Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Stiq Figures, June 11 - 17: Play it loud edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/24/stiq-figures-june-11-17-play-it-loud-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/24/stiq-figures-june-11-17-play-it-loud-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/24/stiq-figures-june-11-17-play-it-loud-edition/#comments Welcome to Stiq Figures, where the sales data is after the break and the posts don't matter. Every week, we take a look at, uh, something - meanwhile, the previous week's Japanese hardware sales figures are posted after the jump, and a discussion of said figures takes place in our comments. It may not be conventional, but it's a time-honored Joystiq tradition.
Stiq Figures, June 11 17 Play it loud edition

Nintendo announced a new, much larger 3DS system this week, the Nintendo 3DS XL. For North America, the system will come in red and blue. The announcement was informative, but also boring. Nintendo has never shied away from flooding the market with colorful systems, but there was once a time when they did it with charisma.

That time was during their "Play it Loud!" marketing campaign of the mid-90's. Nintendo showed its edgy side when advertising a variety of colored Game Boy systems. Commercials showed rebellious kids giving each other wedgies between skateboarding sessions, all set to Butthole Surfers tunes. Nintendo even suggested that kids should "give the world a wedgie." It was chaos, and it was awesome.

Maybe we're stuck in the 90's, but who wouldn't want to play today's games as loud as the commercial seen above?

Continue reading Stiq Figures, June 11 - 17: Play it loud edition

JoystiqStiq Figures, June 11 - 17: Play it loud edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Jun 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Japanese-Hardware-Salesstiqfigureswedgie-fils-aimeSun, 24 Jun 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Stiq Figures, May 28 - June 3: Captain Tsubasa edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/10/stiq-figures-may-28-june-3-captain-tsubasa-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/10/stiq-figures-may-28-june-3-captain-tsubasa-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/10/stiq-figures-may-28-june-3-captain-tsubasa-edition/#comments Welcome to Stiq Figures, where the sales data is after the break and the posts don't matter. Every week, we take a look at, uh, something - meanwhile, the previous week's Japanese hardware sales figures are posted after the jump, and a discussion of said figures takes place in our comments. It may not be conventional, but it's a time-honored Joystiq tradition.
Stiq Figures, May 28 June 3 Captain Tsubasa edition

This week's Stiq Figures is courtesy of Joystiq reader MartinLalia, who reminded us about one of the first true sports RPGs, the Famicom version of Captain Tsubasa (sorry, Madden 13). Based on the Japanese manga and anime of the same name from the early 80's, the Captain Tsubasa games spanned multiple generations, each featuring strange turn-based soccer action.

The first game was localized for North American audiences in 1992, released by Tecmo as Tecmo Cup Soccer Game, and underwent a series of sweeping modifications, including changes to the main character. Originally a spiky-black-haired footballer named Captain Tsubasa, the "hero" of the American version of the game was changed to a parted-blond-haired fellow named Robin Field. This NES sports gaming gem did retain the RPG-like gameplay style, as seen in the video of the Japanese version above.

Continue reading Stiq Figures, May 28 - June 3: Captain Tsubasa edition

JoystiqStiq Figures, May 28 - June 3: Captain Tsubasa edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Jun 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Japanese-Hardware-SalesstiqfiguresSun, 10 Jun 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Stiq Figures, May 21 - 27: Cheat code edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/stiq-figures-may-21-27-cheat-code-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/stiq-figures-may-21-27-cheat-code-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/stiq-figures-may-21-27-cheat-code-edition/#comments Welcome to Stiq Figures, where the sales data is after the break and the posts don't matter. Every week, we take a look at, uh, something - meanwhile, the previous week's Japanese hardware sales figures are posted after the jump, and a discussion of said figures takes place in our comments. It may not be conventional, but it's a time-honored Joystiq tradition.
Cheat codes have always been a part of gaming. Though less popular in recent years, punching a code into games in years past would often lead to power-ups and secret characters intentionally set aside by developers.

Most everyone knows the Konami code, or what happens when you type "Justin Bailey" into the password field in the first Metroid game. Playing as Bill Clinton in NBA Jam continues to be a highlight in all of sports video games. Even the discovery of a code that unlocks characters is thrilling, such as driving off a building in Twisted Metal 2.

But not every game makes a statement in the way Space Quest II: Vohaul's Revenge did. The game was designed by Mark Crowe and Scott Murphy, also known as the Two Guys from Andromeda. At any point in the game, players could type the word "cheat" and not only win the game automatically, but receive 255 out of the total 250 points possible. Cheaters also get a special message from Crowe and Murphy, calling them "the most bitchen adventure game player in the world."

Continue reading Stiq Figures, May 21 - 27: Cheat code edition

JoystiqStiq Figures, May 21 - 27: Cheat code edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Japanese-Hardware-SalesstiqfiguresSun, 03 Jun 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP is Japan's best-selling console of 2010, Pokemon Black/White the top game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/29/psp-is-japans-best-selling-console-of-2010-pokemon-black-white/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/29/psp-is-japans-best-selling-console-of-2010-pokemon-black-white/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/29/psp-is-japans-best-selling-console-of-2010-pokemon-black-white/#commentsYou could probably guess the two best-selling games in Japan this year: Pokemon Black and White and Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. The DS monster collecting adventure and the PSP monster murder adventure sold 4,734,064 and 3,163,750 units respectively, according to a year-end report by ASCII. Monster Hunter managed to finish in second place after less than one month of sales -- it was released on December 1.

It should come as no surprise, given the blockbuster status of those two, that the DS and PSP were the best-selling hardware platforms in Japan as well. The PSP was the only console to show growth in sales versus 2009, selling 600,000 more consoles than the previous year. 2,719,544 DS systems were sold in 2010, down a million from 2009. Find out how other systems did, and see the rest of the top ten best-selling games, after the break.

Continue reading PSP is Japan's best-selling console of 2010, Pokemon Black/White the top game

JoystiqPSP is Japan's best-selling console of 2010, Pokemon Black/White the top game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asciidsjapanjapanese-hardware-salesmicrosoftMonster-Hunter-Portable-3rdnintendoplaystationpokemon-black-and-whiteps3pspsonyxboxWed, 29 Dec 2010 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xbox 360 outsells PS3 in Japan for fourth time, Four Horsemen draw closer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/xbox-360-outsells-ps3-in-japan-for-fourth-time-four-horsemen-dr/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/xbox-360-outsells-ps3-in-japan-for-fourth-time-four-horsemen-dr/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/26/xbox-360-outsells-ps3-in-japan-for-fourth-time-four-horsemen-dr/#comments
The Xbox 360 has only outsold the PlayStation 3 several times before, so we're reticent to bring the Four Horsemen out of their winter hibernation. However, if Japanese hardware sales tracker Media Create is to be believed, the 360 not only outsold the PS3 in Japan last week, it handily trounced all competition, with sales just over 25,000 units (compared to nearly 17,000 units for Wii and just over 16,000 for PS3).

Considering Star Ocean: The Last Hope was released this past week and is outselling every game on the chart by a margin of at least 3:1 (162,232 units, folks -- in one week!), we're taking a stab in the dark here and saying 360 sales had something to do with that. After all, the last few times we put out a call to the horsemen, two other JRPG titles were to blame: Infinite Undiscovery and Tales of Vesperia.

Can you remember the other game that put 360 on top in Japan for a week? Hint: It involves fire and liberation and ... fighter jets. Give up? Too bad! We're still not telling!

Continue reading Xbox 360 outsells PS3 in Japan for fourth time, Four Horsemen draw closer

JoystiqXbox 360 outsells PS3 in Japan for fourth time, Four Horsemen draw closer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessinfinite-undiscoveryjapanese-hardware-salesmedia-createMicrosoftnamco-bandainamdaisquare-enixsqueenixstar-oceanstar-ocean-the-last-hopetales-of-vesperiaXbox-360Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Feb. 2 - Feb. 8: Redundant redundancies edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/15/japanese-hardware-sales-feb-2-feb-8-redundant-redundancies/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/15/japanese-hardware-sales-feb-2-feb-8-redundant-redundancies/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/15/japanese-hardware-sales-feb-2-feb-8-redundant-redundancies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Here's an interesting fact: In order to earn money through product placements, you actually have to have a pre-arranged deal with the advertised company. You can't just start interjecting their brand name into conversations and wait for them to send you a check. Alas, our meticulous plan for bringing some much-needed economic growth to the Japanese Hardware Sales Institute has collapsed under the weight of its own immeasurable incompetence. We've been forced to take the last measure available to us in order to continue providing this valuable service: Workforce optimization.

We've elected to simplify a startling number of positions here at the Institute, including Stat Trackers, Adders, Subtractors, Analyzers, Percentage Calculators, Red and Green Arrow Breeders, Pun Writers, Pun Editors, and our LOLcat Locator. We even restructured the guy who was in charge of the optimization procedures. We'd like to call this irony, but we can't be sure. We smartsized our Literary Device Examiner.

