[Japan] Media Create sales for Week 38, 2018 (September 17th – September 23rd) [Top 50]
Here’s the latest sales data for the Japanese video game market, courtesy of Media Create and Famitsu!
Media Create
Like previous weeks, Week 38 saw the release of quite a few games, which is why there is once again a fair number of new faces in the Top 20 from Media Create.
Let’s start with Steins;Gate Elite, which sold rather decently: over 30 000 units on all platforms combined, and 13 305 units on Nintendo Switch specifically. That’s a really good performance, since this is pretty much the same as the PlayStation 4 version, and the sales split is usually in favour of Sony’s console for such simultaneous releases.
The better than expected sales for Steins;Gate Elite on Nintendo Switch may be due to the fact that this is the first time ever Steins;Gate is released on a Nintendo platform, as well as the neat 8-bit game available as early purchase bonus. Of course, there’s also a significant number of players who prefer to play Visual Novels (and other games) on Handhelds.
Sales for this sort of games are always concentrated on the first week, so we can safely expect a major drop for the second week (the Nintendo Switch version may end up out of the Top 20 as early as next week).
The retail release of Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country sold relatively low amounts: only 5 697 units during the first 3 days. This comes as no surprise, as most Xenoblade Chronicles 2 most likely already own the game with the Expansion Pass (which is, in fact, cheaper than the retail version of Torna ~ The Golden Country).
Even though the story expansion can be played on its own (you don’t need to play the main game to understand the story, it did seem unlikely new players would decide to jump in all of a sudden with this release. After all, even though it does offer its fair share of improvements and new features, Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country does not really offer anything that would convince someone that wasn’t sold on Xenoblade Chronicles 2 to get it: those sales certainly confirm that.
It definitely would not be surprising if the majority of players who ended up buying Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country at retail are fans who already own the main game, but wanted the story expansion on physical format. As such, second week sales are expected to drop sharply.
Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch version of Atelier: The Alchemist of Arland 1-2-3 DX Premium Box did not chart, which means it sold less than 3 704 units (since that’s what the game ranked last in the Top 20 from Media Create sold).
This week, Nintendo Switch Hardware sales are mostly flat, and so the sales of the usual evergreen titles are also mostly flat. Take Minecraft, for example: it sold 13 317 units this week, and that’s -1% Week on Week. Next week, it will reach 300 000 units sold since launch: just one of the many milestone it will reach in the upcoming months!
Splatoon 2 isn’t far behind, with 13 205 units sold this week (-6%). The launch of Nintendo Switch Online, and more precisely the paid subscriptions, didn’t really have a visible impact on sales (if it had one at all). Granted, it’s not something that would be noticeable with just one week of sales! Since launch, the game has sold over 2.6 million units.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still holding above the 10 000 units/week threshold, with 10 288 units sold this week (-4%). Even if it did drop below it next week (unlikely: Monday was a public holiday, so it should get a small boost), the game is definitely going to keep selling steady amount through the rest of the year. Over 1 768 152 units have already been sold since launch, and the 2 million threshold is in sight.
Finally, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild actually saw its sales rise this week, with 5 910 units sold (+2%). Week after week, it keeps on impressing with its steady sales, which are highly unusual for a Zelda game… not that there are many games still hanging around in the Top 10 from Media Create more than a year after launch! It has already sold over 1 117 445 units at retail and on Nintendo Switch alone.
Next, let’s take a look at how games in the second half of the Top 20 from Media Create are faring:
- 14./05. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Drive Kit (Nintendo) – 5.266 / 16.926 (-55%). After a disappointing debut, second weeks sales are somewhat ok. Unfortunately, it will most likely drop from the Top 20 from Media Create next week;
- 15./11. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! (Bandai Namco Games) – 5.103 / 200.542 (-12%). Sales topped 200 000 units this week, and it looks like they will reach 300 000 units this very year;
- 16./13. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces (Nintendo) – 4.892 / 348.492 (-6%). It keeps on selling steadily, and will reach the 350 000 units milestone next week;
- 17./14. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon (Pokemon Co.) – 4.467 / 1.729.450 (-8%). Sales show no sign of slowing down significantly for now;
- 18./19. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey (Nintendo) – 3.971 / 1.817.116 (+3%). Just like The Legend of Zelda: Brearth of the Wild, its weekly sales keep on impressing. It’s nearly been a year since its launch, and it’s still hanging around in the Top 20 from Media Create (and outside of holiday weeks to boot!);
- 19./18. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 3.732 / 618.914 (-5%). Sales remain steady.
