PS3 tops weekly Japanese hardware sales

By Robert Purchese Published 13 November, 2009

Sony welcomes a rising sum.

Sony's PS3 finally appears to be selling to Japanese consumers in quantities that wouldn't embarrass the PS2.

This week (ending 8th November), buoyed by PES 2010 taking top software chart honours, the PS3 managed to shift 48,925 units - numbers that beat even the DS (42,936).

Sony's PSP also fared well (33,784), and finished comfortably above Nintendo's Wii (31,810).

Therefore the Sony duo sold 82,709 units, whereas Nintendo's tag team managed 74,746 sales.

Miles behind, puffing and panting, are Xbox 360 and PS2, which sold 4679 and 2066 respectively.

Sales data courtesy of Media Create.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (71) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • El-Dev #1 2 years ago

    I sense preparation for FF.

  • Pedrolot #2 2 years ago

    Miles behind, puffing and panting, are Xbox 360 and PS2, which sold 4679 and 2066 respectively.

    Why EG?

    WHY!?
    Edited by 2 at 13/11/09 @ 15:26

  • wizlon #3 2 years ago

    Why don't the Japanese like the 360 again?

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #4 2 years ago

    They dont like western products / poorly built products

  • freakzilla #5 2 years ago

    ooh the puns are getting really delicious

  • beckyh #6 2 years ago

    Why don't the Japanese like the 360 again?

    Because it is not Japanese

  • liverpoolfc #7 2 years ago

    Why don't the Japanese like the 360 again?

    Because they like things that last

  • markymark22 #8 2 years ago

    Ha ha puffing and panting!! The ps2 is a decade old...most people dont keep there cars that long! It's allowed to puff and pant...it's a hundred in human year's!

  • ps3owner #9 2 years ago

    MS should just rename it to something japanese, 360 san or something. then paint a big red dot on it and keep it all white.

    then see what happens. A kamikaze attack on the japanese households ;)

  • Drpwnage #10 2 years ago

    "Why don't the Japanese like the 360 again?

    Because it is not Japanese "

    Same reason they buy the crap Football game and rather than the good one!

  • ShinMegami08 #11 2 years ago

    Eurogamer forgot to include the PSP Go numbers (14000).

    So 33000 PSPs + 14000 PSPGos = 47000 PSPs!!!

    Sony is at the top.

    Does somebody know why the PS3 numbers are so high? Because of PES?
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/09 @ 15:57

  • ShinMegami08 #12 2 years ago

    The argument, that the Japanese don't buy the 360 because it's not "japanese" is totally stupid. The iPhone is selling incredibly good in Japan, even if the producer is american.

    Would better think, that the 360 is selling bad in Japan, because the kids know that most of their games (Final Fantasy is PS3 exclusive in Japan) come out either on the Wii or PS3.

  • markymark22 #13 2 years ago

    I thought the ps3 would slow before the release of final fantasy. Surely there'll be some bundle deal out there or fancy coloured ps3 to make the japanese wet themselves with excitement?!

  • ps3owner #14 2 years ago

    it's all manufactured in china anyway, probably by the same company ;)

  • Cappy #15 2 years ago

    Recently, the 360 hasn't really had any releases anticipated by Japanese gamers that aren't coming to the PS3. Whilst the PS3 had numerous releases that haven't appeared on the 360.

    You can't expect Japanese gamers to buy the 360 just because it's there.
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/09 @ 16:19

  • miiiguel #16 2 years ago

    You can't expect Japanese gamers to buy the 360 just because it's there.

    While that can be true, one can't disregard the fact that Japan endorses quite strongly and even unfairly the use of national products and has even been named an "unfair trading nation".

    [link url=http://www.photius.com/countrie s/japan/economy/japan_economy_import_policies.html
    ]http://ww w.photius.com/countries/japan/e...[/link]
    ">http://ww w.photius.com/countries/japan/e...</a>
    [link url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-7219.html ]http://ww w.country-data.com/cgi-bin/quer...[/link]
    et cetera
    Edited by 2 at 13/11/09 @ 16:32

  • TravisTouchdown #17 2 years ago

    I'm not Japanese. I own a Wii and a PS3, "this gen". I don't really want a 360. Is that not okay?

  • miiiguel #18 2 years ago

    I'm not Japanese. I own a Wii and a PS3, "this gen". I don't really want a 360. Is that not okay?
    Yes you did the right thing (or insert whatever answer you're expecting to hear).

  • drumbaby #19 2 years ago

    "Why don't the Japanese like the 360 again? "

    "They dont like western products / poorly built products "

    Yep.

  • TonyCocaCola #20 2 years ago

    To be honest i thought Playstation always outsold 360 in Japan.