We also unhired our Witty Remark That Actually Pertains to The Current Week's Sales Figures Guy -- luckily, his services won't be needed, as this week's chart looks alarmingly similar to the last fifty. Just hop into our archives, and choose your favorite wisecrack. Take our word for it -- it'll still be relevant.

- DSi: 49,529 6,084 (10.94%)
- PSP: 34,969 9,166 (20.77%)
- Wii: 20,412 2,866 (12.31%)
- PS3: 16,082 1,323 (7.60%)
- DS Lite: 12,484 2,663 (17.58%)
- Xbox 360: 8,311 204 (2.52%)
- PS2: 5,089 245 (4.59%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The smartsized archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Feb. 2 - Feb. 8: Redundant redundancies edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 15 Feb 2009 20:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Jan. 26 - Feb. 1: Money, money makin' edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/08/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-26-feb-1-money-money-makin-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/08/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-26-feb-1-money-money-makin-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/08/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-26-feb-1-money-money-makin-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Times are tough, folks. If you live in the economically beleaguered U.S. of A., we think you're probably aware of what we're DRINK PEPSI talking about. We know you guys place us on a towering, resplendent pedestal, high above the recession's unforgiving grasp, but just like everyone else, we've needed to find CRISP REFRESHING PEPSI-COLA alternative methods of earning some extra greenbacks in order to make ends meet. The wariest among you may have qualms with our new, surreptitious product placements, but hey, a blogger's gotta eat AND DRINK PEPSI IT'S SO CRISP AND GOOD.

Here's the charts, which are boring. There, we said it. Their order has IT'S PEPSI TIME barely changed over the past two months, and aside from the post-holiday drop-off, the changes in sales figures haven't exactly razzle-dazzled us either. C'mon, Japanese console buyers. We wanna DRINK PEPSI-COLA ALL NIGHT AND DAY see some shifts of apocalyptic proportions next week. Everyone in Japan under the thrall of our voice -- go buy PEPSI a few Game Boy Pockets, and nothing else. That oughta do the trick.

- DSi: 55,613 3,995 (7.73%)
- PSP: 44,135 5,855 (15.29%)
- Wii: 23,278 3,492 (13.04%)
- PS3: 17,405 303 (1.71%)
- DS Lite: 15,147 1,461 (10.68%)
- Xbox 360: 8,107 444 (5.79%)
- PS2: 5,334 257 (5.06%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The TALL, SWEATY GLASS OF PEPSI-COLA archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Jan. 26 - Feb. 1: Money, money makin' edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesLET-YOUR-TASTEBUDS-GET-LOST-IN-AN-ENDLESS-OCEAN-OF-REFRESHMENTOH-MAN-PEPSI-IS-SO-GOODPEPSIPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Jan. 12 - Jan. 18: Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/25/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-12-jan-18-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/25/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-12-jan-18-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/25/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-12-jan-18-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes/#commentsFiled under:

Are you there, God? It's me, the Japanese Hardware Sales post.

A lot of the guys around the office have been talking about a bunch of scary-sounding changes coming to the site, and I'm beginning to worry about my place in the Ultrastiq. Will there still be room for me when the Fanboy sites interlock with the main site, Voltron-style? Will the features making their way over from the Fanboy sites be mean to me? Will they be ... further developed than I am? I hear Philosony has been wearing a bra for over two months now. I'm not sure I can stand up to that kind of pressure.

I'm also pretty bummed that all the consoles' sales are falling even further. I thought it couldn't get any worse after last week! If people in Japan stop buying consoles altogether, am I going to cease to be? I guess it doesn't matter. I think I'm going to run away, tonight. Nobody would notice. The Joystiq Podcast gets all the attention, anyways. I've never forgiven him for swallowing my turtle.

Well, God, I think I'm going to go. I've been mixing my Judy Blume allusions for about a paragraph now, and I want to make a clean break before I do any more damage.

- DSi: 62,525 15,676 (20.05%)
- PSP: 42,559 17,936 (29.65%)
- Wii: 32,333 8,910 (21.60%)
- PS3: 20,690 7,454 (26.49%)
- DS Lite: 18,809 4,620 (19.72%)
- Xbox 360: 9,576 978 (9.27%)
- PS2: 5,760 868 (13.10%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The superfudged archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Jan. 12 - Jan. 18: Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 25 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesSun, 25 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Jan. 5 - Jan. 11: Pep talk edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-5-jan-11-pep-talk-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-5-jan-11-pep-talk-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/18/japanese-hardware-sales-jan-5-jan-11-pep-talk-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Oh. Oh, dear. While the first full week of the year is rarely typified by outrageous console sales explosions, we certainly didn't expect to see all seven of our competitors have their sales figures sundered in twain. We imagine the respective companies behind said consoles (and their curiously steadfast cadre of followers) are experiencing a kind of disappointment usually reserved for fans of comic-based movies, so we thought we'd take this week to bust out our prescription notepads, and get everyone hooked up to a 10cc drip of the Feel-Goods.

Hey. You're doin' just fine. Sure, the [enter favorite console name] only did half as well as it did last week, but things aren't completely grim. After all, every other system went down by a similar margin, including the [enter console for which you harbor a feverish, inexplicable disdain], which should jab a thorn into the sides of said console's foolish supporters. Also, said sales are bound to bounce back once [enter most anticipated title for favorite system] comes out, and completely revolutionizes the industry.

If that didn't do the trick, we guess you could drop the funds required to purchase the product advertised above. We rarely (if ever) find ourselves investing in compact discs for the sole purpose of self-encouragement, but if Ellen DeGeneres says it's a must-have, who are we to say no?

- DSi: 78,201 104,317 (57.15%)
- PSP: 60,495 96,593 (61.49%)
- Wii: 41,243 78,722 (65.62%)
- PS3: 28,144 32,510 (53.60%)
- DS Lite: 23,429 24,731 (51.35%)
- Xbox 360: 10,554 9,140 (46.41%)
- PS2: 6,628 5,920 (47.18%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The encouraging archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Jan. 5 - Jan. 11: Pep talk edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[White Knight Chronicles sells more Japanese PS3s than MGS4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/12/white-knight-chronicles-sells-more-japanese-ps3s-than-mgs4/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/12/white-knight-chronicles-sells-more-japanese-ps3s-than-mgs4/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/12/white-knight-chronicles-sells-more-japanese-ps3s-than-mgs4/#commentsFiled under: ,

The latest Japanese hardware sales figures show White Knight Chronicles' continued impact throughout the region. Numbers rose from 45,989 during WKC's launch week to 60,654 the next. A rare occurrence, as sales have tended to substantially drop the week after a big release in the past. In fact, the increase means that White Knight Chronicles has sold more PS3s during its two-week launch period than Metal Gear Solid 4.

While MGS4 had higher launch week sales (75,311) it dropped considerably to only 20,336 the next week. A total of 95,647. White Knight Chronicles, on the other hand, has sold a total of 106,643 during its two week launch period, almost 11,000 more. We're intrigued to see how sales of both the game and hardware continue. White Knight Chronicles has already proven a greater success than we first suspected.

JoystiqWhite Knight Chronicles sells more Japanese PS3s than MGS4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hardware-salesjapanjapanese-hardware-saleswhite-knight-chroniclesMon, 12 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Dec. 29 - Jan. 4: New, new media edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/11/japanese-hardware-sales-dec-29-jan-4-new-new-media-editio/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/11/japanese-hardware-sales-dec-29-jan-4-new-new-media-editio/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/11/japanese-hardware-sales-dec-29-jan-4-new-new-media-editio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


We're all pretty torn up about the collapse of Electronic Gaming Monthly, a magazine that got some of us through many a dull Social Studies class during our formative years, but with the sorry economic state print publications currently find themselves in, it wasn't a completely shocking turn of events. Yes, as humanity moves closer and closer to becoming a completely interconnected hivemind, we reckon all forms of offline media will soon become but a distant memory, save for the media that's simply not that memorable.

But if the ages of print and broadcast could come to such an abrupt end, couldn't the Internet Era meet a similar fate at some point down the road? Of course it could -- which has led researchers at the Japanese Hardware Sales Institute of Media Studies to discover the next big thing in broadcasting: Telepathy. Using a hot plate, six-hundred liters of Lemon-Lime gelatin, two Schottky diodes and a highly sedated Bowhead Whale, we're able to transmit thoughts directly into the minds of willing participants. We'll do the final paragraph of this post in thoughtspeak (patent pending), so open your mind up to our outgoing transmission.

What, you're not getting it? Well, we guess you're not one The Susceptibles. Unless -- hold on. Yeah, we cooked another Bowhead Whale. Darn it. Those things aren't endangered are they? That was like, our fifth one. They are? They're extremely endangered? Well, isn't that a fart in the face. Sorry, nature!

