Japanese hardware sales, Nov. 19 - Nov. 25: Informative puppeteer edition
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Dec 1st 2007 at 5:00AM }
We understand that the cluttered presentation of the weekly Japanese hardware sales chart, what with its intimidating numbers and indecisive, colored pointy things, can occasionally be somewhat of a chore to decipher (and consequently appreciate). You may be able to discern the statistical shenanigans, but what of the reasons for platforms rocketing into the sky or plummeting to the ground like a lead yoyo without a string? Or... a rock, we guess. Far be it from us to withhold the answers from you! Well, we do withhold them ever so slightly... you'll have to highlight the answers in this easily accessible Q & A format!
- A sudden surge in DS Lite sales? Where did that come from? The offices that spawned a Dragon Quest IV remake, of course. By law, Japanese citizens must at the very least feign interest in this venerable RPG franchise.
- The PSP seems to be doing quite well. Did something happen? The PSP's been on a roll ever since the slim models came out -- and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII didn't hurt either.
- What's up with the Xbox 360 going from dismal sales to slightly less dismal but still works as a punchline levels? The answer is simple... but it's not here.
- Remember how the PS3 outsold the Wii the previous two weeks? Yes, we questioned the very fabric of reality.
- Why am I so easy to manipulate? WE WILLED YOU TO HIGHLIGHT THIS TEXT.
40,625 (53.41%)- PSP: 75,027
9,418 (14.35%)- Wii: 54,362
18,132 (50.05%)- PS3: 50,564
11,386 (29.06%) - PS2: 14,875
6,020 (67.98%)- Xbox 360: 7,117
592 (9.07%)- Gamecube: 44
6 (15.79%)- Game Boy Micro: 42
67 (61.47%)- GBA SP: 31
122 (79.74%)- GBA: 9
9 (N/A)- DS Phat: 0
15 (100.00%)[Source: Media Create]
See: The compelling archives
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jon @ Dec 1st 2007 5:08AM
Everything (relevant) goes up. Everybody wins.
Foetoid @ Dec 1st 2007 5:23AM
Not quite true, the Ps3 still went up.
cole @ Dec 1st 2007 6:17AM
Right... because the ps3 is irrelevant... get it!!! Sad... but true... whats a girl to do?
FrankTheCrank @ Dec 1st 2007 9:08AM
AS much as you puppets, hahaha, get it, puppets, hate the PS3, it's not going anywhere...so get used to it.
bm @ Dec 1st 2007 9:28AM
You're right, it's not going to move from distant third place worldwide. ;)
I had to do that. I'm sorry.
jimwack @ Dec 1st 2007 6:12PM
If I understand correctly, all of those week when the wii was out selling the ps3 6:1/5:1 no longer matter, because the ps3 finally beat the ps3 for 2 weeks, and now the wii, despite the fact it is now ontop the ps3 AGAIN, all that as$ wooping it made does not count, because the ps3 was on top for only two weeks, because ps3 is great.
Something about that seems wrong, very wrong.
jimwack @ Dec 1st 2007 6:14PM
D@mn, wrong reply.....
Spoit @ Dec 1st 2007 5:23AM
All the consoles that went down are nintendo's, clearly they're doomed
One Way Mule @ Dec 1st 2007 5:34AM
Yay go Nintendo, go Sony, er go Microsoft!! They are all making more money than me this Xmas and taking my hard earned cash at the same time. Just bought SMG woohoo.
Foetoid @ Dec 1st 2007 5:39AM
Such goodness SMG. Between Super Paper Mario, Metroid Prime 3, Super Mario Bros 3, Super Mario Galaxy, Titan Quest (with expansion) and Crysis i've barely had time to scratch myself lmao.
XanthouS @ Dec 1st 2007 6:44AM
"Xbox 360 going from dismal sales to slightly less dismal"?
The 360 sold less than half as many units as the frickin PS2 this week...
License to ill @ Dec 1st 2007 8:10AM
Talk about stating the obvious...
FrankTheCrank @ Dec 1st 2007 9:03AM
The PS3 outsells the XBOX360 seven to one.
