Japanese hardware sales – DSi pips PSP

Well, that’s interesting that PS3 has dropped back below Wii again. I thought Nintendo was in serious trouble for a while, there. (Though it surely can’t be *entirely* happy with Wii’s sales given how well it’s doing in the west.)

I genuinely thought the last few weeks represented a change in attitudes in Japan, but it appears to have been a temporary spike for PS3. There’s still not a massive difference between the two, but given that there’s been virtually nothing released on Wii recently (in Japan, at least) I’m surprised to see it 6000 sales ahead.

See, here is the thing that so many folks overlook: the Japanesse handhelds are killing the PS3. Last gen the PS2 had JRPGs, Fighters, and support from other leading(and smaller) Japanesse game devs/pubs. This gen most of that stuff goes to the handhelds, and what does make it to the consoles usualy goes multiplatform. The Wii is drowning in PS2 ports, and shovelware, while many people see it as a toy/novelty. Xbox will never be big in Japan, not this gen. And that leaves PS3. But I think the Japanesse see consoles as becoming more and more of a western thing. And they seem very happy to make PSP/DS games. Maybe its the dev costs, maybe its the consumer price tag, maybe its because Japan isn’t online crazy, maybe its because the popular japanesse game style don’t need the highest end graphics, maybe because of the on the go lifestyle handhelds are a better fit for Japanesse gamers. I honestly don’t know. But I do think the handheld market is killing the PS3. I don’t think Sonys long term plan included being without Japanesse development support. I don’t think the xbox will be that effected, Japan isn’t known for their online shooters. All of that being said, I really am enjoying my new psp.

That’s a fair point. It never ceases to amaze me how many handhelds the Japanese consume. And you’re right about the RPG stuff. Microsoft really sussed it last year. It’s all about the role-playing over there.