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Big in Japan Mar. 2-8: Resident Evil 5 infects 400,000

Capcom's multiplatform zombie shooter slays hometown crowd, as PS3 edition leads Xbox 360 counterpart by huge margin.

The past few weeks have seen Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 dueling in Japan, with both consoles seeing chart-topping performances on the release of highly anticipated system exclusives. So what happens when both consoles receive the same sought-after title? The numbers speak for themselves, as the PS3 edition of Resident Evil 5--called BioHazard 5 locally--crushed its Xbox 360 counterpart, selling 319,000 units to 79,000.

Neither system saw a particularly strong bump from Capcom's multiplatform title, though the PS3 did emerge as the best-selling console in Japan for the week of March 2-March 8, according to figures provided by Media Create. Sony's system sold 39,835 units during the seven-day period, followed by the Wii with 16,560 consoles, and the Xbox 360 at 14,994. The PSP posted the best hardware performance on the week, selling 59,568 units, while the DSi and DS Lite combined for 43,342.

Slotting in just above BioHazard 5 on the Xbox 360, Sega's Seventh Dragon debuted on the DS with 80,000 units. Koei's Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce for the PSP turned in another strong performance, selling 63,000 units while prior chart-topper Yakuza 3 for the PS3 sold 53,000 units.

Rounding out the bottom half of the chart, Nintendo's Mario & Luigi RPG 3 sold 44,000 units, Tecmo's Aibou DS debuted with 43,000 copies, Namco Bandai's Super Robot Taisen Z Special Disk moved 28,000 in its first week, Monster Freedom Unite sold 17,000, and Konami's Tennis no Oji-Sama: Doubles no Oji-Sama - Girls, Be Gracious finished with 14,000 units.

Week of March 2 - 8, 2009
Software:
1) BioHazard 5 (PS3) - 319,000
2) Seventh Dragon (NDS) - 80,000
3) BioHazard 5 (X360) - 79,000
4) Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce (PSP) - 63,000
5) Yakuza 3 (PS3) - 53,000
6) Mario & Luigi RPG 3 (NDS) - 44,000
7) Aibou DS (NDS) - 43,000
8) Super Robot Taisen Z Special Disc (PS2) - 28,000
9) Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP) - 17,000
10) Tennis no Oji-Sama: Doubles no Oji-Sama - Girls, Be Gracious (NDS) - 14,000

Hardware:
PSP - 59,568
PS3 - 39,835
DSi - 32,102
Wii - 16,560
Xbox 360 - 14,994
DS Lite - 11,240
PS2 4,954

162 Comments

  • Kaneada

    Posted Apr 8, 2009 9:19 am GMT

    " grahamx

    Posted Mar 19, 2009 8:05 pm GMT

    @ BLuFAlc0n

    Don't be stupid BLuFAlc0n, if you knew anything about game development, you would realize that in this current generation, games are always developed for PC and 360 first, then reworked for PS3. "

    While PC's are used in the development cycle you are wrong about full fledged PC versions of games being developed first. Both systems use Power PC IBM developed processor variants and therefore a process of cross compilation through SDK's unique to the systems are utilized. In most cases a 360 version of US games are developed first and are poorly ported to the PS3 up until the last several delayed exclusives were released; however games such as FFXIII are being developed on PS3 hardware using cross compilation and being ported back to the 360. My suggestion: before you go off stating you KNOW something, I would make sure you've got your facts straight. There is a whole community on console development and how it's done. By the way, the PS3 development community is far stronger so you might want to make a stop there to clear up your misconceptions.

  • Max1363

    Posted Mar 26, 2009 12:09 pm GMT

    @ BLuFAlc0n

    I never said RE5 or any other in the series had debut on PC or will,but it obvious that the game has made on PC FIRST then optimized again FIRST for Xbox THEN PS3.
    and what i try to say was why PS3 versions of games got same review as Xbox versions? regardless PS3 has better controls?
    The only controller that gives feeling like PS2 no doubt is PS3 or PS one because PS3 controllers are nothing but what PS2 had with crapy motion sensor...

