Sony clearly doesn't need Japan to make the PlayStation 4 a success, but the company would surely rather have its home nation on board. While the system is now close to surpassing one million units in the region, it's limped to that milestone. The firm will be pinning all of its hopes on Dragon Quest Heroes, Yakuza Zero, and Bloodborne to turn its fortunes around – especially after a dismal 2014.
Indeed, new data coming out of the country paints a damning picture of PlayStation's presence in the region, with not one PS4, PS3, or Vita title breaking the nation's best sellers list. Instead, the likes of Yokai Watch and Pokémon utterly dominated the competition, with all of the most popular software from the previous year launching exclusively on Nintendo hardware. To be fair, the Vita was the second most popular system, but its respectable 1.1 million units fell significantly short of the 3DS' staggering 3.1 million units.
While those numbers may appear big, though, this was actually the worst year for the Japanese gaming industry in 24 years – which is when the Super Famicom first released. The industry as a whole brought in ¥369 billion ($3.1 billion), which is almost half of 2007's impressive ¥688 billion ($5.7 billion). Unfortunately, the sector has been in steady decline for several years now, as the market transitions to mobile games, where companies like GREE currently rule the roost. Dark times, readers – dark times.
Japan's Best Selling Software in 2014
1. [3DS] Yo-kai Watch 2: Ganso / Honke <RPG> (Level 5) {2014.07.10} (¥4.937) - 3,050,178
2. [3DS] Pokémon OR / AS <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2014.11.21} (¥4.937) - 2,464,850
3. [3DS] Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate # <ACT> (Capcom) {2014.10.11} (¥6.264) - 2,381,177
4. [3DS] Super Smash Bros. for 3DS <FTG> (Nintendo) {2014.09.13} (¥5.616) - 2,066,022
5. [3DS] Yo-kai Watch 2: Shin Uchi <RPG> (Level 5) {2014.12.13} (¥4.968) - 2,007,327
6. [3DS] Yo-kai Watch <RPG> (Level 5) {2013.07.11} (¥4.800) - 994,346 / 1,280,799
7. [WIU] Mario Kart 8 # <RCE> (Nintendo) {2014.05.29} (¥6.156) - 842,053
8. [3DS] Dragon Quest Monsters 2 <RPG> (Square Enix) {2014.02.06} (¥5.490) - 748,139
9. [3DS] Kirby Triple Deluxe <ACT> (Nintendo) {2014.01.11} (¥4.800) - 687,957
10. [WIU] Super Smash Bros. for Wii U # <FTG> (Nintendo) {2014.12.06} (¥7.776) - 478,366
Japan's Best Selling Hardware in 2014
1. 3DS - 3,153,045 / 17,847,056
2. PSV - 1,147,936 / 3,423,075
3. PS4 - 925,570
4. WiiU - 604,856 / 2,123,283
5. PS3 - 450,034 / 10,018,534
6. XBO - 45,958
[source famitsu.com, via neogaf.com, eurogamer.net]
Comments 20
Still the best selling home console in Japan. This year should be better for them with Disgea 5, Ys, Hot Shots Golf, God Eater 2, Persona 5, Dragon's Quest Heroes, Final Fantasy Type 0 HD, and etc.
@Dohv They definitely have a better lineup. If the system still doesn't take off, though...
I think Final Fantasy XV's probably going to be the real acid test for consoles in the country. We'll see.
Wow Xbone just needs to abandon Japan. Those numbers are embarrassing.
MH needs to come to NA😭 2015 will be a huge year for every region and everyone will be happy again
@Dohv
Why do people care about Hot Shots? This year was PS4's launch so unless there's a big turn around, I am positive Wii U will be the most selling home console there.
@Hero-of-WiiU Biased much ? Your name is "Hero-of-WiiU" so of course you're gonna damage control for the WiiU. PS4 outsold the Wii U last year in Japan with no games. So when it does get games its going to do even better.
Edit- Lol I just looked at your comment history and you're just a negative hater. Hating on every damn thing, and trying to downplay PlayStation so you can "up" your WiiU and try to make your self feel better. That's called being insecure. I see you're 14 also, I'm 4 years older than you and I say its time for you to start growing up and realize some people like Sony consoles better than the others. It's called an opinion. If you like Nintendo better good for you, but no need to try to hate and downplay the PS4.
Viva la Vita,I guess we will see some unexpected games on Vita this year.
Japan's a tough market for home consoles any way you slice it. None of the consoles are doing well there. It's just a handheld loving region. When Vita outsells the PS4, you know you're not in Kansas anymore
Well it sells in droves elsewhere so atleast for the time being it doesn't really matter. Maybe if the PS4 can get some killer games catered towards the Japanese it'll sell better but I doubt it will ever sell as well as it does in the west.
Now I wish could be more love on vita and more AAA games, that's what we need
@Hero-of-WiiU Hot Shots is pretty popular in Japan. It's not going to compete with Pokemon or Yokai Watch, but it should do reasonable numbers on the PS4.
Those 3DS figures .... 17m in Japan alone!? Jeez that's mightily impressive. Ps4 will do better this year in Japan.
I just feel bad that Yokai Watch appeared on this list 3 times, at this point with this rereleases with just a bit of extra content they are milking that franchise, at this point they are just milking the franchise for obvious reasons.
When it comes to games right now, the PS4/Xbone can touch what the Wii U has to offer.
I love my PS3 and still have tons of games to play, I also love my Wii U and 3DS - I play the 3DS the most. I have ZERO need or desire for a PS4 right now and can't see that changing anytime soon.
I'm surprised to see 45 k xbone there, I though it would be a lot less. What a waste.
I wounder if that gundam game will help nudge up some sales! Still waiting to see more details!
@Dohv how's that when wii u has sold over 3 times as many units???? Nice to see nintendo taking whole of the top ten so convincingly
@freaksloan absolutely agree with you. If you've a wii u and ps3 there is zero need for a ps4. There's way too much ps4 coverage compared to ps3 and the ps3 is better and offers way more
@Dohv Lol, it's pathetic how you get so worked up that you have to stalk his profile just because he said something you disagree with. I'm one year older than you, so I'll be just as condescending and tell you to grow up. PS4 selling better because it released in Japan during 2014 is a reasonable assumption, so it's not him trying to "downplay" the system.
I have a PS3, PS4 and a PS Vita. Others love xbox 360 or the xbox one. Some people like Nintendo 3ds or the wii-u. If you ask me in a time when the said all console and hand held gaming was going to be replaced by tablets I'm so thankful that all are living up to expectation and there is a place in the market for the all....although I would like a few AAA titles for the vita instead of it being sold as a remote play accessory...it's one hot bit of kit haha
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