Japan Loves The Xbox 360 This Week

* Nintendo DS - 60,434
* PSP - 58,501
* Wii - 38,506
* Xbox 360 - 24,962
* PlayStation 3 - 9,673
* PlayStation 2- 8,503

[SuicidalTendencies]

Microsoft better send Namco a nice thank you gift. :)

[Bnet343]

This goes to show you PS3 isn't as big as a lot of people seem to deem it in Japan. Under 10k? That's inexcusable. That makes Xbox 360 look like a beast. Sony should feel embarrassed. Why isn't Sony getting any JRPG's out? Do they not care?

[LeSouteneur]

The 360 averages out around 1000 ~ 2000 a week. If you're saying the PS3 isn't a beast compared to 360, I hope you're joking.

This is only a minor spike. And besides, remember when MGS4 (which isn't big in Japan) bumped up the PS3 to 77,000 units for that week?

[DJ]

Save for White Knight (far off) and Disgaea 3.

[Armyless]

When the dust settles, this generation... I'm going to do a case study of the influences that each company's innovations and product offerings led the other consoles to compete in like kind to keep up themselves. I don't think I've ever seen this much collective improvement in all the consoles as a result of the tight competition in which they strive to match and beat the other console's advantages.

[JokesOnYou]

Hell has just frozen over folks....360 outsold ps3 and ps2 combined IN JAPAN, NO I SAID IN JAPAN! WOW! Congrats micro, they earned it.

JOY

[DeadIIIRed]

And the PS3 has been outselling the 360 in the US. See how endless and pointless this can become? Besides, considering <25k is a sales spike in Japan is weak none the less.

[cmrbe]

there are 4 times as many PS3 compare to the x360 which had a 1 year head start.

[JokesOnYou]

the ps2 was last gen's best selling console by far in the US and Japan, so seeing its successor(ps3) outsell the 360 in the states isn't surprising in fact many predictions had ps3 dominating soon after release, in fact although micro is a American company, based on last gen's success the US has brought more ps2's than even japan, one could correctly say the states is just as much sony's home turf or more compared to micro. Also by comparison the original xbox never ever outsold the ps2 in Japan, so this is definitely a symbolic win for micro.

JOY

[Enigma_2099]

word has it that microsoft is throwing a lot of money at JRPG developers... that's probably why...

[The Lazy One]

It is a very symbolic victory for M$. Moreso than actual accomplishment. Has any US console outsold a japanese console in japan? Ever?

It's a drip in the ocean though.

Also: DJ, careful... there is still time <_< >_>

[cmrbe]

Do i need to remind you that its still early days in this console war?. In terms of installbase only 25% of last gen installbase have migrated. This is not taking into consideration the fact that the gaming market has grown since last gen and most of the wii install are new gamers/casual.

You guys are talking like its over already when all 3 current console installbase (PS3+wii+x360) is just about half of the PS2 installbase.

Did you guys expect the x360 to do worse than the xbox?. Last gen the xbox rarely had any JRPG unlike this gen so obviously x360 should do better but how much better though?. The x360 is still 8 million behind the xbox installbase almost 3 years in with 1 year without comp.

The PS3 is more than two million in Japan which is 4 times the install of the x360 which had a 1 year head start. Is this a good sign for MS?.

After the E6 announcement that the PS3 will be 200 USD more than the x360 most people wrote off the PS3. But i don't need to remind you guys about the PS1 and PS2. Sony consoles always start slow. Don't you guys remember the PS2 vs Dreamcast?. look it up. Its mirroring the PS3 vs x360.

[Sayai jin]

@Enigma_2099- It's called business. Games are getting more and more expensive so expect more and more dev's will look for more money.

[sumfood4u]

Thoes who hate RPG are finally realizing the effect of good graphics an good story!

[JokesOnYou]

"You guys are talking like its over already when all 3 current console installbase (PS3+wii+x360) is just about half of the PS2 installbase."

You are missing the point, nobody in their right mind is saying "its over already" just because micro beat sony in Japan for the week, Iam simply saying that its a major sign of progress for micro, thats all and only a hater would deny that....sure micro will end up in a distant last place in Japan but considering the culture this is a big accomplishment, ha ha why do you sound so heartbroken, as if this personally bothers you? Did you lose some money on a bet or something?=

JOY

[cmrbe]

I don't care like that. I know that x360 dosen't have a chance. Its when you guys talk like its the end of the console war that i respond.

