[Japan] Media Create sales for Week 16, 2018 (April 16th – April 22nd) [Top 50]

Media Create

Week 16 saw the release of quite a few games, which is why there’s a lot of new faces in the Top 20 from Media Create this time around. The biggest release of the week is Nintendo Labo, which sold almost 120 000 units combined.

The Variety Kit was by far the most popular model with over 90 000 units sold, while the Robot Kit sold “only” 28 000 units. It’s no wonder the Variety Kit was the most popular of the two: it’s not only the cheapest of the two kits, it’s also a better entry point as it offers more variety than the Robot Kit (it’s even in the name of kit itself!). It’s also more accessible.

It will be interesting to see how Nintendo Labo fares in the upcoming weeks and months, especially with the Golden Week just around the corner (which usually favours family-friendly titles). Sales should be strong during weeks with public holidays, but also the Summer holidays, and of course the holiday season at the end of the year (though by that time, Nintendo will probably have released more kits).

As for Portal Knights, it had a barely decent debut with 3 226 units sold. Nothing to write home, but that’s late port for you (and it’s not like the PlayStation 4 version set the charts on fire either: 10 000 units sold at launch, and over 40 000 units LTD according to Famitsu). Upcoming weeks will tell us whether the game will immediately fall into oblivion, or instead sell steadily in the mid-term.

Neo Atlas 1469 had a pretty similar opening with 3 176 units sold. That’s actually more or less the same as the PlayStation Vita version, released back in 2016 (3 337 units according to Famitsu). Unfortunately, it’s unlikely to sell even in the mid-term, and it should be gone from the Top 20 forever as early as next week.

Despite the many releases in the Top 20, Kirby Star Allies only dropped to #4, with 17 381 units sold (-27%).

It looks like we can expect another drop next week, followed by a big bump the following one due to the Golden Week (that starts on Sunday). How high sales will go remains to be seen, but one thing’s already guaranteed: the 500 000 units milestone will be reached during that very week! As of Week 16, 433 488 units have been sold (retail-only).

The drop is more limited for Splatoon 2, with 16 617 units sold (-11%), and seems to be mostly due to the drop in Hardware sales. Just like Kirby, we can expect another drop next week, followed by a big bump during Golden Week. Since launch, 2 248 923 units have been sold at retail alone.

As for The Snack World: Trejarers Gold, it had a pretty good second week with 15 847 units sold: that’s only -56% compared to launch week, which is better than most games during their second week. This certainly bodes well for the Golden Week, when it should get a healthy bump in sales. Over 51 000 units have been sold since launch, and it does look like it will end up selling over 100 000 units LTD.

Just like Splatoon 2, the drop is rather limited for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. It sold 11 393 units this week, which is only 8% less than during Week 15. Another game that will get a healthy boost during the Golden Week, though it will not really need it to reach 1.5 million units (it’s currently sitting at 1 484 644 units sold). It does look like it will have no trouble reaching 2 million units before the end of the year.

Finally, sales were basically flat for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with 6 895 units sold this week (-1%). That’s quite interesting, because Nintendo Switch sales did slightly drop once again: that means this particular game isn’t as visibly impacted by them as other Nintendo Switch games in the Top 20 from Media Create.

Next, let’s take a look at how games are faring in the second half of the Top 20 from Media Create:

• 11./09. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo) – 6.491 / 1.697.522 (-6%). Steady sales for Mario, and another game expected to get a healthy boost during Golden Week;
• 14./13. [3DS] Pokémon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon (Pokemon Co.)- 3.569 / 1.618.478 (-9%). Despite Nintendo 3DS sales being anemic since the beginning of the year, Pokémon just keeps on selling steadily;
• 20./14. [3DS] Detective Pikachu (Pokemon Co.) – 2.817 / 71.209 (-27%). Last week in the Top 20 from Media Create for this game!