- DSi: 182,518 6,179 (3.27%)
- PSP: 157,088 38,323 (32.27%)
- Wii: 119,965 14,993 (11.11%)
- PS3: 60,654 14,665 (31.89%)
- DS Lite: 48,160 8,293 (14.69%)
- Xbox 360: 19,694 6,683 (51.36%)
- PS2: 12,548 2,144 (20.61%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The susceptible archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Dec. 29 - Jan. 4: New, new media edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[White Knight Chronicles debuts with impressive first week sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/white-knight-chronicles-debuts-with-impressive-first-week-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/white-knight-chronicles-debuts-with-impressive-first-week-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/white-knight-chronicles-debuts-with-impressive-first-week-sales/#commentsFiled under:

The official sales figures for White Knight Chronicles' Japanese debut are finally out. Media Create shows that the game sold just under 207,000 units during the week of December 22nd to the 28th. Bearing in mind that White Knight Chronicles is a new IP and that this figure accounts for only three days of sales, we're impressed. To put it into perspective, White Knight Chronicles now has the third best opening week PS3 sales ranking for the region, after MGS4 (476K) and Devil May Cry 4 (212K). Both of which are long-running and very popular franchises.

White Knight Chronicles also had an impact on PS3 hardware sales, keeping the upward momentum going by increasing sales from 39,136 units the previous week to 45,989 units. This is the highest number of units sold in a single week since Metal Gear Solid 4 was released in June (which shifted 75,311 units). We're intrigued to see how both the game and the PS3 itself continue to sell in the following weeks.

JoystiqWhite Knight Chronicles debuts with impressive first week sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanese-hardware-salesmedia-createwhite-knight-chroniclesWed, 07 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware Dec. 15 - Dec. 21: Quite Striking Edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/japanese-hardware-dec-15-dec-21-quite-striking-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/japanese-hardware-dec-15-dec-21-quite-striking-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/29/japanese-hardware-dec-15-dec-21-quite-striking-edition/#commentsFiled under:


We have good news and bad news. The good news is we've figured out how to close strike tags, the bad news is Microsoft isn't taking Japan by storm anymore. According to data company Media Create, Microsoft pushed 12,914 units of its Xbox 360 SKUs between December 15 and December 21 and while sales have spiked nearly 10% higher than last week it wasn't enough to catch up to Sony's PS3 or the ungodly Nintendo Wii. This being the last full week of 2008 sales data we would like to formally guarantee 2009 will be a much better year for the Xbox 360 in Japan***.

***Not a guarantee.

- DSi: 204,144 30,451 (17.53%)
- PSP: 145,957 74,417 (104.02%)
- Wii: 131,054 39,413 (43.01%)
- DS Lite: 50,308 19,188 (61.66%)
- PS3: 39,136 5,448 (16.17%)
- Xbox 360: 12,914 1,117 (9.47%)
- PS2: 8,662 2,003 (30.08%)

[Source: Media Create]

JoystiqJapanese hardware Dec. 15 - Dec. 21: Quite Striking Edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanjapanese-hardware-salesmedia-createMon, 29 Dec 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Dec. 15 - Dec. 21: Resolute edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/28/japanese-hardware-sales-dec-15-dec-21-resolute-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/28/japanese-hardware-sales-dec-15-dec-21-resolute-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/28/japanese-hardware-sales-dec-15-dec-21-resolute-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


We imagine that most of you will be spending the latter part of this coming Wednesday evening performing the same annual tradition that we've upheld for as long as we can remember -- waiting for Dick Clark to slip up, finally revealing his poorly disguised true identity as a backwards-counting robot. However, this December the 31st, we urge you to observe a different year-end tradition -- one that lends itself more to self-betterment, and less to the scrutiny of octogenarian television personalities. We're speaking, of course, of New Year's resolutions.

We've actually postponed becoming better people until the end of the year, so as to include our planned self-improvements in our list of resolutions. After all, what good is drastic character reform if you can't share your lofty, altruistic goals with a captive audience? Speaking of which, our resolutions include spending the better part of 2009 building orphanages in orphan-filled countries, adopting puppies en masse from local animal shelters, and ceasing our consumption of foods made from, by or near living creatures. Aren't we just great?

Below are the next-to-last hardware sales figures for the year (they're a week behind, if you haven't deduced that already) -- it seems as though the Japanese console-purchasing populous collaborated last week to provide this particular chart with a lovely row of pixelated Christmas trees. While you soak in all the quaintness, feel free to share your own philanthropic resolutions (or your unswerving vow to remain exactly the same) in the comments section.

- DSi: 204,144 30,451 (17.53%)
- PSP: 145,957 74,417 (104.02%)
- Wii: 131,054 39,413 (43.01%)
- DS Lite: 50,308 19,188 (61.66%)
- PS3: 39,136 5,448 (16.17%)
- Xbox 360: 12,914 1,117 (9.47%)
- PS2: 8,662 2,003 (30.08%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The philanthropic archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Dec. 15 - Dec. 21: Resolute edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Nov. 24 - Nov. 30: Scholastic pressure edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/07/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-24-nov-30-scholastic-pressure/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/07/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-24-nov-30-scholastic-pressure/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/07/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-24-nov-30-scholastic-pressure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


It's that wonderful time of year once again -- temperatures are plummeting, houses are being adorned in blinding flecks of incandescence, folks are dressing up like Eskimos, and college students are being crushed under the terrible pedagogical strain of final examinations. Those among you who are currently pursuing your collegiate careers know the tragic side-effects of higher education during this new-release-filled season -- while your friends and colleagues are genociding zombies in Left 4 Dead, your ink-spotted nose is tucked uncomfortably in the relatively zombie-less Complete Works of Valentin Louis Georges Eugène Marcel Proust.

While we imagine there are those who find French literature from the early 1900s to be just as, if not more, thrilling than the virtual shooting of virtual things, the vast majority of our university-bound readers are probably aching to doff their coursework, giving them time for more ludological ventures. As in most aspects of life, we prefer to take the road less traveled -- we find ample time for both activities by eschewing our pesky physiological needs, namely sleep, by using all manner of caffeinated pharmaceuticals. Best of all, there's no negative repercussions! We're so excited! We're so excited! We're so ... so ... scared!

Update: Zack just came over and showed us the error of our ways with a tear-filled embrace. We're probably going to be spending the next week or so at our grandparents' place for some much-needed reflection. As we do so, you too should reflect -- on this week's sales figures. Observe the impressive doubling of PS3 purchases, and the continued rise of the DS Lite, owed largely to the scarcity of the DSi -- and, of course, to a certain tall-hatted riddle-flinger.

- DSi: 87,185 1,658 (1.87%)
- PSP: 55,090 6,136 (10.02%)
- Wii: 49,848 14,550 (41.22%)
- PS3: 34,978 17,542 (100.61%)
- DS Lite: 26,851 8,271 (44.52%)
- Xbox 360: 11,423 4,051 (26.18%)
- PS2: 5,628 347 (6.57%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The very special archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Nov. 24 - Nov. 30: Scholastic pressure edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Nov. 17 - Nov. 23: Unwise purchases edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-17-nov-23-unwise-purchases-edi/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-17-nov-23-unwise-purchases-edi/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/30/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-17-nov-23-unwise-purchases-edi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


We rarely ask any favors of you, dear readers, so we're hoping you'll oblige the following humble request. You see, in the midst of Black Friday's acquisitional frenzy, we may have gotten a tad carried away, making purchases beyond our fiscal means -- and far beyond our typical practicality. What dark forces would drive us to purchase a set of nickel-plated egg beaters, a lifetime supply of Poligrip denture paste, three Razor scooters and the complete Kenny Loggins discography, you may ask? Our damnable, hard-wired frugality.

Our savings accounts now liquidated, we currently find ourselves in a residential crisis. Had we only possessed the foresight to place importance on rent payments rather than kitchen utensils and smooth, smooth music, we may have avoided this predicament. That's where you guys come in -- we either need to pawn off our regrettably obtained goods to pay off our living expenses, or be put in contact with a landlord who will accept the aforementioned odds and ends as apartmental compensation. Surely, someone out there knows of a kind superintendent with unsecure dentures and a proclivity for scooting.

The spending habits of Japan's console-purchasing populous mirrored our own over the past week, with most systems seeing major sales increases. Six of the top ten best-selling titles belonged to Nintendo's handheld -- combined with the limited availability of the DSi, this caused a major bounce-back for the DS Lite. We've sent a congratulatory "Hang in There, Baby" poster in response, though we're not sure the DS Lite will receive it, as it is an inanimate object.

