Japanese hardware sales, 8 Jan - 14 Jan: post-holiday blues edition
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Jan 19th 2007 at 11:00PM }
If this week's Japanese sales chart was in any position to listen or understand human speech, we'd politely pull it aside and remark, "You've got red on you." We might even tag a "baby" at the end, but it would ultimately be for nought. Not having our romantic advances returned for so long brought us to the realization that sales charts do not listen, do not learn and do not love. They merely present the facts. This week, the facts point toward the end of the holiday shopping bonanza, with stores still being resupplied and shoppers thoroughly occupied with their brand new acquisitions. The Wii even manages to shove the DS Lite off its towering throne (take a picture!), but only just.
- Wii: 93,708
101,623 (52.03%)- DS Lite: 89,287
255,591 (74.11%)- PSP: 48,804
69,382 (58.71%)- PS3: 25,531
44,413 (63.50%) - PS2: 22,663
29,374 (56.45%)- Xbox 360: 9,035
9,200 (50.45%)- Game Boy Micro: 1,959
1,352 (40.83%)- GBA SP: 1,547
817 (34.56%)- Gamecube: 611
647 (51.43%)- GBA: 79
22 (38.60%)- DS Phat: 41
34 (45.33%)[Source: Media Create]
See also: Previous Japanese hardware sales charts
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Munch @ Jan 19th 2007 11:09PM
Who keeps on buying the original GBAs? The micro and SP are much nicer.
Crazylink @ Jan 19th 2007 11:20PM
Unpossible!
@Munch: I don't know about anyone else, but I find the original GBA much more comfortable than the SP.
azesino @ Jan 19th 2007 11:14PM
I tough The PS3'S where going to go up instead of down because they are now up with demand, I guess Demand is really low, that have to be a record, a BIG console that was just released 10 weeks ago selling on its own battle grownd a mere 25,000. Iam regeting my PS3 buy more every day.
Spuky @ Jan 19th 2007 11:19PM
the people buy GBAs as a gift for people that they dont like, or at least thats my theory
Damn, lots of red this week, by bye holidays!
JJ @ Jan 19th 2007 11:30PM
Besides if you bought a PS3 already...why would the sales in japan make you regret it??
The Wii is selling great, i bought one, but as of right now i play my PS3 more than my wii, why you ask? Because the novelty of Wii sports wore off on my friends about a week into it and there really isnt much else for the console to play besides Zelda, which i'm close to finishing.
So i think as of right now the PS3 and the Wii are both in the bad spot of not having near as much going for them as the 360 and yet, i dont regret my purchases at all. If i did i wouldnt have bought a 360 at launch either. But i stuck with it and now i'm glad i did. i expect the same things out of the Wii and PS3
dolemite @ Jan 20th 2007 12:52AM
Before anybody says anyting dumb, all the consoles ahd large sales percentage drops. The Wii, PS3 are no exception. Proof once again that software is what sells the systems. When a new hot game comes out, sales will perk back up.
KingBroly @ Jan 19th 2007 11:51PM
I've found myself going back to Zelda a lot, and I beat it on Thanksgiving. I don't think you can say anything about sales this week in Japan except that sales went down. The number of units available have gone down obviously, and some stores are probably waiting until the end of the month now.
Doc Evil @ Jan 19th 2007 11:51PM
I guess there are 450,000 PS3s sitting on store shelves since Sony shipped 1 Million consoles but only 550,000 have sold... that's a lot of unsold consoles...
David004 @ Jan 20th 2007 12:03AM
GO GBA!!! I STILL LOVE YOU!
syco @ Jan 19th 2007 11:56PM
Just got Trauma Center for the Wii (never played it on DS) and I must say it's completely awesome. Zelda isn't the only game available... Didn't Warioware just come out too?
I'm kinda shocked to see the PSP still doing well... It doesn't seem to be very popular to me, but maybe it's more popular in Japan...
raycosm @ Jan 20th 2007 12:10AM
OMG THE GBA OUTSOLD THE DS!!1! DS is teh sux!
Chwoka @ Jan 20th 2007 12:16AM
...Does anyone else notice that they simply switched the roles of the red down arrows and the green up arrows? I feel smart now.