  • Ryodude

    Posted Mar 22, 2009 4:14 pm GMT

    Oh ok, this is in Japan. I can see that. I think the opposite is going to happen in the US, evening out the total outcome. Please report those final numbers when you get them.

  • Folleyrules

    Posted Mar 19, 2009 5:50 pm GMT

    BioHazard 5? Is this for Japan only? I own and love it for my xbox.

  • marquis720

    Posted Mar 19, 2009 1:58 pm GMT

    BLuFAlc0n=NooB =FanBoy =Idiot ... Nough said

  • grahamx

    Posted Mar 19, 2009 12:05 pm GMT

    @ BLuFAlc0n

    Don't be stupid BLuFAlc0n, if you knew anything about game development, you would realize that in this current generation, games are always developed for PC and 360 first, then reworked for PS3.

    They may not release the PC version first, but it is the first to be developed at it's core. After the game is mostly done for the PC, the 360 version commences which is easy to do since they use very similar coding, and all they need to do is optimize it for the 360 hardware, minimal recoding is needed.

    Then finally, the PS3 version is made, and is usually rushed since the game needs to be recoded from scratch since coding for the PS3 is vastly more complicated and different than the other systems. Usually, since the PS3 version is rushed, that's why multiconsole games generally look better on 360 as more time is pent on 360, even though the PS3 is technically more powerful.

    After the two most important versions are released, then the work on the native version, the PC is finally finished and released.

    That's how it works, and games like Re5, SF4, GTA4, Orange Box, Oblivion, Overlord, Farcry 2, the Halo games and more are examples of this.

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Mar 17, 2009 6:19 pm GMT

    @BlueFalcon, I bought the 360 @ launch, then purchased the PS3 later. Plus there are many exclusives on each console that I would like to play. Thats why I bought both consoles.

  • 10679

    Posted Mar 17, 2009 5:13 pm GMT

    @ BLuFAlc0n

    i have yet to experience lag on SF4 considering i live in a middle of nowhere and far away from america and japan. After awhile you will get use the 360 controls for SF4. Its not to bad if you use the analog stick

  • BLuFAlc0n

    Posted Mar 17, 2009 4:40 pm GMT

    @Max1363

    WHAT!?!?!?! Since when RE was porter FIRST in PC? Name me 1 Resi that released in PC first? Coz I don't remember it ever happened?

    Also, name me a PS3 game that have flat reviews because of it's conrol scheme? (Unless the game is destined to be crap)
    It's like playing a Wireless PS2 controller!!!! In the 360, about fighting games and RE did lost it's Legendary Status, trust me... fighting games do not work well with 360's, unless ur a SF Noob.

    @ godzillavskong
    Seriously, it doesn't...... well, it really depends on your opinion really... also germanqr DID made a point, if you have a PS3, why waste money on the 360?

    @10679
    I bet it will, explain why the downfall of SF4 is the Online? coz if someone's laggish, your fight is screwed... i did say laggish, but never said "laggish all the time"

  • viltus

    Posted Mar 17, 2009 10:45 am GMT

    holy...another systems war? why so obsessed about it? they produce games we play it. it's that simple aint it mates?

  • 10679

    Posted Mar 17, 2009 3:59 am GMT

    anyways the update of re5 sales. In UK 55% of re5 sales went to 360 and 45% went to ps3. Like i said before the re5 sales from both America and Europe will be majority 360 . Here is the link if you don't believe me.

    http://news.spong.com/article/17429/UK_Video_Game_Charts_Resident_Evil_5_-_Xbox_360_Takes_Majority?cb=74

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 7:45 pm GMT

    @germanqueer, My PSN ID IS Zilla73 since you know so much about what I have and which consoles I own. You want me to email you a picture of me holding it??

