[Japan] Media Create sales for Week 50, 2016 (Dec. 12 – 18) [Top 50]

Update: added full Top 50 from Media Create!

Media Create – Software

As Christmas is drawing ever nearer, video games sales saw a major increase this week in Japan. There are 4 new entries for Week 50, and three of them are for the Nintendo 3DS. The first one is Yo-kai Watch 3: Sukiyaki, the third version for Yo-kai Watch 3 (released in July).

According to Media Create, it sold 337 979 units during the first four days, which is a pretty decent debut… better than expected, in fact. It looks like quite a few retailers ran out of copies, which shows they did underestimate demand. This is not really surprising, since they still have unsold copies from the first week shipments of Yo-kai Watch 3: Sushi / Tempura. According to Famitsu, sell-through ratio is 60-80%.

Obviously, this is major drop compared to Yo-kai Watch 2: Shin Uchi (which sold over 1 million units at launch according to Media Create), but a direct comparison is a bit unfair. After all, the Yo-kai Watch franchise was still in the growing phase back in 2014. What’s more, Yo-kai Watch 3: Sushi / Tempura already saw a major drop in sales. It will be interesting to see how many units Yo-kai Watch 3 will end up selling in the long run.

Speaking of Yo-kai Watch 3, the Yo-Kai Watch 3: Sushi / Tempura – Busters T-Pack (both versions + update pre-installed, sold much cheaper than sold separately) did rather well with 17 709 units sold during the first four days. Since this is a limited bundle, it’s possible it will drop from the Media Create Top 20 pretty fast (maybe as soon as next week): it will depend on how limited Level-5 intends it to be.

According to Famitsu, all versions have sold 1 389 083 units at retail (including download cards).

Finally, we have Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Heroes, which had a rather disappointing debut with only 26 673 units sold according to Media Create. Why do we say mediocre? That’s because Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2016, released in April, sold over 180 000 units at launch. Granted, it was on three platforms, but even the worst-selling SKU (PS3) sold almost twice as much as this Nintendo 3DS entry (~46 000, Famitsu data).

On Nintendo 3DS, and during the busiest period of the year for sales, Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu Heroes really should have sold (much) better than it did. It’s not clear why this Nintendo 3DS entry underperformed, but we can assume that players were already satisfied with Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2016 and/or the mobile game (one of the most popular mobile games in Japan).

Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu Heroes sold a little more than the last two entries on Nintendo DS (about 24 000 units), but sales had already seen a major drop from the best-selling entries on the platform (71 000 units for the best debut). According to Famitsu, the sell-through ratio for this Nintendo 3DS entry is 20-40%, which is quite low (but not too worrying… for now).

Right now, we’re currently in the strongest period of the year for video games sales, especially family-friendly titles (though the strongest week of the year, Week 51, is yet to come). Therefore, it’s not surprising that Nintendo games are selling pretty well. Let’s take a look at how some of them are performing in the Top 20 from Media Create:

