Japanese hardware sales, Aug. 23 - Aug. 29: Feline Helpers edition

When first examining the Japanese hardware sales numbers for August 23 through 29, we couldn't help but gawk at the PSP's astronomical sales surge. What could be the cause of such a dramatic shift (over 100 percent up at 55K units in just seven days)? As was the case with Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G before it, the release of Monster Hunter spin-off Monster Hunter Diary Poka Poka Airu Village placed the PSP firmly in the top spot for Japanese hardware sales.

Beyond folks purchasing handhelds just to play the game, a bundle pack being offered which includes a PSP for ￥33,131 ($392) couldn't have hurt. The most important thing to know about the game, however, isn't that it's related to Monster Hunter -- the most important thing is that it's all about adorable kittens. Not just any kittens: helper kittens! We'd love to stay and tell you more about it, but we've got a hot date with the madness-inducing trailer for the game.

- PSP: 55,112 ↑ 27,558 (100.01%)
- PS3: 25,053 ↓ 4,380 (-14.88%)
- DSi LL: 19,010 ↓ 2,973 (-10.24%)
- DSi: 17,057 ↓ 2,973 (-14.84%)
- Wii: 15,989 ↓ 2,156 (-11.88%)
- DS Lite: 3,925 ↓ 87 (-2.17%)
- Xbox 360: 2,665 ↓ 1,177 (-30.64%)
- PS2: 1,358 ↓ 8 (-0.59%)
- PSP Go: 836 ↑ 205 (32.49%)

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