Doki Doki Touch Me Touch Me OST

Like every game in Japan, OST is part of the landscape. No game in Japan is released without one. And Doki Doki is no exception. Now you can listen to the touching soundtrack (every pun intended).

It's going on sale 7/25 for 2,940 yen.

Source: SNKPlaymore

DIY DS Lite Stylus

So you think your DS Lite Stylus is not long enough; and the pencil DS Stylus cost more expensive than a real pencil? Why not DIY your own Stylus? Someone did. It's actually quite a genius idea.

Make a Stylus with just a Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto pen. Cut the stylus to size and fit it in. Perfect. Best of all, it cost as much as a Pilot pen.

Source: arghyle

Sales Chart JPN: Zelda cuts its way to first.

Week 18 - 24 June 2007

In a week that should surprise nobody, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass topped the chart this week. With only 2 days of sales, it already sold 302,887 copies. Zelda, much like Mario, is the flagship of Nintendo, so you won't expect it to do well.

Lacking far behind is Itadaki Street DS from Sqaure Enix (148,876). It's essentially a board game. This version bring Dragon Quest and Super Mario together. Third places is for the eye. There is no end to the eye training game. It sold another 44,138 units.

PS2 has 2 games in the top 10, with Growlanser VI from Atlus (27,254) in 5th and Mana-Khemia: The School Alchemists from Gus (20,963) in 8th. Frankly, I don't even remember Growlanser from yonks ago.

PS3 has 3 games on the top 50 this week (people, act surprise). Best of them is FolkSoul (yet another RPG) at 11th. The ninja has fallen down the wall, back in 19th. Call of Duty 3 slipped from 14th to 49th this week.

XBox 360 also has games on the top 50. Saints Row debuted at 25th, while last week's number 2, Trusty Bell, fell to 35th. Doesn't look like it has the same sort of drive as Blue Dragon.

Quite an interesting week. Every major console has at least 1 game on the chart. It's something of a rarity in this part of the world being dominated by Nintendo.

Best selling games for each platform (that is on the chart) this week

DS - The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Wii - Wii Sports
PS2 - Growlanser VI
PS3 - FolkSoul
Xbox 360 - Saints Row
PSP - Smash Court Tennis 3

Number of titles in the top 50 for each platform this week:

DS - 30
Wii - 7
PSP - 5
PS2 - 3
PS3 - 3
Xbox 360 - 2

Console War VII: Battle for Nippon

DSL surged ahead because of two factors. One, of course, is Zelda. Two, new colours went on sale last week. It sold more than everything else combined.... yet again. The DS hasn't done that for about a month now. But it has done it again.

Everything else haven't changed much really. Xbox 360 had a great fall, sold only about 44% of last week's figure. Last week was a great week for Xbox because of Trusty Bell. And this week, the figure is back to where it normally is.

DSL - 163,888
Wii - 65,582
PSP - 32,984
PS2 - 11,962
PS3 - 9,581
Xbox360 - 3,369

Market share this week

DSL vs PSP
83.24% vs 16.75

Wii vs PS3 vs XBox 360
83.51% vs 12.20% vs 4.29%

Source: Media Create

Nintendo getting more games from Japanese game makers

Due to the popularity of Wii and DS, game companies are flocking to the consoles.

Namco Bandai is planning 109% more titles for Nintendo with 115 new titles. Sega also upping their shipment 96% to 49. Capcom adds another 5% to 20 titles. Meanwhile, the PS3 and PSP are getting less titles, like 30-40% less.

What do you expect? You can't create more games without letting go of others. And at this moment, it looks like Nintendo is getting all the attention from games developers.

Final Fantasy CC: RoF Special Edition DS

Final Fantasy Special Edition DS number 4,675 (actually, it's only number 3). It looks like it's a Square Enix norm nowadays. It is to be expected that anything Square Enix does on the DS, there will be a special edition. This time, it's for the new Final Fantasy game - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicle - Ring of Fates Gemini Edition. It's the sequel to Crystal Chronicle that was on the GameCube.