  • miiiguel #21 2 years ago

    Not even the coolest gadget of the XXI century beats local Japan players, let alone Xbox 360.

    http://ww w.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=n...

    The Japanese company’s share of portable music players sold climbed to 43 percent in the week ended Aug. 30, exceeding Apple’s 42.1 percent

    Come on, this doesn't happen in any other country but Japan.
    Edited by 2 at 13/11/09 @ 17:08

  • Cappy #22 2 years ago

    While that can be true, one can't disregard the fact that Japan endorses quite strongly and even unfairly the use of national products and has even been named an "unfair trading nation".

    That's nothing particularly unique to the Japanese. In the UK there were schemes urging people to 'Buy British' for years, America has a long history of Government backed encouragement trying to dissuade citizens from buying foreign cars and many other products.

  • SeesThroughAll #23 2 years ago

    I'm not Japanese. I own a Wii and a PS3, "this gen". I don't really want a 360. Is that not okay?

    It's okay, unless you want to sound cool.
    Remember, anybody who isn't interested in the 360 is a low-life casual/PS muppet.

    Really, be a MAN. BUY AMERICAN.

  • miiiguel #24 2 years ago

    That's nothing particularly unique to the Japanese. In the UK there were schemes urging people to 'Buy British' for years, America has a long history of Government backed encouragement trying to dissuade citizens from buying foreign cars and many other products.

    That's true for every country, although in Japan it seems to work particulary well. Heck, it even works outside of its borders.

    disclaimer: while some are trying to make this dicussion some sort of of fight, let it go... late friday mundane discussion here.
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/09 @ 17:19

  • monkeylite #25 2 years ago

    "The Japanese company’s share of portable music players sold climbed to 43 percent in the week ended Aug. 30, exceeding Apple’s 42.1 percent

    Come on, this doesn't happen in any other country but Japan."

    Didn't you think that for once that in Japan they have access to way cooler portable music players than we do over here (and other countries) and thus have more choice than we do? Check out the Sony A840 for example - just barely thicker than the Nano but has a OLED screen, 64GB capacity and TV-out. Kenwood and Panasonic also make very good quality audio players over there but don't sell them here.

  • SeesThroughAll #26 2 years ago

    Recently, the 360 hasn't really had any releases anticipated by Japanese gamers that aren't coming to the PS3. Whilst the PS3 had numerous releases that haven't appeared on the 360.

    That's true, it's a matter of market penetration. Just a few more JRPGs, and the brand will get better established. And it is already doing ok, actually.

    That's nothing particularly unique to the Japanese. In the UK there were schemes urging people to 'Buy British' for years, America has a long history of Government backed encouragement trying to dissuade citizens from buying foreign cars and many other products.

    Nothing unreasonable to consider. Although sometimes, it is easier to dismiss the generalized japanese lack of interest in the 360 as cultural protectionism alone. Even when all things considered, the phenomenon is not exclusive to Japan at all.
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/09 @ 17:33

  • SeesThroughAll #27 2 years ago

    Check out the Sony A840 for example - just barely thicker than the Nano but has a OLED screen, 64GB capacity and TV-out.

    I never was that much impressed by Sony's dedicated media players to be honest. I do like the PSP, because it happens to have nice games.

  • monkeylite #28 2 years ago

    There is nothing wrong to be unimpressed with a product, at long as you make a decision on whether the product suits your lifestyle.

    I do like them Walkmans as well as Sansas (by Sandisk), as they excel in the one thing that matters most - the audio quality.

  • miiiguel #29 2 years ago

    Yes, that can be also a reason, I honestly don't know, but I still think they have a closer relation to their companies/products (and even export that idea, that rooting, to foreign countries) than western ones. I mean, even some of their most important football clubs are named out of companies such as Mistusbishi; Kawasaki, Yokohama; etc.., can you imagine go to a stadium and root for Barclays United Footbal Club ?!
    Edited by 1 at 13/11/09 @ 17:40

  • TravisTouchdown #30 2 years ago

    I love videogames. Have done for years.
    'The Japanese' love videogames. Have done for years.
    I have little interest in owning a 360.
    'The Japanese' have little interest in owning 360s.
    I think I have good taste in stuff.
    Ergo, 'The Japanese' have good taste in stuff.

    That, you should notice, is about as compelling an argument as "'The Japanese' don't like foreign stuff." It's complete nonsense, grounded in ... nothing. The failing in the territory of a games console you deem 'great' has no significance in not just the grand scheme of things, but any scheme about anything ... ever.

    Also, what discernible benefit do you see in 360 doing well in Japan? What good does it do you personally? Anything? Surely, surely, it couldn't possibly matter to anyone at all?

