PS3 reclaims top spot in Japan

The 40GB PS3 went on sale in Japan yesterday, and as expected, the console saw a huge boost in sales. The 40GB PS3 was bundled with the Dual Shock 3, and came in two different color options, black and white. Initial reports suggest that 31,000 white units were sold and 5,000 black units were sold. Also assisting the sales was Shin Sangoku Musou 5(known as Dynasty Warriors 6 in the States). The Shin Sangoku Musou series has traditionally been a huge selling game in Japan, with Gundam Musou(Dynasty Warriors: Gundam) being the best selling PS3 game in Japan thus far. Reports are indicating that upwards of 250,000 copies of the game were sold on the PS3, and about 15,000 – 20,000 copies were sold for the 360. Ratchet and Clank: Tools of Destruction also went on sale yesterday as well, although no sales figures have been released for it at this time. Also, no numbers were released in regards to the sales of the other PS3 SKUs.

This is a much need boost for the PS3. Last week was a huge blow to Playstation 3 – it marked the first week in which its foreign competitor, Microsoft’s XBox 360, outsold it in its home territory. The PS3’s other competitor, the Nintendo Wii, has routinely outsold the PS3 by at least 2:1 every week for months now, despite its own numbers slipping as well. This week is a do or die week for Sony, with the new SKU, Shin Sangoku Musou 5, and Ratchet and Clank all releasing. So far, it looks as if Sony will win this week in Japan. However, will it continue to sell this well? Can Sony break Japan out of the home console slump its fell into over the past few months? Only time will tell.

~ by exgn on November 12, 2007.