Nintendo 3DS software made up 60% of top Japanese game sales this week, helped in no small part by Monster Hunter 4.
A lot of gamers turn up their noses at Nintendo’s Wii system these days, but a few short years ago it was widely considered the future of gaming. The humble unit once dominated its competitors in sales, despite a graphical disadvantage, prompting Microsoft and Sony to rush out their own motion controls with limited success. Considering that the Wii’s prospects changed late this generation, how is Nintendo faring as we move into the next? Pretty well, actually, if you live in Japan. That’s where the Nintendo 3DS has successfully surpassed the original Wii’s lifetime sales, putting a combined 12,752,731 units into the hands of gamers.
Japanese 3DS units aren’t just collecting dust either. This week’s software sales charts, provided by sales tracking group Media Create, show 3DS software sales overwhelming everything else. 12 of the top 20 handheld games are 3DS titles, with Monster Hunter 4 selling 159,388 copies in the past week alone. And that’s actually a drop from last week.
01. [3DS] Monster Hunter 4
02. [PSV] Yahari Game Demo Ore no Seishun Love-Kome Hamachi Gatteiru
03. [PS3] Final Fantasy XIV Online: A Real Reborn
04. [3DS] Friend Collection: New Life
05. [3DS] Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
06. [3DS] Disney Magic Castle: My Happy Life
07. [3DS] Nobunaga’s Ambition
08. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf
09. [3DS] Youkai Watch
10. [PSP] La Corda d’Oro 3: Full Voice Special
11. [PSP] Brothers Conflict: Brilliant Blue
12. [PS3] JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle
13. [3DS] Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon
14. [PS3] Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Blacklist
15. [3DS] Mario Kart 7
16. [3DS] Romance of the Three Kingdoms
17. [PS3] AKB1/149: Love Election
18. [3DS] New Super Mario Bros. 2
19. [PS3] Phantom Breaker: Extra
20. [3DS] Mushi Bugyou
It’s too early in the generation to say if the 3DS will remain on top. The PlayStation Vita’s recent price cut and upcoming console releases could easily shift the balance, at least in North America if not Japan. Still, considering the record-breaking sales the Wii achieved in its heyday, the trend is probably worth keeping an eye on.
Source: Games Industry International, via Joystiq
