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Demon's Souls boosts Japan PS3 sales

From Software's action RPG does job.

PS3 action role-playing game Demon's Souls debuts at two in Japan this week, helping Sony's flagship console go from strength to strength in the region.

Developed by From Software (Armored Core, Enchanted Arms), Demon's Souls adopts a medieval fantasy style and follows an armoured fighter around various dingy dungeons full of baddies whose souls appear to be absorbed on death. Presumably that's got something to do with the name.

The real-time combat is quite similar to Oblivion, with thrusts and blocks and timing playing roles. We're investigating European details now.

Meanwhile, there's a beefy Demon's Souls trailer to watch on Eurogamer TV.

The only other new entry in the Japan chart for the week ending 8th February is Detective Conan & Kindachi for DS, according to Media Create data (translated on NeoGAF).

Elsewhere there's little change in the software or hardware running orders. Sales are generally down week-on-week, as the gap between PS3 and Wii slims to roughly 4,000 units.

The PS3 also counts eight top 50 games this week, which is the same as the PSP and only two behind Wii.

Xbox 360 sales are ever so slightly up - around half of the PS3 number - which isn't too bad, considering only Midnight Club: Los Angeles represents the system in the top 50. Slowly but surely Xbox 360 sales are rising across Japan.

This Week Last Week Title Platform Weekly Sales Lifetime Sales
1 1 Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2 PSP 44,922 258,000
2 New entry Demon's Souls PS3 39,689 39,689
3 2 Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 PSP 37,862 147,000
4 3 Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 PS2 36,990 145,000
5 4 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time DS 33,985 136,000
6 New entry Detective Conan & Kindachi DS 19,973 19,973
7 5 Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP the Best) PSP 17,821 398,000
8 6 Taiko: Drum Master Wii Wii 16,338 355,000
9 9 Rhythm Tengoku Gold DS 15,555 1,650,000
10 10 Wii Fit Wii 14,826 3,123,000
Platform This Week Last Week This Year Lifetime
Nintendo DS 62,013 70,760 611,709 25,731,352
PlayStation Portable 34,969 44,135 383,381 11,741,545
Nintendo Wii 20,412 23,278 264,001 7,742,902
PlayStation 3 16,082 17,405 160,683 2,783,111
Xbox 360 8311 8107 63,905 894,445
PlayStation 2 5089 5334 40,436 21,439,960