Xbox 360 leaps past PS3 in weekly Japanese console sales

It looks like the week ending August 10th brought a bit of a surprise to the sometimes predictable Japanese hardware sales charts, as the just released numbers have now revealed that the Xbox 360 has shot past the PlayStation 3, and by a wide margin no less. All told, Microsoft moved some 24,962 units during the week, compared to just 9,673 PS3s sold -- a number that, by all accounts, is largely due to the release of the 360-exclusive Tales of Vesperia game, which itself sold over 100,000 copies. That still leaves the Xbox 360 well behind the Wii, however, with it moving an impressive 38,506 units during the same time period, although that was a dip of more than 6% from the previous week. In related news, the DS Lite regained its slight lead over the PSP, with it moving 60,434 units compared to the PSP's 58,501, and Joystiq took a not-to-be-missed dip into the Bizarro world for it's always insightful account of the week's events -- you can check it out at the link below.

[Via Joystiq]

[whowhatme @ Aug 18th 2008 1:21PM]

Where did the article about the Dell mini-Inspiron go?

[kal326 @ Aug 18th 2008 1:26PM]

I don't know either, I have seen that happen a few times in the last few weeks regarding articles disappearing. May have something to do with cease and desist letters or just a glitch in the site either way its odd for something to just up and disappear like that.

[CAHLITO @ Aug 18th 2008 1:29PM]

Hey man I know what you mean, I've noticed an article on a DSLR disappear a few days ago also. Something fishy is going on in the world of Engadget.

[Brian @ Aug 18th 2008 1:37PM]

Yeah, I've noticed that too.... Engadget doing a little CYA?? (cover your a**)

[Andir3.0 @ Aug 18th 2008 2:02PM]

This one? http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/18/dell-mini-inspiron-appears-in-the-wild-maybe/

Yeah, it's not there anymore, but it's on my RSS.

[kal326 @ Aug 18th 2008 1:22PM]

I wonder if it had anything to due with the rumored model switch over coming in September? Since I had a hard time finding a blu-ray play...I mean a PS3 game console this weekend in the states. Finally found a MGS4 bundle after checking 5 stores, but didn't really want to spend an extra $100 for a game and DS3 upgrade.

[Anthony @ Aug 19th 2008 10:58AM]

Exactly my thoughts as well. People are waiting on the new SKU which Sony has released early. They've started showing up here in the states this week.

[xeon @ Aug 18th 2008 1:25PM]

They insist on comparing the Xbox 360 and PS3 to the Wii... isn't that comparing apples to oranges? The Wii appeals to a completely different consumer base.

[Phil Perman @ Aug 18th 2008 2:19PM]

While you have a point, they're all home gaming systems, so even if they are marketed at different gaming segments they are in the same overall market to its a fair comparison. Its like comparing PC's to Mac's really

[Mike @ Aug 18th 2008 2:00PM]

all i gota say before before the ms fanboys cheers in this wont last just wait till septembeter Little Big Planet and the 80 GIG ps3 for 400 bucks it will be a huge month for the for the ps3 from sept till the end of the year.

[Game_playa @ Aug 18th 2008 2:12PM]

Don't forget the PS3 will get it's own PS3 exclusive tales game in the near future. That will blow away all if any sales for M$.

[Ordeith @ Aug 18th 2008 3:30PM]

Ah, the old PS3 motto: Just Wait.

I will not pay $400 just to wait.

[Sean @ Aug 18th 2008 1:28PM]

Nice article... forgot to tell you why the 360 went up in Japan. Tales of Vesperia was released the same week as an exclusive to the 360.

[rodsky @ Aug 18th 2008 1:35PM]

"a number that, by all accounts, is largely due to the release of the 360-exclusive Tales of Vesperia game, which itself sold over 100,000 copies"

read much?

[Sean @ Aug 18th 2008 1:39PM]

Apparently not...

[rodsky @ Aug 18th 2008 1:42PM]

its ok its monday

[grull27 @ Aug 18th 2008 1:30PM]

I'm glad! The 360 is the best game console out there and every gamer should have one.

[Technex @ Aug 18th 2008 1:34PM]

Well that's because the Xbox 360 and Wii are better than that PS3 crap.

The PSP is still selling? Let that crap die already.

[jskrdude @ Aug 18th 2008 3:03PM]

fanboy
boo hiss
Get a life

All consoles are created equal... if you want something truly intimidating get a gaming pc.