It's in white (of course) and features a tinted window with the characters of the game on the right and the game title on the left. Going on sales in Japan on August 23 for the grand total of 21,840 yen.

Frankly, this edition doesn't look as good as the FFXII:RW or the FFIII edition. It doesn't have the FF feel. Maybe it's because the characters don't stand out.

And now we wait for FFIV special edition.

Don't tell me you didn't see this coming.

Source: Kotaku

Sales Chart JPN: Unusual suspects top the chart

Week 11 - 17 June 2007

Last week has been very unusual for the Japanese market for three reasons. One, you need (a lot) more training. Two, Xbox is seeing double vision. Three, is that a PS3 game that I see?

Unusual Suspect 1

We all know training softwares in Japan are immensely popular for various reasons. Last week was no different, except that we have not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 training software in the top 10. That's 40% of the top 10 solely for training games. I mean, these games don't tell a story. They are solely there to improve your memory or eyesight or English. Hell, they even have the word "training" written all over the box.

Brain Training (15,405) and More Brain Training (24,901) are regulars on the list; Eye Training that was released three weeks ago is back at ichiban last week (63,439); while English Training moved 15,855 units last week. For a game that was released in 2005 to be still in the top 50 after two years is hard enough, yet we have TWO such games in the top 10.

Benefiting from all these was Professor Layton. Primarily a puzzle game, it jumped 6 places to finish the week in 11th.

What is with the Japanese?

Unusual Suspect 2

Now we all know the Xbox 360 is all about Halo in the rest of the world, but in Japan, this machine is all about Blue Dragon, the RPG game with Goku-look-alikes. But now, it seems like the Japanese will have one more reason to buy an Xbox. Eternal Sonata (better know as Trusty Bell in this part of the world) debuted at number 2, shipping 49,334 units. That's the best Xbox game since Blue Dragon late last year.

But there was something else on the chart that makes last week rather unusual. At 40th was Dead Rising Platinum Collection on Xbox. That makes not 1, but 2 Xbox games in the top 50 in the same week! When was the last time that happened? Like never.

It was almost worth celebrating at Redmond. Bill Gates probably went, "Oh, look. We have TWO games in the top 50 in Japan! Drinks are on me!"

Unusual Suspect 3

It was a long time since a PS3 game makes it anywhere close to number one. The last one to make it was Gundam Muso topping the chart back when dinosaurs were still ruling the Earth. Last week, a ninja made it to third place. It just couldn't poke a knife at the eye or kill helpless little kids on an adventure.

Ninja Guardian Sigma settled in third place with 46,307 stealthily left the stores. Did it sell more PS3? Not particularly. It's still selling less than the PS2.

Best selling games for each platform (that is on the chart) this week

DS - Practice by Observing: DS Observation Training
Xbox 360 - Trusty Bell
PS3 - Ninja Guardian Sigma
Wii - Wii Sports
PS2 - Hisshou Pachinko*Pachi-Slot Kouryoku Series Vol. 10
PSP - Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai 2

Number of titles in the top 50 for each platform this week:

DS - 33
Wii - 7
PSP - 5
Xbox 360 - 2
PS3 - 1
PS2 - 1

Console War VII: Battle for Nippon

The position remains the same, it's the numbers that are different. DSL and Wii continue to lead in its usual numbers. PS3 has increased slightly. But it was the Xbox that gained the most, no doubt due to Trusty Bell and whoever's dream that was. Sales for the Xbox gone up 300% from the week before!

Of course, no one is expecting this trend to last. Any bets on how long it's going to last?

DSL - 118,684
Wii - 65,521
PSP - 33,359
PS2 - 11,974
PS3 - 9,481
Xbox360 - 7,583

Market share this week

DSL vs PSP
78.06% vs 21.94

Wii vs PS3 vs XBox 360
79.34% vs 11.48% vs 9.18%

Source: Media Create

Looking beautiful with the DS

The DS console has just added another use to its ever expanding functionality. First, you can train your brain, then an electronic cookbook. Even schools in Kyoto are using the DS to teach English. Now it's your chance to look beautiful with the help of the DS.

