Japanese hardware sales, May 19 - May 25: Summertime edition

by Griffin McElroy { Jun 1st 2008 at 8:30PM }

In the immortal words of George Gershwin, it's summertime, and the living is fairly easy in Japan -- at least, that's what we're led to believe by this week's Japanese sales charts, as our far eastern friends have sworn off their daily career-related obligations, and begun purchasing gaming consoles with ferocious avarice. Sure, you could argue that summer doesn't officially begin for a few weeks, but our full-blast air conditioners and sheets, turned adhesive from a night of sweaty sleep, might convince you otherwise.

Unfortunately for us video game media mavens, the summer is often the most unpleasant of our Earth's four seasons. While the rest of you follow the instructions of the Freshest Prince, we're not fortunate enough to spend our days frontin', maxin', waxin', or relaxin' -- no, our former vacation days will be spent on the long, lonesome road as we bounce between conventions and expos in our tireless search for precious scoops -- by which, of course, we mean news stories, and not delicious snack chips. If only!

So as you ride around in your Jeep or your Benzos (or in your Nissan, sitting on Lorenzos), spare a thought for your beloved bloggers on the road. Pour some of your finest lemonade onto the pavement at your feet in our honor. As it sinks into the cracks of the driveway, reflect on the unhealthy dependence on us that you've developed, and apologize to the ant colony you've just drowned.

- PSP: 64,449

6,087 (8.63%)
- Wii: 49,047

7,475 (17.98%)
- DS Lite: 37,404

2,499 (7.16%)
- PS3: 9,071

1,730 (17.79%)
- PS2: 7,189

167 (2.38%)
- Xbox 360: 1,947

473 (32.09%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The Freshest archives

Tags: japanese-hardware-sales, japanesehardwaresales

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Geist @ Jun 1st 2008 8:36PM

Okay, the PS3 overtaking the Wii, yes. The DS, yes. But the PSP overtaking the Wii, consistently? I don't get it.

ApolloIV @ Jun 1st 2008 8:41PM

Monster Hunter.

Geist @ Jun 1st 2008 8:42PM

That's what I figured at first, it definitely accounts for the initial few weeks. But the consistent-ness of it is screwing with my head, man. It's like up is down, left is right, and everything is topsy turvy!

ApolloIV @ Jun 1st 2008 8:54PM

The Wii numbers will be insane when Monster Hunter 3(I think that's the correct number) comes out on the Wii.

Tiptup300 @ Jun 1st 2008 10:02PM

Am I the only one who doesn't care about sales figures at all.

Jacksons @ Jun 1st 2008 10:24PM

@geist
It's portable, fun and has lots of nifty features. Why wouldn't it sell well?

LaughingTarget @ Jun 1st 2008 10:47PM

The entire country of Japan has a DS already, they're getting the PSP since they've recouped the money in their bank accounts.

Purple Haze @ Jun 2nd 2008 1:00AM

Things will all turn right again when Dragon Quest IX comes out.

pavs @ Jun 1st 2008 8:46PM

dont be surprised if soon the PS3 will have similar numbers to the PSP.
This just shows that you shall not judge the system too early. (remember the bashing the PSP used to take? I guess most of those "critics" is pretty silent right now)

Fernando Rocker @ Jun 1st 2008 8:51PM

Dude... thats just Japan. The PSP is doing poorly worlwide:

Chart Track (Europe) from last week:

DS 200,000 and PSP 69,000

And NPD in USA:

DS 414,000 and PSP 190,000

"Winning" in Japan by 30,000 diference is nothing.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/april-npd-gta-iv-mario-kart-wii-race-to-the-top/

J @ Jun 1st 2008 8:54PM

hey pavs.

the time i can see this happening is when FF finally releases. and I cannot wait until that day. However, as Fernando has stated, monster hunter will release on the wii, and that should help its sales as well.

I support the psp and ps3, but if and when the ps3's sales finally surpasses that of the wii, will we actually have something to brag about, considering how long it will take for that to happen. most of the ps3 line up seems to be focused on the western market - mgs4, killzon2, resistance 2, lbp. And I am really looking forward to these games. The only 2 I can think of that will attract japanese consumers to the ps3 is white knight and FF, unfortunately. I can't wait for white knight also!

Happy_man @ Jun 1st 2008 9:35PM

J, I'm pretty sure that MGS4 will appeal to Japanese gamers.

Kenology @ Jun 1st 2008 9:40PM

But the real question is, if one day the PS3 does have similar numbers to the Wii, will it even matter!? The PSP has been the best selling system this year in Japan, but what does it matter in its competition with the DS? Absolutely nothing. The DS is so far ahead, the handheld crown is already locked in for this gen. By the time the PS3 has its turn-around (if ever), it most likely won't matter, as Wii would have an insurmountable lead by then.