[benny boy @ Aug 18th 2008 3:41PM]

LOL. Please don't start a ridiculous flame war. Thanks

[timmer @ Aug 18th 2008 1:42PM]

i think the reason for the 360 beating out the ps3 is because pretty much everyone in japan already has a ps3 and not a 360.

[Lars @ Aug 18th 2008 3:30PM]

Actually it's because the Japanese market always goes where the good new releases are, and they go in droves. The 360 finally got a good exclusive.

[famm113 @ Aug 18th 2008 2:14PM]

Good to see the X box is doing well still. I don't get the hating on the different consoles. I personally own both a PS3 and 360. Both are good consoles and have good games, what's wrong with choice? While the Wii is not necessarily my type of gaming console doesn't mean it's not good. Get over the taking sides for everything. Variety baby!

[Bmills @ Aug 18th 2008 2:15PM]

This looks to be about right.

They they sold 100,000 copies of the game, and there were 24,000 X360s sold, then that means that 24% of the population had to re-buy a 360 since they had a broken one, to be able to play the game.

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Aug 19th 2008 11:53AM]

Customer protection outside of US is pretty good.

You can *ALWAYS* return defective good and sellers has to pay *ALL* related expenses.

Frankly, I had an impression, that defective Xbox360s were sold mostly in US, because three friends I have here in Germany with 360s never had any problems. In US apparently there are bunch of reasons why replacement can be denied - in Europe and Japan they have no choice. Doesn't work => Defective => Replacement (or (harder) money back). In Europe you can return defective stuff within two years after purchase - that's why all stuff costs here more, since sellers have to have money to handle the returns for very long time.

[Juxtah @ Aug 18th 2008 2:17PM]

Yeah PS3, get owned in those weekly sales! Wait sorry what? Weekly sales mean nothing in the larger picture...

[ChuChu @ Aug 18th 2008 5:31PM]

Yet strangely enough, 4 weekly sales reports transform into a monthly sales report, and 12 of those turn into a yearly sales report. It's like... magic!

[michaelportent @ Aug 18th 2008 3:24PM]

Proving, once again, that if you make a JRPG good enough, the Japanese will buy the system that can play it. Hurray for the 360!

[Nathan Wong @ Aug 18th 2008 3:19PM]

See that little door under the power button? Mine came with the spring broken. Not too happy about that. Now it goes back to the store after I already set up my Xbox live gold account on the hard drive and a couple saved games. Dumb QC.

[Ordeith @ Aug 18th 2008 3:32PM]

Why go through all that? you know the faceplate it replaceable, don't you?

Get something colorful and slap it on there.

[Jagster @ Aug 18th 2008 4:48PM]

Get yourseld a new faceplate for $2-$5 many places. Or go through the hassle of exchanging when you already have game saves etc.

[The Dude @ Aug 18th 2008 3:48PM]

Kind of funny when one of Arse Technica's writers shat out a journal entry yesterday lauding the PS3's alleged success in sales over the 360.

[STP13 @ Aug 19th 2008 11:28AM]

I was reading the same article yesterday, too. They 100% skipped over the 360 sales in Japan, which is a huge event as far as console sales go.

[NHAnimator @ Aug 18th 2008 4:00PM]

Hey. I was wondering. Which is the best system to get? The Microsoft Xbox 360 or the Sony PlayStation 3?

[Jagster @ Aug 18th 2008 4:52PM]

What do you want it for (media center extender/netflix streaming/blu-ray playback/gaming)? What games interest you? What's you budget? Do you have HDTV? Etc, etc, etc.

You answer those and you will figure out which is best.... for you.

[LilTmac2003 @ Aug 18th 2008 4:56PM]

Why are doing this.

[xValentine @ Aug 19th 2008 1:58AM]

^
Why bad english ?

:)

[Nate DiDonato @ Aug 19th 2008 4:05AM]

The Japanese will buy any system to play a new Japanese-made RPG.
Hell, it's a national holiday if a new Dragon Quest game comes out (no joke).

Engadget, if you didn't understand this with the Wonderswan, PSP, Xbox, etc. etc., then just stop posting video game news altogether. Your epic failures to read up the original info gives so much troll bait it's ridiculous.

[Moe-Ali @ Aug 21st 2008 12:59AM]

hey u know how u guys saidoutside of usa all products can be returned blah blah
so what about canada?