•  02./02. [3DS] Pokemon Sun / Moon (Pokemon Co.) – 199.514 / 2.578.960 (+5%). There’s absolutely nothing surprising about a Pokémon game selling well at Christmas. More interesting: this entry has begun outselling Pokémon X and Y in weekly sales, though it’s obviously because it was released much closer to Christmas. So far, all versions have sold a combined 2 893 944 units, including with the double-pack (314 984 as of Week 48);
• 03./03. [3DS] Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS (Nintendo) – 168.072 / 448.160 (+43%). It’s now clear that the Wii U really held back Super Mario Maker, as this handheld version is most definitely going to top 600 000 units sold next week (and maybe even 700 000 units before the end of the year). Depending on how fast sales drop after the holiday period, it might also end up at over 1 million units sold LTD. So far, it’s been outselling the Wii U version on a weekly basis, though it’s not too surprising since the handheld version was released much closer to Christmas;
• 07./06. [3DS] Miitopia (Nintendo) – 27.933 / 55.023 (+3%). After a rather disappointing debut, Miitopia actually managed to sell more during its second week than during the first one, which is extremely unusual. That being said, it’s not a first for Nintendo, and especially not during the busiest period of the year. It will be interesting to see if this one ends up selling well on the long run, or whether it completely drop from the Media Create Top 20 as soon as the holiday period is over. As of Week 50, the sell-through ratio is 40-60%, which is a bit low, but nothing to worrying for now;
• 11./12. [WIU] Minecraft: Wii U Edition (Microsoft Game Studios) – 16.315 / 215.728 (+59%). Unsurprisingly, sales increased once more this week, and they should do so once more next week;
• 13./11. [3DS] Mario Party: Star Rush (Nintendo) – 15.635 / 104.179 (+49%). After a rather disappointing debut, this handheld entry has been selling pretty steadily, with strong sales during the holiday period. It’s now sold over 100 000 units, and might end up at 200 000 units LTD;
• 14./10. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo (Nintendo) – 14.535 / 52.695 (+28%). At this rate, it’s definitely going to easily sell over 100 000 units, which is quite remarkable for the third version of a game released in 2012…
• 18./15. [3DS] Kirby: Planet Robobot (Nintendo) – 10.678 / 496.521 (+45%). Nothing can stop the fluffy pink ball… nothing! Sales will top 500 000 units next week, and they should easily top 600 000 units LTD;
• 19./19. [WIU] Splatoon (Nintendo) – 8.654 / 1.516.219 (+48%). The holiday period has done wonders to Splatoon sales, though unfortunately, it will disappear from the Media Create Top 20 once again in early 2017 (especially with the Nintendo Switch version to be revealed on January 12th/13th);
• 20./22. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 (Nintendo) – 8.299 / 2.694.86. Another ever-green title making its comeback in the Top 20 from Media Create this week, though not helped by a bundle this time. Sales will top 2.7 millions next week.

Media Create reports that New Super Mario Bros. 2 sold 14 468 units, and is back at #15 this week (+27 places at once). Naturally, it’s thanks to the Nintendo 2DS bundle, that this game from 2012 is back in the Top 20 from Media Create after many weeks of absence. Just in time to reach 2.5 million units sold, too (it’s currently at 2 488 180)!

Right now, it’s a bit too early to say whether Super Mario Run has been having a similar impact on New Super Mario Bros. 2 sales as Pokémon GO did for Pokémon Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire. We will have to wait for data for Week 51, 52, and more importantly early 2017 (after the holiday period), before being able to to say for sure.

