Rumor: Sony Could Be Working on Native PS3 Backwards Compatibility

Key Points

Astro Bot’s first-month sales are higher than Sonic Frontiers and Crash Bandicoot 4 in Europe. It’s believed that Astro Bot is doing better than most 3D platformers from the last decade, except for Super Mario. Sony hasn’t shared the total sales yet for this highly praised game.

The PlayStation 5 exclusive, Astro Bot, is reportedly performing better than some of the biggest names in its genre, at least in Europe. Released last month, it quickly became a fan favorite and received glowing reviews from critics. Currently, it holds the top spot as the highest-rated new game of 2024, with some even saying it might be one of the best 3D platformers ever.

Initially, there were concerns that the praise wouldn’t lead to strong sales. Early numbers from Japan were underwhelming, but data from Europe painted a different picture. Now, recent updates on Astro Bot’s performance show even better news for the 3D platformer.

Sales Insights

Recent data shared by GamesIndustry’s Christopher Dring reveals that in Europe, video game sales jumped by 20% in September. While PS5 and Xbox console sales dropped, Switch console sales saw an increase. Dring also mentioned that Astro Bot sold 34% more copies than Sonic Frontiers and 52% more than Crash Bandicoot 4 during their respective launch months. This is significant because Astro Bot managed to outperform these well-known franchises, which could send a clear message to PlayStation that fans want more games like this.

Astro Bot’s Success in Europe

Dring also stated that Astro Bot has outperformed almost every new 3D platformer released in the past 10 years, with the exception of Nintendo’s Super Mario series. While no one expected it to match Super Mario’s sales, it’s impressive to see Astro Bot doing so well compared to other popular franchises like Sonic and Crash.

Astro Bot may not be a completely new franchise, but it hadn’t proven itself commercially until now. Previous Astro games were mostly tech demos or bundled with PlayStation hardware, with one exception: Astro Bot: Rescue Mission for PlayStation VR. Rescue Mission was one of the highest-rated VR games ever, but since VR is still a niche market, it wasn’t clear if a traditional Astro Bot game would sell well.

The Bigger Picture

It’s important to note that we still don’t have the full picture of Astro Bot’s overall sales, as Sony has yet to release the official numbers. However, based on the available data, it’s safe to say that while Astro Bot may not be as big as some of Sony’s flagship games, it’s definitely a hit within its genre.

Astro Bot’s Adventure

In this new game, Astro and his bot crew are scattered across space after their mothership crashes. Players must travel across more than 50 planets to reunite the crew. Expect fun surprises and challenges along the way!

Explore Diverse Worlds

From sunny beaches to volcanic landscapes, players will journey through various exciting environments in search of Astro’s lost crew.

New Powers and Enemies

With brand-new powers at your disposal, face quirky enemies and giant bosses as you feel every action through the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller.

Celebrate PlayStation’s Legacy

Meet over 150 iconic PlayStation characters and celebrate 30 years of gaming history along your adventure!

Game Details

Title: Astro Bot
Platform: PlayStation 5
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Developer: Team Asobi
Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment
Genre: Platformer
Rating: E10+ for Everyone 10+ (due to crude humor and fantasy violence)

Players can purchase Astro Bot for $59.99 from the PlayStation Store or from other retailers like Amazon.