this generation, but not holding my breath.

Not making it onto the charts this week, but games released that are worthy of your time include Edna & Harvey – the Breakout 10th Anniversary Edition. The review will be up soon, so no link at this time. It’s a throwback to classic point and clicks, but has had a recent overhaul with some fantastic hand-drawn visuals, but proves to be a little too challenging in places.

Another title that was out, and relates to the cartoon aesthetic from earlier is Towaga: Among Shadows. I’m currently playing this at the moment and will put out a review hopefully this week sometime.

It will be a surprise if it makes it to the charts next week, but another remaster is available – the N64 classic Star Wars Episode 1 Racer. While it has updated visuals, it looks very much like the original so will people be buying in their droves? Well, if Bravely Second: End Layer has climbed the ranks this quick, who knows?

On a final note, I’ve finally discovered Animal Crossing: New Horizons. How I kept this on the back burner for so long other than being busy, was probably dismissive on not knowing anything about it, and assuming it was a Pokémon-like game where you had to grow up with it – like a nostalgia piece.

It seems that isn’t the case, and my copy is on the way. While I’ll be going digital by the time the PS5 comes out, I couldn’t justify £50 for a digital code so that this one can sit on the bookshelf with the others.

Have a great week!