  • miiiguel #31 2 years ago

    Also, what discernible benefit do you see in 360 doing well in Japan? What good does it do you personally? Anything? Surely, surely, it couldn't possibly matter to anyone at all?

    You're jumping into conclusions, I didn't say I'm interested in 360 doing well in Japan, I just think Japanese are a bit "particular" to national products, which in fact is a good thing... for them. Can't we have a healthy discussion without resorting to sillyness and brand-rooting? Tbh, I'm just interested in not falling asleep as I'm waiting my 3.3Tb database finishes the export.
    But hey... I'm sorry. Japanese like foreign products a lot, they just don't dig xboxes, they're evil and... stuff.
    But please note, it is *MS* and *Xbox* the ones who are evil, not me, I'm just a regular, flesh and bone guy just like you (probably).

    ;)
    Edited by 2 at 13/11/09 @ 18:18

  • Les #32 2 years ago

    Out of genuine interest: Is donnie# on vacation?

  • morriss #33 2 years ago

    PS3 is the worst console I've ever owned.

  • TravisTouchdown #34 2 years ago

    I didn't mean to sound quite so confrontational - my apologies. I just find it odd that these 'stories' are seemingly always met with shock and horror by the brand-lovin' bunch; which doesn't, I should point out, appear to include you.

  • miiiguel #35 2 years ago

    Damn... this is going to end close to 11pm, I'm going for a walk.
    I wish I could trust my ISP to work from home. Sh**!

    Later.

  • SeesThroughAll #36 2 years ago

    Out of genuine interest: Is donnie# on vacation?

    Some say he was banned. Miss his insights?

  • makeamazing #37 2 years ago

    Rmour has it Donnie has been banned, that just a shame as I would have loved to hear him explain the PS3 selling more......again.

  • fjharps #38 2 years ago

    It just good to see that the impact of the price drop and ps3 slim wasn't short term and has really worked for sony and with final fantasy 13 its only going to get better.

  • PhilHarrison #39 2 years ago

    @djronz: then you should get a 360 and see what you're missing.

  • Les #40 2 years ago

    "Some say he was banned. Miss his insights?"

    I miss the comic relief... ;)

    But seriously, I've experienced far more annoying trolls around here than him.

  • tnt_2008smum #41 2 years ago

    Why don't the Japanese like the 360 again?

    Because they like things that last

    And yet they bought all those PS2's

  • Diomedes #42 2 years ago

    The PS3 is doing really good since the price drop/new model.Sony has prepared a good christimas aligning a lot of good games.

  • uzivatel #43 2 years ago

    Nice, few more weeks like this and the PS3 is going to catch up with the Wii in Japan ... only 287 more weeks.

  • GreyBeard #44 2 years ago

    The protectionism argument is just daft, Western movies, music and fashion are big in Japan so why should videogames be different? Japanese game players just have different tastes to westerners.

    The 360's biggest and best franchises all are western-orientated: Halo and Gears could be Sony or Nintendo exclusive and they still wouldn't shift systems in Japan.

  • miiiguel #45 2 years ago

    PS3 is the bestest console ever. Japanese know better.

  • El-Dev #46 2 years ago

    "PS3 is the bestest console ever. Japanese know better."

    Stupid on so many levels. Good work miguel.

  • miiiguel #47 2 years ago

    PS3 is so much better than the poorly built 360, that's why Japanese don't buy 360s, they know quality, unlike us westerns.

  • miiiguel #48 2 years ago

    I just wish Japan would come along with a database, this stupid, poorly built, american, Oracle is getting on my nerves!
    Edited by 1 at 14/11/09 @ 00:14

  • TravisTouchdown #49 2 years ago

    How'd it all pan out, miiigs? Still truckin'?

  • miiiguel #50 2 years ago

    Oh man... unbelieveable, last 80Gb to go and it's so f***in slow!

  • miiiguel #51 2 years ago

    HP boxes... american, go figure...!

    Ok, ok, I cut it out now...

  • miiiguel #52 2 years ago

    I'm concerned that you now refer to yourself as a film genre.
    huh? Didn't uderstand that at all.
    Edited by 2 at 14/11/09 @ 01:13

  • miiiguel #53 2 years ago

    It finished! yay..., only 26 hours. Awfull..., now recreate and import, it's going to be a long week end...

  • Dizzy #54 2 years ago

    "The protectionism argument is just daft, Western movies, music and fashion are big in Japan so why should videogames be different? "

    Never been there I see?

  • Geordiemp #55 2 years ago

    Quite a few american companies like the subscription business model, even in engineering well outside games where they like to license tech and get a sub revenue stream, but give the product away cheaply. Or Franchises where they get a cut.