John McPoop (PSN:johnnynumber5) @ Jun 1st 2008 9:45PM

@Fernando

But you have to admit that the PSP continues to pick up steam when you had it all but dead not to long ago ...

Monster Hunter 3 will sell very well on the Wii there is no doubt about it but I wonder if the lack of online integration in the Wii will hurt that title ... I love Monster Hunter and I will also pick it up for the Wii ... It will be the first great 3rd party exclusive on the console ... Thus far there is not much reason to own a Wii outside of Mario and friends

fwacce @ Jun 1st 2008 9:54PM

Fernando will never admit any good news for Sony - ever. Don't waste the energy it takes to even type such ridiculousness.

The_Punisher @ Jun 1st 2008 10:27PM

@ Fernando

I don't usually like to respond to you, but you made a mistake. It's 30,000 PER WEEK, 120,000 if you're goign to compare it to NPD and eUROPE.

Just thought i'd let you know.

Jacksons @ Jun 1st 2008 10:28PM

@Fernando

How can you classify that as "poorly?" Don't be ridiculous.

Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Jun 2nd 2008 12:55AM

@Jacksons

Compared to the DS the PSP IS a failure. That's unfortunate though, since both are pretty awesome handheld systems, It's just the DS has sold about a billion units making the PSP's respectable numbers look weak

Maverick Saturn @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:22AM

Thats no suprise really, the 2 seem to appeal to very different markets.

Noshino @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:28AM

Raikage,

"Compared to the DS the PSP IS a failure. That's unfortunate though, since both are pretty awesome handheld systems, It's just the DS has sold about a billion units making the PSP's respectable numbers look weak"

Huh? I didn't know that it was a failure that have your first handheld sell over 30 million units against a giant competitor as Nintendo is on the handheld department in which they have simply destroyed companies left and right....

Oh, and Raikage, I didn't even know that a 32% market share was a failure, last I know that was about the same as that of the XBOX and NGC....TOGETHER

Irresponsible Robot @ Jun 1st 2008 8:48PM

I'm pretty sure they meant "Nissan".

Jhongerkong @ Jun 1st 2008 9:04PM

Expect DS sales to be increased by (x3 ^ 800) ^ 1000 once DQIX comes out.

Mal F4cti0n @ Jun 1st 2008 9:29PM

why the big increase in 360 sales? Especially now that MGS4 is right around the corner? I would expect the 360 sales to be tanking right now.

Kenology @ Jun 1st 2008 9:45PM

360 sales are tanking dude. I know you mean that relative to the usual numbers it puts up, but yeah...

tmacairjordan87 @ Jun 1st 2008 9:51PM

lol at 473 being a big increase.

Sorry but that'll never get old :D

Mal F4cti0n @ Jun 1st 2008 11:51PM

It just seems that something must be up for a 33% increase in sales. I would think most of the Japanese gaming population would be looking forward to some new Wii game or MGS4. Surprised to see nearly 2000 sales for the 360 in a week over there.

el serpiente @ Jun 2nd 2008 12:09AM

3 white males were relocated to japan by their companies and they bought xboxes.

WRE (PSN: WorstReviewEver; Gamertag: HaloKissesBoys; Wii Friend Code: 4204-4590-6106-3583) @ Jun 2nd 2008 2:21AM

3 white males bought 1,947 Xbox 360s? Worst Quip Ever.

chez @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:21AM

El serpent-thingy seems to be getting dumber, check his posting history.

PSN & GAMERTAG: jorojoserojas - Wii FC: 0749-8609-3752-6926 @ Jun 2nd 2008 3:39AM

Maybe Ninja Gaiden 2 is spurring those sales? I'm not sure if it's going to be released simultaneously with the US, though.

Mal F4cti0n @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:04AM

Ah, Ninja Gaiden II!

Duh, that has got to be it!

Thanks, Jorojoserojas! Now I can sleep tonight and stop thinking about it. = )

WiiFTW @ Jun 1st 2008 9:44PM

Seriously, what do they do with their consoles?

I swear, the Japanese must be buying inordinate amounts of video game consoles so that they can screw with us Americans and our fanboyhood.

John McPoop (PSN:johnnynumber5) @ Jun 1st 2008 9:49PM

We will see some pickups in PS3 sales after MGS 4 releases ... It will be a worldwide increase in sales numbers ... I bet Europe will see the most PS3 consoles moved

I still give the PSP a big high five *high fives PSP* for selling so well the last month or so in that region ...

The 360 sales are just pathetic in Japan ... The PS3 sales are not great either but compared to the 360 they are world beaters

Wii60Warrior @ Jun 1st 2008 9:52PM

And the ps3 sales get shitted on by the Wii.

The ps3 sales aren't impressive at all. They should be at least selling half the number of consoles that Nintendo sells.