Splinter @ Jan 20th 2007 12:19AM
@4
I agree totally. My big hands cant fit comfortably on the SP's small button layout. Its got to be one of the most comfortable handhelds ever.
JJ @ Jan 20th 2007 12:40AM
syco it is a good game but i have yet to actually BUY anything other than what came with the Wii, most of the games are fun but not neccesarily anything i would spend money on outside of renting them for a few days. The only game i have bought thus far is zelda and i bought th GC version. But i do play it on my Wii mostly.
Psaakyrn @ Jan 20th 2007 12:49AM
to #10 raycosm
If that's your definition of "outsold", then technically the XBox 360 outsold the Wii, DS, PS3, PS2, and Gamecube. But that's nothing compared to the XBox (original) which is in second place.
Desiri @ Jan 20th 2007 1:27AM
PS2 sales in Japan did not fall to that level until 33 weeks after launch.
http://www.vgcharts.org/japconscomps.php?name1=PS2&name2=PS2&type=0&align=0
bubba stump @ Jan 20th 2007 1:55AM
The real news here is that the 360 sold about 40% of what the PS3 sold. For Japan I'd say the 360 is holding it's own after a rough first year. No one ever expected sales would be great for the 360 out there...but these figures aren't bad in comparison to past performance.
syco @ Jan 20th 2007 1:41AM
The idea of playing Twilight princess without the pointer for arrows and the rush of physically pummeling a boss to death with the Wiimote is depressing. It makes me sad that people will ever play the cube version of that game, they are truly missing out. Why there even IS a cube version I will never understand.
Psaakyrn @ Jan 20th 2007 1:48AM
to #17 syco
Twilight Princess was originally developed for the GC, and wsa promised on that platform as well. Not releasing it would be a PR mishap. (you know, like all those statements Sony PR keeps failing to meet)
Inspired @ Jan 20th 2007 1:59AM
The PS2 sold more in one week than the PS3 has sold in 11. The whole game situation is pathetic right now. The numbers for the PS3 will stay low until they release a big name. Final Fantasy ain't coming till next year easily, who knows when Metal Gear Solid is dropping. Heavenly Sword got pushed back a little. Motorstorm is a disappointment in Japan cause of all the features it lacks (which, coincidentally, caused the title to be delayed in the states).
Whatever Sony has up their sleeves, they better play them cards soon. SOON!
Chronos_777 @ Jan 20th 2007 2:14AM
I find it interesting that the week that Blue Dragon came out in Japan, the 360 sold more than the PS3 did this week. It's nice to see a more even field when it comes to the systems, that way we (the gamers) will see better games because it's the games that sell the system. Also, I still think that it was a mistake for Sony to release a system for over $500. Though, it might be Sony's goal to have the system last for more than the typical 5 year life cycle, but what will they do when Microsoft and Nintendo come out with their next systems five years from now?
KingBroly @ Jan 20th 2007 2:17AM
This is how wrong the PS3 is, and possibly how wrong I am. I just bought a PS2 (I shared a PS2 w/ my brother, but eventually sold it to him b/c of college). I finally had some money.
I could either wait 3-4 months to get a $500 360 (with wireless adapter) or wait 4-6 months to get a $600 PS3. No games. The PS2 is going to be a thorn in the PS3's side for at least 2 years.
The PS3 cannot succeed at this point. MGS4 and FF13 are not merit enough to buy a PS3 at $600 along with a $2,000 TV, with $100 HD cables. It's not worth it.
Anthriel @ Jan 20th 2007 2:34AM
Uh, it's only natural to regret buying a PS3 right now.
Low sales numbers translate to a low install base, and a low install base ultimatively means few exclusives and bad ports.
The PS3 costs too much for the casual crowd and chased away the hardcore crowd with stunningly bad PR.
People keep saying FF13 and MGS4 will turn everything around, but just take a look at the N64: It had Mario 64, Ocarina of Time and Golden Eye, the best games of that generation, and some of the best games ever released. The N64 has more games in the Top10 than every other platform (including PC), yet it still was inferior to the PS.
If Ocarina of Time couldn't save the N64, then I don't see how FF13 (which could merely be a high 80's game for all we know) can save the PS3.
