Despite Glowing Bayonetta 2 Reviews, Sales in Japan Seem Grim

Bayonetta 2, the Wii U-exclusive hack-and-slash developed at Platinum Games, has failed to ignite the market in Japan as week one sales show poor uptake.

Week one Bayonetta 2 sales in Japan, as shown on the 4Gamer website, suggests the game managed to sell about 39,000 copies. By comparison, the 2009 original was reported at the time to have sold 138,000 copies during its first week in Japan, split between 93,000 on PS3 and 45,000 on Xbox 360.

Despite this, early critic reviews for the game suggest the Wii U title is masterfully put together. Earlier in September, Japan publication Famitsu scored the game a 38/40, while UK publication Edge has given the game a rare ten.

The latest Japan sales chart shows that Super Smash Bros. for 3DS remains the frontrunner. After surpassing one million total sales in less than two days in Japan, the handheld brawler picked up another 321,000 units in its second week.

Publisher Nintendo has set a Bayonetta 2 release date for October 24 across Europe and the US.