Media Create – Software Top 50
01./01. [PS4] Marvel’s Spider-Man # <ADV> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.09.07} (¥6.900) – 38.065 / 244.051 (-53%)
02./00. [PS4] Steins;Gate Elite # <ADV> (5pb.) {2018.09.20} (¥7.800) – 13.433 / NEW
03./04. [NSW] Minecraft <ADV> (Microsoft Game Studios) {2018.06.21} (¥3.600) – 13.317 / 291.062 (-1%)
04./00. [NSW] Steins;Gate Elite # <ADV> (5pb.) {2018.09.20} (¥7.800) – 13.305 / NEW
05./03. [NSW] Splatoon 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.07.21} (¥5.980) – 13.205 / 2.631.538 (-6%)
06./06. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe <RCE> (Nintendo) {2017.04.28} (¥5.980) – 10.288 / 1.768.152 (-4%)
07./02. [PS4] Shadow of the Tomb Raider <ADV> (Square Enix) {2018.09.14} (¥7.980) – 8.239 / 40.410 (-74%)
08./08. [PS4] Winning Eleven 2019 <SPT> (Konami) {2018.08.30} (¥7.600) – 5.945 / 109.640 (-37%)
09./12. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild # <ADV> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥6.980) – 5.910 / 1.117.445 (+2%)
10./09. [PS4] Conan Exiles <ACT> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.08.23} (¥6.800) – 5.822 / 74.579 (-32%)
11./00. [NSW] Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country <RPG> (Nintendo) {2018.09.21} (¥3.980) – 5.697 / NEW
12./00. [PS4] F1 2018 <RCE> (Ubisoft) {2018.09.20} (¥7.980) – 5.517 / NEW
13./00. [PS4] Atelier: The Alchemist of Arland 1-2-3 DX Premium Box {Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland DX \ Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland DX \ Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland DX} <RPG> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.09.20} (¥13.800) – 5.341 / NEW
14./05. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Drive Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.09.14} (¥6.980) – 5.266 / 16.926 (-55%)
15./11. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.07.19} (¥6.100) – 5.103 / 200.542 (-12%)
16./13. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces <SPT> (Nintendo) {2018.06.22} (¥5.980) – 4.892 / 348.492 (-6%)
17./14. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥4.980) – 4.467 / 1.729.450 (-8%)
18./19. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.10.27} (¥5.980) – 3.971 / 1.817.116 (+3%)
19./18. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 3.732 / 618.914 (-5%)
20./00. [PSV] Steins;Gate Elite # <ADV> (5pb.) {2018.09.20} (¥7.800) – 3.704 / NEW
21./20. [NSW] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980)
22./17. [3DS] WarioWare Gold <ETC> (Nintendo) {2018.08.02} (¥4.980)
23./00. [PSV] La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Jinnan/Shiseikan/Amane Gakuen <La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Jinnan \ La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Shiseikan \ La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Amane Gakuen> # <SLG> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.09.20} (¥7.800)
24./00. [NSW] Atelier Arland Series: Deluxe Pack {Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland DX \ Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland DX \ Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland DX} <RPG> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.09.20} (¥13.800)
25./36. [NSW] Pokken Tournament DX <FTG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.09.22} (¥5.980)
26./07. [PS4] NBA 2K19 # <SPT> (Take-Two Interactive Japan) {2018.09.11} (¥7.800)
27./24. [NSW] Pro Baseball Famista Evolution <SPT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.08.02} (¥6.100)
28./25. [NSW] My Hero: One’s Justice <FTG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.08.23} (¥7.600)