- DSi: 88,843 3,516 (4.12%)
- PSP: 61,226 23,073 (60.47%)
- Wii: 35,298 8,511 (31.77%)
- DS Lite: 18,580 15,021 (422.06%)
- PS3: 17,436 12 (0.07%)
- Xbox 360: 15,474 7,491 (93.84%)
- PS2: 5,281 140 (2.58%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The smooth, smooth archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Nov. 17 - Nov. 23: Unwise purchases edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Nov. 10 - Nov. 16: Early Edition edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/22/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-10-nov-16-early-edition-editio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/22/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-10-nov-16-early-edition-editio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/22/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-10-nov-16-early-edition-editio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

What if you received tomorrow's Japanese hardware sales figures ... today?

We're not exactly certain what parallels we can draw between our humble weekly feature and the short-lived CBS soothsaying series Early Edition, but it was the only clever theme we could attach to this particular post which is, in fact, a day early. If you could somehow use this information save someone's life this evening, it would certainly help our allusional plight. We considered forcing an orange tabby cat through the internet and onto your front porch to recreate a theme from the show, but decided against it as the cost would be tremendous, and the trauma inflicted to said kitty would be, well, unsurvivable.

Here's the news, sans mutilated feline: The DSi, despite experiencing a drop customary to the weeks following a frenzied console launch, remains king of the hill. The software figures for the week follow suit -- three of the top five games belong to Nintendo's handheld, with Kirby Super Star Ultra taking first place. However, the vacuous pink puff ball was unable to save the DS Lite, whose sales were cut in half this week, netting it a last-place finish -- just as prophecy foretold.

- DSi: 85,327 19,570 (18.66%)
- PSP: 38,153 5,573 (12.75%)
- Wii: 26,787 2,061 (8.34%)
- PS3: 17,448 906 (4.94%)
- Xbox 360: 7,983 4,776 (37.43%)
- PS2: 5,421 322 (5.61%)
- DS Lite: 3,559 4,822 (57.53%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The unsurvivable archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Nov. 10 - Nov. 16: Early Edition edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Nov. 3 - Nov. 9: Dear brother edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/16/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-3-nov-9-dear-brother-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/16/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-3-nov-9-dear-brother-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/16/japanese-hardware-sales-nov-3-nov-9-dear-brother-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


To my younger brother and sworn enemy, the DS Lite:

From high atop the pillowed throne you've become so accustomed to over the years, I doubt you ever looked beneath you at the competition that scrambled to match your unparalleled sales prowess. Even if you had, it would have been quite the ocular feat for you to have seen me, jilted and decomposing in last place. Don't bother looking now -- I've been retired for quite some time, living out my days in a cottage on an island off the coast of Kumihama, a respite afforded to me by my lucrative years, and a perfect locale for me to focus my energies on planning your demise.

Fret not, dear brother -- my murderous ambitious were recently sated by the birth of our newest sibling, the DSi. You see, you're about to suffer the same fate which I befell, a fate worse than death itself: abandonment. "But, no," you may protest, "dad said they'd still love me when they received their new bundle of joy!" An empty promise, brother, I assure you. You're already quite far down the path I carved over two years ago, your sales figures rendered in twain, your rank plummeting just one week after the DSi's victorious emergence. You will eventually come in last, your weekly tally dropping into the double digits, then single -- then, deeming you irrelevant, Media Create will no longer list you.

It's a long, cruel road to obscurity, my brother. DSi shortages will boost your sales, giving you momentary resurgences -- but this is but a detour from your inevitable fate. You will be crushed -- though I will not be the one to do the crushing. I no longer harbor the disdain that rose up within my gut the day you entered the world and promptly stole the spotlight, your slender frame casting a shadow upon my bulky build. You are more than welcome to join me in Kumihama. We can spend our evenings sipping rice wine, and PictoChatting about our all too brief, camera-less reign.

See you in about eighteen months,

-- The DS Phat

- DSi: 104,897 67,028 (38.99%)
- PSP: 43,726 6,632 (13.17%)
- Wii: 24,726 1,603 (6.93%)
- PS3: 18,354 21,233 (53.64%)
- Xbox 360: 12,759 6,640 (108.51%)
- DS Lite: 8,381 7,988 (48.80%)
- PS2: 5,743 971 (14.46%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The abandoned archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Nov. 3 - Nov. 9: Dear brother edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We were certain that the release of Nintendo's new shutterbug handheld, the DSi, would have a rather volatile effect on the Japanese hardware sales numbers this week -- and as the dastardly text-skippers among you already know, we were quite correct. The usual suspects played a thrilling round of Musical Chairs, bringing about a comeback for the PS3, and a return to the bottom rung for the Xbox 360. The [Source: Media Create] text is glad you're back, 360. It missed you terribly.

The big news of the week, however, was the DSi, which sold like hotcakes Pocky to Japanese gamers, who reportedly can't go a month without buying some iteration of the DS without developing delirium tremens. Unfortunately, my predecessor in the ways of the Japanese hardware sales failed to warn me about the caution required when adding a new system to the weekly chart. When typing in the DSi's sales figures into my trusty Excel spreadsheet, my computer attempted to discern the percentage of change between last week and this week's sales, divided by zero, then imploded my office.

Don't fret, dear readers -- I'm fine, though I'll likely lose the damage deposit on my apartment. The fate of my computer, however, is still up in the air. My theoretical mathematics professor seems to think that my laptop might been sucked into a self-sustaining space-time vortex, sending it hurtling on a Bill-and-Ted-esque journey through history. This is, of course, preposterous.

Oh, hey. Thomas Jefferson just added me as a friend on Facebook.

- DSi: 171,925 [New Entry!]
- PSP: 50,358 10,109 (16.72%)
- PS3: 39,587 35,656 (907.05%)
- Wii: 23,123 1,169 (4.81%)
- DS Lite: 16,369 6,596 (28.72%)
- PS2: 6,714 248 (3.56%)
- Xbox 360: 6,119 1,725 (21.99%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The imploding archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Oct. 27 - Nov 2: Impossible math edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Oct. 20 - Oct. 26: Endorsement edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/02/japanese-hardware-sales-oct-20-oct-26-endorsement-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/02/japanese-hardware-sales-oct-20-oct-26-endorsement-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/02/japanese-hardware-sales-oct-20-oct-26-endorsement-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Dear readers, the time you've all been eagerly anticipating for months now is finally upon us. Like many honorable news publications have done before us, we're ready to announce who we've chosen to endorse in the upcoming election for the office of the President of the United States -- an endorsement so poignant, you may find yourself completely disregarding the sage advice of Powell and Cheney Bakula and Sorbo.

The Joystiq staff has often found itself divided when forced to come to a consensus, such as our ranking of the ten best games of the year, or when choosing between the Ritz-Carlton Suite or the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa for the destination of our monthly company picnic. However, in this crucial moment in our nation's history, we found ourselves swiftly and unanimously agreeing upon which candidate could best guide us through the turmoils and tribulations America will face throughout the next four years; a candidate with policies so bold, conviction so strong and a presence so electrifying that his victory would ensure a safer, more prosperous America.

As you've likely already guessed, the candidate we're speaking of is none other than Lando Calrissian.

While rigid Constitutionalists may decry Calrissian for his seeming ineligibility for the role of Commander in Chief (a fair position, as he is not a U.S. citizen, nor is he an actual person), his service as a General in the Alliance Forces, as well as his administrative experience during his term as Baron-Administrator of Cloud City, have proven him to be the responsible choice on November 4. Change is coming, friends -- and it's wearing an outrageously fashionable gold-inlaid cape.

- PSP: 60,467 99,349 (62.16%)
- Wii: 24,292 1,732 (6.66%)
- DS Lite: 22,965 6,874 (23.04%)
- Xbox 360: 7,844 12 (0.15%)
- PS2: 6,962 299 (4.12%)
- PS3: 3,931 794 (16.80%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The Millenium archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Oct. 20 - Oct. 26: Endorsement edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As we're sure you, dearest readers, already know, Sony had a killer week in the hardware sales arena (the PS3's diminishing sales notwithstanding) thanks to the release of the scanlinetastic PSP-3000 (or, as it has been cleverly monikered, the PSP Brite). Observing this radical increase, along with the historic success of the identically illuminated (and phonetically similar) successor to the Nintendo DS, has inspired us to make some much needed changes to this humble weekly feature -- changes which have been incorporated into this very post.

Eagle-eyed readers have likely already noticed the liberal use of lens flares in the image above. According to our grandmother (whose recently acquired copy of Photoshop 7.0 and daunting techno savvy have made her the queen bee of the Quivering Oaks Retirement Community) the more lens flares you can fit into a single image, "the more gentleman suitors will ask for your company to the Sunday night ether frolic." We're not exactly sure what she meant by that, but we're fairly certain it's a good thing.

