Japanese hardware sales, June 23 - June 29: Nineteen hundred and ninety-five edition
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Jul 6th 2008 at 8:30PM }
With the recent announcement and then following super double announcement of Square-Enix's plans to bring Chrono Trigger to this week's second place finisher, our minds began to to wander like a starry-eyed, formerly monastic governess, vacationing in the hills of Austria. If Squeenix can turn a 16-bit RPG from 1995 into a soon-to-be bestseller in 2008, what other 13-year-old franchises could we breathe new life into in order to turn a tidy profit?
We immediately thought of Pogs, which swept the nation like a plague of circular cardboard locusts in the middle of the last decade -- after all, the obsession with collection hasn't waned in the minds of our nation's youngsters. Unfortunately, Archibald von Pogstein passed away last year, taking the secrets of Pog synthesis with him. We then turned our minds to music, and naturally, TLC's "Waterfalls", the official HIV and gun violence-related slow jam of 1995, came to mind. The Joystiq crew gathered to perform a breathtaking cover of the R&B classic -- unfortunately, we lost the master recordings shortly before distribution.
We eventually settled on bringing back one of the top-grossing films of 1995, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. Unfortunately, Mr. Carrey's reluctance to tarnish his new "serious" image by reprising his most beloved role brought the remake's production to a screeching halt. Instead, we're planning on making Ace Ventura quotes hilarious again by incessantly using them around friends and loved ones. We're sure we can find some way to parlay that into a get rich quick scheme -- aaalllllrighty then?
- PSP: 58,861
490 (0.83%)- DS Lite: 48,884
12,285 (33.57%) - Wii: 48,480
7,443 (18.14%)- PS3: 17,973
2,363 (11.62%) - PS2: 7,673
1,327 (20.91%)- Xbox 360: 5,104
2,549 (99.77%)[Source: Media Create]
See: Kinda hot these arrrchiiiives
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
WRE (PSN: WorstReviewEver; Gamertag: HaloKissesBoys; Wii Friend Code: 4204-4590-6106-3583) @ Jul 6th 2008 8:38PM
That Xbox just keeps going up and up recently. What's going on over there?
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 8:46PM
The boost was because last week Mobile Suit Gundam: Operation Troy was released.
007craft @ Jul 6th 2008 9:29PM
wow, Silly Japanese. when the real good games come out, barely a boost. When the garbage gundam games come out, the numbers sore. What a bunch of nerds.
Japanese gamers have no taste. They seem to only care about Japanese games. They completely ignore European, American, and my favorite; Canadian games. Sigh.
mr nimblewick @ Jul 6th 2008 9:50PM
God, I know. Why don't they have Madden at the top of the charts like us?
Mr Khan @ Jul 6th 2008 10:11PM
Or Spiderman 3
Why didn't they buy more Spiderman 3? that would make them have good taste, i mean America did it, right?
OMGOMG @ Jul 6th 2008 10:20PM
Really niblewick? Gundam games are total shit. And many good American/European/Canadian games are ignored.
He wasn't saying everyone should play Madden, but you know, maybe BROADEN their senses like many gamers have had.
4 years ago, I would have never thought I would have played a game like Operation Darkness. But, I broaden my horizons. It seems to me that the Japanese gamers have refused to add to their tastes, sticking with the 3rd person action adventure game with a young teen and a horrible camera system to go with it, or the turn based JRPG.
SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Jul 6th 2008 10:44PM
well that was my question. what came out for 360 to make that jump? and Gundam will certainly do that for ya in Japan.
i still cant believe how good the PSP has been doing lately. i mean the PS3 had its shine but no one really expected MGS4 to keep it at the top for more than a couple weeks anyway. the PSP is showing some late endurance though.
Charlie_Six @ Jul 6th 2008 11:52PM
I wish Operation Troy would release in the US. It's not a great game, but it's worth $15-20. Even my friend who doesn't like Gundam at all enjoyed the demo. (You need a JPN XBL account to get it. Easy to do though.)
bigsofty @ Jul 7th 2008 5:57AM
I care as much about the sales in Japan as they care about the sales in the U.S... and that is NOT AT ALL!
Ken Seang @ Jul 6th 2008 8:41PM
O my Buddha, not pogs...
bAssackwards @ Jul 6th 2008 9:37PM
Wow. Pogs! Now that's a blast from the past.
makishima @ Jul 7th 2008 10:08AM
Grab your slammers! To arms against the devils! ....my god so much wasted time and money XD Being a kid was great :P
arrrgh @ Jul 7th 2008 11:32AM
+1 oh how i loved pogs!!!!!!
best introduction to the world of gambling in public school EVAR
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 8:42PM
I want a port or remake of Secret of Mana and a 3D remake of Super Mario RPG, both for the DS.
And I also want a remake of Illusion of Gaia. That would be awesome.
And by the way: wow at the 360 spike. Almost 100% more than last week. Weird fact is, it sold more software than the PS3 last week.
Mr Khan @ Jul 6th 2008 9:10PM
I doubt the Mario RPG remake is happening, as the wheels are in motion to get it on VC. If i'm not mistaken, it already is on VC in Japan, which means that once Nintendo and Square Enix finalize the deal, it will open up elsewhere
Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jul 6th 2008 9:55PM
Basically Fernando, you want a remake of all the Mario and RPGS released for Nintendo systems back in the 90s.
: )
driven2sin @ Jul 7th 2008 12:01PM
how about Fallout 1 & 2 for DS? I seem to finish RPGs on the DS way more than on PCs or consoles
and add Baldur's Gate to the DS as well and all the RPGs of the 90's while you're at it
tmacairjordan87 @ Jul 6th 2008 8:46PM
Cmon 360, keep going up. I want to be able to say IT'S OVER 9000!!!! for once.
mr nimblewick @ Jul 6th 2008 9:51PM
So you're praying for the chance to be stupid? I think your prayer has been answered.
Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jul 6th 2008 9:55PM
Its funny because in the Japanese original, it was over 8000, Americans for some reason changed it to 9000 in the dub. : /
tmacairjordan87 @ Jul 6th 2008 10:23PM
Oh cmon nimblewick I'm just having fun, relax. It's not like I was stupid enough to want a wii version of Diablo 3 or anything. Seriously good luck with that :D
Imadogg @ Jul 6th 2008 8:48PM
Haha wtf. I randomly brought up pogs yesterday while fooling around with poker chips. And here they are. Weird.
Joystiq, stop watching me. Please.
Mike @ Jul 6th 2008 8:50PM
Nah I'm good.
reign-♥-of-♥-love @ Jul 6th 2008 8:51PM
wow i was all over pogs in '96. and awesome. xbox on its way to conquer the world!!!
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 8:55PM
Pogs are still very popular in Mexico. But they are called Tazos.
They are pretty popular here, mostly because they are included in the chips and doritos bags. They don't sell pogs in Mexico, they are only included there.
Last version of pogs was Pokemon.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 8:58PM
This is the latest version of Pogs here in Mexico.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff118/atletichiva/varios/videos028.jpg
They are made of steel, and there are some special editions of transparent pogs.
And if you buy 5 Dorito's or other chip, plus $20 pesos ($2 dlls.) you can get a special Pokeball to store the pogs.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 9:03PM
Tazos are mostly used as collectibles now. The best version in my opinion was the Star Wars edition... it was available like 10 years ago.
Jake11 @ Jul 6th 2008 9:03PM
please, tell us more about Mexican pogs
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 9:04PM
=(
Mr Khan @ Jul 6th 2008 9:11PM
If they are included with the chips, do people accidentally eat them?
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 9:14PM
Well, they come in a little plastic bag. But I don't think it would be easy to eat a pog by accident.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2367080292_4b7f27da83.jpg
Jettic @ Jul 6th 2008 9:25PM
Are those pictures of your place? YOU HAVE A SONY TV!? =O
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 9:28PM
lol... of course not!
I just Googled the pic. I have a JVC and a Sharp Aquos.
Fatass of Rebuttalness @ Jul 6th 2008 10:52PM
Hell, those are Tazos? My nephew came home with a bunch of those the other day, he had a little green launcher with 'em too.
Yo, you upped your Brawl game since last time we played? We need to get our Kart/Brawl on.
WiiFTW @ Jul 7th 2008 12:47AM
I'm a bit wary of Pogs now.
"There are also street rules for those who still play...These rules are not used in sanctioned competitions, after the 1995 incident causing the death of 2 players who agreed that thrown knives could be used as distractions."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pogs
Rodrigo @ Jul 7th 2008 11:37AM
heck yea fernando, i rember the tazos lol. i only collected the pokemon ones because i never saw the star wars tazos. i played with other dudes in school during recess. good old days with the tazos when i was a little kid :).
Jhongerkong @ Jul 6th 2008 9:10PM
Remember Alf? Hes back, in pog form!
Mr Khan @ Jul 6th 2008 9:11PM
You traded my soul for pogs?
You bastard!
Mr.ESC @ Jul 6th 2008 9:16PM
Yes Mr Khan I had that paper but I sold it.I sold it to a person who was very interested in your soul in particular.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 9:18PM
"Close that door! You're letting the heat out."
Transcendental Protagonist @ Jul 6th 2008 9:22PM
Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!
HighFiveJesus @ Jul 6th 2008 9:39PM
If the ayatollah can't have it, nobody will. vrroom vrroom!
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 6th 2008 9:43PM
"I call the big one Bitey"
Diskoboy @ Jul 6th 2008 9:57PM
Screw Alf.... I want the Steve Allen pog.
Mr.ESC @ Jul 6th 2008 9:14PM
Oh those things here are called Tazos and I had a huge collection of them due the 90's pokemon craziness and now I regret ever having them since they were included in greasy, unhealthy and nothing nutritive junk food not to mention most of the pictures in them are now undistinguishable.
Those things were traded or used in bets all over schools teaching children how to gamble. Fortunately they never were used as currency, well sometimes.I remember the 7 and 8 grade girls never wanted their tazos (boys did) so they throw them away or give them to kids that didn’t look so excited for them they look like crack addicts and since I was in elementary and I'm so cute I got free tazos everyday which I gamble, since there was nothing else to do with them, only to lose to some motherf*cking cheater.
Good ol' days.
007craft @ Jul 6th 2008 9:34PM
I never played for keepseys when I was a kid, I hated the thought of possibly "losing" my collection. Especially since these heavy metal slammers came out, which made it real easy to flip a stack of 30+ pogs 100% over in 1 hit.
Mr.ESC @ Jul 6th 2008 10:07PM
I hated that. I never actually gamble my collection but the pogs the girls gave me and the ones I found.
I never knew how other people do it, I manage to flip 1 pog tower in one hit with a regular pog in practice but never in a game. I learned several tricks but at the end I got bored of it since everyone cheated, some guys took 2 pogs and used a staple to stick them together o-O I don't know why that was legal.
Atr-Slzr-Ctr @ Jul 7th 2008 4:01AM
The best collection of Tazos without a doubt where the Looney Tunes one's.I was very young, I think that was the first time they bring those things in Mexico. Those where the days :D
Cigol @ Jul 7th 2008 9:43AM
I used to sell pogs in school, I was a 'pog dealer'. Amazing that it actually worked though.
Superstar90 @ Jul 6th 2008 9:15PM
My guess is that the DS goes back to first this month because of DQ5, then it will stay there for like forever, because big titles will just continue to come out for it.