@maraxusofk: keep releasing anime licensed games? like which ones? lolnaruto ultimate sequel 7? anime games have had a zero impact for any consoles.

This isnt the first time the 360 has outsold the PS3 in Japan. But anyway, next week the bottom half of the chart will probably be back to normal, and if not next week, the week after that. The it'll happen again for a week or 2 when infinite Undiscovery comes out.

all Microsoft needs to do is keep releasing anime licensed games, regardless of how crappy (like the gundam games), or release quality jrpgs and it will keep its momentum up.

maraxusofk

I just noticed how much the PSP is rockin' it. Maybe it'll be worth picking up soon. Disgaea...yum.

I'm quite happy to see the Xbox getting a boost of sales in the eastern market. Hopefully they can continue on in high numbers for a bit now.

Stevetrop

Good job Microsoft! It wasn't as high as I predicted (around 30K) but definitely a good number. Let's see if it can sustain a number around 9-10K in the next few months

LittleBigPlaneteer

@sascha23: ehhhh LO busted 500K (or really close) in NA I believe. That game had a lot of hype but there might be a game that can match that. Not Tales imo.

@0rin: Sadly for people like us that adore Final Fantasy titles, I think the concept of securing J-RPGs is not what it used to be globally. FF13 will do well everywhere, but most of these titles won't break 500,000 in America.

I think Sony's focus has broadened a bit.

Still, I plan to pick up Last Remnant on PS3. Fable 2 is my RPG for 360 this year. Infinite Undiscovery looks pretty dull in my opinion though.

sascha23

Wow, this is the first time I see 360 claiming a bigger slice of the pie. Looks like having exclusive Japanese-friendly games like JRPGs on a Western console attracts the people over there. However new IPs like Infinite Undiscovery may have to be seen and played before putting down the bucks.

Hot time! I've never seen it as more than a minuscule sliver.

ShaggE

That is so bizarre! I kinda like seeing the 360 do well there, even if it is for a week or two. I was just in Tokyo last week and the 360 hype was strong since the game had just come out.

S

sascha23

If more good games that appeal to Japanese gamers go on western consoles, we could start seeing a trend soon.

Hooray?

マンゼクスSythe

I don't mind the 360, but for a second I was wondering if I was seeing the North American chart

Shin-san

holy shit. what is that green section?

Impressive showing the 360.

Quilt

Phantasy Star V proper JRPG on Xbox 360 secret Sega announcement at Lepzig? I'd cream if it was true. Someone make it so.

This is some great news. Japan needs some more competition in the home console arena. Will it (blend) continue with the other JRPGs coming out in Japan over the next 2-3 months though?

SpishackCola

Now that they know how to move boxes, times for more JRPGS

A game can move console sales.

And the people who does buy the game irrelevant to what console/company it comes from are true gamers. Brilliant! lots of true gamers in japan!

Gah, I don't really mind JRPGS, but I can't understand why Japan is so infatuated with them -.-?

whoa theres something we dont see ever the 360 doing good in japan. beating the ps3 and ps2 is like whoa. golly jee batman this is crazy. i should probably check out tales of vesperia to see what all the fuzz is about.

Milkzhakes

@jigglypoofs: It is.

@SolidOni: Uh, as soon as SO4 comes out, you bet it will happen again.

The current wave of JRPGs is running out (ToV, LR, IU, SO4). Then if there's a next wave just as impressive, it'll keep happening.

Just let go of the hate.

karasu is my homeboy

Wow, this is interesting. Never thought I'd see this coming. Great for Microsoft. Hopefully they can keep the momentum up!!

macr0planet

@: I agree with you. Plus, people just bought 360s for ToV. I don't see why they'd wait a week and go to get IU. I think the majority would go out and pick up their 360 and ToV, and get IU when it comes out if they're interested.

But yeah, IU won't do huge numbers. SO4 is the next huge seller in Japan.

karasu is my homeboy

@SolidOni: quite sad that $ony fanboys are upset over a good console with a huge library of games selling well in Japan.

anywayz well done microsoft, thought it took you long enough to realize that japanese gamers aren't interested in bland FPS games.

jigglypoofs

What the hell is this?

I'm waiting for a punchline because this feels like a joke.

Wow...well done. This is enjoyable to watch.

karasu is my homeboy

Gotta hand it to the 360 for doing well. That's what well known RPG series will do for your system.

Understand, Sony? I want a lot of JRPG love this generation...and so far, you haven't been putting up your half of the bargain. Get to work!

Saint Anima

holy crap!