More subtle than the flare-filled image above is the surreptitious shift in the color of the text you're currently reading, from a stark #000000, to a whimsical #000001. You may not have noticed this particular change -- but we assure you, your subconscious has. That tingling feeling currently coursing through your brain? That's the sort of pleasure one can only glean from the kind of luminescence exhibited here. Then again, that may just be the sensation of cataracts developing on your eyeballs -- a side-effect to the aforementioned changes which we discovered in beta and, admittedly, should have warned you about.

- PSP: 159,816 135,915 (568.66%)
- DS Lite: 29,839 2,075 (6.50%)
- Wii: 26,024 3,147 (13.76%)
- Xbox 360: 7,856 93 (1.20%)
- PS2: 7,261 279 (4.00%)
- PS3: 4,725 1,009 (17.60%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The archives, if seeing is still a possibility

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Oct. 13 - Oct. 19: The Britening edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If we had to describe the past week to you, we would probably say that it was very educational. Actually, that's not what we'd say at all, our true answer would likely be laden with copious amounts of crying and more profanity than a Bob Saget stand-up comedy special. For decency's sake, we'll explain it to you, dear readers, as being positively chock-full of education.

How so, you might inquire? Well, first and foremost, we've learned to never trust colleagues who claim to have discerned knowledge from the future based solely on their favorable placement on the time zone chart. We've learned that entering the stock market during a period of remarkable turmoil is an unfathomably unwise course of action. We've also learned that Chihuahuas, while adorable, are not what established investors would refer to as "blue chip" stocks. Finally, we've learned the sort of anguish one feels when they lose their entire savings and all personal property within a matter of hours, and, as a result, how to build a comfortable dwelling out of a hollowed-out Maytag dishwasher.

The Japanese video game industry seems to have had an equally disastrous week, with significant decreases in hardware sales across the board. However, it's difficult for us to feel pity for the companies involved in this weekly Battle Royale -- we wager nobody at Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo has been forced to learn the proper way to cook and eat shoes due to the unfortunate figures you see below.

- DS Lite: 31,914 10,471 (24.70%)
- PSP: 23,901 2,144 (8.23%)
- Wii: 22,877 2,453 (9.68%)
- Xbox 360: 7,763 508 (6.14%)
- PS2: 6,982 1,636 (18.98%)
- PS3: 5,734 1,498 (20.71%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The chock-full-of-continuity archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Oct. 6 - Oct. 12: Hooverville edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As you've surely already noticed, a handful of our more travel-hardened writers have spent the past few days in the natal region of this humble weekly feature in order to more aptly cover the industry happenings at the Tokyo Game Show 2008. While we've missed their presence dearly, particularly at our bimonthly badminton tournament against other gaming blogs (Kietzmann is quite the racqueteer, you see), we've found their overseas stationing to be quite profitable for us homebound 'Stiqers.

You see, thanks to the inexplicable magic of time zones, it's a bit after midday tomorrow in Tokyo at the time of this posting. Our overseas cohorts have discovered a number of startling, time-sensitive pieces of valuable information, then sent them hurtling westward (geographically) and backward (chronologically) to the rest of the staff. We've been using this information to gain a valuable edge in the somewhat turbulent American investment market -- much like the oft-exploited sports almanac from Back to the Future lore (sans the frequent demands for its immolation by absent-minded, silver-haired chronophysicists).

Fret not, dear readers -- we can hear your requests for these valuable investment protips through the insulation provided by our wide-brimmed moneyhats. Here, we'll break you off a piece -- following an unlikely endorsement from acclaimed Japanese film critic Tadao Sato, Beverly Hills Chihuahua will set the highest single-day box office record in cinematic history tomorrow, and will remain at the top of the charts worldwide for fourteen months. As such, you might want to consider dropping a few bucks on Disney (DIS), and, of course, Chihuawow! (CWOW!), the West Coast's most prestigious Chihuahua distribution outlet.

- DS Lite: 42,385 15,462 (26.73%)
- PSP: 26,045 374 (1.46%)
- Wii: 25,330 984 (3.74%)
- PS2: 8,618 1,230 (12.49%)
- Xbox 360: 8,271 3,020 (26.75%)
- PS3: 7,232 1,043 (12.60%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The time-sensitive archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Sept . 29 - Oct. 5: Tomorrowland edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let me begin by apologizing for the hasty nature of the announcement of my being chosen as the running mate for the honorable Weekly Webcomic Wrapup. What my fine, fellow feature lacks in clarity and eloquence, he more than makes up for with sheer enthusiasm. Perhaps this is why he, with wisdom acquired during his three years of publication, chose me as his running mate -- to balance his passion with my own levelheadedness. In that respect, I am more than glad to play the Abbot to his Costello, the Brain to his Pinky, and the Linnell to his Flansburgh.

With that bit of business out of the way, I'd like to talk to you about why you should support a WWW/JHS ticket for the office of King and Queen Vice-King of the Internets. As you know, the Internets is a big place that requires a great deal of regulation from its executive officers. While the current administration has adopted a laissez-faire approach to their prestigious post, our leadership would provide a much needed repaving of the information superhighway -- for starters, all domain names will be required to end with ".fun". Not only will it simplify the Internets navigation process, but it may just bring a smile to the face of the typical, hard-hearted Internets user.

Our other major platforms include:
  • Stronger punitive measures against the proliferation of Rick Astley songs
  • Energy conservation through the deactivation of the Internets at 11 p.m. every night
  • Free candy for supporters
So, when Election Day rolls around, won't you consider the benefits of a Weekly Webcomic Wrapup/Japanese Hardware Sales administration? Our change will be swift, our policies fair, and our candy delicious.

- DS Lite: 57,847 3,395 (5.54%)
- Wii: 26,314 3,607 (12.06%)
- PSP: 25,671 3,003 (10.47%)
- Xbox 360: 11,291 2,486 (18.04%)
- PS2: 9,848 2,128 (27.56%)
- PS3: 8,275 119 (1.46%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: www.archives.fun

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Sept. 22 - Sept. 28: Candidacy edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No time for nonsense today, dearest readers. The regularly scheduled shenanigans must be sidelined this week for a much more important cause: Warhammer Online just finished patching, and we're jonesing to play it. Don't feel neglected, friends -- you still hold a very important place in our collective heart. Just, you know, not as important as the unignorable siren call of a brand new, potentially addictive MMO.

[Update: We apologize for the dismissive and frankly unprofessional tone of the above paragraph. We feel such blatant duty shirking doesn't accurately display the level of integrity and dedication to our readers that we strive for with each post -- even when those posts are as inconsequential and nonsensical as these weekly hardware sales charts.]

[Update: Inconsequential, eh? We'll have you know that just last week, we received a lovely email from a reader who said that thanks to our hardware sales feature, she's found the courage to return to her job with her father's tuna fishing operation following the untimely tuna-devourment of her husband. She's even invited us to the christening of their newest commercial fishing vessel -- how's that for inconsequential?]

[Update: Beg our pardon. We meant no disrespect to what is surely our most valued demographic -- recently widowed tuna harvesters.]

[Update: Fine, bub. You think you can do better? You can finish the post, then.]

[Update: Gladly. Hey, the Xbox 360 outsold the PS3 for the second week in a row. Looks like Microsoft finally ... developed a ... strategy to ...]

[Update: Oh, that's great. Really -- absolutely hilarious. I wasn't aware that Ray Romano had joined our staff.]

[Update: You're incredibly fired.]

- DS Lite: 61,242 2,617 (4.10%)
- Wii: 29,921 235 (0.79%)
- PSP: 28,674 1,482 (4.91%)
- Xbox 360: 13,777 14,411 (51.12%)
- PS3: 8,156 103 (1.28%)
- PS2: 7,720 51 (0.67%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The recently widowed archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Sept. 15 - Sept. 21: Warhammered edition [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Sept. 8 - Sept. 14: Infidelity edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/japanese-hardware-sales-sept-8-sept-14-infidelity-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/japanese-hardware-sales-sept-8-sept-14-infidelity-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/21/japanese-hardware-sales-sept-8-sept-14-infidelity-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


We here at the Japanese Hardware Sales Institute of Hardware Sales (yes, it's a tad redundant -- our R&D department is working on a new moniker) take great pride in our weekly charge of bringing you the console sales rankings from the Land of the Rising Sun. In fact, as our catalog of posts increases and our rapport with you, our incredibly sharp-witted readers, becomes more and more personal, we're beginning to notice that the aforementioned pride may be turning into irreversible hubris.

You see, earlier this week, the Japanese hardware sales made headlines outside of the confines of this humble feature. This enraged us -- not towards any particular author who had placed their journalistic toes in our highly specialized waters, but we were rather miffed that fate had snatched our solemn weekly charge from our unassuming hands. If only Enterbrain had not published the report that the Xbox 360 had unceremoniously overtaken the Wii (a report which was expediently contradicted by our source, Media Create), we could have continued our weekly routine of being your exclusive method of fulfilling your sales chart jones.

