Japanese game publication Famitsu released a list of the biggest-selling video games in Japan between 1 April 1 2013 and 3 April 2014. It’s mostly 3DS games, but the inclusion of one PS3 title might surprise you: Grand Theft Auto V.
10. New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U): 622,502 units sold
9. Yokai Watch (3DS): 652,803 units sold
8. Wii Party U (Wii U): 697,042 units sold
7. Grand Theft Auto V (PS3): 699,182 units sold
6. Dragon Quest Monsters 2 (3DS): 710,303 units sold
5. Animal Crossing New Leaf (3DS): 774,152 units sold
4. Puzzle and Dragons (3DS): 1,358,548 units sold
3. Tomodachi Collection Shin Seikatsu (3DS): 1,635,099 units sold
2. Monster Hunter 4 (3DS): 3,429,862 units sold
1. Pocket Monsters X/Y (3DS): 4,328,008 units sold
Granted, Grand Theft Auto V didn’t sell as many copies as it did in the West — and its sales figures in Japan certainly don’t look that impressive when compared to the five million or so PS3 copies sold in North America (and the about thirteen million copies sold across both platforms).
However, GTAV was the only PlayStation 3 game to make the top ten list (Famitsu didn’t provide sales figures for the Xbox 360 version). And since the game is the PS3’s sole representative in the top ten list, that is impressive, especially considering how it outsold New Super Mario Bros. U during the past year — even if Mario was released in December 2012. Mario is a formidable presence on the sales charts!
Grand Theft Auto IV also had a following in Japan, and I believe it sold around six hundred thousand as well. This isn’t totally unexpected, but it’s nice to see a bit of variety on the Japanese sales charts, between the Marios and the Monster Hunters.
ファミ通が2013年度の国内家庭用ゲーム市場規模速報を発表、ソフト販売本数トップは『ポケットモンスター X・Y』[Famitsu]
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7 responses to “You Might Be Surprised How Grand Theft Auto V Did In Japan”
Holy Crap, Nintendo!
Children must be the primary gamers in Japan. Otherwise that list is pretty pathetic.
Just a different gaming culture I think.
You would think that by looking at the titles. but gaming is for all ages in japan.
Clearly you’ve never even looked at most of the games on that list then…
I think at least in the 80’s gaming was not something adults did in Japan, whether that’s changed in recent years I don’t know but I’m guessing not by much
I was in Tokyo and Akihabara electric city, there’s hardly any 3DS’s out on the subway. Unless every family member has one in the home to save space as opposed to a big tv ….
They might not be out but they are everywhere.
I spent 2wks in Japan in various cities and I couldn’t go 20mins without hitting the streetpass cap.
Everytime I got onto a train/subway I would go through them, and then have another set waiting for me.