Where's that headline Joystiq?
The 360 is DEAD in Japan. DEAD. Year 2, and it's DEAD. Stick a fork in it.
Mr Khan @ Dec 1st 2007 10:31AM
Not dead, it'll be dead when hit software doesn't cause a sales spike
Chronically Ill, maybe, but not dead
Rob Accomando @ Dec 1st 2007 8:01AM
no one said that puppet was hot yet?
ducko @ Dec 1st 2007 8:06AM
I'd like to pull her strings...
wait in the car @ Dec 1st 2007 7:35PM
I wonder how her knees got all chafed...
FrankTheCrank @ Dec 1st 2007 9:07AM
The Nintendo DS is set to become Nintendo's most popular system EVER. It's going to eclipse the biggest selling game system of all time, the Gameboy.
Nintendo is just amazing. Just amazing.
jimwack @ Dec 1st 2007 6:14PM
If I understand correctly, all of those week when the wii was out selling the ps3 6:1/5:1 no longer matter, because the ps3 finally beat the ps3 for 2 weeks, and now the wii, despite the fact it is now ontop the ps3 AGAIN, all that as$ wooping it made does not count, because the ps3 was on top for only two weeks, because ps3 is great.
Something about that seems wrong, very wrong.
jimwack @ Dec 1st 2007 6:16PM
God d@mn it wrong one again, ignor this frank, since i have a feeling only you will ever read this, since the story past its 4 hour mark, where everyone stops reading.
Fernando Rocker @ Dec 1st 2007 9:20AM
As I kept saying all weekend, the PS3 outsold the two weeks only because the price cut + white PS3 + bundled Dinasty Warriors.
Exactly the same as when the PSP outsold the DS by two weeks, with the redesign, and Crisis Core bundle.
And as for the software, I don't know why PS Fanboys keep saying that the Wii sell hardware, but not software... the Wii is selling a lot more, and I mean A Lot More that the PS3. Even the last week the Wii managed to outsell the 360 in software sales.
So, yes. I think that there are more gamers playing the Wii, and more Bluray movies watchers in the PS3.
Vince UK @ Dec 1st 2007 11:19AM
The wii still had to increase it's sales by 50% to beat the PS3 though.
I'm sure you were expecting another 30% drop for the PS3 were you not?
Fernando Rocker @ Dec 1st 2007 11:25AM
It beat the PS3 by 50% here in america... about 350,000 Wii's sold last week and 150,000 PS3, even with the price cut.
Vince UK @ Dec 1st 2007 11:42AM
That's great, but this is about the Japanese numbers.
Fernando Rocker @ Dec 1st 2007 11:46AM
"The wii still had to increase it's sales by 50% to beat the PS3 though."
The Wii beats the PS3 by 4000 consoles.
Myke @ Dec 1st 2007 11:58AM
In Jp that may be true with people buying more games for Wii than PS3 but its not in the states. When people see Wii in stores, they rush to buy the hardware and thats it.
Also, this Blu-Ray watcher thing is getting old... Like nobody ever used a PS2 for DVD watching ever. People can buy whatever they want, just beause you dont agree doesnt mean it isnt irrelevant.
Fernando Rocker @ Dec 1st 2007 12:02PM
Mike
The Wii last week sold about 2,500,000 units of software here in America and the PS3 950,000
http://www.vgchartz.com/aweekly.php
Check the hardware sales too, check the top 50, even the Wii sold more Guitar Hero 3 last week than the 360 version.
Mario reach 1,000,000 in two weeks, Ratchet only 200,000 in 5 weeks... just check the charts.
Vince UK @ Dec 1st 2007 12:10PM
"The Wii beats the PS3 by 4000 consoles."
Ok it required a 40% increase then.
Fernando Rocker @ Dec 1st 2007 12:12PM
Vince
I really don't understand what are you talking about?... Are you sure to understand the Joystiq chart?
sheppy2.0 @ Dec 1st 2007 12:12PM
I really don't know why I'm posting. Fernando, you will willfully remain factually retarded no matter what I say, but I still have to try.