Sadly, we can't find it within ourselves to pretend that you don't actually know this week's rankings. We know you saw the headlines, and tried to restrain yourself from spoiling your beloved Sunday evening literature. Unfortunately, the part of your brain that causes you to flip to the last page of your Agatha Christie mysteries before you read them, or sneak a peek at the unwrapped Christmas presents nestled under your parents' bed caused you to read on. You cheated on us, is what we're basically trying to say. If we don't answer your calls for a while, it's because we need some time to think about your latest transgression -- and because we probably can't hear our phone over our Dashboard Confessional-infused break-up mixtape.

- DS Lite: 63,859 12,447 (24.21%)
- PSP: 30,156 4,306 (12.49%)
- Wii: 29,686 3,442 (10.39%)
- Xbox 360: 28,188 27,144 (2,600.00%)
- PS3: 8,053 264 (3.17%)
- PS2: 7,669 279 (3.51%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The archives you have come to fear the most

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Sept. 8 - Sept. 14: Infidelity edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Infinite Undiscovery, price cut help Xbox 360 outsell Wii in Japan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/17/infinite-undiscovery-price-cut-help-xbox-360-outsell-wii-in-jap/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/17/infinite-undiscovery-price-cut-help-xbox-360-outsell-wii-in-jap/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/17/infinite-undiscovery-price-cut-help-xbox-360-outsell-wii-in-jap/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


It wasn't so frightening when the Xbox 360 outsold the PS3 for a week back when Tales of Vesperia came out, but now that it's sold more than the Wii during the week ending Sept. 14 ... well, now we're stricken with panic. According to Enterbrain, the Xbox 360 sold 28,861 units during the week, while the Wii sold 27,057 (the PS3 managed 8,050).

Xbox 360 sales were more than likely spurred by the one-two punch of a Japanese price cut and the release of console-exclusive Infinite Undiscovery, which sold 86,708 units in its first week. MCV points out that the 360 has now sold 717,275 units in Japan -- the very foundations of our world would be shaken if it actually went on to sell a million units.

Gallery: Infinite Undiscovery

JoystiqInfinite Undiscovery, price cut help Xbox 360 outsell Wii in Japan originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enterbrainhardware-salesinfinite-undiscoveryjapanjapanese-hardware-salesmedia-createmicrosoftprice-cutPS3salestales-of-vesperiaWiiXbox-360Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Sept. 1 - Sept. 7: Making the band edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/14/japanese-hardware-sales-sept-1-sept-7-making-the-band-edit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/14/japanese-hardware-sales-sept-1-sept-7-making-the-band-edit/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/14/japanese-hardware-sales-sept-1-sept-7-making-the-band-edit/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


We find ourselves in a predicament, dear readers. As many of you already know, Included in Rock Band 2 is an online World Tour mode, allowing the widely dispersed Joystiq crew to form a musical supergroup the likes of which Xbox Live has never seen before. Unfortunately, we found ourselves at an impasse when it came time to name our humble rock outfit. We've been hotly debating our respective choices over Skype for the past four hours. Tears have been shed, though we're not saying whose.

That's where you come in. In the following poll, we've listed our top choices thus far. We need you to serve as our unbiased arbiter -- simply vote on the name you like best. Or, because we have the most clever readers of any blog on the planet, feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments. Just do it quickly. This dispute is tearing our once close-knit family in twain.

- DS Lite: 51,412 5,027 (8.91%)
- PSP: 34,462 7,202 (17.29%)
- Wii: 33,128 2,627 (7.35%)
- PS3: 8,317 1,458 (14.92%)
- PS2: 7,948 862 (9.78%)
- Xbox 360: 1,044 2,080 (66.58%)

View Poll


[Source: Media Create]

See: The hotly debated archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Sept. 1 - Sept. 7: Making the band edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Aug. 25 - Aug. 31: Supercollider edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-25-aug-31-supercollider-editio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-25-aug-31-supercollider-editio/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/07/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-25-aug-31-supercollider-editio/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Got any exciting plans for this coming Thursday? Perhaps you've got front row tickets for a Black Eyed Peas concert. Maybe you're meeting your biological father for the first time in your life, a result of him faking his death to escape a hefty mob debt while you were a toddler. Perhaps you've enrolled in Afro-Cuban disco step funk classes at your local community college. Maybe you simply plan on tending to your piñata garden, reclining in the swaying shade of the monkeynut trees. All those sound great -- which is why it gives us a heavy heart to inform you that none of those things, not your estranged progenitor, your community college, your precious piñatas, or Will.i.am, will exist on Thursday.

The Large Hadron Collider, a sixteen-mile long, seven story tall ring of death which straddles the border of Germany and Switzerland, will see to that. We're not exactly sure what it does, but we are fairly certain of a few things -- for instance, we know that despite its colossal size, it runs almost entirely on car batteries and hubris. We also know that it's the world's biggest particle collider, and that trying to shoot one particle into another from miles away is pretty difficult. Oh, also, we know that during its inaugural run this Wednesday, it's going to create a sustainable black hole that's going to devour mankind, the Milky Way galaxy, and Will.i.am.

Sure, the eight-thousand physicists that have worked on the project have assured mankind that the odds of that last event occuring are approximately one-in-a-thrillion -- but of course they would say that. We know the truth, and have already begun selling our automobiles, gaming systems, and houses to afford a sturdy craft that will carry us far from the gravity well's sinister reach. Unfortunately, we're pretty certain we bought a 1974 Gremlin wrapped in duct tape with a jumbo-size roman candle tucked into the tailpipe. We'll let you know how it works out for us.

- DS Lite: 56,439 444 (0.79%)
- PSP: 41,664 5,940 (12.48%)
- Wii: 35,755 582 (1.65%)
- PS3: 9,775 755 (8.37%)
- PS2: 8,810 390 (4.63%)
- Xbox 360: 3,124 427 (12.02%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The Black Eyed archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Aug. 25 - Aug. 31: Supercollider edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Aug. 18 - Aug. 24: Packs 2008 edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-18-aug-24-packs-2008-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-18-aug-24-packs-2008-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/31/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-18-aug-24-packs-2008-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


It was an easy enough mistake to make, really. After forty-eight hours of driving, the exit to Tacoma, Washington, looks terribly similar to the exit to Seattle. Eyes made weary from two straight days of travel could easily confuse a radio tower for the Space Needle. The absence of a Starbucks on every street corner should have been a dead giveaway, but my typically keen observation skills weren't at their sharpest following my lengthy PAX-bound pilgrimage. Yes, unrelenting fatigue had brought me to Tacoma -- but some other force, be it fate or coincidence, had arranged for the 2008 Packs Convention to kick off in tandem with my accidental arrival.

I would later discover that the Packs Convention (or PacksCon, as their annual attendees have affectionately nicknamed it) was not, in fact, a video game expo hosted by the creators of a certain wildly popular webcomic. It was a celebration of portable textile containers; an unparalleled trade show for backpacks, fanny packs, attache cases, satchels, purses, man purses, handbags, duffel bags, gym bags, totes, luggage, and rucksacks. Booths lined the halls of the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, representing major players in the industry and their experimental designs. Though not my intended destination, I was fortunate enough to witness the future during the past 72 hours -- and the future involves edible briefcases.

It wasn't until I was halfway through yesterday's Jansport panel that I had realized the mix-up. Cursing my ambitious travel arrangements, the PacksCon administrators, and the concept of homonyms, I began to wonder if there would be a major gaming convention this year that I wouldn't miss out on. However, I found some small amount of solace in my newfound knowledge of the textile container industry -- and, following a number of grief purchases, how incredibly easy it was to store my belongings for the long trip home.

- DS Lite: 55,995 22,671 (28.82%)
- PSP: 47,604 16,809 (26.10%)
- Wii: 35,173 17,863 (33.68%)
- PS3: 9,020 2,373 (20.83%)
- PS2: 8,420 1,748 (17.19%)
- Xbox 360: 3,551 3,807 (51.74%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The travel-weary archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Aug. 18 - Aug. 24: Packs 2008 edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Aug. 11 - Aug. 17: Back to school edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-11-aug-17-back-to-school-editi/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-11-aug-17-back-to-school-editi/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/24/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-11-aug-17-back-to-school-editi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Here's a fun fact you may not be aware of -- a majority of Joystiq's readers fall into the 65 - 80-year-old age bracket, explaining why a majority of our ads are for prescription arthritis medication, Stouffer's Seasoned Bread Stuffing, and seasons of Matlock on DVD. As such, only a select few of you know that many schools across the country will be back in session tomorrow. The anguish among the nation's young people is almost tangible -- excluding those whose schools operate on a quarterly schedule, or homeschoolers, or Guitar Hero aficionados with irresponsible hippie parents.

