Xbox 360 tops PS3 in Japan again - but Nintendo looks unbeatable
By Dave Parrack
The Xbox 360 hasn’t exactly flown off the shelves in Japan since being released there at the end of 2005, but there are now signs that gaming’s spiritual home is starting to accept Microsoft’s entry in to the console market. The Xbox 360 has now beaten the PS3 in terms of sales for two weeks in a row, but Nintendo, thanks to the Wii and DS, is still beating all comers.
The Xbox 360 outsold both the Playstation 3 and Wii in Japan in the week ending September 14th. The news left most people shocked, as Microsoft products haven’t really ever been accepted in the land of the rising sun, mainly because the company is an American one rather than a Japanese one.
The main reason for this change of fortune was the release of Infinite Undiscovery, which along with Tales Of Vesperia signalled a new wave of Japanese RPGs on the Xbox. But now it’s been revealed that the Xbox 360 has managed to outsell the PS3 for the second week in a row.
Hardware sales for the week ending September 21st (thanks to NeoGAF):
DS - 61,242
Wii - 29,921
PSP - 28,674
Xbox 360 - 13,777
PS3 - 8,156
PS2 - 7,720
As you can see, while the Xbox 360 did manage to beat the PS3 quite convincingly, it has more to do with the poor performance of the Sony console than a great performance by the Microsoft machine. In fact, the Xbox managed to shed almost 15,000 units from the week before.
But the Nintendo consoles continue to dominate proceedings, with the DS absolutely smashing its rivals. The popularity of the Wii also shows no sign of dwindling, with the Nintendo offering managing to match sales of the Xbox 360, PS3, and PS2 collectively.
I can’t see this Xbox 360 resurgence continuing in Japan, but any sort of sales rise is great news for Microsoft. Sony must be worried about the performance of its flagship console, and must surely be considering a price cut to match Microsoft’s. As for Nintendo, the Japanese have always loved Miyamoto and co and that isn’t going to change in my lifetime.
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September 26th, 2008
Yeah, “great” performance by the 360 who manages to shed more than 50% of its sales (due to Price cut -and- RPG exclusives of last week) in the second week … Oh lord.
MS PR Spin much?
Look as the 360 goes back to its pre- price cut sales levels in the third week, after absolutely abysmal results from not just one but -TWO- exclusive franchises it has helped put in the ground in terms of revenue for the studios who were stupid enough to try that (ToV and IU).
September 26th, 2008
Xbox 360 still won’t up to anyone Wii & PS3 Rule Japan.
September 26th, 2008
Dave, this statement stinks of nationalism and utter poor understanding.
“The news left most people shocked, as Microsoft products haven’t really ever been accepted in the land of the rising sun, mainly because the company is an American one rather than a Japanese one.”
If that were true, Apple won’t be the no. seller of digital audio devices. Get your facts right before making such xenophobic statments.
September 26th, 2008
YL, it’s well accepted that Japan is quite nationalistic when it comes to consumer products. Games consoles are definitely in that group.
I’m neither xenophobic or nationalistic myself. I’m from the UK and we don’t even have a games industry to speak of.
September 27th, 2008
Hey Greg - Look at the first week sales of Trusty Bell (Eternal Sonata) on the ps3 in Japan -30,000? Pathetic - it did better on the 360 - so there goes your theory.
September 27th, 2008
Xbox did not beat the wii in Japan last week. There was a correction issued for that mistaken declaration
September 27th, 2008
Stupid premise for an article. Just as stupid as PS3 beating X360 two weels in a row in USA being at all meaningful. Come on Dave, can’t you come up with something other than flame bait to write about?
September 27th, 2008
RROD lol
September 27th, 2008
DavidB, no-one is forcing you to visit the site, or read any of the articles on it. If you don’t like our output then you know what to do.
October 1st, 2008
davep- wow…you look silly after your first “article” in which you claimed it wouldn’t happen again….
only underscoring your gaming ignorance…. once again….
regarding davidb… if it wasn’t for guys like him, you could continue to pollute the impressionable minds of the young gamers here. remember, the only thing needed for evil to succeed, is for good men to do nothing.
i for one, am glad guys like davidb, harry sachz (snicker..) and others point out just how clueless and biased you are. otherwise, someone might actually think you know what you’re talking about… which is clearly NOT the case….