I don't know if infinite undiscovery will have a positive effect on the console as the tales game has. Both mystwalker games have failed to generate much in the sales department for microsoft japan. i think the only reason tales did it for the 360 in japan is because it is an established franchise. and on a further note its not like project sylpheed pushed in 360's in jp either. but that wasnt a tri-ace game either..

To celebrate this occasion, I'll make some mango cheesecake and cut off a slice equal to that lime green just for me. I've been starving.

Seita

could the planet be spinning in the opposite direction? awesome

@0rin: Sony has Final Fantasy XIII exclusivity in Japan. It may take until March or so to pay off, but pay off it will.

Are you still sure you don't want to pay for exclusives Sony??? The 360 just made you look bad on your home court.

Octo1

Does namco make any money by selling it on the 360 only? I know microsoft is paying them for it but it cant be a good strategy for them.

There's something wrong with the chart.. there's a green thing there.. never seen it before. Hey Kotaku! Fix it please..

CockroachMan

Very nice for M$! I had forgotten this chart had green on it. They should do just as good when that undiscovery game comes out.

DrunkRaba

@SolidOni:Oh but it will. And depending on what games are coming, it's going to.

Foxstar Sixtail

@Witzbold: you'd think people would get behind it because of the dev. tri-ace is pretty big in japan aren't they?

Were DS sales really fueled by a bloody remake? I find it incredibly hard to believe that a remake of DQ5 was the tipping point for some people to pick up a DS.

Even though everyone knew it was coming, congrats to Microsoft as well!

Looking good keep it up.

Murderdolls

It will never, and I mean NEVER happen again...ever...

SolidOni

that's crazy, PS2 and 3 combined?

akilshohen

perhaps 'loves' is a touch too strong of a word.
part of me can't help but think it's a bit of a fling.

sqoon

@Witzbold:Has MS finally found a marketing campaign in Japan that doesn't make you want to toss your hands up in disgust yet Witz or is this the result of the three megaton RPG smash the 360's currently delivering?

Could they finally be making up for 5 years of totally making fools of themselves in front of the Japanese now?

Foxstar Sixtail

Godo for the 360, however, I'm sure it will be back in last place by the end of the month. lol.

But Sony really needs to announce some good J/RPG's at this years GC, or else they are all but handing Microsoft the torch for this year. They can't put all their eggs (sales goals) in one basket (LBP).

They NEEEEEED to announce some EXCLUSIVE RPG's.

0rin

Namco Bandai doing it again for the 360 in Japan. First with Ace Combat 6 and now with Tales of Vesperia.

Tenchuu

Nice job MS, but they have quite a few million to go in that market to touch the PS3 and Wii. None the less, good news for them, and people who care about such things.

-EDGE-

Wow, the DS sales shot way up, but the way that DQ remake was selling, I saw it coming. And those PS3 numbers are disgustingly low, I mean ow.

Saw the 360 numbers coming too.

Foxstar Sixtail

Definitely weird to see the charts like this... Sony has to be feeling a little red, if only for a week... Getting outsold by the 360 in Japan at any moment is pretty sad!

Huckleberry

@bakalhau: how well the console sells that week*

bakalhau

O_O

Oh my god this chart actually has green on it?! I never knew!

Fadakar

I'm proud of the 360. It's finally beaten the PS3 ^.^

I wonder if it'll last all that long though.

mfwahwah

...Wow. Looks like hell really froze over.

akumaserge

The 360 is rolling.

Ha this offset the 20,000 difference in NA this past month between the ps3 and the 360.

Leobebes

Very good sales for the 360, looking forward for the next big release, IU, to see how well it sells that week.

bakalhau

That is quite positive looking news.

I wonder how things will be next month when Infinite Undiscovery comes out. If its a good game that is.

Since totally new series take a while for folks to warm up to. So I guess its word of mouth which is what will make or break that game.

Witzbold

oh weird

Bernoulli

Damn....

looking nice for 360

@SG79: I had no idea Tales was big enough to triple sales. I thought Gaiden might or maybe a Square game but not Tales. I was expecting 15K if they were lucky. Shows what I know.

Well played.

justhesh

Heh, I'm surprised that there are people here pretending to be surprised.

It's a predictable pace for either the 360 or PS3. Major software releases give them a boost once in a while, and it's a back to normal the following week.

@Leobebes:

Those are figures for last week alone.

SG79

Looks like the found the key to the market....

Tietsu

@Bluejuan85: no demo yet. square usually isnt too fast on the demos. I think project sphyleed (sic) came out post release.

