Big in Japan Aug. 29 - Sept. 4: Grand Knights History

Fear of cell phones and tablets aside, handheld systems are still a popular way to get one's game on in Japan, as indicated in the recent Media Create sales update for the week of August 29 to September 4. The 3DS topped the hardware sales charts for the week, while VanillaWare's PSP game Grand Knights History led all software with 64,630 units sold.

Grand Knights History is a turn-based role-playing game where three kingdoms of a fantasy world clash in an all-out war. The game's main feature is unit customization and online play where players represent their kingdoms and fight against each other to gain territory. Developer VanillaWare is best known in the West for games like Muramasa: The Demon Blade, GrimGrimoire, and Odin Sphere. For more information, check out GameSpot's recent coverage on the title.

While the former number-one title was bumped down, it didn't fall far. Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver. came in second on the charts, selling 52,792 units for that week. Rhythm Heaven moved up to third place with 22,762 units sold, while Samurai Warriors 3 Empires did not budge an inch from its position with 21,604 units sold.

Corpse Party: Book of Shadows for the PSP made its debut in the charts with 15,249 copies sold. Created by developers 5pb, the first-person adventure game is based on the old Corpse Party game that was originally on the PC and PC-98. This iteration is focused on a group of students who have to get out of a run-down elementary school filled with bodies of lost children and damned spirits. The game features a spirit contamination system where characters experience hallucinations if their sanity meter is depleted.

Another newcomer (if a remake can be considered such) is the 3DS version of Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor. This version of the game sold 20,809 units, good enough for fifth place. New additions to the title include full voice acting and an epilogue chapter called "The 8th Day" for veterans to play through.

Outside of the top 10, the sole Xbox 360 representative on the week's sales chart, Monster Hunter Frontier Anniversary 2011 Premium Package, finished in 16th place with 7,953 units sold. Black Rock Shooter dropped from second to 14th place with 11,186 units sold.

Meanwhile, 3DS and PS3 sales were strong, with the former's performance attributed to the previous price drop and the latter being supported by the new Monster Hunter iteration. Despite the major presence of PSP titles, the system is still in third place among hardware on sale for the week.

JAPAN GAME SALES WEEK OF AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 4

Software:
Rank/Title/Publisher/Platform/Unit sales
1. Grand Knights History / Marvelous / PSP / 64,630
2. Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver. / Capcom / PS3 / 52,792
3. Rhythm Heaven / Nintendo / Wii / 22,762
4. Samurai Warriors 3 Empires / Tecmo Koei / PS3 / 21,604
5. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked / Atlus / 3DS / 20,809
6. Kirby Mass Attack / Nintendo / DS / 15,804
7. Corpse Party: Book of Shadows / 5pb / PSP / 15,249
8. Mobile Suit Gundam: New Gihren's Ambition / Namco Bandai / PSP / 14,656
9. Monster Hunter Diary Poka Poka Felyne Village G / Capcom / PSP / 12,924
10. Dynasty Warriors 7 Special / Tecmo Koei / PSP / 12,209

Hardware
3DS - 54,744
PS3 - 33,831
PSP - 30,192
Wii - 11,606
DSi XL - 3,177
DSi - 2,453
PS2 - 1,394
Xbox 360 - 1,228
DS Lite - 80
PSP Go - 7