Hot Shots Golf 5 sells 150k on its first day

by Nick Doerr { Jul 26th 2007 at 5:00PM }

It's hard to admit this, but we're still playing the Japan PS Store Minna no Golf 5 demo -- that's Everybody's Golf 5 or Hot Shots Golf 5 depending on what you want to call it. Despite its numerous monikers, the game's a hit in Japan, where reports indicate the title has sold over 150,000 copies over the course of its first day on shelves, which is half of all the preordered copies. That's a popular, cutesy golf game. Across Japan, stores are calling in sick with a case of the "sold outs" and this just makes us more anxious to get our grubby mitts on the full game.

If you haven't been following Hot Shots Golf 5 news, it's got a decent number of characters to choose from and a very interesting online mode that we're dying to try. It's not that revolutionary, per se, but we'd really like to play golf against a group of other golfers online. It seems like ... you know ... something you could do in real life, but not seem as cute. Or sweat as much.

Tags: everybody'sgolf5, hotshotsgolf5, minnanogolf5

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sky_Shark @ Jul 26th 2007 5:05PM

That is... no where near how much Pokemon sold in the US!

Actually, thats pretty good. Im thinking all pick this title up 2-3 months after launch.

Andy @ Jul 26th 2007 5:28PM

Its crazy how popular Golf is in Japan considering the limited number of golf courses and the expense of them. This game surely can't take that long to translate could it?

Solace @ Jul 26th 2007 5:30PM

@Sky_Shark
way to compare apples and...uh...kumquats!
seriously, they're not on the same console let alone same continent.

TheGuy @ Jul 26th 2007 5:29PM

This game has to cause a considerable bump in PS3 sales this week. I know Folklore and Ninja Gaiden Sigma didn't have much of an effect on PS3 sales, but fi this game doesn't I don't think there can be a bump in sales from a new PS3 in Japan that isn't made by Square Enix, Konami, or Capcom.

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Jul 26th 2007 5:33PM

hahahahaha a game like this sold copies that fast imagine how much a game like white knight or FFXIII and versus will sell.

humpty @ Jul 26th 2007 5:35PM

Cool... (waiting for my Heavenly Sword demo to download)

adam @ Jul 26th 2007 6:41PM

When is Hot Shots Golf 5 coming to the states?

Derka @ Jul 26th 2007 6:57PM

Hmm, something i'd actually buy for the PS3 and its not in the US yet. Figures.

drdre74 @ Jul 26th 2007 10:56PM

where in the store is it? I dont see it.

Richard @ Jul 26th 2007 7:37PM

Already bought it from Play-Asia. Did y'all forget the PS3 is region free?

Popfrogs @ Jul 26th 2007 10:18PM

I don't care if I can import it, I want to buy the localized version here. If it sells that well in Japan, after the honeymoon is over (a few months) and sales die down after they recoup their dev costs, they can sell it to the rest of the world. All it needs is a few English voice phrases thrown in and some different text in places. As it stands, anyone speaking any language can figure out the Japanese demo and play it.

I imagine they're already localizing it for different territories. The last few golf games they made went international.

from Finland @ Jul 27th 2007 5:18AM

I would have bought this already from Play asia but they don't sent games to Europe anymore!grr!

adriano1097 @ Jul 27th 2007 11:27AM

I live in Japan and I can tell...this game is gooooood. In online mode you have hundreds of lobbies, you play up to 50 players in a single match and up to 7 matches per hour (every 10, 15 or 30 min depending on the character). You also make your own avatar and can chat while you are waiting the match begin in the lobbie. The mechanics are great. The ball rolls like in real life and you have to be more accurate than the earlier version. I recommend.

Matt B @ Jul 27th 2007 1:42PM

I want this game so bad(US) it hurts. IMO it is the best golf series. THe game is easy to pick up if you haven't played any in the series. Way easier than Tiger Woods.