Despite you claim about the PS3 boost being Shin Sangoku Musou 5 bundles, as far as I've been able to find out, there have only been about 20,000 units of that bundle made. Those are obviously gone now but that game still sent on to sell an additional 280,000 copies and counting so far on PS3. So people are buying software on PS3.
PSP's Crisis Core bundle ONLY accounts for 77,777 of the PSP's redesigns success. Just stop mentioning it. It's not a common bundle. In fact, it's quite excessively difficult to find anywhere near it's release price of $223. In fact, only places I've found that DO have it are sporting $400+ price tags. Play-Asia wants $500. This bundle isn't even a factor because during the weeks PSP beat DS, those bundles were already hitting the scalping zones. That arguement is lame and you should but it to bed.
PS3 owners are buying more software than Wii owners. I don't want to talk about sheer numbers because that's a jaded view. We're talking attach rates. For a system where you claim most people are watching BluRay movies (hint: We do that too.... but you're all over Everyone Votes channel as a "feature" so your opinion here means crap) is simple invalid. More PS3 owners are buying software than Wii owners. Now granted, the attach rate difference is small, but it's there. And when software sales on PS3 are generally level but Wii's sales get boosts in the arm every time a Nintendo title drops, which one looks more unstable? Just a thought, just a playful thought.
Wii was boosted by SMG. Fact. But here's another fact. SMG is performing well under expectations in Japan. Whu oh. Twilight Princess suffered from the same problem as well. Wii Fitness is set to be their bread and butter in Japan. Most of their other efforts on the Wii that appeal to western audiences and even some supposed shoe-ins for sales over there have been less than phenominal. I mean, when WiiPlay is the highest selling Wii game, that sets a precedent. A precedent that Nintendo is not likely to ignore. So while SMG is doing well over here (Japan sales of SMG have YET to match the first week of sales alone over here), it sets a bad example for Nintendo. I wouldn't be concerned about this if not for the fact that Nintendo has once again shot down the concept of starting up some western focused games, or for the least part expanding their publishing umbrella. This is the part that worries me. They've officially fostered the "lowest bidder wins" software release scenario on their hardware that killed Atari, adopted the idea of "better games sell better" excuse on a system they are actively targetting non gamers with, and they are refusing to at least look at the possibility that different regions have different buying habits. YAY!
But no, it's all cool in Nintendo land. Wii Fitness is expected to be the hottest Wii game of the year and this isn's supposed to trouble you.
License to ill @ Dec 1st 2007 1:11PM
Here's a title for you, "PS3 beats Wii sales for first time in Japan for the month of Nov".
Whoopee...
Vince UK @ Dec 1st 2007 1:44PM
Blimey Fernando you got me going on like a parrot here.
What I'm saying is Wii sales had to increase by 40% to beat the PS3 this week.
As it happens they increased by 50% and beat it by 4000 units.
Vince UK @ Dec 1st 2007 1:46PM
...well 3798 to be precise.
Mr Khan @ Dec 1st 2007 3:42PM
Wii sales grew, and PS3 sales grew to match it, but the former still beat the latter
I don't see what the big deal is...
Kenology @ Dec 1st 2007 9:53AM
Wii Fit numbers next week.
Jonathan Tran @ Dec 1st 2007 10:41AM
Wewt Gameboy Micro FTW
eldee @ Dec 1st 2007 11:02AM
I can only speak for myself, but one reason why DS sales may have gone up is the impending fear of boredom at relatives houses for the holidays. Personally I have been forced to spend the entire 1 1/2 weeks at my in-laws place, and I went out and bought a DS solely for that purpose.
Will I ever play it again afterward? Who knows.. that depends on whether or not I survive christmas vacation.
ferrarimanf355 @ Dec 1st 2007 11:10AM
"What's up with the Xbox 360 going from dismal sales to slightly less dismal but still works as a punchline levels?"
Between this and the snarky comments, no wonder NeoGAF has you guys wordfiltered...
Ludwig Kietzmann @ Dec 1st 2007 11:51AM
NO JOKES ALLOWED ON THE INTERNET.
