Japan Is PlayStation 4's Final Weapon To Secure #1 Spot

PlayStation 4 may just receive the decisive boost to secure the first spot among consoles from Japan, thanks to the onslaught of upcoming console exclusives.

[kaiserfranz]

I remember when Microsoft tried to do something with Japan by hiring Sakaguchi. Not even that was enough...

Xbox will never break into Japan

[LexHazard79]

Stupid arguement really. Not even the Japanese consoles sell that well in Japan compared to other parts of the world. So I dont know why you think an outsider console like Xbox would do well there.

[SoapShoes]

Well it's not a powerhouse like the U.S. or all of Europe but at 2.3 million it's as big as the UK and bigger than Germany.

[TFJWM]

The Japanese support "outsider" products I don't know why people keep using it as an excuse for poor Xbox sales. MS just doesn't create alot of games that appeal to the market.

[never4get]

Most of the games mentioned, not even Q1,Q2,Q3 2016. SONY seriously pushing the game back to crush Nintendo NX. Nintendo please release NX in 2016, thanks, so we all can enjoy more games on PS4 in 2016.

[DDMNeo]

Yes, but the Xbox systems (and especially the Xbox One) have sold horribly. Worse than any of it's real competition. Hopefully that Xbox logo on your profile won't blind you from that fact.

[Eonjay]

Xbox One is outsold more than 100 to 1 almost every week in Japan. If consoles are selling bad, the Xbox One is beyond comprehension.

[TheCommentator]

The fact that Japanese publishers refuse to support the Xbox brand with all of their franchises has a lot to do with it. They could have kept a multiplatform relationship with MS like in the 360 generation but choose(or are paid) not to. It's sad to think that these publishers only supported MS in the 360 generation because MS was out a year ahead of Sony and showed strong sales. It's all about the $$$.

[kenwonobi]

That's not a serious argument to make. Xbox hasn't even been respectable there. PS4 is having good sales numbers. A few million isa far cry from a few thousand.

[darthv72]

BakPAin, you make a good point that people are disagreeing with. Consoles in general are just not selling in JP like they did in previous generations. That has nothing to do with the quality of the software or its appeal, it just shows they have taken a stronger interest in mobility ond portable entertainment.

The systems and games are more than sufficient to provide them with the entertainment value but when their attention is on something else... it can be pretty hard to sway them back. No doubt certain games will sell well but overall, JP is not the powerhouse market it once was. NA is still the single largest market on the planet with EU making up the largest combined market.

Despite low sales in JP, we still get great games from them and that isnt likely to change. I feel to much hype is put on their market much like the JRPG. don't get me wrong as i love the classics like Dragon Quest and Phantasy Star but when there are so many JRPG released and they do better outside of JP that says something.

To those disagreeing, just put aside the loyalties for a moment and look at it from a global perspective. Console gaming is much bigger outside of JP and it doesnt look like there will be anything to bring it back to the glory days.

Nintendo, MS and Sony know this and are really focusing more on other territories. there is nothing wrong with that, especially if I am in one of those territories that will be getting more support. Let them cater to those who are interested instead of trying to revive a region that has been having a declining interest for the past few years.

I honestly don't know if (looking to JP) that is a sign of things to come. Meaning change happens in one area and then slowly spreads or if they really are waning interest in traditional gaming for something more convenient. Is JP a trend setter or just doing their own thing while the rest of the world sticks to what works?

[dudeOplenty]

@TFJWM Japan being a xenophobic country is a Westernized stereotype that makes as much sense as filling an empty skull with sand to decide which race is superior.

[jebabcock]

hmm... i'd be interested in seeing a comparison of console sales between PS4 NA + JP and X1 NA + EU.

That might give you some idea of why JP is considered relevant for both Consoles, and why both are working to get sales there still.

[Knushwood Butt]

TheCommentator

Raiden V is an Xone exclusive from JP developer Moss.

It's not the only one.

[XanderZane]

@TFJWM
Yeah, fast food restaurants and Apple products. That's about it. Most Japanese consumer don't buy American products.

