Taiko Drum Master Nintendo Switch Version

[Japan] Media Create sales for Week 29, 2018 (July 16th – July 22nd) [Top 50]

27 July 201827 July 2018 Lite_Agent Bandai-Namco, Famitsu, Media Create, Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum 'n' Fun

Media Create

This week, there’s only one new game in the Top 20 provided by Media Create, and it’s Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘N’ Fun on Nintendo Switch. It’s off to a great start, with nearly 70 000 units sold at launch (69 984 units to be precise), which is the best debut for the Taiko no Tatsujin series in a long while. The game had an unusually high sell-through ratio for Day 1 (40%), but it looks like Bandai-Namco was able to ship enough additional copies to avoid shortages.

Here’s how the previous games sold at launch (NB: Famitsu data):

Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘N’ Fun is guaranteed to keep selling through the Summer season, and should get a sizeable bump during the holiday season. It’s not clear how much it will end up selling, but the Nintendo Switch is definitely the platform that could allow the Taiko no Tatsujin to get out of the rut it’s been since the last entry on Wii (over 650 000 units sold).

This week, Nintendo platforms managed to grab the Top 12 spots of the Top 20 from Media Create, which is just an early taste of the Summer holiday season!

Unfortunately, due to shortages, Octopath Traveler sales dropped by 80%, to 22 438 units. Both Square-Enix and retailers were caught unprepared, and as a result, shortages ended up hurting sales. It seems that there will not be a major shipment before next week (early August), which could end up hurting sales even more (though used copy are generally pretty expensive due to how popular the game is).

This week, Octopath Traveler sold 22 438 units, bringing the total since launch to 132 550 units. It looks it will be able to reach 200 000 units LTD in the near future, by the end of the Summer holidays. If the game keeps selling on the long run (which is unusual for JRPG), then it could end up close to the sales of the original version of Bravely Default, but it doesn’t look likely right now.

Thanks to the public holiday on Monday, sales of the usual evergreen titles on Nintendo Switch are all slightly up this week. Splatoon 2, for example, saw its sales increase by 7% to 21 913 units. It’s getting closer and closer to the 2.5 million milestone, that it will reach sometime in August. It’s currently sitting at 2 469 695 units sold since launch.

As for Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, it could have had a better week if not for shortages (though those were nowhere near as bad as those impacting Octopath Traveler). It sold over 27 000 units on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS combined, with both versions getting a similar drop in sales (-51%). Combined, the game has already sold over 83 000 units according to Media Create data, and it should have no trouble reaching 100 000 units next week. (and 200 000 units later this year).

Mario Tennis Aces is holding well, with 19 709 units sold this week (-10%). Unfortunately, it missed the 250 000 units milestone by less than 3 000 units! It will reach 300 000 units sometime next month, and should end up selling over 500 000 units by the end of the year if it keeps selling steadily.

Minecraft is one of those games that just keep on selling, and the Nintendo Switch version is no exception. Sales increased by 8% this week: it sold 16 265 units this week, bringing the total since launch to 138 051 units. Thanks to the Summer holidays, it should be able to reach 200 000 units by the end of August, if not even earlier.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is one of the games that saw the biggest increase in sales during Week 29. Media Create report that it’s sold 13 435 units: that’s +35% compared to Week 27. It’s not going to reach a milestone in the near future, but with how steady sales have been so far this year, there’s no doubt it will reach one eventually (it’s currently sitting at 1 641 109 units). Unless something unexpected happens, it should be able to reach 2 million units LTD by the end of the year (if sales during the Summer holidays and holiday season in December are good enough).

Despite sales increasing by 63% last week, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon managed to sell even more during Week 29. Of course, the increase is more limited this time around: “only” +6%, which brings weekly sales to 7 554 units and LTD sales to 1 676 067 units. So far, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Let’s Go, Eevee! has had a positive impact on sales, and it will be interesting to see how long it lasts.

Finally, Link isn’t afraid of the summer heat, as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild saw another increase in sales this week. According to Media Create, it somld 7 173 units this week, which is 8% more than during Week 28. It’s definitely one of the games that will enjoy strong and steady sales through Summer… and beyond! It’s already sold 1 050 891 units since launch, and that’s only on Nintendo Switch and without digital sales.