(P.S. Your comment appears to be aimed at a blog which actually gives a damn what some sycophantic and schizophrenic forum thinks. Or was that your way of defending Japanese Xbox 360 sales? If so, who do I make this reality check out to?)
ferrarimanf355 @ Dec 1st 2007 11:55AM
... Sigh. The Xbox 360 isn't doing THAT bad in Japan. Support amongst the developers over there is great, and the sales, while not at Wii/PS3 levels, isn't anything to sneeze at. You should go to work at Fox News, dude, you certainly have the bias...
Ludwig Kietzmann @ Dec 1st 2007 12:17PM
Incredible. It's now an indication of "bias" to point out the dismal sales one system has in comparison to every one of its competitors (including one from the previous generation) in the region? (Never mind that it's done in a joking manner!) This is not a "developer support" chart, nor is it a "sneeze-worthy sales" chart.
In terms of factual numbers, the Xbox 360 is not doing well in the slightest in Japan. I doubt even Microsoft would deny this, as they've repeatedly stated new intentions and strategies to remedy the situation.
Worst Review Ever @ Dec 1st 2007 12:29PM
Thanks a lot Ludwig. Now everybody has to go over to dictionary.com and look up "sycophantic".
rTwelve @ Dec 1st 2007 12:47PM
OMG OMG they insulted my console! i'm gonna go CRY
it's pretty sad when i have to copy/paste myself
sheppy2.0 @ Dec 1st 2007 12:19PM
7000 a week as one of the higher points isn't a bad thing? *slaps head*
Look, MS does have some Japanese developer support, but who do you think that's REALLY for? The Japanese or the US and Europe gamers who like Japanese games? Ask yourself that very simple question.
sheppy2.0 @ Dec 1st 2007 12:20PM
Damn, was supposed to be to ferrariman
dannyCage @ Dec 1st 2007 1:53PM
All fanboyism apart, but PS3 is selling pretty much as the 360 in its timeline...
http://vgchartz.com/hwlaunch.php
elmersglue @ Dec 1st 2007 2:46PM
Thats actually pretty interesting. However, it's interesting to note the huge advantage the 360 has over the ps3 in the USA only comparison. Thus far in the ps3's life cycle, it's trailing by over a million units compared to what the 360 was at the same time last year. It's Japan making up most of the difference for the ps3.
That's another thing, Japanese people seem so exclusive to their internally made products and it's actually pretty annoying. I mean, it just seems like they dont want to give the 360 a chance because it's an American product. It's something us Americans will never do to outside products because the population is too diverse to be biased against non American products. Its like trying to imagine not buying japanese cars because theyre not american. Unless, of course, you're in the midwest or south... where it's almost like a completely different country in terms of interests, life styles, and pride.
Alright, I'm gonna go hop in my truck and hunt me some game
Hiroken @ Dec 1st 2007 3:34PM
Interesting comment, Elmer. However, I have to point out that I while I think there is some sliver of merit to the "Japanese people don't want to buy anything American" argument, the real reason the 360 sells dismally in Japan is because it doesn't boast any of the franchises that are important to Japanese gamers.
For all their quirkiness, Japanese gamers go where the games are. In my opinion, this is why we are seeing the PS3 pick up in sales over there; the Wii is falling behind in offering games with real meat, and the PS3, (incidentally a Japanese company, giving it a slight edge over the competition) is picking up the slack.
josh @ Dec 1st 2007 5:07PM
elmersglue, iPods are hugely popular in japan. perhaps the xbox 360 does not sell well because of a lack of japanese-centric games, not because japanese people don't like foreign products
David @ Dec 1st 2007 11:23PM
Yes, PS3's sale is comparable to Xbox 360 for its first year. But with the popularity of PS1 and PS2, didn't people expect MUCH better 1st year results?? Didn't Ken Kutaragi say that the first five million PS3 buyers would purchase the console even there weren't any softwares for it? Sony had to cut price TWICE before reaching that 5 millions console sold.
As far as ipods selling well in Japan... Did you expect Sony music players to do well? Sony players weren't compatible with mp3s until recently. They forced their own audio codec. I don't think Sony's drm rootkit helped (but that was forced on CDs)