[Japan] Media Create sales for Week 33, 2018 (August 13th – August 19th)

23 August 201829 August 2018 Lite_Agent Famitsu, Media Create

Media Create

Week 33 corresponds to Obon, which is usually a good period for video games sales in Japan (one of the best after December and the first week of January). But this year, it’s quite underwhelming, due to the lack of big hits like Yo-kai Watch or Splatoon in the past few years. Of course, that doesn’t mean games didn’t sell well: that’s certainly not the case of the (evergreen) titles on Nintendo Switch! They all enjoyed strong sales, and managed to grab 14 of the 20 spots of the Top 20 from Media Create.

In fact, the Top 13 best-selling games are all on Nintendo platforms, which grabbed 17 of the 20 spots of the Top 20 from Media Create. Obon always favours familiy-friendly games, and since those are pretty much always found on Nintendo platforms, it’s no wonder they would dominate sales. We can expect similar domination in December.

Let’s take a look at the evergreen titles on Nintendo Switch:

02./02. [NSW] Splatoon 2 (Nintendo) – 24.188 / 2.556.846 (+12%). Sales increased slightly for this one, thanks to the main Nintendo Switch SKU being the one including a copy of it. Since Nintendo Switch sales increased, Splatoon 2 sales are also up;
04./06. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo) – 20.346 / 1.708.892 (+14%). It’s been selling pretty consistently ever since its launch, last year, and is considered a must-have by many new Nintendo Switch owners;
06./08. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces (Nintendo) – 18.520 / 315.658 (+13%). It’s now sold over 300 000 units, and is well on its way to 500 000 units by the end of the year;
09./16. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo) – 9.682 / 1.084.321 (+17%) . It nearly sold 10 000 units this week, with +17%. The game has been selling pretty steadily during the past few months, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop any time soon;
10./17. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies (Nintendo) – 8.707 / 596.203 (+14%). Kirby has always been popular with players of all ages, so it’s no wonder sales also increased during Obon. It’s sold nearly 600 000 units, and reaching 1 million units LTD definitely isn’t a pipe dream!
13./20. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo) – 7.066 / 1.795.879 (+17%). It was about to drop from the Top 20 from Media Create, but was saved by Obon!

Quite interestingly, the best-selling game during Week 33 in Japan is from… Microsoft, of all publishers: quite ironical given how hard the company has always struggled in that region with its Xbox consoles. Minecraft sold 25 948 units this week, which is 53% more than during the previous one. With how popular the game is with kids, it’s hardly a surprise sales would increase so much during Obon. It’s now sold 200 000 units since launch (212 170 units to be precise), and it’s only going to keep selling from now on.

Meanwhile, Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! is enjoying strong sales, with 21 109 units sold… roughly 89 units more than last week. In other words, sales were perfectly flat (they did not really increase by exactly 89 units, since Media Create sales are mere estimations).

A popular family-friendly rhythm game was always bound to sell well during the Summer season, so it’s no wonder it’s already sold over 160 000 units. It’s also going to be pretty popular in December, and could end up around 500 000 units by the end of the year if sales remain steady in the upcoming months (September to November).

After a rather disappointing debut, WarioWare Gold has been enjoying good sales in the weeks that followed. For its third week on the market, sales are slightly up with 20 142 units sold (+5%). It looks like it will end up reaching 100 000 units by the end of the month, and 200 000 units by the end of the year should be doable.

Pro Yakyuu Famista Evolution isn’t quite an evergreen title, but its sales have been quite decent since launch. This week, it sold 13 259 units, which is 15% less than during the previous week. It definitely will have no trouble reaching 100 000 units (it’s currently sitting at 71 776 units sold), but the real question is how high sales will end up when all is said and done.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is also selling pretty well, with 12 111 units sold this week (+11%), and 102 235 units since launch. It’s no big surprise the Nintendo Switch version is outselling the Nintendo 3DS one, which sold half as well: 5 766 units this week. Since launch, the Nintendo Switch version has sold nearly 3 times better (102 235 units vs 39 742), and the gape is only going to widen moving forward. Combined, both versions have sold over 140 000 units.