Konami (maker of Metal Gear Solid and Dynasty Warriors) is releasing "Dream Skincare" in October, a software that gives beauty tips advice to its users. This game is obviously aimed at the female population, and the not-so-obviously few male counterparts.

Users can mark a date, like meeting with the future-in-laws, and the software will work out a beauty regime for you to follow so you can look pretty in front of them. Sorry, no tips on how to deal with the in-laws.... yet.

We all know women love to look beautiful, but a software to tell you how? That's a first. Companies are so going after the female 'gamers' that it's not funny. But hey, Nintendo (and other companies) has just opened a whole new can of worm, and well done to them.

Sorry, the game is in Japanese only.

Source: TechShout

Sony PS3 price cut? Yes? No?

Howard Stringer, the man who's holding Sony by a string at the moment (pun intended) has indicated that prices of the PS3 might drop before the Christmas buying spread. A process is currently underway to "refine" the price point of the PS3. Stringer has said in an interview that the process will be complete before Christmas, hinting that the price will drop (surely, we're not talking about a price increase, huh?).

When asked about the success of the Wii, he said in typical fashion that Sony is not competing with it. Well, of course, because if they are, you would lose out alot, Howard. For the price of 1 PS3, you can get, what? 3 Wiis?

So it seems that matter now is by how much the PS3 price will drop by. It certainly won't go as low as the Wii, so the main competitor is of course, the Xbox 360. Well, hold on to your money a little while longer, because PS3 is about to get a little cheaper.

Then, of course, the other consoles are already cheaper.

Source: Gamasutra

Sales Chart US: Slow month, PSP wins the battle, but Nintendo is winning the war.

May Sales Figure

NPD figures are out, and in typical May style, sales have been slow. Even though the figure has increased almost by half year on year, it was down on April. Sales were US$816 million in May, 3% lower than April's US$839 million.

Software. Pokemon continues to top the chart, with Mario going to a party not far behind. Spidey casts his web around 3rd place, while more pocket monsters lurks around in 4th.

Still can't find a PS3 game in sight. Another bad month for PS3.

1. Pokemon Diamond - DS (Nintendo) - 331,000 units
2. Mario Party 8 - Wii (Nintendo) - 314,000 units
3. Spider-Man 3 - PS2 (Activision) - 249,000 units
4. Pokemon Pearl - DS (Nintendo) - 238,000 units
5. Wii Play - Wii (Nintendo) - 227,000 units
6. Forza Motorsport 2 - Xbox 360 (Microsoft) - 217,000 units
7. Guitar Hero II - Xbox 360 (Activision) - 184,000 units
8. Spider-Man 3 - Xbox 360 (Activision) - 140,000 units
9. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars - Xbox 360 (Electronic Arts) - 138,000 units
10. Guitar Hero II - PS2 (Activision) - 131,000 units

Console War VII: Battle for America

Just like in Japan and everywhere else, Nintendo's hardware takes down all competitions. The Wii sold 338,300 in May while the DS reached 423,150 units, both less than April's figure. Pokeman Diamond once again top the software sales chart.

The Xbox 360 sold 154,900, down on April. With Halo 3 Beta and Forza Motorsport 2 out, June is expected to be a big month for Xbox.

Sony's PS3 didn't move this month, steadied at 81,600 units. People are still buying PS2. 187,800 units have walked out the door. The biggest 'winner' for the month is PSP, benefiting on the price cut in April. 221,000 were sold in May, up on April's 180,000.

Looks like Nintendo is still way ahead of the rest, gaining over 60% of market (both console and handheld) in May. The Wii is selling more than twice the Xbox and more than 4 times as much as the PS3. Looks like there is no stopping Nintendo at the moment.