@Foxstar Sixtail:
Honestly, I don't think Dragon Quest had a thing to do with it. The difference between DS's and PSP's sales for the week is less than 2,000... Which on the grand scale of things, isn't a whole lot. DS has been pretty steady lately, as has PSP. It's just as likely for the PSP to go back to #1 next week as it is for the DS to stay there.

BPMΣ

I'm happy that the 360 is doing good over there thanks to Tales of Vesperia which by the way is an excellent game. I gotta try Infinite Undiscovery. Is there a demo by any chance?

Bluejuan85

If Tales of Vesperia can blow shit up in Japan, what higher profile game would blow it out of the water?

BluFire

@SolidOni: "It will never, and I mean NEVER happen again...ever..." Until Infinite Undiscovery and Star Ocean 4 comes out of course...

/fixed

NeVeRMoRe666

not really surprising to be honest I mean the game looks great. The PS3 just needs a damn JRPG release that can grab some attention.

360 WILL WIN IN THE END :D

ZetaCrossfire

MGS4 is #34 on the Japan charts this week.

Just saying, since Kotaku said in an earlier article today that MGS4 "won't be seeing the top 30 again anytime soon"

@:

O_O

kumuasata

They MUST be building a 360 mecha, cuz that is pretty fuckin weird.

ruba-dub-dub

@:

#34 isnt top 30 just incase you were thinking it was.

As for the sales, its good to see it and I think the number would have been greater had they not run out of consoles. ToV is an amazing game and deserves the sales too.

That said, even as of late the 360 is gaining ground here on the PS3. Last month we saw the 360 rise to about5-6k a week compared with 9-10k a week for the PS3. Its good to see more competition.

Also, if one were to look at the shelves here, you wouldnt see too many shooters on the 360s. Thats a weird myth that there is no diversity on the console or that its only about shooters. I think people here are finally figuring out that the 360 has an insane amount of depth in its library at this point.

RuneX21

@CockneyKaiser: :D thanks for taking the joke seriously.

japan-anime-Mecha army-build parts-360 buyout conspiracy? or did i try too hard?

ruba-dub-dub

never thought I'd see the day when 360 had 2.5 consoles sold for every PS3 sold in a given period in Japan, LOL. What is going *on* in the world? :)

jasongw

psp noooo! oh well wonder how the sales will go from here i wonder if the 360 sales will stay up or not i can't imagine they will mgs4 died pretty fast on the ps3 but if god wills it.

I dunno about the japanese, but I'm looking forward to Infinite Undiscovery. Looks pretty sweet. I could just get that, Fable 2 and Little Big Planet and I think I'm set for fall.

It really seems like hardcore consoles as a whole are really kinda dead in Japan. Both PS3 and 360 are really struggling to grab hold there other than in the big game release weeks like Tales, MGS4, etc.

It's sad in that it might mean the Japanese-ish software will slow, and I quite like most of it.

lionkitten

I think most of us knew there would be a nice surge this week, but damn it's still weird to see all that green. It may be too early to break out the champagne at MS Japan headquarters but this is gotta be a nice feather in their cap. I hope they can keep it up. I would love to see a 3 way race in Japan and thus, a solid 3 way race globally. Keeping MS alive globally can only help gamers IMHO.

subnet6

not surprising it's just a matter of how long will it last.

demonknightinuyasha

@ruba-dub-dub: Uuh, a walking vehicle, usually controlled by a pilot, often bipedal mecha? Why would they be building a 360 one of those

CockneyKaiser

Wow I can't get use to looking at that green part.
I'm actually blown away by the PS2. I mean seriously.

@RuneX21: yeah but whos not to say the increasing sales of late weren't in anticipation of tales i honestly think it will drop back down to 10kish next week or lower i could be completely wrong but japan just isn't in the market for hd consoles the ps3 is doing horrible too japan likes handhelds and the wii

can't say im not surprised as hell lol

maybe the Japanese finally clued that they need a 360 to play most JRPGs

@karasu is my homeboy: I disagree with that, IU has SE's name on it, so the Japanese market should eat it up.

Suda51

Looking forward to Vesperia and IU! Also looking forward to White Knight Story on PS3 in 2009.

This is what Microsoft and Sony should be doing - giving us the games that make us enthusiastically buy their products. As good and successful as the Wii is, it just hasn't been kind to hardcore gamers like us.

+ Watch video

Spartan1308™

@:

I fully expect it to be around 5-6k again next week. With another spike in 3 weeks or so with the launch of IU. I think the overall increase is around for good though, as its a trend thats been occurring now for around 5 months.(The steady rise to the current avg of 5-6k a week) Long term trends are not usually built on anticipation, but rather on a permanant shift.