Media Create – Software Top 50

01./00. [3DS] Yo-Kai Watch 3: Sukiyaki <RPG> (Level 5) {2016.12.15} (¥4.800) – 337.979 / NEW
02./02. [3DS] Pokemon Sun / Moon <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2016.11.18} (¥4.980) – 199.514 / 2.578.960 (+5%)
03./03. [3DS] Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS <ACT> (Nintendo) {2016.12.01} (¥4.700) – 168.072 / 448.160 (+43%)
04./00. [PSV] SaGa: Scarlet Grace <RPG> (Square Enix) {2016.12.15} (¥6.800) – 64.965 / NEW
05./01. [PS4] Yakuza 6: The Song of Life # <ADV> (Sega) {2016.12.08} (¥8.190) – 44.592 / 262.760 (-80%)
06./05. [PS4] Final Fantasy XV # <RPG> (Square Enix) {2016.11.29} (¥8.800) – 44.340 / 814.603 (-44%)
07./06. [3DS] Miitopia <SLG> (Nintendo) {2016.12.08} (¥4.700) – 27.933 / 55.023 (+3%)
08./00. [3DS] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Heroes <SPT> (Konami) {2016.12.15} (¥4.500) – 26.673 / NEW
09./09. [PSV] Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition # <ADV> (Sony Computer Entertainment) {2015.03.19} (¥2.400) – 20.488 / 966.976 (+64%)
10./00. [3DS] Yo-Kai Watch 3: Sushi / Tempura – Busters T-Pack {Yo-Kai Watch 3: Sushi \ Yo-Kai Watch 3: Tempura} <RPG> (Level 5) {2016.12.15} (¥6.400) – 17.709 / NEW
11./12. [WIU] Minecraft: Wii U Edition <ADV> (Microsoft Game Studios) {2016.06.23} (¥3.600) – 16.315 / 215.728 (+59%)
12./13. [3DS] Sumikko Gurashi: Mura o Tsukurundesu <ETC> (Nippon Columbia) {2016.07.21} (¥4.800) – 15.638 / 105.725 (+79%)
13./11. [3DS] Mario Party: Star Rush <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.10.20} (¥4.700) – 15.635 / 104.179 (+49%)
14./10. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.11.23} (¥2.700) – 14.535 / 52.695 (+28%)
15./42. [3DS] New Super Mario Bros. 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2012.07.28} (¥4.571) – 14.468 / 2.488.181
16./07. [PS4] Watch Dogs 2 <ADV> (Ubisoft) {2016.12.01} (¥8.400) – 10.995 / 68.796 (-38%)
17./04. [PS4] The Last Guardian <ADV> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2016.12.06} (¥6.900) – 10.754 / 93.014 (-87%)
18./15. [3DS] Kirby: Planet Robobot <ACT> (Nintendo) {2016.04.28} (¥4.700) – 10.678 / 496.521 (+45%)
19./19. [WIU] Splatoon # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2015.05.28} (¥5.700) – 8.654 / 1.516.219 (+48%)
20./22. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 <RCE> (Nintendo) {2011.12.01} (¥4.571) – 8.299 / 2.694.863
21./28. [3DS] Disney Magic World 2 # <ETC> (Bandai Namco Games) {2015.11.05} (¥5.690)
22./30. [WIU] Super Mario Maker # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2015.09.10} (¥5.700)
23./25. [3DS] Beyblade Burst <RPG> (FuRyu) {2016.11.10} (¥5.780)
24./26. [WIU] Paper Mario: Color Splash <ACT> (Nintendo) {2016.10.13} (¥5.700)
25./24. [3DS] Monster Hunter Stories # <RPG> (Capcom) {2016.10.08} (¥5.800)
26./29. [3DS] Puzzle & Dragons X: God Chapter / Dragon Chapter <RPG> (GungHo Online Entertainment) {2016.07.28} (¥4.800)
27./33. [3DS] PriPara Mezameyo! Megami no Dress Design # <ACT> (Takara Tomy) {2016.11.10} (¥5.400)
28./36. [3DS] 12-Sai. Koisuru Diary <ADV> (Happinet) {2016.08.04} (¥5.815)
29./16. [3DS] All Kamen Rider: Rider Revolution # <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2016.12.01} (¥5.700)
30./34. [3DS] Dragon Ball: Fusions # <RPG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2016.08.04} (¥5.700)
31./27. [3DS] Aikatsu Stars! My Special Appeal <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2016.11.24} (¥5.300)
32./37. [WIU] Mario Kart 8 # <RCE> (Nintendo) {2014.05.29} (¥5.700)
33./41. [3DS] Super Battle For Money Sentouchuu: Kyuukyoku no Shinobu to Battle Player Choujou Kessen! <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2016.09.15} (¥5.300)
34./44. [3DS] Tomodachi Life [Nintendo Selects] <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.03.17} (¥2.700)
35./32. [PS4] Grand Theft Auto V [New Price Edition] <ACT> (Take-Two Interactive Japan) {2015.10.08} (¥4.990)
36./18. [PS4] Battlefield 1 <ACT> (Electronic Arts) {2016.10.21} (¥7.800)
37./40. [3DS] Yo-Kai Watch 3: Sushi / Tempura <RPG> (Level 5) {2016.07.16} (¥4.800)
38./08. [3DS] Puyo Puyo Chronicle # <RPG> (Sega) {2016.12.08} (¥5.490)
39./46. [3DS] Sumikko Gurashi: Omise Hajimerundesu <ETC> (Nippon Columbia) {2015.11.19} (¥4.800)
40./00. [3DS] Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games <SPT> (Nintendo) {2016.02.18} (¥4.700)
41./00. [3DS] Akogare Girls Collection: Wan Nyan Doubutsu Byouin – Suteki na Juui-San ni Narou! <ADV> (Nippon Columbia) {2015.07.30} (¥4.800)
42./35. [PS4] Winning Eleven 2017 <SPT> (Konami) {2016.09.15} (¥7.600)
43./00. [PS4] Akiba’s Beat <RPG> (Acquire) {2016.12.15} (¥7.200)
44./00. [PS4] Battle Garegga Rev.2016 <STG> (M2) {2016.12.15} (¥8.800)
45./50. [3DS] Akogare Girls Collection: Pika Pika Nurse Monogatari – Shounika Haitsumo Oosawagi <ADV> (Nippon Columbia) {2016.11.10} (¥4.800)
46./00. [WIU] Super Smash Bros. for Wii U # <FTG> (Nintendo) {2014.12.06} (¥7.200)
47./20. [PSV] SD Gundam G Generation Genesis <SLG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2016.11.22} (¥7.600)
48./39. [PS4] Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition <ADV> (Sony Computer Entertainment) {2015.12.03} (¥2.400)
49./23. [PS4] Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare # <ACT> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2016.11.04} (¥7.900)
50./00. [3DS] Rhythm Heaven Megamix <ACT> (Nintendo) {2015.06.11} (¥4.700)