[ShinMaster]

@BakPAin

Consoles don't sell as much in Japan as they do in other bigger countries, sure. But PS4 and even Wii U are outselling the Xbox.

Also, other outsider brands and products succeed more than some local ones in Japan.

Xbox just doesn't do it for them.

[Zoombael]

Actually the PS4 is doing as good as the PS3 8 years ago. And this year it will surpass the PS3 for sure.

[agame914]

your profile picture says it all.....

[andibandit]

Thought this article was about ps4 , was the headline renamed/edited?

[itBourne]

I want almost every game on that list, lol hope a few get pushed to next year cuz throw in the western games and not nearly enough time for all of them.

[Bahamut]

:(

I miss Sakaguchi. I wish PS4 would bring him in on something. Sadly he's been doing mostly iOS and Android stuff. Terra Battle. I mean, it's OKAY... Great music, great art, but the "battles" get old quick in my opinion. You slide tiles around with the faces of your party, and position them to attack tiles that have enemies' faces on them. There's a lot of RPG aspects, so again, it's OKAY... but I'd really like to see a big budget RPG from him on a new-gen console.

Doubt it'll ever happen, sadly.

[fr0sty]

Most Japanese PCs run American made operating systems. Japanese people love apple products. Using country loyalty as an excuse for poor console sales doesn't hold up.

[XanderZane]

XBox 360 was the best selling American produced game console in Japan. Sold just over 1.6 million. American game consoles have never sold well in Japan. Atari 2600, Colecovision, Jaguar, 3DO all did worse then the XBox 360.

[showtimefolks]

if MS wants to compete in japan than they have to offer games that appeal to japanese gamers. i don't like this notion that japanese people don't buy american products when they couldn't be further from the truth

offer appealing games and gamers will support xbox one

PS4 just has the world wide appeal. i don't even think sony at the moment is worried about japan, the amount of titles they showed at last year's tgs were astonishing

[DarkOcelet]

With all the JRPG games that are coming this year. It will be the top current gen console in Japan all right.

FFXV alone will move over a million console there. And Persona 5 will definitely move big numbers too. This is an excellent year for the PS4.

[Alexious]

I'd say it's the first truly big year in terms of releases. 2015 was decent, but with 2016 it's finally going at full speed.

[N4g_null]

If nintendo GO has any thing to do with if it may not matter.

[Muzikguy]

There are just so many games coming out it's insane! Finally, after an entire generation of slumber, JRPGs are back!

[Neonridr]

No doubt the PS4 will sell like hotcakes once these games come out. I mean it's less than a million behind the Wii U in terms of overall sales and it came out a year later.

Wii U will still sell well over the next year with some of the games releasing, but clearly at this point the console market in Japan will shift to Sony at some point later this year.

Nintendo need not worry since the 3DS is still moving mountains.

Plus we may also see the NX later this year (who knows)

[Chris_Wray]

I think it's a difficult sort of thing. What has been in decline are traditional Japanese games, not games developed by Japanese companies (of sorts anyway). For example, the traditional JRPG's have all become more westernised with the active time battle systems instead of turn based. A lot of genres have moved to "realism" instead of fun.

But in any way, this lineup is looking brill. I chose the right console!

[N4g_null]

Some juicy ces leaks may have happened. Things will get back on track and the fun is coming back.

[rainslacker]

Oh, the number of Japanese oriented JRPG's is abundant in Japan. You can't wave a stick without hitting 2-3 a month. However, FF has moved over to a more western feel, although it keeps many of the broad world themes that were present in past games. Plus, FF hasn't really been that Japanese oriented for a while...and I think FFX was the last one that kept it around. Outside some cursory aesthetic stuff of course.

Dragon Quest is still pretty Japanese, Pokemon is what it's always been. The rest though are usually very anime-ish in their presentation, and there are a few standout titles like the Hyperdimension series, which is fairly rudimentary in design, but a lot of fun to play.