Market share for the month

DS vs PSP
65.69% vs 34.31%

Wii vs XBox 360 vs PS3
58.86% vs 26.95% vs 14.2%

Source: Gamasutra

DDR on growth hormone

Well, not quite. Konami is introducing Groove Motion DDR for the fitness conscious people out there. It's not your ordinary DDR either, with six different fitness programs like yoga and martial arts-style exercises. A mat is used, but you also wear a motion sensor belt (is there anything that's not motion sensor nowadays? Wiimote, SIXIXAXIXIS...) that will monitor things like calories that can be counted as scores.

You probably won't find it in arcade anytime soon. But if you ever come across a Konami fitness centre, make sure to try one. Yes, Konami operates fitness centres.

Source: Famitsu [via Kotaku]

Sales Chart JPN: Want to watch Eva play pachinko? Now you can.

Week 04 - 10 June 2007

Can someone tell me why an 11-years-old anime mixed with a pokie equivalent can top the Japanese games sales chart? Noone? Well, I can't explain it either. But that's exactly what happened last week. A Pachinko game with an Evangelion theme topped the chart. Apparently 80,586 PS2 owners found it amusing to play pachinko on the TV, with EVA no less. Not even being a super saiyan can beat looking at virtual metal balls rolling down the TV screen. Hmm, wonder if there is a berserk mode.

Anyway, 62,537 DS owners needed their eyes check last week with Practice by Observing: DS Observation Training. It's much better than counting the number of metal balls rolling down the screen. Goku and co takes up 3rd spot (44,337). Yep, it's yet another Dragon Ball Z game. This time, you can bring it anywhere with you on the PSP. Final Fantasy II Anniversary Edition is 4th with 36,637.

Just like I predicted last week, Wii Sports is back at the front of Wii assault at 5th place (29,570)

The latest incarnation of Harvest Moon on the Wii debut in 7th. Guess the series is still going quite strong with 21,866. The rest of the top 10 is old stuff.

Resident Evil 4 on the Wii has dropped to 11th, after making it to 2nd. So has Momotarou Dentetsu DS: Tokyo & Japan. Professor Layton went back up to 17th. It's a really good game, if you understand Japanese, or know someone who does, buy this. It's a puzzle game at its finest. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War also went back up 1 spot to 22nd. Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, however, continues to fall. It's at 35th this week.

Best selling games for each platform (that is on the chart) this week

PS2 - Hisshou Pachinko*Pachi-Slot Kouryoku Series Vol. 10
DS - Practice by Observing: DS Observation Training
PSP - Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai 2
Wii - Wii Sports

Number of titles in the top 50 for each platform this week:

DS - 34
Wii - 8
PSP - 5
PS2 - 3

Console War VII: Battle for Nippon

Everything have dropped last week. DS dropped about 20,000 while the Wii doing about the same. For I don't know how many weeks in a row now, PS2 continued to outsell PS3. Week in , week out, Nintendo is taking charge. Of course, noone in Japanese really gives a shit about the Xbox 360. Another week, another 2,500 sold.

DSL - 117,193
Wii - 64,529
PSP - 24,711
PS2 - 11,097
PS3 - 8,776
Xbox360 - 2,533

Market share this week

DSL vs PSP
82.59% vs 17.41%

Wii vs PS3 vs XBox 360
85.09% vs 11.57% vs 3.34%

Source: Media Create

More DS colours.... unofficially.

At the start of the month we bought you the yellow Pikachu edition DS, now we bring you more DS colours. None of them is the official colour, but hey, who the hell cares? I mean, you have so many colours to choose from it's like buying a car. Just imagine the conversation when you go to a Nintendo party.

"Honey, do you think the green one looks good one me? No, no, I think the red one suits me better... actually, how about this gold one?"

"You don't look fat in any."

"I never asked...."

"..." -_-;

Anyhow, moving on.... all different colours are available at the Nintendo World Store in NYC. That's where they are. They just look so colourful

Source: GoNintendo

Sales Chart JPN: Eyesight fading? Fear no more.