With all the superb, high-quality games that dropped this summer, we wouldn't blame you for feeling like your scholastic minds aren't exactly at their sharpest. Instead of doing your summer reading of The Sun Also Rises or attending your bi-weekly Algebra Club meetings, you focused your attention on moving up the ranks of Battlefield: Bad Company or toiling through the story modes of Soul Calibur IV. Luckily, the repercussions of your educational neglect aren't as severe as you might fear -- somewhat subliminally, these Japanese hardware sales posts have provided subtle instruction over the long, humid summer months.

Don't believe us? Perhaps you don't recall the various history lessons we've snuck into your consciousness. It seems you also don't realize the firm understanding of the statistical sciences we've surreptitiously imbued into your unaware mind. How quickly you've forgotten the important baking lesson that will certainly serve you well as you enter your incredibly challenging Home Economics course. Finally, think back to the valuable lessons of acceptance, resourcefulness, and stick-to-itiveness we imparted as we faced our own work-related hardships.

Hemingway is for the birds; we'd wager that as you grace the halls of your learning establishment tomorrow morning, you'll find yourself better equipped than your contemporaries for the mental challenges provided by your educators -- and for that, we have just one thing to say. You're very, very welcome.

- DS Lite: 78,666 18,232 (30.17%)
- PSP: 64,413 5,912 (10.11%)
- Wii: 53,036 14,530 (37.73%)
- PS3: 11,393 1,720 (17.78%)
- PS2: 10,168 1,665 (19.58%)
- Xbox 360: 7,358 17,604 (70.52%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The scholastic archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Aug. 11 - Aug. 17: Back to school edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese Xbox 360 sales fall back to Earth]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/japanese-xbox-360-sales-fall-back-to-earth/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/japanese-xbox-360-sales-fall-back-to-earth/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/22/japanese-xbox-360-sales-fall-back-to-earth/#commentsFiled under: ,

Well that was fast. It seems like just last week we were reporting the bizarre news that the Xbox 360 had suddenly leapfrogged the PS3 in weekly Japanese sales, selling nearly 25,000 units on the strength of Tales of Vesperia's release. Things are back to normal this week, though, with Microsoft's system once again sitting comfortably in last place with 7,258 units sold. Don't get us wrong, this is still a relatively strong number considering the system's historically low sales and reportedly widespread supply problems in Japan. But anyone hoping that last week's numbers were a sign of a permanent realignment in the Japanese console market might want to return to reality's cold embrace.

JoystiqJapanese Xbox 360 sales fall back to Earth originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>japanjapanese-hardware-salestales-of-vesperiaxbox-360Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, Aug. 4 - Aug. 10: Bizarro world edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/17/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-4-aug-10-bizarro-world-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/17/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-4-aug-10-bizarro-world-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/17/japanese-hardware-sales-aug-4-aug-10-bizarro-world-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


You awaken this morning with a stabbing pain in your side, as you do nearly every morning. The straps on your ceiling-bed, while successful in keeping you tightly bound to your mattress, simply aren't comfortable. You undo the safety clasp and gently crash to the ground, taking special care to not land on the rotating floor-fan, which you paid the steep price of twelve steaks to have repaired just last Frumpday. You pull on your sandpaper pants, flannel overpants, one rollerblade, a cast iron breastplate, then place a sock puppet on each of your hands before checking yourself out in the mirror. You look good.

Gliding into the kitchen, you're pleased to find that the dictionary delivery boy (who usually runs behind on his dictionary route) arrived promptly at red o' clock to supply today's edition of the widely circulated definitorial tome. Your dog, though still incensed about last night's heated argument concerning the rapidly shrinking national bureaucracy, has made a fresh pot of coffee for you. How considerate of him. You pour some into a salad bowl, climb on top of the stove, and slowly empty the steaming brew onto your lap. "Refreshing," you exclaim! You then turn your attention to the dictionary -- skipping past the classified ads, you quickly find that week's Japanese hardware sales figures.

- DS Lite: 60,434 3,036 (5.29%)
- PSP: 58,501 2,680 (4.38%)
- Wii: 38,506 2,603 (6.33%)
- Xbox 360: 24,962 19,603 (365.80%)
- PS3: 9,673 165 (1.74%)
- PS2: 8,503 542 (5.99%)

"How entirely predictable," you remark.

You wish, more than anything, to live in a world parallel to your own -- a world where beds are placed on floors and rotating fans are attached to ceilings. A world where steaks are eaten, not spent. A world where wearing two rollerblades at a time (or none, for that matter) isn't considered an illegal activity. A world where dogs kept their acerbic, self-righteous opinions to themselves. A world where coffee could be enjoyed with one's mouth. A world where the PSP would possess an unflagging sales dominance over all other systems in Japan, while the 360 would possess a contrariwise familiarity with last place.

But such a world, such a strange and marvelous world, could not possibly exist.

[Source: Media Create]

See: The frequently emptied archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, Aug. 4 - Aug. 10: Bizarro world edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, July 28 - Aug. 3: Olympic observation edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/japanese-hardware-sales-july-28-aug-3-olympic-observation-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/japanese-hardware-sales-july-28-aug-3-olympic-observation-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/10/japanese-hardware-sales-july-28-aug-3-olympic-observation-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


We're big fans of the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. Not because we're avid followers of swimming, or weightlifting, or badminton -- but because we like to believe that we live in a world where one country can achieve dominance over all the others by simply having more graceful and elegant gymnasts than their fellow nations. However, we're confused by the lack of decent ludological representation for the biyearly global pissing match test of athleticism. We've never been satisfied with a single Olympic video game -- be they realistic or adorable.

Perhaps this is due to confusion on the developers behalf on how to actually create an Olympics-based title. The Olympics are, after all, an assortment of specialized, miniature games. How one could possibly craft an entire title around these ... minigames is completely beyond our comprehension. Perhaps that's why our favorite game based around the ancient tradition eschews the bonds of accuracy entirely. We speak, of course, of developer U.S. Gold's magnum opus, Izzy's Quest for the Olympic Rings. Seriously, who needs digital triathlons when you've got production values of that caliber?

In news related to the actual purpose of this feature, the PSP once again takes home the gold this week -- though following last week's pattern, all of Sony's consoles took a sales hit while the others received a steady, if not minor, increase. Following four months of Sony superiority, could we be nearing a drastic change-up on the prestigious sales chart pedestal? Oh, wait -- we've got a better Olympic-themed metaphor: Could the PSP be ready to pass the torch? Better yet -- will the 360, in a Kerri Strug-esque show of persistence, secure a first place finish over the Russian gymnastics team, by which, of course, we mean the other consoles?

- PSP: 61,181 6,271 (9.30%)
- DS Lite: 57,398 430 (0.75%)
- Wii: 41,109 85 (0.21%)
- PS3: 9,508 1,184 (11.07%)
- PS2: 9,045 246 (2.65%)
- Xbox 360: 5,359 418 (8.46%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The incredibly athletic archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, July 28 - Aug. 3: Olympic observation edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, July 21 - July 27: Expansion edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/japanese-hardware-sales-july-21-july-27-expansion-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/japanese-hardware-sales-july-21-july-27-expansion-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/03/japanese-hardware-sales-july-21-july-27-expansion-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


We've grown quite content to simply sit on our fat surpluses and crank out Japanese hardware sales charts to the enraptured masses week after week -- however, the all-important figures you see at the bottom of every entry seem to always get lost in a maelstrom of eloquent prose. We thought long and hard about how to improve the format of these posts without changing the time-tested formula that has served us so well over the years -- surprisingly, we decided to take a cue from the MMO market. Yes, after months of silent development, we're proud to announce the first ever expansion to this distinguished feature: Japanese Hardware Sales: Rise of the Lavender Fluke.

This exciting addition is currently in ultra-secret closed epsilon testing, and the feedback we've been receiving has been entirely positive. Well, except for all the complaints, bug reports, vulgar e-mails, death threats, and one actual attempt on our lives. Aside from that, we're pretty optimistic that we can hit the Q1 2009 release date we set for ourselves -- though our development team mistook Q1 2009 to mean "one quinquennium from 2009", so it should actually be arriving sometime in 2014. Trust us, it's worth it.

We've got the full list of updates and changes featured in JHS:RotLF posted after the jump. Make sure you check them out -- but not before paying your dues to the facts and figures posted below. We would hate for you to miss any of the excitement.

- PSP: 67,452 6,572 (8.88%)
- DS Lite: 56,968 2,437 (4.47%)
- Wii: 41,024 221 (0.54%)
- PS3: 10,692 561 (4.99%)
- PS2: 9,291 244 (2.56%)
- Xbox 360: 4,941 733 (17.42%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The pre-expansion archives

Continue reading Japanese hardware sales, July 21 - July 27: Expansion edition

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, July 21 - July 27: Expansion edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, July 14 - July 20: Turn-based edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/27/japanese-hardware-sales-july-14-july-20-turn-based-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/27/japanese-hardware-sales-july-14-july-20-turn-based-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/27/japanese-hardware-sales-july-14-july-20-turn-based-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Video above provides suggested musical accompaniment for the following post.

