[Japan] Media Create sales for Week 49, 2018 (December 3rd – December 9th) [Top 50]

14 December 201814 December 2018 Lite_Agent Bandai-Namco, Capcom, Famitsu, Media Create, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Here’s the latest sales report from Media Create (and Famitsu), covering Week 49 2018 in Japan.

Media Create

Week 49 was slightly less busy than Week 48 when it comes to the number of new releases, but it certainly wasn’t when it comes to actual sales! The big star of the week is quite obviously Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which sold no less than 1 220 535 units at launch. That’s slightly less than what Famitsu reported earlier today, but the difference is pretty much neglibile.

We already shared additional sales data and comments about Super Smash Bros. Ultimate earlier today, so we invite you to check out this post if you haven’t already!

Since most publishers chose to clear away from the Smash behemoth, the only other entry on a Nintendo platform in the Top 20 from Media Create is Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle, which sold a combined 13 200 units on the two platforms it was released on. The Nintendo Switch version sold slightly less than its PS4 counterpart: 5 903 units (vs. 7 318 units). That’s a fairly decent performance for the game itself, but nothing to write home about.

Besides Smash, the usual evergreen titles performed extremely well. Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Let’s Go, Eevee is enjoying strong and steady sales, with 93 787 additional units sold this week, which brings the LTD sales to over 1 million units (1 012 247 units to be precise). Of course, it’s not done selling: the holiday season is now in full swing, and unless sales somehow slow down during the busiest period of the year, it will reach 1.5 million by the end of the year (early January at the absolute latest).

Despite getting a major boost during Week 48, thanks to the bundle with two Joy-Cons, Media Create report another significant increase in sales for Super Mario Party. Sales increased by 40%, to 69 861 units. This brings the total since launch to 489 767 units, with the 500 000 units milestones to be reached next week. As expected, Super Mario Party is enjoying strong sales during the holiday season, and it’s definitely not crazy to expect sales to reach 100 000 units/week at one point (most likely during Week 51, with Christmas day).

Meanwhile, the “race” between Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Splatoon 2 is still raging. Media Create report a strong increase in sales for both: +62% for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, with 20 995 units sold (1 881 751 units LTD), and +57% for Splatoon 2, with 19 083 units sold (2 740 677 units LTD).

But let’s not forget about Minecraft, which isn’t all that far behind with 16 948 units sold. It also saw a significant increase in sale: +45%. It’s now sold over 403 784 units, and will easily reach 500 000 units by the end of the year.

Usually, multiplayer games to sell better in the long run than single player-only titles, for various reasons (additional content to keep players engaged, social aspects, etc.). Therefore, it’s quite impressive that both Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild are still hanging around in the Top 20 from Media Create more than a year after their release. In fact, they haven’t left it even once… well, Super Mario Odyssey did drop off the Top 20, but just once!

Super Mario Odyssey sold 9 592 units this week (+64%), bringing the total to 1 866 426 units. It will reach 2 million units early next year. As for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it’s now sold 1 182 281 units LTD, with 9 531 units this week (+47%). Both titles will keep enjoying strong sales during the holiday season, and most likely beyond it.

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

11./02. [3DS] Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (Atlus) {- 8.076 / 87.823 (-90%). As expected, sales dropped like a rock during the second week. JRPG always have a harsh drop, but that’s a poorer performance than usual, and it’s definitely not good news for Atlus after the disappointing debut. Retailers are definitely going to have to drop the price to get rid of the remaining Week 1 units…
12./18. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies (Nintendo) – 7.677 / 658.270 (+75%). Sales nearly doubled, thanks to the holiday season;
15./16. [3DS] Luigi’s Mansion (Nintendo) – 6.466 / 54.800 (+29%). Holiday season provide a healthy boost that will help reaching 100 000 units LTD;
17./26. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! (Bandai Namco Games) – 5.113 / 236.220. It’s back in the Top 20 from Media Create thanks to the holiday boost, and it’s most likely going to stay there until the end of the holiday season;
18./20. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon (Pokemon Co.) – 4.931 / 1.773.521 (+20%). It really doesn’t want to leave the Top 20 from Media Create, and will not go down without a holiday-boosted fight!
19./27. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces (Nintendo)- 3.601 / 376.482. Another game that makes its comeback thanks to the holiday season;
20./31. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Drive Kit (Nintendo) – 3.597 / 43.451. It looks like a fair number of parents thought about offering Nintendo Labo to their child(ren) at Christmas!