    It suits americans (buy less now, keep paying). Maybe xbox live subs and ongoing revenue does not travel so well ?

    You never really own an xbox 360, you subscribe to on-line and have to subscrive to play ALL the features. With sony products, you own everything.

  • miiiguel #56 2 years ago

    "You never really own an xbox 360, you subscribe to on-line and have to subscrive to play ALL the features. With sony products, you own everything. "

    I keep on thinking the "buy national" works preety well on their country, and has nothing (or little) to do with the reasons you are trying to say. Like this of the subs for instance..., maybe you don't remember previous Xbox sales, which were even worse with no subs.

  • SeesThroughAll #57 2 years ago

    but is OK if people want to own one because it has some great games?

    Usually that is how it's supposed to be indeed.
    But then again, the joke was about people who can't stand the fact that other people have different tastes.

  • EuroStalker #58 2 years ago

    The Japanese don't like the Xbox 'cos it's full of PC style games and mindless 1st/3rd person shooters. There is very little variety in the Xbox 360 A list. On the PS3, for every Killzone and Uncharted, you have LBP, Demon Soul, White Knight Story, Heavy Rain. Xbox just doesn't have this variety because the target audience is actually mainly ex-PC gamers. There's nothing wrong with that. People who like EastEnders don't necesarily like Coronation Street and vice versa.

  • EuroStalker #59 2 years ago

    PS2 is not poorly built. Mine lasted forever, so much so, I was 'prevented' from buying a PS3 'cos 'you already have one'.

  • uzivatel #60 2 years ago

    @EuroStalker: You sir, have no idea about the Xbox library...

    edit: but thats okay, its not like us 360 fanboys are much better
    Edited by 1 at 14/11/09 @ 15:41

  • ShinMegami08 #61 2 years ago

    I am for a PS3Xbox360 peace coalition! We have to fight the true enemy.... The Wii!!!

  • tnt_2008smum #62 2 years ago

    "You never really own an xbox 360, you subscribe to on-line and have to subscrive to play ALL the features. With sony products, you own everything."

    What an incredibly stupid comment!

  • Olemak #63 2 years ago

    Rising pun, more like.

  • miiiguel #64 2 years ago

    Oracle 11G is here! Now I need a bed.
    Edited by 2 at 14/11/09 @ 21:02

  • ziggy_played_guitar #65 2 years ago

    People who like EastEnders don't necesarily like Coronation Street and vice versa

    This. This sums up the diference between PS3 users and 360, while the 1st are more refined ppl who actually prefer other cultural objects than video-games. I'm not saying we are superior, we're just diferent from the general populace, hence we are not as many, proudly. Nothing wrong with that.

  • Pablo2k5 #66 2 years ago

    Wow, whatever happened to EG?

    I don't understand all the format bashing, I've never seen such immature comments.

    I'm guessing the average age here is about, 12?
    Edited by 1 at 15/11/09 @ 00:46

  • captainrentboy #67 2 years ago

    pablo2k5 it's why I barely read the comments section anymore, always the same ole boring arguments going on. I used to make loads of Pro 360 comments myself but then thought ''Whhhy am I doing this?'', turns out defending an electrical inanimate object is pretty much one of the saddest most embarrasing points of my life, if my fiancee knew I'm pretty sure she'd leave me :)

  • miiiguel #68 2 years ago

    hey, hey, I just wanted someone to talk to, datacenter are lonely places, though crowd went agressive. The most stupid thing is that now it's not only the boxes itself but the people who uses each, like if someone buys one or the other just starts to have some personality disorder if buys one or the other. Ridicule.

    Anyway, my job is done. Thanks for indulging.
    Edited by 1 at 15/11/09 @ 11:07

  • byakuya83 #69 2 years ago

    Even though the Japanese pride themselves on manufacturing techniques and producing high quality goods I don't think the poor build quality of the 360 is a factor. As many have pointed out the PS3 just has more titles that appeal to Japanese tastes. I think it's fair to say that they prefer their own brands as well. If there was a British company competing in the console market I'm sure there would be a lot of support from the partisan fans!

  • Lawlost #70 2 years ago

    The Japanese have different tastes in videogames to their Western cousins, I think this is the main reason for the lack of interest in the 360. There will be some geniunely quirky and odd titles to come on the PS3 that the Japanese will love and for us will be meh. I think the Japanese buy what they like and are not really driven by whether it is Japanese or not, they have a love of things British, the mini our football teams etc. Don't get me wrong i love my 360 and would never go back to pc gaming

  • Beano #71 2 years ago

    "Why don't the Japanese like the 360 again? "

    Something about throwing a few nukes on them... Those Japs have no sense of humor!