Media Create – Number of games in Top 50

3DS – 30
PS4 – 11
WIU – 6
PSV – 3

Media Create – Hardware

Hardware-wise, the Nintendo 3DS saw another significant increase with 133 478 units sold according to Media Create. Since the holiday period is in full swing, it was to be expected that sales would be strong, but it’s still rather impressive Nintendo’s handheld is selling that much during its 6th holiday period.

Unfortunately, even the Nintendo 2DS isn’t able to compensate for the drop in sales compared to the same week in 2015, but at least, said drop is rather limited (only 11 000 units). Naturally, said drop would be much bigger if not for the Nintendo 2DS, which is doing its job just fine.

Speaking of the Nintendo 2DS, it’s now outsold both the PSP Go (175 987 units) and the PlayStation Vita TV (185 451 units). It might be able to outsell the GameBoy Micro (587 487), but it’s definitely going to take a little bit longer. Since launch, the Nintendo 2DS has sold 217 273 units — 317 273 units if you add the Pokémon Nintendo 2DS bundles from February.

According to Media Create, the Nintendo 3DS has sold 21 913 661 units since launch (more than the PlayStation 2, which ended up selling 21 833 216 units). In order to reach 22 million units before the end of the year, it needs to sell 86 339 units during the next 2 weeks. In other words, it needs to sell an average of 43 169 units / week.

And this year, the Nintendo 3DS has sold 1 727 659 units according to Media Create. In order to reach 2 million units YTD before the end of the year, it needs to sell 272 341 units during the next 2 weeks. In other words, it needs to sell an average of 136 170 units / week.

It might be a bit difficult (it will all depend on how good Week 51 sales are, and how big the expected Week 52 drop is), but it’s definitely possible. If you add the 100 000 units from the Nintendo 2DS, there is no way the Nintendo 3DS will not end up selling 2 million units this year.

As for the Wii U, sales did increase slightly this week, but that’s pretty much all there is to say about it.