Media Create – Software Top 50

01./00. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit <ETC> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥6.980) – 90.410 / NEW
02./00. [PS4] God of War # <ACT> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.04.20} (¥6.900) – 46.091 / NEW
03./00. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥7.980) – 28.629 / NEW
04./02. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 17.381 / 433.488 (-27%)
05./03. [NSW] Splatoon 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.07.21} (¥5.980) – 16.617 / 2.248.923 (-11%)
06./01. [NSW] The Snack World: TreJarers Gold <RPG> (Level 5) {2018.04.12} (¥5.980) – 15.847 / 51.502 (-56%)
07./00. [PS4] Metal Max Xeno # <RPG> (Kadokawa Games) {2018.04.19} (¥6.980) – 15.044 / NEW
08./06. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe <RCE> (Nintendo) {2017.04.28} (¥5.980) – 11.393 / 1.484.644 (-8%)
09./00. [PSV] Metal Max Xeno # <RPG> (Kadokawa Games) {2018.04.19} (¥6.980) – 8.355 / NEW
10./08. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild # <ADV> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥6.980) – 6.895 / 961.427 (-1%)
11./09. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.10.27} (¥5.980) – 6.491 / 1.697.522 (-6%)
12./05. [PS4] Far Cry 5 <ACT> (Ubisoft) {2018.03.29} (¥8.400) – 6.280 / 122.958 (-57%)
13./07. [PS4] Cities: Skylines – PlayStation 4 Edition <SLG> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.04.12} (¥5.400) – 5.750 / 17.116 (-49%)
14./13. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥4.980) – 3.569 / 1.618.478 (-9%)
15./04. [PS4] Death end re;Quest # <RPG> (Compile Heart) {2018.04.12} (¥7.200) – 3.348 / 18.651 (-78%)
16./00. [NSW] Portal Knights <RPG> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.04.19} (¥3.300) – 3.226 / NEW
17./00. [NSW] Neo Atlas 1469 # <SLG> (Artdink) {2018.04.19} (¥5.980) – 3.176 / NEW
18./16. [PS4] Monster Hunter: World # <ACT> (Capcom) {2018.01.26} (¥8.980) – 3.103 / 2.006.158 (-15%)
19./15. [PS4] Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege – Advanced Edition <ACT> (Ubisoft) {2018.03.01} (¥6.000) – 2.896 / 41.872 (-22%)
20./14. [3DS] Detective Pikachu <ADV> (Pokemon Co.) {2018.03.23} (¥4.980) – 2.817 / 71.209 (-27%)
21./21. [NSW] 1-2-Switch <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥4.980)
22./10. [PS4] Super Robot Wars X # <SLG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.03.29} (¥8.600)
23./32. [PSV] Steins;Gate 0 <ADV> (5pb.) {2015.12.10} (¥6.800)
24./11. [PS4] Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom # <RPG> (Level 5) {2018.03.23} (¥8.000)
25./23. [NSW] Arms <FTG> (Nintendo) {2017.06.16} (¥5.980)
26./19. [NSW] Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition <ACT> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.03.22} (¥6.800)
27./25. [NSW] Pokken Tournament DX <FTG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.09.22} (¥5.980)
28./29. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.11.23} (¥2.700)
29./18. [PS4] Like the North Star # <ADV> (Sega) {2018.03.08} (¥8.390)
30./24. [NSW] Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 for Nintendo Switch <FTG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2017.09.07} (¥6.800)
31./28. [3DS] Mario Party: The Top 100 <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.12.28} (¥4.980)
32./17. [PSV] Super Robot Wars X # <SLG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.03.29} (¥7.600)
33./22. [PS4] Valkyria Chronicles 4 # <SLG> (Sega) {2018.03.21} (¥7.990)
34./00. [3DS] Shin Megami Tensei IV & Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse – Double Hero Pack {Shin Megami Tensei IV \ Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse} <RPG> (Atlus) {2018.04.19} (¥4.980)
35./31. [NSW] Snipperclips Plus: Cut it Out, Together! <PZL> (Nintendo) {2017.11.10} (¥3.280)
36./30. [NSW] Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle <SLG> (Nintendo) {2018.01.18} (¥5.980)
37./20. [PS4] Attack on Titan 2 # <ACT> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.03.15} (¥7.800)
38./27. [PS4] Shining Resonance Refrain # <RPG> (Sega) {2018.03.29} (¥5.990)
39./34. [3DS] Kirby Battle Royale <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.11.30} (¥4.980)
40./26. [NSW] Attack on Titan 2 # <ACT> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.03.15} (¥7.800)
41./35. [PS4] Call of Duty: WWII # <ACT> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2017.11.03} (¥7.900)
42./37. [PS4] Grand Theft Auto V [New Price Edition] <ACT> (Take-Two Interactive Japan) {2015.10.08} (¥4.990)
43./33. [NSW] Dragon Quest Builders <ADV> (Square Enix) {2018.03.01} (¥4.800)
44./41. [3DS] The Snack World: TreJarers <RPG> (Level 5) {2017.08.10} (¥4.800)
45./44. [PS4] Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition <ADV> (Sony Computer Entertainment) {2015.12.03} (¥2.400)
46./40. [NSW] PriPara All Idol Perfect Stage! <ACT> (Takara Tomy) {2018.03.22} (¥5.980)
47./00. [NSW] Bayonetta 2 <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.02.17} (¥5.980)
48./00. [NSW] Sumikko Gurashi: Sumikko Park e Youkoso <ETC> (Nippon Columbia) {2017.12.07} (¥5.800)
49./39. [PS4] Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet # <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.02.08} (¥8.200)
50./42. [3DS] Kirby: Planet Robobot <ACT> (Nintendo) {2016.04.28} (¥4.700)

