Japanese hardware sales, Aug. 10 - Aug. 16: Science edition

by Griffin McElroy { Aug 23rd 2009 at 10:30PM }

Far too often, we here at the Institute for Japanese Hardware Sales Tracking deal in half-truths for the purpose of attempted comedic affect. Sometimes, we deal in reverse-truths. Other times, supertruths -- but how would you even be able to tell? Ah, see. You just got logic schooled, son.

Today, we're trying something completely different: Explaining the causes for the changes in hardware sales for each console with cold, hard, unfeeling scientific fact. Observe -- and learn:

The DSi increased because people are still buying boatloads of Dragon Quest IX. Simple.
The wheels have somewhat fallen off the Wii wagon as interest in Monster Hunter 3 subsides.
The PSP increased because Dissidia: Final Fantasy is coming out in North America next week, and Japanese gamers want to experience the magic all over again at the same time ... that we do. This is science, trust us.
360 sales increased 68.54%, due to wizards.*
The DS Lite decreased because it doesn't have a camera in it. Duh.
The PS3 didn't do much, as folks are putting off their Sony purchases 'til the Slim drops.**
The PS2 is ... it's like, twenty years old. Science can't explain why people are still buying it. You know who can?***

* - You're going to have to trust us on this one.
** - Yes, the PS3 Slim news didn't drop during the week of August 10. Wizards got involved, and time-traveled the news over to Japan early.
*** - Wizards.

- DSi: 87,936

17,870 (25.50%)
- Wii: 47,732

592 (1.26%)
- PSP: 39,882

5,989 (17.67%)
- Xbox 360: 9,162

3,726 (68.54%)
- DS Lite: 7,921

778 (8.94%)
- PS3: 5,944

118 (2.03%)
- PS2: 4,907

306 (6.65%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The scientific archives

Tags: japanesehardwaresales

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

BryanVP @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:33PM

Actually there are shortages in Japan for PS3s.

ThatPCgameryouhate @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:38PM

That sentence makes me wonder what the PS3s will eat, if there are shortages (for them).

Wes @ Aug 24th 2009 8:48AM

I call bullshit on that. I am in Japan and there are no shortages at any of the Yodabashi cameras, bic cameras, department stores or other places I've visited.

Woz @ Aug 24th 2009 10:18AM

With the shortages now, and the new Slim coming, I'm anxious to see what the PS3 number will be the week of 9/1

ch82 @ Aug 24th 2009 11:50AM

I call bullshit on your bullshit call Wes. I was in akihabara today and there were quite a few places sold out of ps3s

sam @ Aug 24th 2009 7:07PM

PS3 Fat shortages are obviously because they stopped making it some time ago and haven't yet started shipping the Slim. I expect it'll pick up in a big way when that comes out.

rells009 @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:35PM

That is a massive jump for X360. Surely somebody knows something there.

Sly [Planeteer | Power of Teets & Crumpets] @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:41PM

yeah, the jump is huge...

WINterfang @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:42PM

Jump in.

Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:52PM

I have a 54% chance of not making that jump...

Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:55PM

The real me is thinking that was a lame joke...

The fanboy deep within me is laughing.

Richard @ Aug 24th 2009 6:12AM

Wasn't Dream C Club released this week? I think that would account for the sales increase since that sort of thing goes down rather well in Japan.

ArchiGamer 2.0 [Planeteer I Power of Sexy Irony] @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:35PM

You can't argue science.

chris @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:39PM

Fucking Wizards, always leaking the PlayStation news.

Jrinswand @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:03PM

Fucking Wizards indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUz6zNkMj_Y

Mr Mobius - the wandering artist @ Aug 24th 2009 8:57AM

Blame Nintendo. They've been known to use Wizards to their evil purposes for the past few decades now.

Chromekreeper @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:43PM

i need to think of a snappy one liner quick before 50 other people comment on this!!! umm... looks like this is shaping "UP" well?

Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:56PM

Throws rotten snausages.

Chromekreeper @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:58PM

boy, im going to be a banana and "SPLIT"

Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:01PM

...That one wasn't even relevant to the topic.

*throws cabbage*

The Dark Wayne @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:05PM

why dont you make like a tree and get outta here?

ArchiGamer 2.0 [Planeteer I Power of Sexy Irony] @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:06PM

BOOOO!!

Chromekreeper @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:11PM

oh boy, i should quit while im ahead, and say that wizards works like my girlfriend

MYSTERIOUSLY?

HippoHero @ Aug 24th 2009 5:00AM

Lol

Um...I mean, uh, Get out!

Avatar @ Aug 24th 2009 3:12PM

It's time for you to make like a baby and head out.

Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:47PM

"The PSP increased because Dissidia: Final Fantasy is coming out in North America next week, and Japanese gamers want to experience the magic all over again at the same time ... that we do."

Yeah right... Did you know the JP version has ad-hoc online, and the U.S. version DOES NOT?

The more you know...

Alton Brown [Planeteer | Power of Dueling Banjos] @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:58PM

You said you imported? Who's your favourite character?

tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:05PM

Dissidia's awesome, got a hold of it thanks to a broken street date at a store that doesn't give two shits about street dates near me :D

I've only played as Cloud and Cecil so far in story mode but even though I like Cloud the character more...Cecil is the better fighter of the two.

I would try online, but I'd rather not take the chance of Squeenix thinking I pirated it.

ArchiGamer 2.0 [Planeteer I Power of Sexy Irony] @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:09PM

I need to make trip Florida and get to that store!

Anyway, I really did like the demo, so this is a purchase all the way.

Alton Brown [Planeteer | Power of Dueling Banjos] @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:12PM

I like Cecil and Terra. Kefka is fun too.

Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:15PM

@ Alton

A toss up between Squall and Onion Knight. I have to use Cloud to beat Chaos, though. Also, Terra's whirlwind and Flare powers are cool.

@ tmac

You sure you have online ad-hoc? I've been reading in reviews that option was not carried over...

If it is, that would be awesome, because I have some friends that wanted to fight me online!

tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:16PM

I dunno, I'm fairly sure I saw an online mode on the menu. I'll check it when I'm done downloading this demo.

Alton Brown [Planeteer | Power of Dueling Banjos] @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:19PM

The cool thing about Cecil is how he changes from Dark Knight to Paladin mid-fight.

Oh, and Onion Knight is hilarious.

Sly [Planeteer | Power of Teets & Crumpets] @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:31PM

online ad-hoc? do you mean infrastructure?

Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:41PM

I'm talking about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnGoIgZwavs&feature=related

It's an app you can download on the JP PlayStation Store, and in Dissidia, there's an option to play online via ad-hoc! This means you can play against others online, I've done so with other JP Dissidia owners.

From the reviews, they stated you can share content online, but they haven't mentioned this feature which makes me think that Sqeenix omitted it for the U.S. release.

But, tmac's gonna check.

tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 24th 2009 12:03AM

Ok, there's a communications mode that expands when you click it. It has several features on the expanded list.

Online Lobby: Connect through an ad-hoc network to battle or exchange Friend Cards.

Offline Lobby: View offline friend cards. Can fight ghost opponents & recieve rewards.

Friend Card Settings: Change your friend card info. Message and icons can be changed.

Artifacts: View Artifact history, or rename them, changing their effects

Card Exchange: Enter sleep mode and share friend cards with others in card exchange.

Sly [Planeteer | Power of Teets & Crumpets] @ Aug 24th 2009 12:03AM

oh, i know what you mean.

well, of course they omitted it! ad-hoc party isn't out in the US yet. that would be including a feature that most PSP owners in the US can't use.

Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Aug 24th 2009 12:10AM

@ tmac

Awesome! So you can do online battles!

But as Sly has stated, ad-hoc party isn't out yet... Maybe it will be by the street date???

Mr Khan @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:48PM

Good to see that the Wii boost from MH3 has held on. I still doubt that MH3 will really catch on like Freedom 2G and PSP, but if it can stay strong through the rest of the year, at least, it will help give Wii in the upcoming epic struggle with PS3 in the region.

tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:59PM

Hasn't it only sold like 500k in japan since launch? Which isn't very good for that series, or maybe it is since console versions never sell as well as the psp ones.

Mr Khan @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:28PM

I think that was the number a week ago, or more. Not sure. They were having trouble moving the standalone software, but it was largely resolved that the problem moving the software was that most of the buyers out there want one of the bundles, since they're having trouble keeping up with demand for the bundles.

Sly [Planeteer | Power of Teets & Crumpets] @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:33PM

part of the monster hunter phenomenon is that people loved to get together with friends in public places and just hunt. it's hard to do that when your console is tethered to a TV. but i must admit, MH3 is the one wii game i truly want. the things they added are amazing. underwater hunting... dang.

Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Aug 23rd 2009 10:50PM

Speaking of the PS2 being old. Someone on the paystation forums said "PS2 is 14 years old, I have no idea why it is still selling"

He was dead serious about it being 14 years old... I just thought i'd share...

...

*hums mission impossible theme with eyes darting around the room"

tmacairjordan87 @ Aug 23rd 2009 11:01PM

People like him are the reason why Gamestop feels the need to ask me if I know that Uncharted 2 is a ps3 game (since I preordered 2 360 games the same day).

He probably meant the playstation brand though, but I'm not gonna bother looking into that too much