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 7:33 pm GMT

    @germanqr, I do have a PS3. I only have 2 games for it. MGS4 and Sonic (Came with the system). I mainly bought it for Blu-ray and some exclusive games. I actually "like" my PS3, but I was responding to a comment by BluFalcon who stated that RE doesn't belong on the 360. I prefer the control scheme of the 360 over the Playstation, so thats why I'm glad it came out on the 360. Don't be mad at me for liking my 360 over my PS3. I have only played my Playstation online 3 times. I have more friends on Xbox Live and I enjoy the achievement factor as well. Thats why when I buy games that are multi-plat , I buy them on 360. You sound like a Fanboy by getting all upset at me for those reasons.Grow up.

  • 10679

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 6:06 pm GMT

    @ snakes3425

    we all know that MS can't win in japan but we all know that sony can't win in America

  • snakes3425

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 5:18 pm GMT

    Do you honestly think MS has a chance to dethrone Sony and Nintendo on their home turf.

  • Max1363

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 4:49 pm GMT

    @BLuFAlc0n
    I really want to know who said 360 version of RE5 is a port from PS3 version?????
    Capcom in multiple recent interviews said the game FIRST made for PC THEN PORT to consoles...
    so which console is easy to port from PC? PS3? i don't think so
    if u don't know any thing it's not necessary to open ur mouth dude.
    one more thing, if it's like what you said"because of control scheme" many big titles lost their legendary status then why PS3 version that HAVE capable control scheme got flat reviews?
    it's is obvious that u wanted to say something but didn't know what!!!

  • 10679

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 3:46 pm GMT

    @brendanhunt1

    i was talking about 360 online. "played sf4 online on 360 and there is no laggish" i was telling BLuFAlc0n that i get no lag when playing SF4 online on 360 from middle of nowhere .

    the link you gave me made no sense and that link is broken. From what i can see it shows the hardware sales from launch up to 156 weeks. When i changed the weeks to 400 the difference between 360 and ps3 is still 8 million. Anyways the data shown on the home page of that website shows the total current sales and thats the most accurate one. If ps3 ever catch up it will be to late because next next generation will be out.
    ttp://vgchartz.com/hwlaunch.php

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 2:42 pm GMT

    @10679
    when the last time you played on a ps3 it dosent lag anymore, well not in the uk anyway

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 2:41 pm GMT

    @10679
    same website it shows the gap between ps3 and xbox closing

    http://vgchartz.com/hwlaunch.php

  • GeneG

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 1:39 pm GMT

    Thank you for that report Captain Obvious....This just in, The Sun is HOT!

  • germanqr

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 12:12 pm GMT

    jknight5422,

    The only market that matters is America? Look buddy, I'm European, so I take exception with that. Oh and so does Microsoft. 36,5% of their sales are in Europe. 41% in the US (figures are respectively (49,3% and 26,7% for PS3, which leads Xbox 360 in Europe).

    So fully 60% of Xbox sales are outside the only market that matters. Nice.

    The stupidity is staggering.

  • germanqr

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 10:12 am GMT

    godzillavskong,

    For God's sakes, I hate when fanboys like you pose as having the "other" console. It's sickening. You don't even HAVE a PS3. You say that in order to sound impartial, which clearly you're not. Before you lie again, let me tell you I checked your profile, your blogs, your reviews, your comments... all of it refers to Xbox (or PC) games. Not a single mention of a PS3. And who the h*ll would actually buy a PS3 and still pay for Xbox Live Gold, a service that basically you get for free with Sony? (And don't give me the "it doesn't work" crap: that was true in 2006 and 2007, not anymore). That would be sheer stupidity. Once you have paid for a system that includes it, you continue using the other?? Un-f*cking-believable. Actually big, fat, lie.

    Enough with these fanboy wars already. I've got my console and I love it, you've got yours and I'm sure you love it, too. Nobody cares if 1/3 of Xboxs die a RROD death or if Sony bundled in something people really didn't want to buy (BD). Both consoles are great and arguing (and lying) over them is ridiculous.