29./28. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo # <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.11.23} (¥2.700)
30./00. [PSV] La Corda d’Oro 3: All of Us Summer Box {La Corda d’Oro 3: Full Voice Special \ La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Jinnan/Shiseikan/Amane Gakuen <La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Jinnan \ La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Shiseikan \ La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Amane Gakuen>} <SLG> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.09.20} (¥30.000)
31./10. [NSW] Undertale # <RPG> (8-4) {2018.09.15} (¥4.000)
32./30. [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)
33./00. [PSV] La Corda d’Oro 3: Full Voice Special # <SLG> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.09.20} (¥6.800)
34./23. [PS4] Persona 5 [New Price Edition] <RPG> (Atlus) {2018.09.06} (¥4.980)
35./26. [NSW] Octopath Traveler <RPG> (Square Enix) {2018.07.13} (¥6.800)
36./29. [3DS] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980)
37./16. [PS4] Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner Mars # <ACT> (Konami) {2018.09.06} (¥4.980)
38./32. [PS4] Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege – Advanced Edition <ACT> (Ubisoft) {2018.03.01} (¥6.000)
39./34. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥6.980)
40./45. [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)
41./15. [PS4] Black Clover: Quartet Knights <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.09.13} (¥7.600)
42./39. [NSW] Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.05.03} (¥5.980)
43./00. [NSW] Nil Admirari no Tenbin: Irodori Nadeshiko # <ADV> (Idea Factory) {2018.09.20} (¥6.800)
44./37. [NSW] Okami HD # <ADV> (Capcom) {2018.08.09} (¥2.990)
45./31. [PS4] My Hero: One’s Justice <FTG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.08.23} (¥7.600)
46./33. [PS4] Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition <ADV> (Sony Computer Entertainment) {2015.12.03} (¥2.400)
47./40. [NSW] 1-2-Switch <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥4.980)
48./43. [NSW] Arms <FTG> (Nintendo) {2017.06.16} (¥5.980)
49./22. [PS4] Hitman: Definitive Edition <Hitman: The Complete First Season \ Hitman – Episode 2: Sapienza \ Hitman – Episode 3: Marrakesh \ Hitman – Episode 4: Bangkok \ Hitman – Episode 5: Colorado \ Hitman – Episode 6: Hokkaido \ Hitman: Summer Bonus Episode> <ADV> (Square Enix) {2018.09.13} (¥5.980)
50./42. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 # <RCE> (Nintendo) {2011.12.01} (¥4.571)
Media Create – Number of games in Top 50
NSW – 24
PS4 – 17
3DS – 5
PSV – 4
Media Create – Hardware
This week, Nintendo Switch sales are mostly flat: it sold 37 733 units, which is about 1 000 units less than during Week 37. Once again, sales are down Year on Year, but the total for 2018 is still ahead of the one for 2017 as of Week 38 (and with the heavy hitters on the horizon, this will most likely not change).
So far, the Nintendo Switch is staying in the (rather wide) 35-50k range we expected it to stay in until sales pick up again with the heavy hitters releasing later this year (starting with Super Mario Party on October 5th). Despite the lack of major releases, sales remain strong enough thanks to the usual evergreen titles (Splatoon 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and co.).
Sales are also pretty flat for the Nintendo 3DS, which sold 7 100 units: that’s nearly 3 times less than last year during the same week, but only 191 units less than what Media Create reported for Week 37.