Famitsu – Software Top 30

01./00. [3DS] Yo-Kai Watch 3: Sukiyaki <RPG> (Level 5) {2016.12.15} (¥4.800) – 333.240 / NEW <60-80%>
02./02. [3DS] Pokemon Sun / Moon # <RPG> (Pokemon Co.) {2016.11.18} (¥4.980) – 188.648 / 2.923.392 <80-100%> (+4%)
03./03. [3DS] Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS <ACT> (Nintendo) {2016.12.01} (¥4.700) – 151.192 / 428.006 <60-80%> (+29%)
04./00. [PSV] SaGa: Scarlet Grace <RPG> (Square Enix) {2016.12.15} (¥6.800) – 58.414 / NEW <60-80%>
05./01. [PS4] Yakuza 6: The Song of Life # <ADV> (Sega) {2016.12.08} (¥8.190) – 52.440 / 253.651 <60-80%> (-74%)
06./26. [3DS] Yo-Kai Watch 3: Sushi / Tempura # <RPG> (Level 5) {2016.07.16} (¥4.800) – 40.203 / 1.355.843 <80-100%> (+915%)
07./04. [PS4] Final Fantasy XV # <RPG> (Square Enix) {2016.11.29} (¥8.800) – 35.765 / 824.959 <60-80%> (-51%)
08./00. [3DS] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Heroes <SPT> (Konami) {2016.12.15} (¥4.500) – 28.145 / NEW <20-40%>
09./06. [3DS] Miitopia <SLG> (Nintendo) {2016.12.08} (¥4.700) – 24.280 / 52.511 <40-60%> (-14%)
10./11. [WIU] Minecraft: Wii U Edition <ADV> (Microsoft Game Studios) {2016.06.23} (¥3.600) – 15.036 / 208.178 <80-100%> (+72%)
11./14. [3DS] Sumikko Gurashi: Mura o Tsukurundesu <ETC> (Nippon Columbia) {2016.07.21} (¥4.800) – 14.176 / 97.992 <80-100%> (+92%)
12./05. [PS4] The Last Guardian <ADV> (Sony Interactive Entertainment) {2016.12.06} (¥6.900) – 14.056 / 82.424 <60-80%> (-79%)
13./10. [PSV] Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition # <ADV> (Sony Computer Entertainment) {2015.03.19} (¥2.400) – 13.422 / 835.928 <80-100%> (+52%)
14./12. [3DS] Mario Party: Star Rush <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.10.20} (¥4.700) – 13.390 / 110.610 <60-80%> (+74%)
15./00. [3DS] New Super Mario Bros. 2 # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2012.07.28} (¥4.571) – 12.460 / 2.510.129 <80-100%>
16./09. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Welcome amiibo <ETC> (Nintendo) {2016.11.23} (¥2.700) – 11.643 / 48.453 <40-60%> (+26%)
17./08. [PS4] Watch Dogs 2 <ADV> (Ubisoft) {2016.12.01} (¥8.400) – 9.269 / 71.760 <60-80%> (-41%)
18./17. [3DS] Kirby: Planet Robobot <ACT> (Nintendo) {2016.04.28} (¥4.700) – 8.521 / 461.894 <80-100%> (+83%)
19./20. [WIU] Splatoon # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2015.05.28} (¥5.700) – 7.192 / 1.447.792 <80-100%> (+59%)
20./25. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 <RCE> (Nintendo) {2011.12.01} (¥4.571) – 7.018 / 2.610.265 <80-100%> (+70%)
21./21. [3DS] Aikatsu Stars! My Special Appeal <ACT> (Bandai Namco Games) {2016.11.24} (¥5.300) – 6.485 / 24.303 <40-60%> (+47%)
22./00. [WIU] Super Mario Maker # <ACT> (Nintendo) {2015.09.10} (¥5.700) – 6.134 / 956.144 <80-100%>
23./23. [3DS] Beyblade Burst <RPG> (FuRyu) {2016.11.10} (¥5.780) – 5.749 / 37.216 <60-80%> (+35%)
24./27. [3DS] PriPara Mezameyo! Megami no Dress Design # <ACT> (Takara Tomy) {2016.11.10} (¥5.400) – 5.693 / 42.050 <60-80%> (+53%)
25./00. [3DS] Puzzle & Dragons X: God Chapter / Dragon Chapter <RPG> (GungHo Online Entertainment) {2016.07.28} (¥4.800) – 5.633 / 256.580 <80-100%>
26./00. [PS4] Akiba’s Beat <ADV> (Acquire) {2016.12.15} (¥7.200) – 5.248 / NEW <20-40%>
27./07. [3DS] Puyo Puyo Chronicle # <RPG> (Sega) {2016.12.08} (¥5.490) – 5.094 / 21.451 <40-60%> (-69%)
28./00. [3DS] Dragon Ball: Fusions # <RPG> (Bandai Namco Games) {2016.08.04} (¥5.700) – 4.781 / 184.303 <80-100%>
29./30. [WIU] Paper Mario: Color Splash <ACT> (Nintendo) {2016.10.13} (¥5.700) – 4.620 / 63.056 <60-80%> (+48%)
30./29. [3DS] Monster Hunter Stories # <RPG> (Capcom) {2016.10.08} (¥5.800) – 4.602 / 275.898 <80-100%> (+43%)

Top 30

3DS – 19
PS4 – 5
WIU – 4
PSV – 2

Source: Media Create / Famitsu
Via: Chris1964 / 4Gamer.net