  • jknight5422

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 7:08 am GMT

    Big deal. It's Japan. How about in America, the only market that matters? What American-based technology sells well in Japan anyway? Answer: none. This is just reinforcement material.

  • FlashCharge

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 5:29 am GMT

    Its good to see Sony finally making some headway in their own country. Now if MS can only make a solid console their sales will increase too. The competition only makes things better in the gaming world.

  • 10679

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 4:27 am GMT

    @flyingteddy

    thats only in japan though. In america ps3 is not doing well.
    http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=3134 its good to hear that sony is doing well in at least in one country lol.

  • flyingteddy

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 2:16 am GMT

    really strong hardware sales for Sony, I never thought the PSP would outsell the DS and DSi combined. but really its not much news to say the ps3 version of a game sold more in Japan.

  • MuscleCarMan

    Posted Mar 16, 2009 1:27 am GMT

    Clearly japan's tastes should be taken seriously when they have a dynasty warriors game in the top 5 and a game called "Super Robot Taisen Z Special Disk" on the PS2 selling on the top 10.

  • 10679

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 7:11 pm GMT

    @TheArcade

    never heard of the gamecube port but thanks for letting me know.

  • TheArcade

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 7:06 pm GMT

    @10679: "Code Veronica on the Dreamcast? Was that some sort of port also?"

    yes there was a port for code veronica. the dreamcast version of code veronica got ported to ps2.

    And the Gamecube... let's not forget the 2 disc GC version. Now apparently the Wii is receiving a port. I'm happy for Sony and Nintendo for receiving ports of this game (Nintendo twice) but I'll stick with the Dreamcast version. I'm not a fan of buying the same game twice or four times just because they've added a few extra's. But for those people who like it; more power to them.

  • 10679

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 4:54 pm GMT

    @brendanhunt1
    "the gap between xbox sales and ps3 is closing" you are wrong about that. the gap between 360 and ps3 is still 8.12 million. check the link below if you don't believe me. you should read the other link because the other link talks about how the ps3 sales are decreasing in america. Also in europe 360 is ahead of ps3 by 1.49 million units. that to me is not "around equal".
    http://www.vgchartz.com/
    Ps3 sales decreasing
    http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=3134

    @BLuFAlc0n
    Street Fighter 4, and Soul Calibur 4. What will online do? It's always laggish online, plus performing Hadouken, Shoryuken, etc. i have played sf4 online on 360 and there is no laggish. i come from a place that is in the middle of nowhere and when i play someone from america or japan i get 3 to 4 signal strength and also the ps3 ain't good for racing games.
    "I'm pretty sure it will sell more on the PS3 version coz it has better controls" i don't think your predictions is right because usually the 360 versions sells alot better than the ps3 version in america and Europe. For example 360 version of SF4 sold better than Ps3 version of SF4 in America and as a result the 360 version of SF4 is leading the ps3 version by 20,000 copies.
    click on the link below if you don't believe me.
    SF4 PS3
    http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=13112
    Sf4 360
    http://www.vgchartz.com/games/game.php?id=16065 @godzillavskong
    "Code Veronica on the Dreamcast? Was that some sort of port also?"

    yes there was a port for code veronica. the dreamcast version of code veronica got ported to ps2.

  • Max1363 posted Mar 15, 2009 4:26 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Max1363

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 4:26 pm GMT (hide)

    Can't wait to see US numbers...
    sure Xbox version will sell way more than PS crap...
    I got it day one and now playing mercenaries...
    too cool.

  • 666_Laventine

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 3:12 pm GMT

    @TheArcade: Yeah, I will admit that I too was a fan of Sony. To tell truth I really bought my PS3 for Final Fantasy XIII. Well guess where its heading also. But don't get me wrong though. I sorta don't regret buying cuz 360 isn't getting FFXIII: Versus. I just side with 360 more for if its online gaming, 360 no doubt has the best when comes to players and DLC. I had Oblivion on my PS3, but when I bought my 360 they had more DLC than PSN. I love all the systems really and don't really war over them anymore. To me 360: Best Online play for me; PS3: Good for the exclusives that the other two aren't getting; Wii: Best system for a party and family.