I mean really this is JAPAN. Like the home of sony...the ps3 should at least be raking in around $20,000 units there.

However it just sells under 10,000

Thats pathetic...

Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 1st 2008 10:47PM

LOL at PremierAsshole (AKA Wii60Warrior) making fun of PS3 and its fanboys when he's being a fanboy for his two consoles. Pot calling the kettle black. : D

Its really surprising PremierAsshole that a $250 console is outselling a $400-600 one? Really? No way!!!

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jun 1st 2008 11:46PM

"The 360 sales are just pathetic in Japan"

But the thing is, everyone knew that Microsoft was going to fail in Japan, so there's no point in waiving that around as if people have been saying: "LOL 360 IS GOING TO DO AWESOME IN JAPAN" The only thing surprising is how poorly the ps3 is doing in it's home country. I understand that because the Wii cost less it's going to sell more than the ps3. But at the same time, the ps3 should have sold alot more in it's home country. So the numbers are disappointing in Japan, especially when considering the fact that Sony can easily get 50k+ sales for their consoles easily in the states and Europe.

John McPoop (PSN:johnnynumber5) @ Jun 2nd 2008 12:02AM

@PremierAsshat

Well your playing a 2 vs 1 console game here ... The 360 is lucky to sell as many consoles in a month as Sony did in a week ... idiot ... As another responder pointed out if what you say is true about the "home land" advantage why is the 360 not owning the PS3 in the USA?

Open your eyes and read you mindless drone ...

Noshino @ Jun 2nd 2008 12:10AM

Vegeta,

We knew they were going to sell poorly in Japan, and really, it wouldn't have mattered if it wasn't because of the fact that some people from Microsoft had been stating that sales in Japan this generation would have been high...

Not only that, but the fact that so many resources have been used VERY poorly...(most of the 360 campaing in Japan has been god awful, as awful as the one PS3's in the US and Europe)

And on top of that, the fact that they made up excuses about their failure (the one that I remember the most was about how the fact that DOA4 wasn't released on launch date is the cause of the 360's failure in Japan....

So, I beg to question, if we are fast at pointing out the facts about the failures of Nintendo and Sony outside their home market, why can't we do the same for Microsoft?

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jun 2nd 2008 12:23AM

@Noshino
The reason being, like I said before, is because everyone knew that microsoft was going to do poorly in Japan. It's just the way Japan is. But of course more attention is going to be given to Sony's situation in Japan since Japan is supposed to be one of Sony's strongest area. So of course more people are going to point out that Sony is doing poorly in Japan.

Noshino @ Jun 2nd 2008 12:36AM

Sigh, please tell me that you aren't one of those that think that simply because its an american product it is going to fail in Japan?

I stated points as to why some people like to point out that Microsoft is failing in Japan, you simply ignored them and restated that "because everyone knew that Microsoft was going to do poorly in Japan"

Like I said before, their failure COULD have been overlooked, but ...

- Promises by 360 people about how they were going to be a complete success in Japan

- Amount of resources put into an horrendous Japanese campaign

- Made up excuses about their failure instead of pointing out the facts

..because of those facts mentioned, we don't overlook it.

So I ask once again, why should we not point out the failure of the 360 in Japan yet we point out the failures of Nintendo and Sony inside and outside their home market?

Maverick Saturn @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:26AM

Its the Wii's home country too yaknow ¬_¬ And as of now, both 360 and PS3 are doing poorly, why? Isn't that obvious, they don't have the games people want.

When is this 'home country' argument going to end ¬_¬

So I should buy a console made by my country alone? Is that what American's are doing?

Sir Fidlious Wong (Justin T. McElroy Memorial Burn of the Day Award) @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:36AM

Bah, 360 is doing poorly in Japan not because it's an american console but because 360 is a very western focused gaming console. Yes, it gets RPGs and stuff but you cannot deny the westernness of it. Take, for example, Xbox Live. For Japan, online gaming is still very niche. Period. Online gaming hasn't taken off, MMO success stories remain squRARE. With the 360 having online gaming as it's CORE concept and that feature being a foreign deal, it isn't suprising to push people away. This is naturally coupled by the massive amount of different consoles available and how the difference cut very key features (and before someone says "look at Sony," I don't see PS3 burning up the charts either). And then we have the DLC. I gotta ask, has one Japanese company YET figured out how to do good DLC?!? NamcoBandai, MS's biggest Japanese allies, have clusterfucked it from day one.

To say 360 was an expected failure in Japan is an understatement. But people chalk it up to the wrong reasons.

I wish I could say Sony's failure is a suprise but is it? You take a look at all the mistakes Microsoft is making in Japan and you'll notice Sony is making them too. But to top this off, Sony is lacking the NamcoBandai alliance which scored Trusty Bell, Tales, among others. Facing facts, until Sony remembers PS3 is a Japanese console, I expect them to continue to do poorly.