Week 28 May - 03 June 2007

Eyesight not good? You got to get this game then. This week's number one is Practice by Observing: DS Observation Training. Yep, more training software for the Japanese. As if 20,662 More Brain Training is not enough, 94,834 people need new glasses. Not even the horrors of Resident Evil 4 (43,771) on the Wii is going to derail the eyes. Third place belongs to Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! 2 (33,738), yet another DS. Guilty Gear XX Accent Core (31,773) on the PS2 debutted at forth, while Wii Sports take out number 5. Yep, it's Wii Sports again. Anyone going to guess Wii Sports is going to top the Wii sales again next week?

Nothing else is new in the top 10. While Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings and Momotarou Dentetsu DS: Tokyo & Japan both released on the same date (26/4), it was the latter that popped back up into 10th place. FFXII:RW slips further down to 23rd this week, behind Professor Layton. I guess there are more train lovers than FF fans in Japan.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War is finally out of the top 10, while last week's number one, Kekkaishi: Karasumori Ayakashi Kidan dropped to 28th. Bleach: Heat The Soul 4 fell to 24th. Biggest drop was last week's third place, Shin Lucky * Star Moe Drill: Tabidachi, fell from 3rd to 41st. That is, if you don't count XBox 360 Forza Motorsport 2, it disappeared completely after debutting at 11th. But you were expecting that, right?

Best selling games for each platform (that is on the chart) this week

DS - Practice by Observing: DS Observation Training
Wii - Resident Evil 4
PS2 - Guilty Gear XX Accent Core
PSP - Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War

Number of titles in the top 50 for each platform this week:

DS - 31
Wii - 7
PSP - 7
PS2 - 5

Console War VII: Battle for Nippon

Every week is the same, Nintendo first, Sony second, and Microsoft third. The Wii sold 10,000 more than the week before (probably due to RE4, or better known as BioHazard in Japan). DS dropped about 4,000, but still streets ahead of the rest of the pack. PSP and PS2 is roughly the same, and the PS3 has yet again fell below 9,000. This week, its 2 shy of 9,000.

DSL - 123,140
Wii - 69,748
PSP - 26,358
PS2 - 11,814
PS3 - 8,998
Xbox360 - 2,219

Market share this week

DSL vs PSP
82.37% vs 17.63%

Wii vs PS3 vs XBox 360
86.15% vs 11.11% vs 2.74%

Source: Media Create

Most useless thing this week, probably this year

If I were to pick the most useless invention this week, this will top the list. It's a security lock for your PS2/3 controller. It works by locking the thumbsticks of your PS2/3 controller and won't let go unless you know 3-digit combo.

What exactly is the point? Someone going to steal a controller? Actually, I just found one. It's probably for parents who want to restrict their kids play time. Something like, "No PS3 for you until you finish your homework". I know I went through that phrase.

What are they going to think of next? A Wiimote lock?

Source: Gizmodo

More Harvest Moon goodies

In case someone somewhere don't know what Harvest Moon, it's a game where you're a farmer and your job is, well, do what a farmer does. Seeding, watering, milking cows, feed the chicken, collect the eggs. chop woods, cut logs, clear out the weeds, move rocks, etc., etc., etc. Oh, and of course, finding a girl who would want to live in the outback with you.

It's a surprise if you don't know what it is, because, you know, the game has been milked from every possible place. And now, Natsume is bringing more Harvest fun for more milking. Natsume announced the following at E3:

Harvest Moon 2 (DS)
Harvest Moon DS Cute (DS)
Harvest Moon Wii (Wii)
Harvest Moon: Boy and Girl (PSP)
Innocent Life: A Futuristic Harvest Moon Special Edition (PS2)
Puzzle de Harvest Moon (DS)
Rune Factory: A Fantasy Harvest Moon (DS)

Harvest Moon is like what Final Fantasy is for Square Enix. Natsume literally live on it. You must admit, though, this game is made of kawaii-ness. It has the sweetest, cutest, most kawaii animals you will ever find in any game.

Wonder if the developers are all farmers.

Source: Siliconera

PSP Lite coming out?

Okay, so it might not be called PSP Lite. But hey, DS Lite is here, why not PSP Lite?