  • Penalty_of_Hero

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 2:34 pm GMT

    Many seam to care about why people in Japan mostly buy PS3. Is that a big thing? If they want to buy and support PS3 it's their gain/lost. I think it's natural that PS3 sell a lot in Japan. It's kind of discussing why Ford is selling more cars in USA than Japan (I presume they do

  • OldDogOfWar

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 1:57 pm GMT

    OK PS3,XBOX360,and.....sigh...the Wii ROKK ok damn!!!! will ppl just stop the "system wars"

  • sj_nehama

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 12:51 pm GMT

    i have a good laugh everytime there is an article somehow dissing one of the two. People act at a personal level, as if the fact that one system is selling better than the other influences how much food u have on the table.
    Where are them wiitards? You have the game on a silver platter now, pound the xbots and the pszombies !

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 12:23 pm GMT

    i still think ps3 will beat xbox 360 but no one can beat wii
    we will have to wait for about 2 more years

  • Gamer4Iife

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 12:23 pm GMT

    I'm surprised Mario & Luigi 3 sold so little. Is that series not popular in Japan ?

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 12:13 pm GMT

    the gap between xbox sales and ps3 is closing

  • brendanhunt1

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 12:13 pm GMT

    ps3 is very popular in asia, xbox and ps3 are around equal in europe and america likes the xbox.

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 12:12 pm GMT

    @bluefalcon, I said that by Capcom releasing it on multi-platform, it would generate more sales for them, therefore helping them "afford" to make another RE game. I know a lot of people who prefer the Playstation controller over the Xbox, but I'm the exact opposite. Also, my experiences on PSN werent that great, so therefore I would rather pick up the Xbox version. So I'm glad its multi-plat and I'm sorry you feel that it shouldn't be.

  • wars45

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 11:21 am GMT

    cool yes i got ps3 the day it come out money well spent

  • TheArcade

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 10:40 am GMT

    @666_Laventine: You paid the full $600 for it? Wow you are a trooper, it's rare to find people who actually paid full price for it during the PS3's launch period.

    @Extreme124: I would like to see the numbers for America and Europe as well.

  • 666_Laventine

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 10:34 am GMT

    WOW! What not a surprise. Anybody could've come out with those figures if they have any common sense. When it comes down to it PS3 is the BETTER system (hang on fan boys wait 4 it....) in Japan. Because I'm sure they are receiving more games for that system than they are for the 360. I have both the 360 and PS3. My PS3 is just good for the very few exclusives that we are receiving here at America. Other than that its just my cheap Blu-ray player. I used to be on Playstation's side, but seriously people, this system is a let down and they are slacking on the job at satisfying me. Sony needs to kick it up a notch so I don't feel like I wasted $600 bucks

  • Extreme124

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 10:19 am GMT

    They only did the Asian markets when will Europe and America's total units of RE5 sold... and the platform of choice..?

  • Morphine_OD posted Mar 15, 2009 10:10 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Morphine_OD

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 10:10 am GMT (hide)

    Japan loves PS3 because it knows that XBOX 360 sucks big time

  • chinner88

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 9:40 am GMT

    Jansong1 -http://www.consoleshop.com/product.php?productid=21051
    cross battle adapter for using 360 controller on ps3 and vice versa

  • mop88

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 8:41 am GMT

    What the hell's that game ranked 10? haha 'Girls, Be Gracious'

  • pakhair

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 8:17 am GMT

    In ASIA PS3 is definitely the preferable console but that doesn't mean that Asians buy PS3 because it is Asian made.

    They buy it because people love PS3 exclusives and it's region free. In many Asian countries people import games from other counter and online is free.

    WHICH IS A HUGE THINHG IN ASIA

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