Media Create – Number of games in Top 50

NSW – 22
PS4 – 17
3DS – 8
PSV – 3

Media Create – Hardware

Hardware-wise, the release of Nintendo Labo did not have any impact on Nintendo Switch sales at all, which means the game sold primarily to people who already own the console. Not too surprising, as buying both the game and the console is pretty expensive, but we did expect a small increase in sales.

Of course, it’s not really something to worry about: Nintendo Labo was always going to be a mid/long-term proposition, similar to the likes of Wii Fit. But if there’s no significant impact on sales during the Golden Week, the Summer holidays, and the end of year holiday season, then it’s another story… but one that isn’t meant to be told right now!

The Nintendo Switch 34 165 units this week: a steady amount, which seems to imply Nintendo is focused on the Golden Week. That’s why sales are most likely going to either drop or remain flat next week.

By the way, the console sold 48 694 units last year during the same week. It will be interesting to see if sales remain down Year on Year during the Golden Week, though there’s no doubt the post-Golden Week period will be much better this year: shortages lead to really poor sales in May and June (it wasn’t until Splatoon 2 was released that sales truly recovered), and the line-up is much stronger this year.

Finally, Nintendo 3DS sales are once again slightly down, and it’s unlikely things will change befor the Golden Week. What’s more, while we can definitely expect a bump in sales during that special week, it’s pretty likely it will remain rather limited.