[Mao]

I will say this, I wouldn't be surprised with the price cut if MS outsells PS3 in NPD. As for global sales, this game could go a long way to delievering the first XBOX 360 victory in a long time.

I know Sony fans are celebrating now, but next month could be different. IF of course Sony wins in August, then THAT will be something big to cheer about!

[doshey]

if sony wins next month then i think ms may be in trouble but i doubt it dude to the fact it is getting close to the new models launch date so dont really expect much for sales wise next month

[Angelitos]

Then next week, they hate it.

[LightningPS3]

That's more than I expected. 360 will probably outsell PS3 in Japan this month.

[PirateThom]

Approve this, it's media crate, it's the correct numbers unlike VGChartz

[BLaZiN PRopHeT]

So as of right now for the month of August:

360 = 30,321
PS3 = 19,181

Edit: below still a couple more exclusive Jrpgs 2 go for the year.

also reports show that the 360 was basically sold out all around the country.

[PirateThom]

And that's with an exclusive JRPG.

[Bnet343]

Yup, Xbox 360 is home to the best JRPG's no doubt about that PirateThom. TBH, I really disliked Tales of Vesperia. No offense to the game and it's creators, but I was not feeling it at all.

[ass_divine]

The 360 outsold the PS2 and PS3 combined!

[thebudgetgamer]

because they are pumping out jrpgs that the Japanese gamers really want

[Sonics020]

Next week 360 will be around PS3's numbers and then the test is if it can stay there or even slightly above PS3. I think it might be able to at least stay in the range of PS3 for the next couple of months. PS3 really has no titles to keep it up during the rest of the year in Japan, the Advent Children bundle should help bring it back on track, and FF13 should propel Sony a tremendous amount.

[kevin1112]

i think the numbers might drop drastically for the 360, considering when the ps3's numbers were high it dropped significantly. With the 360 expect more since it isnt as liked as the ps3 in japan.

[Sonics020]

Yea well when i say PS3 range I mean 5-6k compared to PS3 9-11k. I dont think its gonna stay anywhere near these numbers.

[ikiru3385]

correction....Japan loves Tales of Vesperia this Week.

[PirateThom]

A good point.

I expect a similar boost to PS3 when Eternal Sonata comes out next month, it boosted the 360, I can see it doing well for PS3 as well.

[doshey]

yep they will love it for this week but what about next week

alright this is becoming sad how do i get a disagree for asking a question

[Surfman]

yeah well they gonna have to port the game on the PS3 soon, thats not enough for that kind of game.

[JasonXE]

I can't wait for valkyria chronicles to come to the 360 too.

[masterofpwnage]

ur just a dum @ss troll who is trying to bother the ps3 fans.
seriously it really isnt all that impressive imean maybe for the 360, but if this was the wii or ps3 the sales would of been so high.

360 fans celebrating about one week and thinking its about to go back like in the good old days, but this is only one week and this is one of the biggest game in japan.

if this continue for more then 1 month like wat the ps3 did to america, then japan is equal battle

[enjoi187]

nice very nice xbox and psp is doing excellent

[Cajun Chicken]

Don't the Japanese play ANYTHING but(j)RPGs? Wow.
Judging by the co-incidental release of RPG's on 360 and PSP, seems so. These charts are crazy.
Nice for the PSP to finally equal the DS for a while though, interesting for MS.
If only some good games are released for the PSP over the western hemisphere.

[mistertwoturbo]

Yeah they play other stuff. Weird games that nobody's heard of, borderline Hentai games, and for some reason they're big on the Horror Genre though.

[Imallvol7]

They did give the 360 some loving. Congratulations 360!!!

[mistertwoturbo]

This is a good step for the 360. Curious to see what they have in stored for TGS though.

[DFresh]

Yeah they might but once Sony releases the new PS3 SKU, brings out more RPGs, and just keeps bringing out those exclusives expect things to be different.