The only difference is, that with the N64, you got what was the best game ever at that point, whereas with the PS3, you get a good, but still forgettable game. Oh, and if you bought a N64, you weren't down 600 bucks.
Granted, the Wii isn't too useful right now either (though it is still a nice party machine), but it has enough hype and a cheap enough price to get a large install base, so it likely will get a lot of exclusives eventually.
I wouldn't buy it right now, but there is not yet much reasons to regret a purchase.
Halo Man @ Jan 20th 2007 2:50AM
the numbers and corresponding percentages make no sense.
Xbox 360 last and this week sold 9k? and thats a 50% decrease?? i dont get it.
http://www.folonline.net
Sly @ Jan 20th 2007 2:58AM
Maybe now Nintendo will start up shipping Wiis again to the U.S.
icruise @ Jan 20th 2007 3:05AM
Halo Man -- Last week the Xbox 360 sold 18,235, so sales are down 9,200 this week, to 9,035. That's a 50% drop.
I was going to comment on the bad PS3 sales, but it looks like the Wii is pretty much as bad (unless that's all the Wiis that were available for sale in Japan of course, but I doubt it). I think this is only natural, since we're coming off of the New Year's holiday, when kids get money given to them (if anything New Year's in Japan is like Christmas in the US). So a sudden drop in sales for all the systems across the board really isn't news.
Gozan @ Jan 20th 2007 3:24AM
Apparently, the Wii is pretty much sold out all over Japan. DS as well.
Psaakyrn @ Jan 20th 2007 4:10AM
Also apparently, the Wii has manufacturing/shipping problems, but no one noticed. You'd think that the Wii should have far more than twice the production rate of the PS3 based on their lower costs and the PS3 production problems, but based on world sales (i.e. not just Japan) they don't have the PS3 beat by THAT much even though they're selling out.
Seriously, the PS3 isn't doing THAT bad. Just why isn't the Wii utterly trouncing them (based on the fact that they're constantly sold out while the PS3 isn't) is a mystery.
Vincent @ Jan 20th 2007 4:29AM
The PS3 has some major problems ahead, in the next holiday season the XBox360 will be cheaper and have some better selling points (120GB vs 60GB, consumer like huge numbers). The season after there will finally be some games that look actually better then the XBox 360 and maybe there will be a price drop, this could be 2008. However in 2009 it is not impossible Microsoft will already announce it XBox 1080, better hardware...lower price. So in fact Sony has only two years of cleaning up the mess their console (that they promised would be out in end of 2005).
It will sell, maybe it will make profit, hell maybe it will even bring Blue-Ray in all of our homes in one way or another. But the PS4 better be good ...
snapperdragon @ Jan 20th 2007 8:34AM
29. ... The season after there will finally be some games that look actually better then the XBox 360 and maybe there will be a price drop, this could be 2008. ...
Posted at 4:29AM on Jan 20th 2007 by Vincent 0 stars
------------
I don't think the PS3 is actually capable of better graphics than the 360. It clearly has an inferior graphics card in it and with the harder programming and the year late I don't quite think any dev will be able to make a game look nicer AND have a good framerate than what is possible with the 360.
I just don't buy the PS3 hype.
hegemonyhog @ Jan 20th 2007 10:41AM
#28 - since when is selling four times as many units as your nearest competitor not trouncing them?
Gozan @ Jan 20th 2007 1:18PM
"Just why isn't the Wii utterly trouncing them"
Wii is trouncing PS3 utterly and completely over here in Europe, that's for sure.