Anyway, rumour has it that the redesigned PSP is close to completion. Doesn't sound like there will be touch screen, the killer spec for the DS, but it will have a clearer LED screen, faster UMD drive and comes with 8GB of internal flash memory.

Camera and touch screen is not coming, and it will primarily remain black. Well, besides Japan, I think the rest of the world is still on black PSP anyway.

Of course, Sony is not making any comment at the moment, but looks like the new PSP is imminent. It really need something to rejuvenate the PSP against the overly popular DS.

Source: Kotaku

Wii are more friendlier than before

An interesting article from NY Times about the cooperative nature of Nintendo for its Wii console than its predecessor, the GameCube. Nintendo is more open about letting other third party company to develop games for the Wii. They even went as far as showing companies like Namco Bandai the Wii prototype, something that they haven't done before.

I guess they have learnt their lessons from GameCube, where only 271 titles are available as compared to PS2's 1467 (and counting, even though PS3 is out for more than six months). PS2 banks on the number of games available, even though there are rubbish games in that big pile of discs.

It's worth a read.

Source: NY Times

Hitler banned from XBox Live

The heading said for itself. Just watch and enjoy. Gold comedy.

Sony cuts PS3 prices... not.

Sony president Ryoji Chubachi is still not saying whether his company will cut the price of the most expensive next-gen video game console or not.

Facing fierce competition from both Nintendo and Microsoft, Sony is still wondering whether to lower their price.

The problem with lowering the price seems to be that Sony will lose more money, at least in the short term. But not lowering the price will surely make the gaming division sink to new lows as inventories start to pile up in factories.

PS3 no longer holds the title "the cheapest Blu-Ray player". That has been taken by Sony's own Blu Ray player coming out, retailing US$100 less than the brick.

Lack of exclusive block buster + expensive console = bad for business

Source: News.com.au

Touch me, I'm a BOY!

As if SNK Playmore's new game, "Doki Doki Majo Shinpan", hasn't caused enough outcry publicity yet, new info has emerged on Dengeki Online with 3 new characters that you need to check in the game.

If you have been following this game, you would know that this game is all about touch different parts of a girls' body to find out if she's a witch. Not anymore! One of the new characters is a guy! No doubt there will be lots of male bonding going on round there.

So does that mean he's a wizard?

Source: Dengeki Online [via Insert Credit]

Pikachu getting its own DS

Pikachu is finally getting its own DS. Nintendo of Japan is releasing a limited edition DS (again!) that features the famous pocket monster. Potential buyers will have to fill out an application form obtained from one of five pokemon centres around Japan before July 1 to "win" their bragging buying rights.

The DS cost 16,800 yen, and is, of course, in Pikachu yellow. The face of Pikachu is on the bottom right corner of the cover. I'm not quite sure if anyone can see that logo. If they don't know better, it could have been mistaken for a new DS colour!
Source: Kotaku, Pokemon Center

SD Gundam Cross Drive Special Edition DS

I might be late to report this, but Bandai Namco's SD Gundam G Generation Cross Drive is getting a special edition DS. It's similar to the "Wonderful World" Edition (or should I say, Wonderful World edition is similar to this), with the logo on the left and the wording on the right.

Considering Gundam is HUGE in Japan, it make business sense to bring out this edition. Anything that has Gundam written on it is akin to printing money. No doubt Bandai Namco is already counting the money from pre-orders well before its August 9 release date.

Just like every other special edition DS that ever existed, this one is Japan only. Looks like importing is the only choice for anyone living outside Japan. As usual, prepare to pay top dollar, like US$299 at PlayAsia. Worth it? Not worth it? You decide.

The game features 500 characters, 300 MS, and more than 120 stages from over 15 different Gundam series. It's definitely for the Gundam fanboys out there.

Source: DS Fanboy

It's a Wonderful World, it's another special edition DS!

As if Japan hasn't got enough different version of DS yet, it's yet another special edition DS. This time, it's Square Enix's new game, "It's a Wonderful World". I have no idea what the game is about, nor do I care (you can read all about it here, Japanese only).