[masterofpwnage]

yeah i seriously hate kotaku every "japan loves 360 article" is from them. i didnt see them saying shiit wen the ps3 outsold the 360 in npd.

but wat eva i give them props, but most likly it will come down, imean only that much, mgs4 sold more console and software and its not even bigger then tales in japan.

[i_like_ff7]

I really hope sony notices this and starts making rpgs before they lose their biggest fanbase

[TheAveragePs3User]

ps3 alreedy solds 120 billkion ps3!

[Silogon]

We just got numbers!!! We got like 5 sets of numbers this week. what the hell is this junk!?? I am so sick of seeing numbers. Numbers everyday and they're all different numbers too.

Give it a damn rest!

I'd also like to point out this little fact to people.

Ps3 beating xbox 360 by 25,000 units in america is nothing
Xbox 360 beating ps3 by 12,000 units in Japan is the end of the world and game over for Sony.

Wake up idiots.

[Cajun Chicken]

Nobody's counted Europe yet.
Don't go jumping to conclusions.

[beoulve]

funny i dont see u counting last month?

[Cajun Chicken]

The Japanese don't like anything else on 360!
Makes you wonder what the second hand market for 360's will be like in Japan after they complete 'Tales...

[clintos59]

This was expected and will prolly continue when infinite discovery hits japan. Its good to see japan buying 360's just for this game.

MS might have had a spark in japan but at the same time its not a huge leap in sales especially for how cheap u can get the arcade 360 for. I think sony will respond to this with a price cut soon because they need it and there sales are not being a factor in there home land.

But even with this small victory by MS and its good to see them atleast getting more support in this country then there last system has had in japan, im wondering just how much of an impact will the exclusive ps3 bundled with FF13 will do when that is out in japan next year. If MS is having this much success which is huge for them with the way there sales been in japan, u can only imagine just how big FF13 bundled in a ps3 for japan will be at launch. If I were MS and seen this success I would do everything to get there own launch in japan aswell with FF13 at the same time the ps3 version will release but it will be a slim chance that will happen. But hey look at it this way, u can never say never since MS did prove FF13 could be on the 360 aswell which they have done, so its up to Square and whatever happens from here on out until the FF13 launch. This is where the real Next Gen War really starts to heat up. Let the wars begin.

[Cajun Chicken]

If all this continues and everyone brings out bloody RPGs for the next few months and into 2009, I'm sort of tempted to quit gaming as a whole!

[SmokingMonkey]

looks to me like Japan has been showing the PSP love. 58,000!
all year long i might add

[TheAveragePs3User]

stewpid xbotsx!

[Covenant]

Jeopardy answer: Chupacabra, Bigfoot, Loch Ness Monster, 360 selling well in Japan.

Jeopardy question: What are four rare and possibly nonexistent things?

:)

But seriously, that's impressive. Maybe it's not dead in Japan after all...but how are all of those new Japanese 360 owners going to feel when FFXIII comes out? At least they'll have some great games to play in the meantime, but I would be willing to bet that a lot of them have/will have PS3's by then.

[gunnerforlife]

lol a aint happy about dis but dat was bare funny:) bubbles up:P

[Silogon]

With these numbers maybe Sony's stupid ass will wake up and realise what most gamers have for years.

1 - FPS don't sell in Japan
2 - RPG's are still relevant
3 - Taking naps while the competition networks with important developers is not good.

I wonder how Sony will combat this? MGS4 does not have the selling power as a top level RPG in Japan. It just doesn't. Sony are stupid dolts to think they can get by with their 60 FPS a year gameplan.

I hope next week is even a bigger gap..

[Cajun Chicken]

Your 3 points are correct.
But notice that no-ones making action/adventure games and platformers another possible sway that could happen globally.
I'm not saying everything is correct, but your points are.

[PoSTedUP]

FF13..... enough said.

FF vs 13..... more than enough said.

sonys love for japan...... way more than enough said.

[sak500]

@silogon

Agreed. This time roles seem to have reversed, MS taking the cue from PS2 and Sony following xbox original road. They're trying for more fps/western shooters, while MS is busy getting the JRPGs, Strategy and lots other genres.

[Aclay]

Yeah, Japan loves the Xbox 360 "This week" but what about next week and the week after that?