I wish there were some more localization companies out there that could bring over some more of these games. NISA does a good job, but they seem to serve mostly a very specific niche, and Falcom or Atlus only do their own published works, and they don't go out of their way to create a ton of new IP's, or even port over half their stuff. I kind of miss the days of Working Designs who's sole purpose was to bring over games which wouldn't otherwise make it to the US.

[Lennoxb63]

Realism can be fun. I don't think any developer is making games more realistic in order to take the fun away. Its so that we can have fun, and not feel like we could have played this game 10 years ago.

[ccgr]

I think they can do it, looking forward to Ni No Kuni 2

[skydragoonityx]

Can't stop the PS4 train

[Eonjay]

No serious folks, the brakes on the PS4 train are busted. its not gonna stop.

[NeoGamer232]

And out comes Zelda!

[styferion]

The reason why PS4 still hasn't sold that well in Japan is because gamers there still holding on until the games they want are released, just look at most wanted game polling in Japan in recent years: Persona 5, FFXV, Dragon Quest, etc.. now that they'll finally released this year I believe PS4 sales will receive huge boost in Japan.

[rainslacker]

When FFVII-R releases, it'll probably be very hard to find a PS4 in Japan. I think that's going to bring back the days of lines around the block for a games release, and I wouldn't doubt the month leading up to it there is a huge spike in sales for PS4.

[Griever]

Wow, SO MANY Playstation exclusives coming from Japan alongside the releases by western developers like Naughty Dog and Guerilla. 2016 will be wallet breaking for PS4 owners and record breaking for Sony!

[Alexious]

Yeah, it's like other consoles barely exist for most Japanese studios.

On the flip side, they are finally discovering the PC platform which is great as well!

[Stealth20k]

Except Wii U has outsold PS4 for the last month and 3DS will always outsell it in Japan. Dragon Quest XI on that list will sell 90% of the copies on 3DS too

PS4 is tracking to be the worst selling sony system ever in Japan. Selling lower than Vita even.

[joeorc]

@Stealth20k + 6m ago

"PS4 is tracking to be the worst selling sony system ever in Japan". Selling lower than Vita even.

Wait..lmao, let me get this straight, selling and or trending to be the worst selling Sony console in Japan? You really think so? Based on what Data..and as for selling the worst PlayStation console..no its not that distinction belongs to the PSPGo!

And if you think the ps4 is going to sell worse than the PSPGo in Japan?

LMAO..you have another thing coming, look how fast the PSPGo was removed off the market vs how long the PS4 is..for one the PS4 is really just starting its console cycle in Japan for Pete's sake its just now starting its 3rd year on the market world wide. You may want to hold off claiming its the worst selling playstation console in Japan when by far already its not as you are trying to claim.

[Necr0philiac]

@joeorc
The PSP had great sales in Japan! The PSP Go came out late in the PSP's life span.
Let me guess, If Fallout 4 greatest hits version only sells 600,000 copies your going to call Fallout 4 a flop to?

[Stealth20k]

PS4 is selling worse than the PSP by a factor of about 2-1.

PS4 on the 2 years it has been on the market has sold better than zero Sony platforms in Japan. That is just a fact.

[Alexious]

This isn't really about sales in Japan. It's about how Japanese games can help sales worldwide for PS4.

[Aurenar]

I hope that the Japanese do quickly their games. They are slower than a snail.

[DivineAssault]

Because most of them build their engines from scratch & dont use others like westerners..

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Yea. That isn't automatically a good thing.

[LavaLampGoo]

I thought the PS4 was already safely in the number one spot. I mean why wouldn't they want more, and it's not like there's much competition...

[DivineAssault]

Sony & Nintendo will always have an edge with this.. M$ only appeals to americans.. I myself dont support them but the rest of this country over glorifies xb for some reason.. PS4 & Wii U all the way for me though..

Idk, maybe its because i grew up playing all types of games and not just sports n shooters like most xb fans & these millennials.. PS4 provides me with every game genre i desire to play & Wii U has all the great exclusives i love from nintendo..