Media Create – Software Top 50

01./00. [NSW] Super Smash Bros. Ultimate # <FTG> (Nintendo) {2018.12.07} (¥7.200) – 1.220.535 / NEW <68,52%>
02./01. [NSW] Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Let’s Go, Eevee! # <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2018.11.16} (¥5.980) – 93.787 / 1.012.247 (-1%)
03./03. [NSW] Super Mario Party # <ETC> (Nintendo) {2018.10.05} (¥5.980) – 69.861 / 489.767 (+40%)
04./06. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe <RCE> (Nintendo) {2017.04.28} (¥5.980) – 20.995 / 1.881.751 (+62%)
05./07. [NSW] Splatoon 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.07.21} (¥5.980) – 19.083 / 2.740.677 (+57%)
06./08. [NSW] Minecraft # <ADV> (Microsoft Game Studios) {2018.06.21} (¥3.600) – 16.948 / 403.784 (+45%)
07./00. [PS4] Just Cause 4 <ACT> (Square Enix) {2018.12.06} (¥7.980) – 16.100 / NEW
08./04. [PS4] Battlefield V <ACT> (Electronic Arts) {2018.11.20} (¥7.800) – 10.555 / 141.324 (-48%)
09./12. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.10.27} (¥5.980) – 9.592 / 1.866.426 (+64%)
10./11. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild # <ADV> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥6.980) – 9.531 / 1.182.281 (+47%)
11./02. [3DS] Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth <RPG> (Atlus) {2018.11.29} (¥6.980) – 8.076 / 87.823 (-90%)
12./18. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 7.677 / 658.270 (+75%)
13./00. [PS4] Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle <Armored Warriors \ Knights of the Round \ The King of Dragons \ Final Fight \ Captain Commando \ Warriors of Fate \ Battle Circuit> # <ETC> (Capcom) {2018.12.06} (¥3.300) – 7.318 / NEW
14./09. [PS4] Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII <ACT> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.10.12} (¥7.900) – 6.515 / 485.497 (-19%)
15./16. [3DS] Luigi’s Mansion <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.11.08} (¥4.980) – 6.466 / 54.800 (+29%)
16./00. [NSW] Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle <Armored Warriors \ Knights of the Round \ The King of Dragons \ Final Fight \ Captain Commando \ Warriors of Fate \ Battle Circuit> # <ETC> (Capcom) {2018.12.06} (¥3.300) – 5.903 / NEW
17./26. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.07.19} (¥6.100) – 5.113 / 236.220
18./20. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥4.980) – 4.931 / 1.773.521 (+20%)
19./27. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces <SPT> (Nintendo) {2018.06.22} (¥5.980) – 3.601 / 376.482
20./31. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Drive Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.09.14} (¥6.980) – 3.597 / 43.451
21./05. [NSW] Kamen Rider: Climax Scramble Zi-O # <FTG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.11.29} (¥6.800)
22./29. [NSW] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980)
23./28. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo # <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.11.23} (¥2.700)
24./13. [PS4] Fallout 76 # <RPG> (Bethesda Softworks) {2018.11.15} (¥7.980)
25./14. [PS4] Shenmue I & II <Shenmue \ Shenmue II> # <ADV> (Sega) {2018.11.22} (¥3.990)
26./37. [PS4] Winning Eleven 2019 <SPT> (Konami) {2018.08.30} (¥7.600)
27./00. [PS4] PlayStation VR Worlds |PlayStation VR| # <ETC> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2016.10.13} (¥4.900)
28./23. [PS4] Red Dead Redemption II # <ACT> (Take-Two Interactive Japan) {2018.10.26} (¥8.800)
29./10. [PS4] Dead by Daylight <ACT> (3goo) {2018.11.29} (¥5.600)
30./22. [NSW] Super Run For Money Tousouchuu & Super Battle For Money Sentouchuu Double Pack <Super Run For Money Tousouchuu Atsumare! Saikyou no Tousou Monotachi \ Super Battle For Money Sentouchuu: Kyuukyoku no Shinobu to Battle Player Choujou Kessen!> <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.11.29} (¥5.300)
31./41. [3DS] Mario Party: The Top 100 <ETC> (Nintendo) {2017.12.28} (¥4.980)
32./00. [NSW] Sid Meier’s Civilization VI <SLG> (Take-Two Interactive Japan) {2018.12.06} (¥8.300)
33./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)
34./43. [3DS] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980)
35./44. [NSW] Sumikko Gurashi: Atsumare! Sumikko Town <ETC> (Nippon Columbia) {2018.10.04} (¥5.800)
36./42. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 # <RCE> (Nintendo) {2011.12.01} (¥4.571)
37./32. [3DS] Cats Together <ETC> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.11.21} (¥5.300)
38./36. [NSW] FIFA 19 # <SPT> (Electronic Arts) {2018.09.28} (¥5.800)
39./34. [3DS] WarioWare Gold <ETC> (Nintendo) {2018.08.02} (¥4.980)
40./15. [PS4] Disaster Report 4 Plus: Summer Memories <ADV> (Granzella) {2018.11.22} (¥7.200)
41./00. [3DS] Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS <FTG> (Nintendo) {2014.09.13} (¥5.200)
42./38. [NSW] Dragon Ball FighterZ <FTG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.09.27} (¥6.800)
43./00. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥6.980)
44./46. [NSW] Pro Baseball Famista Evolution <SPT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.08.02} (¥6.100)
45./17. [NSW] Billion Road <TBL> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.11.29} (¥5.700)
46./00. [PS4] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2018 <SPT> (Konami) {2018.04.26} (¥7.980)
47./00. [NSW] Arms <FTG> (Nintendo) {2017.06.16} (¥5.980)
48./00. [3DS] Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS <ACT> (Nintendo) {2016.12.01} (¥4.700)
49./47. [NSW] Cats Together <ETC> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.11.01} (¥5.700)
50./45. [PS4] FIFA 19 # <SPT> (Electronic Arts) {2018.09.28} (¥7.800)