RuneX21

Not wanting to get carried away, but it truly is a GREAT week for the 360 and one that should make MS and Namco very happy.

Expect similar weeks when Infinite Undiscovery, Last Remnant and Star Ocean IV are released. Remember, those are Square-Enix releases. The Japanese will take notice. They will probably only last a week, but that's to be expected.

But what I really do wonder about as a niche title is Lips. With iNiS developing and the Japanese LOVE of karaoke, will it end up being a surprise hit for the 360 in Japan?

DARTH_TIGRIS

@ruba-dub-dub: lmfao seriously, even my girl lol

TheFight

It will get to a point where the 360 has a very good selection of JRPG's and as a system + those those 6 or 7 games will start to appeal to the Japanese market becuase the PS3 seems to have very very few titles on the way any time soon

miketuck3r

If MGS4 only held sales so long so will this. Next week there will be something on the Wii, DS or PSP and again Japan will forget the PS3 and 360. In a place where you spend two hours one way on a train you will be lucky to see such.

TheNexusRebound

wow.....what happened?

chaos_isnt_here

So let's say I think that Phantasy Star II is the greatest RPG ever is Star Ocean my next fix? I always see the name and see they are up to IV but I don't know the series.

side note/ I was making my way through Xenogears when my ps1 died and then I tried to make my way through Skies of Arcadia when I got locked into some horrible bug that wouldn't let me enter some town to continue the game.

phwoar!

@Suda51: You obviously know shit about the Japanese market if thats what you think.

Witzbold

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

That's it! Release every "Tales of..." game every month! :P

AxelMinami

I never thought I'd see the day the green sliver grew up. It brings a tear to my eye.

U-S-A! U-S-A!

boopadoo

I didn't know jap's bought hardware that wasn't from japan or maybe china (since they make it dirt cheap)

@bobtheduck: I have to say, this is actually a bit relieving on one hand... It means with MS buying all these exclusive RPGs, at least they're not going to DIE on the 360... On the other hand, it means there will be more and more I won't be able to experience. Ah, well.

bobtheduck

Infinite undiscover and SO4... MS really DID know what they were doing... I never thought the Japanese would buy... Wonder what FFXIII will do... And WKC, since Japan's in love with Level 5...

bobtheduck

Smart move by MS to buy up all the JRPGs not because they sell so much more consoles. I mean 20.000 isn't that great but if it was released on the PS3 it would have probably gotten Sony alot more console sales.

@jigglypoofs: I don't see any Sony fanboys here. Your the first to mention it which probably makes you one, only not of the PS3.

I would like to point out that at approximately the same point in the original Xbox's lifecycle, it sold only 236 units in Japan.
[forum.pcvsconsole.com]

The 360, despite having a much slower start in Japan, has much greater momentum than the Big Black Box.

Chinpokomon

@: There is no proof that a jrpg sells better on the PS3 than the on the 360 either in japan or any other region, thus all one can really do is speculate.

And in general, Square games are eaten up here in japan, so while it was a bit of an overstatement, I dont think one could really say he knows shit about the market. (although im sure its true, since outside of a few expert economists and marketing directors, I highly doubt anyone really knows the gaming market of any region)

RuneX21

Note to Microsoft:

If you build it, they will come.....

I think this is definitive proof that the Japanese aren't snubbing the Xbox 360 because it's American; they're snubbing it based on the games.

I hope these positive sales figures are a firm message to Microsoft.

akwinters

Those are incredible sales for the 360 in Japan.

With infinite undiscovery coming out the 360 should get another boost, then the last remanant, then Star ocean 4. What im wondering though is if at some point with these games the 360 will achieve some sort of critical mass. As in with just 3 big rpgs (BD,LO,ES) a buy is hard to justify however when it goes up to 7 suddenly it seems like a great deal. So hopefully ID will create another big increase and the other 2 games the same. However I think the best thing would be if the 360 could achieve a higher sustained level.

If the 360 manages to pass 1million in Japan it would be pretty landmark. It's around 670K at the moment. Wonder if it can make it.

Zim

RPG RPG RPG, The PS family was made by RPGs. I find it hard when I look under the RPG section of the PS3 and can not find anything I want to playe. Oh why, where are my RPG Sony!!!!!!

KINGZ

This is proof that MS could really use FF13 on 360 in Japan.

SAKY

Competition between these giant companies for my hard earned money, I like it!

KEELr

Simply....O_O!!!! Wow...I can actually see Microsoft's piece of the pie.

Killer_WaLrUs

Hell called. Said their boilers are currently being serviced, but they expect them to be back up by the end of next week.

psychobaka

Now that ms has people's attention.. re-release LO & BD (& enchanted arm?) on the budget label..