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

11./18. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon (Pokemon Co. – 8.447 / 1.703.711 (+31%). Despite Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Let’s Go, Eevee! getting closer, sales remain strong (though obviously, the Summer holidays are helping);
12./12. [NSW] Octopath Traveler (Square Enix) – 8.002 / 183.627 (-30%). Shortages are really hurting sales, but at the very least, it should be able to reach 200 000 units LTD before the end of the month;
16./15. [NSW] Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire’s Conspiracy DX (Level 5) – 5.101 / 14.805 (-47%). After a disappointing debut, the second week is surprisingly decent, but it’s pretty much exclusively thanks to Obon that sales only dropped by 47%;
17./11. [NSW] Okami HD (Capcom) – 4.758 / 18.848 (-66%). A decent second week drop, but it will be gone from the Top 20 from Media Create as early as next week;
18./22. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit (Nintendo) – 4.703 / 222.514. Sales were expected to increase during the Summer holidays, but it’s only this week that Nintendo Labo pops back up (and only the Variety Kit to boot). The game has already sold well over 200 000 units, which is a pretty good (though not all that impressive).

Media Create – Software Top 50

01./07. [NSW] Minecraft <ADV> (Microsoft Game Studios) {2018.06.21} (¥3.600) – 25.948 / 212.170 (+53%)
02./02. [NSW] Splatoon 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.07.21} (¥5.980) – 24.188 / 2.556.846 (+12%)
03./03. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.07.19} (¥6.100) – 21.109 / 162.020 (+0%)
04./06. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe <RCE> (Nintendo) {2017.04.28} (¥5.980) – 20.346 / 1.708.892 (+14%)
05./05. [3DS] WarioWare Gold <ETC> (Nintendo) {2018.08.02} (¥4.980) – 20.142 / 70.344 (+5%)
06./08. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces <SPT> (Nintendo) {2018.06.22} (¥5.980) – 18.520 / 315.658 (+13%)
07./09. [NSW] Pro Baseball Famista Evolution <SPT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.08.02} (¥6.100) – 13.259 / 71.776 (-15%)
08./13. [NSW] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980) – 12.111 / 102.235 (+11%)
09./16. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild # <ADV> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥6.980) – 9.682 / 1.084.321 (+17%)
10./17. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 8.707 / 596.203 (+14%)
11./18. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥4.980) – 8.447 / 1.703.711 (+31%)
12./12. [NSW] Octopath Traveler <RPG> (Square Enix) {2018.07.13} (¥6.800) – 8.002 / 183.627 (-30%)
13./20. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.10.27} (¥5.980) – 7.066 / 1.795.879 (+17%)
14./01. [PS4] Yakuza 3 <ADV> (Sega) {2018.08.09} (¥3.990) – 6.753 / 32.800 (-74%)
15./21. [3DS] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980) – 5.766 / 39.742
16./15. [NSW] Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire’s Conspiracy DX <ADV> (Level 5) {2018.08.09} (¥5.980) – 5.101 / 14.805 (-47%)
17./11. [NSW] Okami HD # <ADV> (Capcom) {2018.08.09} (¥2.990) – 4.758 / 18.848 (-66%)
18./22. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥6.980) – 4.703 / 222.514
19./37. [PS4] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2018 <SPT> (Konami) {2018.04.26} (¥7.980) – 3.449 / 227.851
20./04. [PS4] Fire Pro Wrestling: World # <SPT> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.08.09} (¥5.800) – 3.326 / 23.544 (-84%)
21./29. [NSW] Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.05.03} (¥5.980)
22./23. [PS4] SaGa: Scarlet Grace # <RPG> (Square Enix) {2018.08.02} (¥5.800)
23./36. [NSW] Pokken Tournament DX <FTG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.09.22} (¥5.980)
24./31. [NSW] 1-2-Switch <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥4.980)
25./34. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo # <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.11.23} (¥2.700)
26./25. [PS4] Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1+2 {Mega Man X Legacy Collection <Mega Man X \ Mega Man X2 \ Mega Man X3 \ Mega Man X4> \ Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2 <Mega Man X5 \ Mega Man X6 \ Mega Man X7 \ Mega Man X8>} <ACT> (Capcom) {2018.07.26} (¥5.500)
27./10. [PS4] Bullet Girls: Phantasia <ACT> (D3Publisher) {2018.08.09} (¥7.980)
28./14. [3DS] Etrian Odyssey Nexus <RPG> (Atlus) {2018.08.02} (¥6.480)
29./38. [NSW] Arms <FTG> (Nintendo) {2017.06.16} (¥5.980)
30./33. [PS4] The Last of Us Remastered <The Last of Us \ The Last of Us: Left Behind> [PlayStation Hits] <ADV> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.07.26} (¥1.990)
31./27. [PS4] Friday the 13th: The Game <ACT> (Natsume Atari) {2018.08.02} (¥5.980)
32./00. [PS4] Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition <ADV> (Sony Computer Entertainment) {2015.12.03} (¥2.400)
33./30. [NSW] SaGa: Scarlet Grace # <RPG> (Square Enix) {2018.08.02} (¥5.800)
34./46. [PS4] Monster Hunter: World [Best Price] # <ACT> (Capcom) {2018.08.02} (¥4.990)
35./39. [PS4] Detroit: Become Human # <ADV> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.05.25} (¥6.900)
36./42. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 # <RCE> (Nintendo) {2011.12.01} (¥4.571)
37./35. [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)
38./00. [NSW] Dragon Quest X: All in One Package Ver.1-4 {Dragon Quest X: Rise of the Five Tribes Online \ Dragon Quest X: The Sleeping Hero and the Guiding Sworn Friend Online \ Dragon Quest X: Legend of the Ancient Dragon Online \ Dragon Quest X: 5000 Year Journey to a Faraway Hometown Online} <RPG> (Square Enix) {2018.07.26} (¥4.800)
39./40. [NSW] FIFA 18 <SPT> (Electronic Arts) {2017.09.29} (¥5.800)
40./49. [PSV] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2018 <SPT> (Konami) {2018.04.26} (¥6.980)
41./45. [3DS] Mario Party: The Top 100 <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.12.28} (¥4.980)
42./41. [PS4] Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege – Advanced Edition <ACT> (Ubisoft) {2018.03.01} (¥6.000)
43./00. [NSW] Attack on Titan 2 # <ACT> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.03.15} (¥7.800)
44./43. [NSW] Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1+2 {Mega Man X Legacy Collection <Mega Man X \ Mega Man X2 \ Mega Man X3 \ Mega Man X4> \ Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2 <Mega Man X5 \ Mega Man X6 \ Mega Man X7 \ Mega Man X8>} <ACT> (Capcom) {2018.07.26} (¥5.500)
45./00. [NSW] LEGO The Incredibles <ADV> (Warner Entertainment Japan) {2018.08.02} (¥5.980)
46./19. [PSV] Bullet Girls: Phantasia <ACT> (D3Publisher) {2018.08.09} (¥6.980)
47./00. [PS4] Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End [PlayStation Hits] <ADV> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.07.26} (¥1.990)
48./00. [3DS] Attack on Titan 2: Future Coordinates <ACT> (Spike Chunsoft) {2017.11.30} (¥5.980)
49./00. [PS4] Dragon Quest X: All in One Package Ver.1-4 {Dragon Quest X: Rise of the Five Tribes Online \ Dragon Quest X: The Sleeping Hero and the Guiding Sworn Friend Online \ Dragon Quest X: Legend of the Ancient Dragon Online \ Dragon Quest X: 5000 Year Journey to a Faraway Hometown Online} <RPG> (Square Enix) {2018.07.26} (¥4.800)
50./47. [PS4] Border Break: Starter Pack <ACT> (Sega) {2018.08.02} (¥4.990)