Media Create – Number of games in Top 50

NSW – 25
PS4 – 14
3DS – 11

Media Create – Hardware

As expected, the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate had an overwhelmingly positive impact on Nintendo Switch sales. That release, combined with the holiday boost, led to explosive sales: 281 222 units, which is one of the best week since launch for the console.

It’s also significantly better than last year during the same period (about 120 000 units more), which is hardly surprising: there was no game of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s caliber last year (in fact, December as a whole was pretty week, as far as new releases were concerned).

With this strong performance, total 2018 sales are now above total 2017 sales once again, and by over 100 000 units. Even if sales were to drop below their 2017 levels again on a weekly basis, it’s highly unlikely total sales also will.

This week, Nintendo Switch sales finally surpassed total PS Vita sales. But more importantly than that: the console has now sold over 6 million units in Japan alone. The next milestone is 7 million units, and we will most likely have to wait until Week 1, 2019 for that (unless holiday sales are even stronger than expected)!

Finally, Nintendo 3DS sales did increase this week, but said sales are still 3 times below their 2017 levels. The handheld sold 14 272 units this week.

Famitsu – Software Top 30

01./00. [NSW] Super Smash Bros. Ultimate # <FTG> (Nintendo) {2018.12.07} (¥7.200) – 1.238.358 / NEW <60-80%>
02./02. [NSW] Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! / Let’s Go, Eevee! # <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2018.11.16} (¥5.980) – 76.317 / 972.515 <60-80%> (+3%)
03./03. [NSW] Super Mario Party # <ETC> (Nintendo) {2018.10.05} (¥5.980) – 68.165 / 456.375 <80-100%> (+68%)
04./05. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe <RCE> (Nintendo) {2017.04.28} (¥5.980) – 24.226 / 1.902.789 <80-100%> (+58%)
05./06. [NSW] Minecraft # <ADV> (Microsoft Game Studios) {2018.06.21} (¥3.600) – 20.242 / 411.698 <80-100%> (+34%)
06./08. [NSW] Splatoon 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.07.21} (¥5.980) – 18.669 / 2.776.178 <80-100%> (+71%)
07./00. [PS4] Just Cause 4 <ACT> (Square Enix) {2018.12.06} (¥7.980) – 18.232 / NEW <40-60%>
08./04. [PS4] Battlefield V <ACT> (Electronic Arts) {2018.11.20} (¥7.800) – 10.291 / 127.450 <60-80%> (-46%)
09./14. [NSW] Super Mario Odyssey # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2017.10.27} (¥5.980) – 8.015 / 1.854.003 <80-100%> (+63%)
10./01. [3DS] Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth <RPG> (Atlus) {2018.11.29} (¥6.980) – 7.565 / 81.990 <60-80%> (-90%)
11./13. [NSW] The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild # <ADV> (Nintendo) {2017.03.03} (¥6.980) – 6.919 / 1.140.218 <80-100%> (+23%)
12./00. [PS4] Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle <Armored Warriors \ Knights of the Round \ The King of Dragons \ Final Fight \ Captain Commando \ Warriors of Fate \ Battle Circuit> # <ETC> (Capcom) {2018.12.06} (¥3.300) – 6.772 / NEW <40-60%>