Then hype the new jprgs on the dash.

edhe (xbl)

all i can say is its about Damn time

mastergodai

My first though when I saw that was 'Hoooooly Shit'. I actually said it right outloud. It's a great day when something so random like this happens.

Whyspir

Holy Crap, what came out?

EmeraldDragon

@Zim:

It will, if it sells 3,000/wk which is an average week for it, it will make 1 mil by end 2010. A few more good weeks it will make it in 2009.

1mil = viable really as an install base.

arstal

@AxelMinami: they should put the old tales games on XBLA to get the japs to sign up to live!

SwindleUK

I might have to take my 360 out of it's box once again if it starts getting decent games. I replaced it ages ago with the much more interesting Dreamcast and it's impressive games library.

Archaenon

@Witzbold: Also wondering if the people just picking up a 360 will get all of the other options available, like Trusty Bell, Lost Odyssey, Mass Effect, EM:Enchant Arm and Blue Dragon.

peacefuloutrage

@akwinters: I extremely disagree. I think the charts prove Japan high prefers handheld gaming and will only go to consoles if something they really can't pass up comes along. PS3 sales are pretty bad.

Wii's of course the exception to every rule known to mankind.

karasu is my homeboy

I should have realized this years ago. It's not just about releasing good jrpgs or good games for that matter. It's really 2 simple things. Exclusive and established franchises. LO, BD and Eternal Sonata were new titles without any history. Japanese seems to love sequels even more than Americans love Madden. Ace Combat 4 also stirred up things when it was released. Only a very few minority of original IPs will get this reception.

New IPs do a lot better in the western world. Last Remnant and IU won't do this well. Last Remnant does seem to have the potential to be one of those few IPs to break in and build up anticipation for a sequel.

VampireHunterZ

HOLEY CRAP!
DS is back in top easy enough to see coming with the Dragon Quest remake, but my god, look at the 360 slice of the pie! PS3 fanboys must be choking on there sony branded cornflakes! ;)

excel_excel

You're the best... around, nothing is gonna keep you down! Go Green!!!!

Kaitou1412

It's funny how the 360 is setting itself up as the RPG machine of this generation. PS3 has to step up their game soon before 360 makes a move on their home region.

Lacri

Wow!

CraigyScotsman

Kind of having trouble figuring out what to say to something like that other than whats already been said. Hell froze over... and then a couple pigs flew through it.

NitrousO

Who is buying those PS2s? What are they using them for?

You can see why not putting BC in PS3 would be good for PS2 sales but wouldn't it have been better for PS3 sales?

f0cus

I like that 'The Who' reference. Very nice.

AUAnonymous

This must be a sad week for Sony. Their closest competitors beat it on all console accounts: X360 > PS3, DS > PSP, Wii > PS2.

gencid

DS boost was not only because of DQ5. It also got Fire Emblem DS, which is a remake of the first game I think... so it just tipped it over.

I hope the 360 can stay above for 2 weeks in a row, then it will show anyone who missed this weeks numbers that it sold well. I want ToV now in NA :D

Superstar90

WTF?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!360 APOCALYPSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DespisedMC

Green earth!

Kaishin

omg is that GREEN I see on the chart :O I've never seen that color before! Amazing!

hrabbit

Msoft switch the a and b buttons on your next console so the a is facing right and maybe make it smaller and not white for the default color. Oh and did I mention get more variety of your games.

bird1988

There arent many higher profile games in JRPG terms than a Tales game in Japan, especially one that looks this good. It won't shift nearly as many copies over here.

Though the 360 has a lot of these sort of games, they're all quite realistic-looking (E.g. lost odyssey, infinite undiscovery) I think it needs more games like this and Blue Dragon (Hey! Japan liked it!) to garner support over there.

GViper

A lot of people are forgetting *why* Microsoft is concentrating on RPGs in Japan. It's half investment, half damage control. The Japanese were turned off the Xbox by its failure to deliver such content. A highly-anticipated MMO was completely cancelled, and the RPGs that *were* big on the system (such as KOTOR) never made it to Japan. The Japanese understandably felt a bit betrayed. Microsoft has a lot to make up for this time around. Sheer tenacity will be their savior in Japan.

Policroma

@Chinpokomon: 360 is currently nearing 1000 days on the Japanese market. 1000 days for XBOX1 puts it in Nov '04, around the DoAX and Halo2 releases (which boosted sales to nearly 5000 for the week). The sales before that were solidly sub-1000 for most of the year.

kftgr