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

11./11. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies (Nintendo) – 6.407 / 566.171 (+4%). One of the games expected to sell well during the Summer holidays. What do you mean, it’s already been selling well until now?
12./13. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo)- 5.695 / 1.772.133 (+14%). Japanese players are definitely not getting tired of Mario’s latest adventure, and it looks like plenty of them are planning to accompany him on his odyssey this Summer!
14./33. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo (Nintendo) – 4.354 / 425.839. Thanks to the release of the New Nintendo 2DS XL bundle, it makes its comeback in the Top 20 from Media Create, and it should be able to stay in it for at least a couple of weeks;
15./21. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit (Nintendo) – 3.842 / 205.809. We previously explained that Nintendo Labo was bound to sell more during the Summer holidays, and this week seems to confirm it. We will see what happens during the next few weeks!
16./17. [NSW] Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.05.03} (¥5.980) – 3.378 / 193.708 (-7%). Steady sales this week, that brings it even closer to the 200 000 units milestones (that it should reach during Week 31);
20./00. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo) {2011.12.01} (¥4.571) – 2.614 / 2.903.441. Just like Animal Crossing: New Leaf, it gets back in the Top 20 from Media Create thanks to the New Nintendo 2DS XL bundle. It definitely would be interesting it reached 3 million units LTD (it definitely can, but most likely not this year).

Media Create – Software Top 50

01./00. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.07.19} (¥6.100) – 69.984 / NEW
02./01. [NSW] Octopath Traveler <RPG> (Square Enix) {2018.07.13} (¥6.800) – 22.438 / 132.550 (-80%)
03./04. [NSW] Splatoon 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.07.21} (¥5.980) – 21.913 / 2.469.695 (+7%)
04./02. [NSW] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980) – 20.547 / 62.399 (-51%)
05./03. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces <SPT> (Nintendo) {2018.06.22} (¥5.980) – 19.709 / 247.161 (-10%)
06./05. [NSW] Minecraft <ADV> (Microsoft Game Studios) {2018.06.21} (¥3.600) – 16.265 / 138.051 (+8%)
07./07. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe <RCE> (Nintendo) {2017.04.28} (¥5.980) – 13.435 / 1.641.109 (+18%)
08./09. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥4.980) – 7.554 / 1.676.067 (+6%)
09./06. [3DS] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980) – 7.188 / 21.746 (-51%)
10./10. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild # <ADV> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥6.980) – 7.173 / 1.050.891 (+8%)
11./11. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 6.407 / 566.171 (+4%)
12./13. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.10.27} (¥5.980) – 5.695 / 1.772.133 (+14%)
13./19. [PS4] Detroit: Become Human # <ADV> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.05.25} (¥6.900) – 4.613 / 94.973 (+39%)
14./33. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo # <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.11.23} (¥2.700) – 4.354 / 425.839
15./21. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥6.980) – 3.842 / 205.809
16./17. [NSW] Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.05.03} (¥5.980) – 3.378 / 193.708 (-7%)
17./08. [PS4] Mary Skelter: Nightmares 2 # <RPG> (Compile Heart) {2018.07.12} (¥7.200) – 2.986 / 13.356 (-71%)
18./14. [PS4] The Crew 2 <RCE> (Ubisoft) {2018.06.29} (¥8.400) – 2.728 / 35.004 (-45%)
19./12. [PS4] New Gundam Breaker # <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.06.21} (¥7.600) – 2.639 / 84.716 (-47%)
20./00. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 # <RCE> (Nintendo) {2011.12.01} (¥4.571) – 2.614 / 2.903.441
21./16. [PS4] Kingdom Hearts HD I.5 + II.5 ReMIX <Kingdom Hearts HD I.5 ReMIX <Kingdom Hearts \ Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories> \ Kingdom Hearts HD II.5 ReMIX <Kingdom Hearts II \ Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ \ Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep>> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2017.03.09} (¥6.800)
22./27. [PS4] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2018 <SPT> (Konami) {2018.04.26} (¥7.980)
23./25. [NSW] FIFA 18 <SPT> (Electronic Arts) {2017.09.29} (¥5.800)
24./20. [PS4] Winning Eleven 2018 <SPT> (Konami) {2017.09.14} (¥7.600)
25./23. [NSW] 1-2-Switch <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥4.980)
26./24. [NSW] Pokken Tournament DX <FTG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.09.22} (¥5.980)
27./00. [NSW] Touhou Genso Wanderer: Reloaded # <RPG> (Unties) {2018.07.19} (¥4.600)
28./15. [PS4] Zanki Zero: Last Beginning <RPG> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.07.05} (¥7.200)
29./00. [NSW] Sonic Mania Plus <ACT> (Sega) {2018.07.19} (¥4.490)
30./00. [PS4] Closed Nightmare <ADV> (Nippon Ichi Software) {2018.07.19} (¥6.980)
31./28. [PS4] FIFA 18 # <SPT> (Electronic Arts) {2017.09.29} (¥7.800)
32./00. [PS4] Metal Gear Solid V: The Definitive Experience {Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes \ Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain} <ADV> (Konami) {2016.11.10} (¥3.980)
33./26. [PS4] Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege – Advanced Edition <ACT> (Ubisoft) {2018.03.01} (¥6.000)
34./31. [NSW] Arms <FTG> (Nintendo) {2017.06.16} (¥5.980)
35./35. [3DS] Mario Party: The Top 100 <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.12.28} (¥4.980)
36./36. [PS4] Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition <ADV> (Sony Computer Entertainment) {2015.12.03} (¥2.400)
37./39. [PSV] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2018 <SPT> (Konami) {2018.04.26} (¥6.980)
38./22. [PSV] Zanki Zero: Last Beginning <RPG> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.07.05} (¥6.800)
39./43. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon Veteran Trainer’s Dual Pack {Pokemon Ultra Sun \ Pokemon Ultra Moon} <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥9.960)
40./38. [PS4] Earth Defense Force 5 <ACT> (D3Publisher) {2017.12.07} (¥7.800)
41./00. [PS4] Sonic Mania Plus <ACT> (Sega) {2018.07.19} (¥4.490)
42./40. [NSW] Little Nightmares: Complete Edition <Little Nightmares \ Little Nightmares: The Depths \ Little Nightmares: The Hideaway \ Little Nightmares: The Residence> <ADV> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.06.07} (¥3.200)
43./37. [NSW] The Snack World: TreJarers Gold <RPG> (Level 5) {2018.04.12} (¥5.980)
44./47. [NSW] Attack on Titan 2 # <ACT> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.03.15} (¥7.800)
45./49. [NSW] Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2 for Nintendo Switch <FTG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2017.09.07} (¥6.800)
46./18. [NSW] Shining Resonance Refrain <RPG> (Sega) {2018.07.12} (¥5.990)
47./46. [NSW] Sumikko Gurashi: Sumikko Park e Youkoso <ETC> (Nippon Columbia) {2017.12.07} (¥5.800)
48./00. [PS4] Persona 5 # <RPG> (Atlus) {2016.09.15} (¥8.800)
49./00. [NSW] Closed Nightmare <ADV> (Nippon Ichi Software) {2018.07.19} (¥6.980)
50./00. [NSW] Snipperclips Plus: Cut it Out, Together! <PZL> (Nintendo) {2017.11.10} (¥3.280)