Media Create – Number of games in Top 50

NSW – 24
PS4 – 16
3DS – 8
PSV – 2

Media Create – Hardware

Nintendo Switch Hardware sales slightly increased this week, to 54 647 units. That’s a fairly solid number, albeit a bit disappointing for such an important week. The lack of big hit this year is hurting not just Software sales, but also Hardware sales. Fortunately, it will be a different story in the rest of the year, which has some heavy-hitters lined up: Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Let’s Go, Eevee! and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Compared to last year, sales are finally back up after several weeks below 2017 levels, since Week 33 is when shortages reared the back of their ugly heads. There’s no shortages this year, and sales have been faily strong and stable this Summer, so it’s no wonder 2018 sales would be more than twice higher this week. It’s unlikely sales will be down Year on Year during any of the remaining weeks for 2018, except maybe during a couple of weeks here and there.

The console is nearing the 5 million units milestone, which would be reached in early September. After that, the next milestone is 6 million units, though it’s hard to say when it will be reached exactly. Sales will drop in September onwards, but as the first half of 2018 showed up, they will not drop too low (especially as the line-up is neatly packed).

As for the Nintendo 3DS, sales did remain above the 10 000 units threshold another week, thanks to Obon. As expected, sales didn’t increase all that much (barely 1 000), but it shows the good ol’ handheld still has some life left in it… not much, but it’s still better than nothing! Unfortunately, sales are guaranteed to drop sharply next week, and remain at low levels during the rest of the year.

