Big in Japan May 9-15: Dragon Quest Monsters 2 Joker Professional

Even with a few noteworthy releases for the week of May 9, the updated spin-off of Dragon Quest Monsters 2 Joker Professional still reigns supreme in Japan. Square Enix's expanded version of the monster collecting role-playing game retained its first place position with 20,722 units sold, according to the latest Media Create charts.

Two versions of the new game based on the Haruhi Suzumiya anime series, titled Haruhi Suzumiya no Tsuisou, have made strong debuts on the chart. The PS3 version of the game is in third place with 18,831 units sold, while the PSP version is in fourth place with 14,953 units sold. Roughly translated as The Reminiscences of Haruhi Suzumiya, the latest video game adaptation of the franchise takes place after the events of the Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya anime, and players control main character Kyon and explore an alternate version of Haruhi Suzumiya's setting.

While Steel Diver has been released in the US, UK, and the rest of Asia, the submarine simulation game made its debut in Japan last week. The game is in third place with 17,408 units sold. Other notable games include PSP rhythm action game Patapon 3 in fifth place with 12,959 units sold and PSP RPG Final Promise Story in eighth place with 6,915 units sold.

The PSP and 3DS are still dominating the top two spots, with the former selling 34,655 units and the latter selling 18,324 units. Both systems' sales numbers have taken a dip since the previous week. For the week of May 2 to 8, the PSP sold 54,882 units, while the 3DS sold 29,149.

JAPAN GAME SALES WEEK OF MAY 9-15
Software
Rank/Title/Publisher/Platform/Unit Sales
1. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Professional / Square Enix / DS / 20,722
2. Haruhi Suzumiya no Tsuisou / Namco Bandai / PS3 / 18,831
3. Steel Diver / Nintendo / 3DS / 17,408
4. Haruhi Suzumiya no Tsuisou / Namco Bandai / PSP / 14,953
5. Patapon 3 / SCEJ / PSP / 12,959
6. Pro Baseball Spirits 2011 / Konami / PSP / 10,166
7. Planetarian - Chiisa na Hoshi no Yume Tohoku Earthquake Charity Version / Prototype / PSP / 9,222
8. Final Promise Story / Imageepoch / PSP / 6,915
9. Pro Baseball Spirits 2011 / Konami / PS3 / 6,586
10. 2nd Super Robot Wars Z Hakai Volume / Namco Bandai / PSP / 6,290

Hardware
PSP - 34,655
3DS - 18,324
PS3 - 13,789
Wii - 6,336
DSi XL - 5,358
DSi - 5,292
Xbox 360 - 2,763
PS2 - 1,319
DS Lite - 208
PSP Go - 171