Famitsu – Software Top 30
01./01. [PS4] Marvel’s Spider-Man # <ADV> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.09.07} (¥6.900) – 31.026 / 236.190 <80-100%> (-57%)
02./03. [NSW] Splatoon 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.07.21} (¥5.980) – 13.865 / 2.666.247 <80-100%> (-7%)
03./06. [NSW] Minecraft <ADV> (Microsoft Game Studios) {2018.06.21} (¥3.600) – 12.745 / 292.277 <80-100%> (+5%)
04./00. [PS4] Steins;Gate Elite # <ADV> (5pb.) {2018.09.20} (¥7.800) – 10.917 / NEW <60-80%>
05./05. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe <RCE> (Nintendo) {2017.04.28} (¥5.980) – 10.911 / 1.776.016 <80-100%> (-10%)
06./00. [NSW] Steins;Gate Elite # <ADV> (5pb.) {2018.09.20} (¥7.800) – 9.211 / NEW <60-80%>
07./02. [PS4] Shadow of the Tomb Raider <ADV> (Square Enix) {2018.09.14} (¥7.980) – 8.448 / 43.288 <60-80%> (-76%)
08./07. [PS4] Winning Eleven 2019 <SPT> (Konami) {2018.08.30} (¥7.600) – 7.490 / 114.381 <60-80%> (-32%)
09./10. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon # <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥4.980) – 6.263 / 2.356.240 <80-100%> (-12%)
10./11. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild # <ADV> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥6.980) – 5.693 / 1.083.422 <80-100%> (+1%)
11./09. [PS4] Conan Exiles <ACT> (Spike Chunsoft) {2018.08.23} (¥6.800) – 5.396 / 76.046 <80-100%> (-37%)
12./15. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.10.27} (¥5.980) – 5.266 / 1.803.867 <80-100%> (+2%)
13./12. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.07.19} (¥6.100) – 5.102 / 200.854 <80-100%> (-9%)
14./00. [PS4] F1 2018 <RCE> (Ubisoft) {2018.09.20} (¥7.980) – 4.864 / NEW <40-60%>
15./00. [NSW] Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country <RPG> (Nintendo) {2018.09.21} (¥3.980) – 4.744 / NEW <20-40%>
16./04. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Drive Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.09.14} (¥6.980) – 4.724 / 17.904 <20-40%> (-64%)
17./00. [PS4] Atelier Arland Series: Deluxe Pack {Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland DX \ Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland DX \ Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland DX} <RPG> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.09.20} (¥13.800) – 4.451 / NEW <80-100%>
18./16. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces <SPT> (Nintendo) {2018.06.22} (¥5.980) – 4.091 / 335.106 <80-100%> (-3%)
19./19. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 3.054 / 601.602 <80-100%> (-4%)
20./00. [PSV] Steins;Gate Elite # <ADV> (5pb.) {2018.09.20} (¥7.800) – 2.996 / NEW <40-60%>
21./18. [3DS] WarioWare Gold <ETC> (Nintendo) {2018.08.02} (¥4.980) – 2.799 / 106.667 <80-100%> (-19%)
22./20. [NSW] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980) – 2.797 / 123.654 <80-100%> (-3%)
23./00. [PSV] La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Jinnan/Shiseikan/Amane Gakuen <La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Jinnan \ La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Shiseikan \ La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Amane Gakuen> # <SLG> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.09.20} (¥7.800) – 2.456 / NEW <60-80%>
24./00. [NSW] Atelier Arland Series: Deluxe Pack {Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland DX \ Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland DX \ Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland DX} <RPG> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.09.20} (¥13.800) – 2.339 / NEW <80-100%>
25./23. [NSW] My Hero: One’s Justice <FTG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.08.23} (¥7.600) – 2.237 / 40.473 <80-100%> (-5%)
26./08. [PS4] NBA 2K19 # <SPT> (Take-Two Interactive Japan) {2018.09.11} (¥7.800) – 2.167 / 15.216 <60-80%> (-77%)
27./22. [NSW] Pro Baseball Famista Evolution <SPT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.08.02} (¥6.100) – 2.160 / 83.009 <60-80%> (-11%)
28./00. [PSV] La Corda d’Oro 3: All of Us Summer Box {La Corda d’Oro 3: Full Voice Special \ La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Jinnan/Shiseikan/Amane Gakuen <La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Jinnan \ La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Shiseikan \ La Corda d’Oro 3: Another Sky feat. Amane Gakuen>} <SLG> (Koei Tecmo) {2018.09.20} (¥30.000) – 2.124 / NEW <80-100%>
29./00. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo # <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.11.23} (¥2.700) – 1.980 / 395.661 <80-100%>
30./28. [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) – 1.897 / 200.975 <80-100%> (+7%)
Famitsu – Number of games in Top 30
NSW – 15
PS4 – 9
3DS – 3
PSV – 3
Famitsu – Hardware
Source: Media Create (via 4Gamer) / Famitsu
Data compiled by: Chris1964 (ResetEra)
Additional data via: Game Data Library
