Japanese charts, February 21-27: 3DS launch in figures

Media Create has released its Japanese software and hardware sales figures for the retail week of February 21 – 27, showing the 3DS stroming it in at the last minute behind a surprisingly strong PSP.

The portable wars
Unsurprisingly in its first sales week, six of the 3DS's limited launch line up peppered the software chart's top twenty.

But Sony isn't done yet, as the PSP's ravenous Japanese user base are still eating up multiplayer titles, topping the charts with Phantasy Star Portable 2.

The older system managed to outperform 3DS software sales by more than 120,000 units sold, but the latter saw only two days on sale during the period covered.

Killzone 3, the only Western-developed title in the top twenty, debuted at 13th position.

See the top twenty below. Last week's chart can be found here.

1. Phantasy Star Portable 2: Infinity (PSP) - 206,654 (New)
2. SD Gundam G Generation: World (PSP) - 192,981 (New)
3. Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle (3DS) - 119,591 (New)
4. Disgaea 4 (PS3) - 79,425 (New)
5. Nintendogs + Cats (French Bulldog, Shiba, Toy Poodle & New Friends) (3DS) - 64,213 (New)
6. Samurai Warriors: Chronicles (3DS) - 49,327 (New)
7. Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition (3DS) - 44,649 (New)
8. Ridge Racer 3D (3DS) - 38,226 (New)
9. Monster Hunter Freedom 3 (PSP) - 36,323
10. The Idolmaster 2 (360) - 34,621 (New)
11. Rune Factory: Oceans (PS3) - 28,939 (New)
12. SD Gundam G Generation: World (Wii) 28,119 (New)
13. Killzone 3 (PS3) - 26,717 (New)
14. Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 5 (PSP) - 26,345 (New)
15. Winning Eleven 3D Soccer (3DS) - 24,556 (New)
16. Samurai Warriors 3 Z (PS3) - 24.075
17. Catherine (PS3) - 21,183
18. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s World Championship 2011: Over the Nexus (DS) - 21,002 (New)
19. Marvel Vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (PS3) - 14,821
20. Rune Factory: Oceans (Wii) - 10.495 (New)

Software chart offerings per system

3DS – 6
PSP – 4
DS – 1
Wii – 2
PS3 – 6
Xbox 360 – 1

PSP Dominant … for now
On the strength of software sales, including two new bestsellers in the top spots, Sony's portable held off the new kid on the block - but not for long.

The 3DS launched in Japan on February 26, giving it just two days on sale during the period charted, and it managed to challenge the PSP's full week.

Reports of initial shipments selling out within hours suggest a greater stock of hardware might have propelled the 3DS to the top of the charts.

The 3DS launch line up is another limiting factor, with only eight games on offer to tempt early adopters away from established platforms - and the PSP's multiplayer scene.

Nintendo aren't taking the PSP competition lightly; the new hardware's enhanced multiplayer features could well strike a barb into Sony's heart. Reports from Japan suggest some players have already completed the few built-in Street Pass titles available at launch, thanks to large community "swap meets".

This spirit of interaction bodes well for the 3DS's conquest of the hardcore PSP multiplayer crowd - but only if the software keeps rolling out.

New shipments have already reached stores; next week's charts may well see the mighty PSP topple.

Japanese hardware, January 3 – February 27, 2011 (combined SKUs, year to date)

• PSP – 484,326
• 3DS – 374,764
• DS –247,007
• PS3 –241,251
• Wii – 166,213
• Xbox 360 –22,295
• PS2 –15,148

Japanese hardware, February 21 – February 27, 2011 (combined SKUs):

• 3DS – 374,764
• PSP – 49,031
• PS3 – 23,654
• DS – 17,558
• Wii – 12,159
• Xbox 360 – 3,366
• PS2 – 1,773

Japanese hardware, February 21 – February 27, 2011 (separate SKUs):

• 3DS – 374,764
• PSP – 47,955
• PS3 – 23,654
• Wii – 12,159
• DSi LL – 9,093
• DSi – 7,802
• Xbox 360 –3,366
• PS2 – 1,773
• PSP go –1,076
• DS Lite – 663