Japanese hardware sales, May 4 - May 10: Overkill edition

His back was to the wall. The sturdy bones of his glorious empire began to creak beneath the weight of recession and competition. For months, he'd been a footnote in the weekly rankings -- a position he was oh so unfamiliar with. It's this kind of pressure that causes men to do remarkable, unthinkable things. Things that defy conventions, treaties and the steadfast directions of one's own moral compass.

From atop the tallest parapet of the tallest tower, the aging king looked over his stagnant kingdom. Opposing troops, clad in hues of brilliant viridian and deepest black, stood ready at the borders. From miles away, he could see them -- a thousand little fists clenched tightly around a thousand little weapons. He exhaled sharply, breathing out the last reservation he'd held against the actions he knew he had to take. He looked over his shoulder, and addressed his mountainous vizier:

"Ready the troops, Commander Fils-Aime," he said. "Tonight, the Four Horsemen ride into battle."

By nightfall, the threat was vanquished. But at what cost? Filling the battlefield with simultaneous releases of new WarioWare, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon and Dragon Ball Z titles, joining the already blood-spattered Mario and Luigi RPG 3? He knew this power was unrivaled by any force in Heaven or on Earth. What mortal man deserves to control it?

The DSi reigned once again, but the addled king could not sleep.

- DSi: 55,382 6,249 (12.72%)
- PSP: 43,009 6,548 (13.21%)
- Wii: 24,397 2,851 (13.23%)
- PS3: 18,483 5,105 (21.64%)
- DS Lite: 7,821 281 (3.73%)
- PS2: 5,137 342 (6.24%)
- Xbox 360: 5,068 2,245 (30.70%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The mountainous archives