Media Create Sales for 03/24 to 03/29 - DSi and PSP Face Off

[Chris_D]

Here are the software and hardware numbers from Japan, straight from Media Create, for the week 03/24 to 03/29.

The DSi came out on top again in the battle of the handhelds. Still glowing from the release of 3 new colors last week, the DSi also benefited from a strong showing in the software top ten, with four titles making the list. Super Robot Taisen K (~149k) continued to sell well.

Despite having two new releases in first and second spot on the charts, the PSP again failed to knock the DSi off it's throne. The system still maintained strong sales with Mobile Suit Gundam: Senjou no Kizuna Portable doing well in the 4 days since it's release, selling 85,208 units.

Wii sales continued to stagnate with no end in sight. Still, there were 5 Wii titles in the top 20 showing not all is bad on the Wii front.

The PS3 kept the sales advantage it has held over the Wii for 6 weeks running now despite sales slipping by 10%. Musou Orochi Z (~169k) and Biohazard 5 (~427k) both maintained their positions in the top ten, with Biohazard 5 being in the top ten for the 4 weeks since it's release.

The 360 fell to a humbling 4,849 units with no anticipated releases coming out last week. It was even surpassed by the PS2 at 5,246 units.

This week is looking extremely quiet with potential for Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for the DS to take the top spot. It is likely to receive some competition from other not so anticipated DS releases including Pachi & Slot Hisshoubon (Certain Victory On Pachinko & Slots) and New Atama o Kusuru (Medicate Your Brain). Another title to watch is 11 Eyes: Cross Over, an anime styled adventure game for the 360. All 4 titles were released on Thursday, 04/02.

Hardware
DSi - 57,401 (-19%)
PSP - 54,148 (-18%)
PS3 - 22,825 (-10%)
Wii - 17,276 (-5%)
DS Lite - 8,408 (-6%)
PS2 - 5,246 (+4%)
Xbox 360 - 4,849 (-11%)

Software
01. [PSP] Mobile Suit Gundam: Senjou no Kizuna Portable (Namco Bandai) 85,208 / NEW
02. [PSP] Disgaea 2 (Nippon Ichi) 38,634 / NEW
03. [NDS] Yugioh 5D's: Stardust Accelerator: World Championship 2009 (Konami) 36,806 / NEW
04. [NDS] Mario & Luigi RPG 3 (Nintendo) 36,431 / ~464k
05. [NDS] Super Robot Taisen K (Namco Bandai) 32,109 / ~149k
06. [PS2] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu 2009 (Konami) 26,711 / ~77k
07. [PSP] Monster Hunter Portable 2 G (PSP the Best) (Capcom) 24,574 / ~531k
08. [PS3] Musou Orochi Z (KOEI) 21,439 / ~169k
09. [PS3] Resident Evil 5 (Capcom) 16,837 / ~427k
10. [NDS] Rittai Picross 3D (Nintendo) 16,339 / ~78k

A Mobile Suit Gundam: Senjou no Kizuna Portable promotion at Tsutaya

Source - Media Create

See the previous week's sales.

[Wilkz07]

could it be that DSi sales are up because its the 'hot new' thing to have or is it really that good? ... what did they add a camera and photomorphing ability, improved pictochat and removed gba support? $199 - pass.

[TrackZero]

Originally Posted by Wilkz07

could it be that DSi sales are up because its the 'hot new' thing to have or is it really that good? ... what did they add a camera and photomorphing ability, improved pictochat and removed gba support? $199 - pass.

Errr, think you misread:

DSi - 57,401 | 71,233 (-19%)

It's down this week. It's just doing the best out there. Though it did drop more this week compared to any other console/handheld.

[Chris_D]

Originally Posted by TrackZero

Errr, think you misread:

DSi - 57,401 | 71,233 (-19%)

It's down this week. It's just doing the best out there. Though it did drop more this week compared to any other console/handheld.

Sorry, it's my fault, I actually didn't mean to leave the previous weeks sales in there. It was just to be on hand while I was calculating the percentages.

Having said that the DSi sold pretty strongly this week. I guess a lot of people are still getting their Lime Green DSis. The DS sales dipped a little earlier this year so these new colours have a given a nice sales boost.

I'm not sure what the Japanese are digging right at the moment when it comes to the DSi, it's something I'll try to delve into. The online store has a lot of cool stuff but I'm not convinced that the Japanese are big in purchasing stuff online for their gaming platforms yet. They buy tons of stuff on their mobile phones but that is all linked to their bill so no extra payment method is required. Plus there is no issue with needing to connect to a wireless network.

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by Wilkz07

could it be that DSi sales are up because its the 'hot new' thing to have or is it really that good? ... what did they add a camera and photomorphing ability, improved pictochat and removed gba support? $199 - pass.

There's more to it than that. Seriously, take a listen to our latest episode. That SD card slot is a big deal. Especially now that you can save your Wii Ware and VC titles to them.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by Psykoboy2

There's more to it than that. Seriously, take a listen to our latest episode. That SD card slot is a big deal. Especially now that you can save your Wii Ware and VC titles to them.

You can't play VC on the DSi, though. If you could I'd buy a DSi in a heartbeat.

[Psykoboy2]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

You can't play VC on the DSi, though. If you could I'd buy a DSi in a heartbeat.

I should do better research. That seems like a gigantic missed opportunity there. Not only would I be more excited to get a DSi, but I'd actually buy some VC titles.

[Ancalagon]

I'm surprised by two things:

How much higher DSi sales are than DS Lite sales.

How close PSP sales are to DSi sales.

Originally Posted by Chris_D

Having said that the DSi sold pretty strongly this week. I guess a lot of people are still getting their Lime Green DSis.

For some reason I read that as Lame Green DSis.

I'm not sure what the Japanese are digging right at the moment when it comes to the DSi, it's something I'll try to delve into. The online store has a lot of cool stuff but I'm not convinced that the Japanese are big in purchasing stuff online for their gaming platforms yet. They buy tons of stuff on their mobile phones but that is all linked to their bill so no extra payment method is required. Plus there is no issue with needing to connect to a wireless network.

Yeah, I think the online market could be an interesting thing to observe. Its one which could be extremely profitable for Nintendo if it takes off. I'm not convinced by the idea myself, but I can see how it would be appealing for some.

[Chris_D]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon

I'm surprised by two things:

How much higher DSi sales are than DS Lite sales.

How close PSP sales are to DSi sales.

The difference in price between the DSi and DS Lite is only 2000 yen (~$20). But the reason may be that most DSi buyers are trading in their DS Lite, which is flooding the secondhand market. So DS Lite buyers may be purchasing a secondhand unit and these sales aren't tracked on the charts.

PSP has done a good job of selling to the young male market, 10-30. A lot of the games, Gundam, Monster Hunter, Dynasty Warriors seem really popular with these crowds. Also, the young kids seem to love the adhoc multiplayer modes. It's pretty common to see groups of school boys playing Monster Hunter or Gundam matches.

I think the lame green DSi looks a bit too much like the colour of mucus!