Famitsu – Software Top 30

01./00. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥6.980) – 93.118 / NEW <20-40%>
02./00. [PS4] God of War # <ACT> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.04.20} (¥6.900) – 50.257 / NEW <60-80%>
03./00. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 02: Robot Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥7.980) – 27.667 / NEW <20-40%>
04./00. [PS4] Metal Max Xeno # <RPG> (Kadokawa Games) {2018.04.19} (¥6.980) – 19.564 / NEW <60-80%>
05./01. [NSW] The Snack World: TreJarers Gold <RPG> (Level 5) {2018.04.12} (¥5.980) – 15.814 / 52.571 <60-80%> (-57%)
06./02. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 15.772 / 445.194 <80-100%> (-29%)
07./03. [NSW] Splatoon 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.07.21} (¥5.980) – 15.418 / 2.223.189 <80-100%> (-11%)
08./00. [PSV] Metal Max Xeno # <RPG> (Kadokawa Games) {2018.04.19} (¥6.980) – 10.196 / NEW <60-80%>
09./07. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe <RCE> (Nintendo) {2017.04.28} (¥5.980) – 9.061 / 1.439.468 <80-100%> (-9%)
10./09. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.10.27} (¥5.980) – 7.271 / 1.646.551 <80-100%> (-9%)
11./08. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild # <ADV> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥6.980) – 7.237 / 904.284 <80-100%> (-10%)
12./05. [PS4] Far Cry 5 <ACT> (Ubisoft) {2018.03.29} (¥8.400) – 5.889 / 130.095 <80-100%> (-58%)
13./06. [PS4] Cities: Skylines – PlayStation 4 Edition <SLG> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.04.12} (¥5.400) – 5.525 / 16.459 <60-80%> (-49%)
14./00. [NSW] Portal Knights <RPG> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.04.19} (¥3.300) – 3.394 / NEW <20-40%>
15./11. [3DS] Detective Pikachu <ADV> (Pokemon Co.) {2018.03.23} (¥4.980) – 3.279 / 67.365 <60-80%> (-33%)
16./16. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon # <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥4.980) – 2.870 / 2.213.051 <80-100%> (-3%)
17./04. [PS4] Death end re;Quest # <RPG> (Compile Heart) {2018.04.12} (¥7.200) – 2.672 / 18.806 <80-100%> (-83%)
18./13. [PS4] Monster Hunter: World # <ACT> (Capcom) {2018.01.26} (¥8.980) – 2.627 / 1.935.182 <80-100%> (-19%)
19./18. [NSW] 1-2-Switch <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥4.980) – 2.488 / 376.114 <80-100%> (-7%)
20./14. [PS4] Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege – Advanced Edition <ACT> (Ubisoft) {2018.03.01} (¥6.000) – 2.470 / 35.893 <80-100%> (-23%)
21./10. [PS4] Super Robot Wars X # <SLG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.03.29} (¥8.600) – 2.213 / 102.135 <80-100%> (-55%)
22./00. [NSW] Neo Atlas 1469 # <SLG> (Artdink) {2018.04.19} (¥5.980) – 2.115 / NEW <20-40%>
23./12. [PS4] Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom # <RPG> (Level 5) {2018.03.23} (¥8.000) – 1.957 / 81.172 <80-100%> (-48%)
24./20. [NSW] Attack on Titan 2 # <ACT> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.03.15} (¥7.800) – 1.767 / 50.915 <80-100%> (-30%)
25./17. [PS4] Like the North Star # <ADV> (Sega) {2018.03.08} (¥8.390) – 1.761 / 167.338 <80-100%> (-35%)
26./19. [NSW] Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition <ACT> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.03.22} (¥6.800) – 1.736 / 37.193 <60-80%> (-35%)
27./22. [NSW] Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 for Nintendo Switch <FTG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2017.09.07} (¥6.800) – 1.725 / 146.239 <80-100%> (-26%)
28./24. [NSW] Arms <FTG> (Nintendo) {2017.06.16} (¥5.980) – 1.719 / 360.087 <80-100%> (-13%)
29./15. [PSV] Super Robot Wars X # <SLG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.03.29} (¥7.600) – 1.580 / 66.464 <80-100%> (-48%)
30./26. [NSW] Pokken Tournament DX <FTG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.09.22} (¥5.980) – 1.548 / 239.929 <80-100%> (-16%)

Famitsu – Number of games in Top 30

NSW – 16
PS4 – 10
3DS – 2
PSV – 2

Famitsu – Hardware

Source: Media Create (via 4Gamer) / Famitsu
Data compiled by: Chris1964 (ResetEra)
Additional data via: Game Data Library