The reason why I say that is because when MGS4 launched in Japan, the first week of the launch of the game, the PS3 sold over 80,000 units and the next week, PS3 sales almost just returned to normal.

The Xbox 360 got a JRPG, so I'm not surprised that it may outsell that PS3 in Japan for a week or two. Xbox 360 sales will go back to normal in Japan pretty soon. If MGS4 spurred PS3 console sales for a good week in Japan, Tales of Vasperia will spur 360 console sales in Japan for a good week or two and that's it.

The 360 outselling the PS3 in Japan "for a week" is nothing for Sony to get worried about and almost means nothing because it only happened because of a JRPG. The 360 has been out in Japan for nearly 3 years and haven't even surpassed the 700,000 unit mark, but the PS3 has been out half the time in Japan and has sold over 2 million.

I'm pretty sure that the 360 will have a boost in sales once Infinite Undiscovery comes out too, it's pretty obvious and it wont surprise me and once again it's nothing for Sony to get worried about... but just imagine the impact that those PS3 bundles with Final Fantasy Advent Children and FFXIII demo in March 2009... the impact that it will have will surpass the Wii in sales for a couple of weeks in Japan.

Final Fantasy XIII not being on the Xbox 360 in Japan basically just sealed the Xbox 360's fate in Japan and another Microsoft loss in Japan.

[giovonni]

all that now,(Xbox 360 in Japan basically just sealed the Xbox 360's fate in Japan and another Microsoft loss in Japan.) We have to wait and see, there has been so many predictions of xbox360's death in not just Japan, U.S, but the whole industry. You have to respect MS's aggressive marketing style, you don't have to like it, but you have to respect it. Believe me if Sony or Nintendo had the money to buy, buy, buy they would, but on to the topic. It's good to see the Japanese market showing 360 some love. Even if its for one week the best thing MS can do is study this, and duplicate for better results.

[Expy]

Actually, the real title of the article should be, Japan loves Japanese games... Not XBOX360.

[codemonkey240]

the 360 just got lucky this week

[sak500]

Still better than you not getting lucky in your 40 years.

[silverchode]

lol

[Agent VX]

Yep, with the 360 trouncing the PS3 in sales in Japan, Europe and NA in the last couple weeks, it looks like the PS3 little run has come to an abrupt end.

So much for the PS3 catching the 360 anytime soon.

[masterofpwnage]

it only been one week.

r u really that happy for one week

u 360 fans r always like that.

thinking one week of sales and the ps3 is over. how many rpgs did it take for the 360 and ps3 didnt even release its rpgs yet.

so chill and relax bro

it will die out soon.

and remember the ps3 shortage for the the new model

[kevin1112]

if this makes you happy, enjoy it while it lasts because it will be over soon.

[Esena]

Are you serious with your post? I am actually excited for you ... you'll now be able to sleep without a ps3 nightmare. Last I checked July NPD stated 360 got outsold by Ps3...in its own country...o..and the numbers weren't a miniscule 25k :(

[Tacki]

"Yep, with the 360 trouncing the PS3 in sales in Japan, Europe and NA in the last couple weeks, it looks like the PS3 little run has come to an abrupt end."

I don't think you even believe what you're saying. It's as if you're plugging your ears and covering your eyes to the truth. The last couple weeks has actually been pretty much the opposite of what you've said. Well, the PS3 isn't 'trouncing' the 360. That would be going a little far... but the PS3 has been beating it in all those areas in the last few weeks. In June it even outsold the 360 by over 100,000 in NA. Really I don't see why you're in denial. It's not the end of the world y'know? Your Xbox 360 won't evaporate if the PS3 does well! Just letting you know because you seem to be going into all these comments and spreading lies as if your life is in danger if your console of preferrence isn't leading month after month.

[juuken]

...And you based that on *one* game.

Oh jooooy.

If this game was on the PS3, sales would have doubled even more than it was on the 360. The Japanese go where the rpg's are, not because the 360 is technically *more* superior or that it's beating the PS3.

Also, I do recall the PS3 outsold the 360 in the month of July...and that's nothing short of amazing.