[Alexious]

An understandable choice, especially if you don't game on PC.

[nommers]

Hideo Kojima is one of the games up there. :)

[Festano]

After finishing MGSV, I can't wait to see him finally working on something else. Almost can't believe it

[Ruggadagod]

I feel sorry for whoever is not buying a PS4 because it's pretty much the only home console you need to own this gen.

[XanderZane]

Not really. I'm enjoying the Wii U and XB1 as well. You can't play Forza Horizon 2, Crackdown 3, Rare REplay, ReCore, Sea of Thieves, Quantum Break, Mario Kart 8, Splatood, Toad's Treasure Tracket, Star Fox, Zelda, Bayonetta 2 or Scalebound on the PS4. So why would it be the only game console I needed? lol!! There are many PC, mobile and IOS games that I can't play on the PS4 as well. So no, it's not the only platform a gamer needs if they enjoy a vast variety.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

lol I like how Hideo Kojima just exists in there amongst all the games.

[FoxyGotGame]

I don't get why people are making resentful comments about Japan refusing to support Xbox. The entire reason 360 received reasonably healthy Japanese Dev support was because MS commissioned (Paid) them. Basically, Japanese studios had to be enticed last gen. MS aren't being as loose with the purse with Xbox One, for some reason /

[XanderZane]

That's not completely true. Many Japanese developers were having a hard time learning the PS3 tools and hardware, which took them a long time to get just one game out, so instead they started making the games on the XBox 360 first. Also the XBox 360 launched a full year ahead of the PS3, so developers were already making XBox 360 games before the PS3 was even released. That why we saw Ace Combat, Ridge Racer, Tales of Vesperia on the 360 a full year+ before a version made it to the PS3.

[rainslacker]

One reason they had support was MS was going strong in the US and UK, and Japanese devs wanted to sell their games to western audiences. Since they wanted to localize their games for the western audience, they also made the game available for the Japanese market, since there were 360's in consumer's hands over there. I don't think they tried too hard to make the Japanese 360 versions, but since they had the code already done, why not release it and make a few dollars?

[Lennoxb63]

"The entire reason 360 received reasonably healthy Japanese Dev support was because MS commissioned (Paid) them."

So Sony don't have to pay Japanese devs? This is news lol.

[lastking95]

Japan is moving away from console, ps4 is actually selling slower than the ps3 there. Xbox simply has no market there. All PS exclusives can be made available on xbox, xbox could be 2x more powerful it still wouldnt sell big there.

[Zoombael]

Nope. The PS4 is doing just as well. Sales are on the same level. In 2016 a lot of games oriented towards japanese market will come out. And there is PS VR, which will certainly have an impact.

[sdplisken]

PS4 is killing it this year from the east and the West. Japanese have been waiting for these games.

[FN4GM]

This article implies its not already secured, which it is.

[tantan39]

Japanese fan-made movie

30 PS4 excusiver and consoe debuts for 2016 Japan
www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tLn5 TLH9To

[benji101]

You guys post this stuff but the Playstation brand has been dropped by major Super markets in Japan. It has no shelf space.. not a single game! The softwareb is just not selling!

[Stealth20k]

They post stuff because they are Sony fanboys. Japan is strong because Nintendo is strong. For no other reason really. The Playstation Branded software does not sell in Japan.

[BlitzKing]

Exactly. Sony products don't sell well in Japan nor in the United States. Who still has a Sony Xperia phone? A Sony TV? All they have is a successful PS4.

[BlitzKing]

Lol this site is being paid by Sony. All of the positive PS4 comments receive a huge amount of agrees while Xbox comments receive a huge amount of diagrees. Xbox doesn't sell well in Japan and Hell no...Japan does not use outsider products. Could any of you prove that? No you can't. I prefer Xbox because of my personal preference of exclusives. I own both and a PC but their games Just don't appeal to me except Until Dawn and Uncharted 4: A Chief's End. Watch how many disagrees I get😂 you Sony Fanboys need a life. Arguing over consoles at an age of 16+. Immature gamers.