Media Create – Number of games in Top 50

NSW – 26
PS4 – 16
3DS – 6
PSV – 2

Media Create – Hardware

Nintendo Switch sales remain strong in Japan, with 53 745 units sold this week according to Media Create data. That’s roughly 3 000 units more than during Week 28, in part due to the public holiday on Monday. Unfortunately, last year had the launch of Splatoon 2 during Week 29, which is why Year on Year sales are down by nearly 50%. Of course, it’s nothing to be worried about, but it’s certainly disappointing that 2018 doesn’t have such a strong game to boost Nintendo Switch sales.

Now that the Summer holidays are upon us, it’s unlikely Nintendo Switch sales will drop below the 50 000 units threshold before the end of August (it’s not like there’s shortages this time around). The question is now to see just how high sales will go on a weekly basis, during what could be considered the second best period for video game sales in Japan (after December and the first week of January).

The console does have a healthy and strong line-up of games, and no shortages to hinder sales, so this second Summer holiday season for the Nintendo Switch should prove really successful for Nintendo (and hopefully third-party publishers, too).

As for the Nintendo 3DS, the release of the New Nintendo 2DS XL bundles had a noticeable impact on sales, but as expected, it was still pretty limited. Sales went from 7 131 units to 11 577 units, which is a respectable result. It will be interesting to see whether it can hold over the 10 000 units/week threshold next week, and until the end of the Summer holidays.