Keep plugging your ears and 'lalalalalaing' in the wind. It'll come a time when you won't be able to do that anymore.

[Microsoft_Spokesman]

Yet the PS3 outsold Xbox 360 in the NPD numbers?

[iownbothps360]

why dont everyone just buy both consoles and stop btching about the sales, im going to be enjoying too humah and gears on 360 and kllzone and r2 on ps3 while people are still trying to convince others hat ur console is better. o yhea can somepleae tell me what the hell the all the hype is for over little big plnet i mean people
say too human gets spacial treatment. but i really haven't had time to read much on it, becauseu know some of us do have girls tat get up set when u spend to much time on games playing or chating.

[PoSTedUP]

ill answer your question only cause you went through the trouble of making a new account probably just to make that statement, ok here i go....

(i own ps3) i dont own both consoles because... i can get 360 exclusive games on pc. all my favorite franchises are on ps3 and i cant get them any where else not even on pc. the xbox 360 is notorious for breaking so why would i buy something that i dont need and will break anyway? the 360 over charges you for ALOT of accessory's and is very limited compared to the ps3. i "had" gears and i didnt have a 360 : P . the ps3 comes with a blu-ray player. the ps3 comes with alot of things such as HDMI 1.3, HD and wifi etc. in EVERY console! the ps3 comes with rechargeable and wireless AND sixaxis controllers (i <3 sixaxis). the ps3 is more reliable. the ps3 is sexier : P their are a ton of other things man and just look at whats coming for the ps3, thingsare coming for the 360 but i dont see it matching ps3, did you here bout burnout paradise?? how sick is that?? HOME is about to drop. SOCOM, all these great games, playstation lyfestyle, play TV etc. all these new ip's the ps3 is just a better choice for me personally as a gamer ya know.

- mi a bad bwoy, a true. yu a chi chi man, a true.

[codemonkey240]

im just sayin the xbox is a loud of bull a wast .

[wangdiddy82]

just needs to release a couple rpgs and jrpgs in japen and the game is over.. Sonys not dumb.. Believe me they have something up there selve fot japan.. Japan isnt a big market right now for next gen consoles.. Europe and US are.

[cmrbe]

its either Japan loves the wii this week or Japan loves x360 over the PS3 this week.

[CurlUpAndDie]

the japanese knows whats up, xbox is the ultimate gaming machine. welcome aboard ladies and gents.

[DoctorXpro]

I don t believe in what i'm seeing

I never expect something like this IN JAPAN.

[N00BZSUCKASS]

Xbox 360 - 24,962
PlayStation 3 - 9,673

Asioners are finally coming to their senses.

[beoulve]

see this happen, Blue Dragon.. nothing new here

[Skadoosh]

Looks like the 360 takes this month on global sales. And this is before the price cut? Wow, Microsoft is tearing it up! I'm pretty surprised that MGS4 didn't have the lasting impact that Sony hoped for. Looks like it's going to have the same average sales like the other ones.

[MaximusPrime]

yep "this week"

[silverchode]

wonder how long thiss will last?

[himdeel]

...for MS in Japan considering FF13. That game is going to make the PS3 seem like the only console in Japan when it drops. Likewise this is a clear and apparent sign to Sony they need to get off their collective butt-cheeks and get moving on developing some new JPRPGS.

[DFresh]

This won't last in two weeks Disgea 3 drops for the PS3 that's an exclusive RPG that's gonna sell big numbers really fast.
November is also gonna bring another exclusive Valkryia Chronicles.
Also FFXIII comes out in Japan this year.
FFXIII (Exclusive to PS3 in Japan)
Sony has the RPGs coming.

[xg-ei8ht]

July npd sold over 200,000 more then 360.

That's pretty big.

Good sales for 360 in japan though, but they'll need alot more then that to make a dent.

Sales will be slow for ps3 in japan, needs rpg's

[N4g_null]

WOW I was just talking about all the great JRPGs coming to the xbox and here is proof that when you give the other gamers what they want you get sales. Nice way to separate your self from PC gaming with a nice fat Jrpg. Unfortuanaly SONY has taken the PC console media center bait and MS has bough their way out of jail.

These number better go down or some one is loosing some fingers over this! Krazy Ken was smart to quit.