A wild Japanese Hardware Sales Chart attacks!

Go, Fanboy!
Fanboy uses Defense Force!
Fanboy's DEF sharply increased!
Sales Chart uses Red Arrows!
It's not very effective...
Fanboy uses Faulty Logic!
Sales Chart counters with Embarrassing Correction!
Fanboy self-destructs!

I choose you, Developer!
Developer uses Hype Beam!
It's very effective!
Sales Chart uses Green Arrows!
Sales Chart regains health!
Developer is counting down...
Sales Chart uses Publisher!
Publisher interrupts the countdown!
Developer uses Big Reveal!
But it fails...
Sales Chart uses Negative Fan Reaction!
Developer fainted!

The enemy is weak, go get 'em, Blogger!
Blogger uses Sarcatsic Post!
Blogger made a typo!
Sales Chart uses Angry Editor!
It's super effective!
Blogger uses an Ultra Ball!
Blogger caught a Japanese Hardware Sales Chart!

- PSP: 74,024 17,026 (29.87%)
- DS Lite: 54,531 5,991 (12.34%)
- Wii: 40,803 965 (2.31%)
- PS3: 11,253 1,205 (9.67%)
- PS2: 9,535 870 (8.36%)
- Xbox 360: 4,208 401 (10.53%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: Would you like to rename the captured archives?

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, July 14 - July 20: Turn-based edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, July 7 - July 13: Birth of gaming journalism edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/japanese-hardware-sales-july-7-july-13-birth-of-gaming-journ/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/japanese-hardware-sales-july-7-july-13-birth-of-gaming-journ/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/20/japanese-hardware-sales-july-7-july-13-birth-of-gaming-journ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


During the first few days of last week, Santa Monica, Calif. played host to a bevy of video game journalists, slaveringly searching for scoops to present to you, our dearest readers. Thousands of reporters representing hundreds of publications, both online and tangible, were in attendance, restlessly toiling to bring you up-to-the-minute coverage of all the major keynotes and conferences. During the seldom breaks in our otherwise hectic schedules, it was difficult not to reflect on our chosen profession, and inquire about the origins of our singular career path.

After rigorous research, we here at the Japanese Hardware Sales Institute of Gaming Journalism History discovered the earliest known example of ludological reporting -- a fantastic exposé from an O'Reilly era episode of Inside Edition, which introduces a pair of pipefitting siblings that recently made their way into the hearts and minds of our nation's children. You may have seen this particular video before, and become familiar with reporter Joel Loy's intrepid coverage of the 8-bit sensation known as "Nintendo", and his poetic assertion that the iconic plumbers represent the righteousness and dauntlessness of the human spirit.

Modern day game bloggers could take a lesson from the piece you see above. Sure, we no longer live in a world where bowties and mullets serve as appropriate work attire. Nintendo's game counselors have dispersed, putting the skills they've developed during their tenure to good use at Taco Bells across the nation. However, the exuberance and romanticism you see applied in the video above, the two traits that most game journalists have unceremoniously traded in for sarcasm and trepidation, should never have never been lost over the years.

Kids and fantasy, indeed, Mr. O' Reilly.

- PSP: 56,998 559 (0.99%)
- DS Lite: 48,540 1,085 (2.29%)
- Wii: 41,768 2,757 (6.19%)
- PS3: 12,458 1,901 (13.24%)
- PS2: 10,405 1,363 (11.58%)
- Xbox 360: 3,807 969 (20.29%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The mullet-clad archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, July 7 - July 13: Birth of gaming journalism edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, June 30 - July 6: E4 edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/13/japanese-hardware-sales-june-30-july-6-e4-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/13/japanese-hardware-sales-june-30-july-6-e4-edition/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/13/japanese-hardware-sales-june-30-july-6-e4-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Here's an amusing anecdote -- while all my fellow co-workers will be soaking up the sun and the overwhelming PR spin at E3 2008 during the next few days, I'll be the only 'Stiqer not in attendance. It's nobody's fault but my own, really -- due to an incident last year involving me, Jamie Kennedy, a claw hammer, and a stern threat to murder Jamie Kennedy with a claw hammer should he ever release a sequel to Son of the Mask (which I may have issued directly to Kennedy immediately following last year's Activision press conference), I'm no longer allowed to cross the state lines of California. (Side note: Has there been a Son of the Mask 2? No, there hasn't. You're welcome, America.)

Don't weep for me, empathetic reader. My compatriots don't realize that while they'll be trolling for news in Santa Monica, I'll be attending a much more prestigious and exclusive convention -- so exclusive, in fact, that I'd wager you've never even heard of it. Yes, I'll be the only Joystiq blogger lucky enough to attend the Extreme Electronic Entertainment Expo (E4) -- in fact, I'll be the only member of the gaming media in attendance, as it is held in my apartment, and I was in charge of invitations.

Actually, I may be the only person in attendance, as the only other two invitees (Darnell, the club-footed maintenance guy for my apartment building, and this cute cashier that works at a nearby Taco Bell) have yet to RSVP. C'est la vie -- the three day schedule I've written up (which I've included after the break to show the rest of the crew exactly what they're missing out on) will be carried out, come hell or high water, or, you know, loneliness.

- PSP: 56,439 2,422 (4.11%)
- DS Lite: 47,455 1,429 (2.92%)
- Wii: 44,525 3,955 (8.16%)
- PS3: 14,359 3,614 (20.11%)
- PS2: 11,768 4,095 (53.37%)
- Xbox 360: 4,776 328 (6.43%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The uninvited archives

Continue reading Japanese hardware sales, June 30 - July 6: E4 edition

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, June 30 - July 6: E4 edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, June 23 - June 29: Nineteen hundred and ninety-five edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/japanese-hardware-sales-june-23-june-29-nineteen-hundred-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/japanese-hardware-sales-june-23-june-29-nineteen-hundred-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/06/japanese-hardware-sales-june-23-june-29-nineteen-hundred-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


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

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, June 23 - June 29: Nineteen hundred and ninety-five edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Japanese hardware sales, June 16 - June 22: Summer blockbuster edition]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/japanese-hardware-sales-june-16-june-22-summer-blockbuster-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/japanese-hardware-sales-june-16-june-22-summer-blockbuster-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/29/japanese-hardware-sales-june-16-june-22-summer-blockbuster-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


With all the recent buzz surrounding big-budget film adaptations of major video game licenses, we began to wonder -- if films based off of games can find funding with movie production companies, why couldn't a film based off of a video game news column? As our minds began to race with thoughts of cross-promotional T-shirts and licensed cereals, we recklessly ran to our laptops, and wrote out a hasty plot synopsis for "Japanese Hardware Sales: The Movie". We're pretty proud of it, and the agent we hired at a local flea market is convinced we can eventually squeeze a trilogy out of the initial concept. Don't worry, gentle readers. We won't forget you when we make it to the big time.

The still night air wafting over the Hardware district of the bustling metropolis of Salesbury, Japan, is punctuated with the crackle of gunfire. The town's many residents realize with a start that Sunday's midnight hour has come, and quickly retreat into their bullet-riddled homesteads. From the shadows of the city's seemingly endless alleyways emerge the six gangs who fight weekly for the unspoken control of Salesbury: the powerful reigning champs known as the "Park Street Pistols", the young and lively contenders known simply as "The Wii-vils", the once invincible "DoorStep Lighteners", the mercenaries of "The Third Order of Private Soldiers", their once-parent organization "The Second Order of Private Soldiers", and the mysterious, poorly-funded outfit known as "The Xterminators of 360th Street".

Who will come out on top at the end of this four-hour-long cinematic masterwork? Only time, and the purchasing habits of the people of Japan, will tell. Starring Samuel L. Jackson as Coolidge, the leader of the Park Street Pistols; Kevin James as Archie, his carefree sidekick; Rose McGowan as Belladonna, the feisty captain of The Wii-vils, and a guy who kinda looks like Bruce Vilanch as the menacing "Red Arrow".

- PSP: 59,351 5,324 (8.23%)
- Wii: 41,037 4,527 (9.94%)
- DS Lite: 36,599 2,602 (6.64%)
- PS3: 20,336 54,975 (73.00%)
- PS2: 6,346 951 (13.03%)
- Xbox 360: 2,555 392 (18.12%)

[Source: Media Create]

See: The bullet-riddled archives

JoystiqJapanese hardware sales, June 16 - June 22: Summer blockbuster edition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSjapanese-hardware-salesjapanesehardwaresalesPS2PS3PSPWiiXbox-360Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:00:00 EST