Evan @ Jan 20th 2007 12:59PM
Here's some stuff I found from analyzing the data on www.vgcharts.org
1. PS3 sales numbers appear most similar to the Dreamcast!
2. Both the DS and PS2 beat the Wii's launch!
Comparing consoles' total Japanese sales after 7 weeks:
DS 1,581,000 (01/15/05 - 7 weeks)
PS2 1,489,750 (04/15/00 - 7 weeks)
Wii 1,258,750 (01/13/07 - 7 weeks)
PSP 685,750 (01/22/05 - 7 weeks)
Dreamcast 439,000 (01/09/99 - 7 weeks)
PS3 399,250 (12/23/06 - 7 weeks)
GameCube 293,750 (10/27/01 - 7 weeks)
XBox 360 104,250 (01/21/06 - 7 weeks)
Comparing consoles' total Japanese sales after their first Christmas:
DS 1,524,000 (01/08/05 - 6 weeks)
Wii 1,159,250 (01/06/07 - 6 weeks)
PSP 551,750 (01/08/05 - 5 weeks)
PS3 543,250 (01/06/07 - 9 weeks)
DC 439,000 (01/09/99 - 7 weeks)
X360 95,250 (01/07/06 - 5 weeks)
(PS2 and GameCube excluded because they launched mid-year)
Psaakyrn @ Jan 20th 2007 1:29PM
to #31 hegemonyhog
Ever since I mentioned WORLD sales, which includes US and Europe.
VGCharts says the lead is about 132%. When you take the sale cost per console and console alone (i.e. not including games and accessories), the PS3 has customers spending more money than the Wii. That isn't quite the trouncing I'd expect.
Mr. Khan @ Jan 20th 2007 3:36PM
Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but isn't this the first week since the release of New Super Mario Bros in Japan that the DS lite has been outsold by ANYTHING?
wierd...
v1cious @ Jan 20th 2007 3:01PM
looks like everyone got hit hard... but DAMN! Nintendo got it the worst. i mean i'm sure this won't hurt them, but i don't think anyone can deny that is a MASSIVE drop. it looks like the PSP might be the underdog to look out for in this console race. despite competing with the DS, this system is holding it's own quite well considering the price.
Jounin @ Jan 20th 2007 3:04PM
Demand for the Wii is high all over the world and Nintendo managed to launch their console in all of the major markets around the world before New Years (something neither Sony or Microsoft could do) so their stock is spread pretty thin. I would like to see total sold around the world (and none of that misleading total shipped stuff). Hopefully, the Wii cooldown in Japan means more here in the States and I can track one down for my boss--he's been having us try to find one for him ever since I let him borrow mine for a day.
Grunge @ Jan 20th 2007 4:33PM
"Wii is trouncing PS3 utterly and completely over here in Europe, that's for sure."
Trouncing an opponent that isn't there? You're an idiot.
Slaziman @ Jan 20th 2007 4:43PM
@38
It's amazing how you missed the fucking joke in his comment, the guy obviously said it as a joke about the PS3 not being in Europe yet, but then again, you ARE a PS3 fanboy, which are notorious for their ignorance and being dumbasses, so nothing surprising here.
Catprog @ Jan 20th 2007 5:32PM
@37 Mr. Khan
No. In Wii launch week the Wii also out sold the ds. You then have to go back to the 1st week of February for a non-Nintendo system on top
nick @ Jan 21st 2007 11:52AM
This is the lowest single week sales of the PS3 yet (in Japan). For a console that just launched, this is not particularly encouraging.
But if you look at the numbers, all the next generation consoles (Wii, PS3, 360) took a dip.
Possible conclusions?
Adoption of new systems is not going to be as strong as anticipated. The early adopters have theirs, but now they're selling to everyone else.
The 360 has yet to really gain a foothold in Japan, and baring any unforeseen changes, is unlikely to gain substantial sales.
The Wii is doing well, and will likely continue to well. This is the best effort from Nintendo in years.
The PS3 has to worry Sony. Initial reception has been mixed to lackluster. High cost coupled with lack of games isn't helping matters. We need to see some content that seriously amazes people.
Daniel @ Jan 22nd 2007 11:59AM
#34:
The race at this point isn't about console revenue, which is the comparison you're making. Yes, when you look at the revenue directly generated through console sales, it's a closer picture. However, it's well known that the only one of the big players who makes any sort of profit on the console sale is Big N - so the revenue generated is largely irrelevant, since none of that is actually profit (and in Sony's case, they're seeing a substantial loss on every dollar or yen of revenue they get from a PS3 sale)
Console sales are purely a quantity game. Sold consoles define the market for the games - the more Wiis out there, the more attractive it is to develop for the Wii, since you have more potential buyers.
Sony doesn't have a very long time to fix things - they can't wait for FFXIII or MGS to come out to sell boxes - by the time they come out, a lot of developers may have already committed to exclusives for either the 360 or the Wii, where they're more assured of having a large market willing to buy their game.