Media Create Hardware Week 29 2018 chart

Famitsu – Software Top 30

01./00. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.07.19} (¥6.100) – 66.908 / NEW <40-60%>
02./03. [NSW] Splatoon 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.07.21} (¥5.980) – 29.313 / 2.481.843 <80-100%> (+15%)
03./02. [NSW] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980) – 21.953 / 62.396 <80-100%> (-46%)
04./01. [NSW] Octopath Traveler <RPG> (Square Enix) {2018.07.13} (¥6.800) – 21.503 / 131.082 <80-100%> (-80%)
05./07. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe <RCE> (Nintendo) {2017.04.28} (¥5.980) – 17.864 / 1.616.940 <80-100%> (+17%)
06./04. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces <SPT> (Nintendo) {2018.06.22} (¥5.980) – 17.755 / 247.712 <80-100%> (-13%)
07./05. [NSW] Minecraft <ADV> (Microsoft Game Studios) {2018.06.21} (¥3.600) – 17.311 / 152.498 <80-100%> (+6%)
08./09. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon # <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥4.980) – 11.203 / 2.273.498 <80-100%> (+22%)
09./10. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild # <ADV> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥6.980) – 9.010 / 1.013.576 <80-100%> (+8%)
10./06. [3DS] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980) – 8.066 / 24.001 <60-80%> (-49%)
11./11. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.10.27} (¥5.980) – 7.361 / 1.741.130 <80-100%> (+19%)
12./13. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 5.381 / 558.225 <80-100%> (+10%)
13./15. [PS4] Kingdom Hearts HD I.5 + II.5 ReMIX <Kingdom Hearts HD I.5 ReMIX <Kingdom Hearts \ Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories> \ Kingdom Hearts HD II.5 ReMIX <Kingdom Hearts II \ Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ \ Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep>> <RPG> (Square Enix) {2017.03.09} (¥6.800) – 3.465 / 180.811 <80-100%> (-10%)
14./17. [NSW] Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.05.03} (¥5.980) – 2.981 / 193.682 <80-100%> (-2%)
15./00. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo # <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.11.23} (¥2.700) – 2.803 / 378.963 <80-100%>
16./18. [PS4] New Gundam Breaker # <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.06.21} (¥7.600) – 2.621 / 74.996 <60-80%> (-7%)
17./25. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥6.980) – 2.368 / 183.469 <60-80%> (+33%)
18./12. [PS4] Zanki Zero: Last Beginning <RPG> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.07.05} (¥7.200) – 2.337 / 22.959 <60-80%> (-56%)
19./14. [PS4] The Crew 2 <RCE> (Ubisoft) {2018.06.29} (¥8.400) – 2.301 / 30.118 <80-100%> (-41%)
20./00. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 # <RCE> (Nintendo) {2011.12.01} (¥4.571) – 2.126 / 2.825.847 <80-100%>
21./24. [NSW] 1-2-Switch <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥4.980) – 2.058 / 405.870 <80-100%> (+15%)
22./23. [PS4] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2018 <SPT> (Konami) {2018.04.26} (¥7.980) – 1.977 / 224.810 <80-100%> (+9%)
23./26. [NSW] FIFA 18 <SPT> (Electronic Arts) {2017.09.29} (¥5.800) – 1.965 / 114.258 <80-100%> (+11%)
24./00. [NSW] Touhou Genso Wanderer: Reloaded # <RPG> (Unties) {2018.07.19} (¥4.600) – 1.896 / NEW <20-40%>
25./28. [NSW] Pokken Tournament DX <FTG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.09.22} (¥5.980) – 1.865 / 262.764 <80-100%> (+26%)
26./08. [PS4] Mary Skelter: Nightmares 2 # <RPG> (Compile Heart) {2018.07.12} (¥7.200) – 1.808 / 12.221 <60-80%> (-83%)
27./21. [PS4] Detroit: Become Human # <ADV> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.05.25} (¥6.900) – 1.783 / 70.972 <80-100%> (-24%)
28./00. [PS4] Closed Nightmare <ACT> (Nippon Ichi Software) {2018.07.19} (¥6.980) – 1.698 / NEW <20-40%>
29./19. [3DS] Detective Pikachu <ADV> (Pokemon Co.) {2018.03.23} (¥4.980) – 1.645 / 91.306 <80-100%> (-36%)
30./30. [NSW] Arms <FTG> (Nintendo) {2017.06.16} (¥5.980) – 1.623 / 384.412 <80-100%> (+19%)

Famitsu – Number of games in Top 30

NSW – 17
PS4 – 8
3DS – 5

Famitsu – Hardware

Click here for more Japanese sales!

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