13./23. [NSW] Kirby Star Allies <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.03.16} (¥5.980) – 5.831 / 631.983 <80-100%> (+82%)
14./15. [3DS] Luigi’s Mansion <ACT> (Nintendo) {2018.11.08} (¥4.980) – 5.635 / 57.495 <60-80%> (+17%)
15./24. [NSW] Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun! <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.07.19} (¥6.100) – 5.576 / 236.422 <80-100%> (+78%)
16./10. [PS4] Call of Duty: Black Ops IIII <ACT> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2018.10.12} (¥7.900) – 5.213 / 462.945 <80-100%> (-17%)
17./16. [3DS] Pokemon Ultra Sun / Ultra Moon # <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2017.11.17} (¥4.980) – 4.915 / 2.409.803 <80-100%> (+9%)
18./00. [NSW] Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle <Armored Warriors \ Knights of the Round \ The King of Dragons \ Final Fight \ Captain Commando \ Warriors of Fate \ Battle Circuit> # <ETC> (Capcom) {2018.12.06} (¥3.300) – 4.724 / NEW <20-40%>
19./07. [NSW] Kamen Rider: Climax Scramble Zi-O # <FTG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.11.29} (¥6.800) – 3.576 / 15.710 <40-60%> (-71%)
20./27. [NSW] Mario Tennis Aces <SPT> (Nintendo) {2018.06.22} (¥5.980) – 2.923 / 358.345 <80-100%> (+71%)
21./12. [PS4] Fallout 76 # <RPG> (Bethesda Softworks) {2018.11.15} (¥7.980) – 2.870 / 81.159 <80-100%> (-50%)
22./17. [NSW] Super Run For Money Tousouchuu & Super Battle For Money Sentouchuu Double Pack <Super Run For Money Tousouchuu Atsumare! Saikyou no Tousou Monotachi \ Super Battle For Money Sentouchuu: Kyuukyoku no Shinobu to Battle Player Choujou Kessen!> <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2018.11.29} (¥5.300) – 2.779 / 6.990 <20-40%> (-34%)
23./28. [NSW] FIFA 19 # <SPT> (Electronic Arts) {2018.09.28} (¥5.800) – 2.714 / 42.585 <60-80%> (+60%)
24./09. [PS4] Dead by Daylight <ACT> (3goo) {2018.11.29} (¥5.600) – 2.692 / 10.209 <40-60%> (-64%)
25./26. [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) – 2.506 / 221.733 <80-100%> (+19%)
26./00. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 01: Variety Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.04.20} (¥6.980) – 2.462 / 212.754 <80-100%>
27./00. [NSW] Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 03: Drive Kit <EDU> (Nintendo) {2018.09.14} (¥6.980) – 2.453 / 38.003 <60-80%>
28./11. [PS4] Disaster Report 4 Plus: Summer Memories <ADV> (Granzella) {2018.11.22} (¥7.200) – 2.451 / 47.447 <60-80%> (-59%)
29./00. [NSW] Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker <ADV> (Nintendo) {2018.07.13} (¥3.980) – 2.432 / 141.522 <80-100%>
30./25. [PS4] Red Dead Redemption II # <ACT> (Take-Two Interactive Japan) {2018.10.26} (¥8.800) – 2.377 / 199.132 <80-100%> (-23%)

Famitsu – Number of games in Top 30

NSW – 18
PS4 – 9
3DS – 3

Famitsu – Hardware

Click here for more Japanese sales data!

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