Media Create Hardware Week 33 2018 chart

Famitsu – Software Top 30

01./01. [NSW] Splatoon 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.07.21} (¥5.980) – 29.255 / 2.585.036 <80-100%> (+17%)
02./03. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe <RCE> (Nintendo) {2017.04.28} (¥5.980) – 28.105 / 1.705.884 <80-100%> (+23%)
03./07. [NSW] Minecraft <ADV> (Microsoft Game Studios) {2018.06.21} (¥3.600) – 23.312 / 223.181 <80-100%> (+44%)
04./05. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.07.19} (¥6.100) – 21.480 / 163.907 <80-100%> (-2%)
05./02. [3DS] WarioWare Gold <ETC> (Nintendo) {2018.08.02} (¥4.980) – 21.390 / 80.773 <60-80%> (-13%)
06./09. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces <SPT> (Nintendo) {2018.06.22} (¥5.980) – 16.209 / 308.203 <80-100%> (+10%)
07./08. [NSW] Pro Baseball Famista Evolution <SPT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.08.02} (¥6.100) – 12.696 / 64.600 <60-80%> (-17%)
08./13. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon # <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥4.980) – 12.577 / 2.317.437 <80-100%> (+20%)
09./17. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild # <ADV> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥6.980) – 10.706 / 1.050.928 <80-100%> (+21%)
10./18. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.10.27} (¥5.980) – 10.679 / 1.775.164 <80-100%> (+25%)
11./14. [NSW] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980) – 10.507 / 103.831 <60-80%> (+5%)
12./04. [PS4] Yakuza 3 <ADV> (Sega) {2018.08.09} (¥3.990) – 7.726 / 30.372 <60-80%> (-66%)
13./20. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 7.716 / 582.981 <80-100%> (+24%)
14./12. [NSW] Octopath Traveler <RPG> (Square Enix) {2018.07.13} (¥6.800) – 7.351 / 174.114 <80-100%> (-30%)
15./16. [NSW] Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire’s Conspiracy DX <ADV> (Level 5) {2018.08.09} (¥5.980) – 5.873 / 15.411 <20-40%> (-38%)
16./21. [3DS] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980) – 5.213 / 42.902 <60-80%> (+7%)
17./11. [NSW] Okami HD # <ADV> (Capcom) {2018.08.09} (¥2.990) – 4.016 / 15.541 <60-80%> (-65%)
18./15. [3DS] Etrian Odyssey Nexus <RPG> (Atlus) {2018.08.02} (¥6.480) – 3.779 / 71.978 <80-100%> (-61%)
19./06. [PS4] Fire Pro Wrestling: World # <SPT> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.08.09} (¥5.800) – 3.563 / 21.928 <60-80%> (-81%)
20./25. [PS4] The Last of Us Remastered <The Last of Us \ The Last of Us: Left Behind> [PlayStation Hits] <ADV> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.07.26} (¥1.990) – 3.370 / 15.657 <60-80%> (-1%)
21./27. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥6.980) – 3.337 / 195.361 <60-80%> (+8%)
22./00. [PS4] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2018 <SPT> (Konami) {2018.04.26} (¥7.980) – 3.270 / 234.381 <80-100%> (+53%)
23./10. [PS4] Bullet Girls: Phantasia <ACT> (D3Publisher) {2018.08.09} (¥7.980) – 2.975 / 15.375 <60-80%> (-76%)
24./00. [NSW] Pokken Tournament DX <FTG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.09.22} (¥5.980) – 2.949 / 271.777 <80-100%>
25./23. [PS4] Friday the 13th: The Game <ACT> (Natsume Atari) {2018.08.02} (¥5.980) – 2.919 / 17.228 <60-80%> (-27%)
26./00. [NSW] Arms <FTG> (Nintendo) {2017.06.16} (¥5.980) – 2.915 / 393.488 <80-100%>
27./30. [NSW] 1-2-Switch <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥4.980) – 2.870 / 415.839 <80-100%> (+14%)
28./00. [NSW] Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.05.03} (¥5.980) – 2.843 / 203.927 <80-100%> (+20%)
29./24. [PS4] SaGa: Scarlet Grace # <RPG> (Square Enix) {2018.08.02} (¥5.800) – 2.806 / 19.385 <60-80%> (-28%)
30./26. [PS4] Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1+2 {Mega Man X Legacy Collection <Mega Man X \ Mega Man X2 \ Mega Man X3 \ Mega Man X4> \ Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2 <Mega Man X5 \ Mega Man X6 \ Mega Man X7 \ Mega Man X8>} <ACT> (Capcom) {2018.07.26} (¥5.500) – 2.653 / 37.076 <80-100%> (-16%)

Famitsu – Number of games in Top 30

NSW – 18
PS4 – 8
3DS – 4

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