There are more versions of the DS than the number of times that Princess Peach is kidnapped. Unfortunately, none of them is making their way outside Japan.

Square Enix is getting addicted to releasing new version of DS for every freaking game that they make for the platform. First, they have Final Fantasy III, then Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings, and now this?

No prizes for guessing that they will release FFIV and DQIX special version DS. Man, it's hard enough to find a normal one in Japan, let along these special editions. Good thing is, they don't cost any more than a normal DS.

Source: Kotaku, Game Watch

Square Enix talks Final Fantasy IV

Quite a long interview with Tomoya Asano and Takashi Tokita (Producer and Executive Producer) on the Final Fantasy IV remake that is currently in development for the DS.

There will be new scenarios that is previously no included in the original SNES version and the subsequent GBA version. The game will obviously be tweaked to be used on the DS. And hopefully it will take better advantage of the dual screen.

Stylus is not going to have that much of an impact this time round. Whereas the player can play FFIII using only the stylus, FFIV will require the player to use other buttons as well. For someone like me who doesn't like poking at the screen all day, it's good news.

Click on the link to read more... a lot more. It's a very long interview.

Source: GameBrink

Sales Chart JPN: Kekkaishi defeated everyone to win this week.

Week 21 - 27 May 2007

This week's number one comes back to DS. Kekkaishi: Karasumori Ayakashi Kidan sold a modest 40,741 last week. Another new DS game Shin Lucky * Star Moe Drill: Tabidachi comes in third with 30,397.

It's a reversal of last week where the DS game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! 2 is sandwiched between two Sony games. This week, it's two DS games doing the sandwiching. PSP's Bleach: Heat The Soul 4 comes in second place (37,764).

Last week's number one, Shining Wind, dropped to 12th place. But the biggest drop is Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! 2 falling from 2nd to 27th. Odin Sphere dropped from 3rd to 23rd. So it looks like last week's top 3 are all out of the top 10.

Old games made up the top 10, Wii Sports with being the best selling 'old' game. That is probably Nintendo Japan's best move yet in Japan. It is selling in the truckloads over there. Poor them, the rest of the world gets it for free. Poor us, though, Japanese get most Wii games first.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War is actually not doing too bad. It's fifth with another 26,019 sold. Unlike the other FF, Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings has dropped 10 places to 16th! I was expecting FFXII:RW to stay in the top 10 for a while longer than just 4 weeks. Maybe the Japanese doesn't like RTS much. But then the first European impression reckons it's too easy. Hmmm, look like FFXII:RW is stuck in limbo land right now.

Other game worthy of note is XBox 360's Forza Motorsport 2. It's a motor racing game, of course. It debuted at 11th spot. Quite impressive for an XBox game. It has been a long time for any XBox game to get so close to the top 10. But too bad, still not in the top 10 yet. Better luck next time. Because the only way to go from now on is down.

Best selling games for each platform (that is on the chart) this week

DS -Kekkaishi: Karasumori Ayakashi Kidan
PSP - Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War
Wii - Wii Sports
XBox 360 - Forza Motorsport 2
PS2 - Shining Winds

Number of titles in the top 50 for each platform this week:

DS - 36
Wii - 5
PS2 - 5
PSP - 3
XBox 360 - 1

Console War VII: Battle for Nippon

The position hasn't changed from last week, with Nintendo leading the way while Sony lacks behind with Microsoft dragging its half dead body across the floor. The figures stay around the same. DS outsold PSP by 4.8 to 1, and Wii outsold PS3 by over 6 to 1. PS3 yet again did not make 10,000 this week, and still behind PS2 in sales volume. That's the 3rd week in a running now. Bad for PS3, bad for Sony.

DSL - 127,461
Wii - 58,644
PSP - 26,097
PS2 - 11,311
PS3 - 9,627
Xbox360 - 2,044

Market share this week

DSL vs PSP
83.01% vs 16.99%

Wii vs PS3 vs XBox 360
83.40% vs 13.96% vs 2.91%

Source: Media Create