Big in Japan Jan. 4-10: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep

Even before its release, Square Enix's Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep for the PSP was already receiving accolades in Japan, taking home the Future Award as part of the 2009 Tokyo Game Show. Now, the game has proven to be a commercial success as well, ousting New Super Mario Bros. Wii from the top spot in Media Create's weekly sales chart for January 4-10 by selling 445,962 units upon its debut.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep proved to be the only newcomer to break into the top 10 of Media Create's software sales chart during the period. Beyond New Super Mario Bros. Wii's continued strong sales of 158,994, Nintendo's other perennial chart toppers Tomodachi Collection and Wii Fit Plus sold respective 93,912 and 53,569 units during the first full week of the decade. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks on the DS rounded out the top five with 48,518 units sold.

Following its million-unit debut, Final Fantasy XIII for the PlayStation 3 posted an additional 41,663 units sold, while Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver tag-teamed for 37,283 units. Rounding out the chart were Inazuma Eleven 2 - Fire/Blizzard, Wii Sports Resort, and Phantasy Star Portable 2.

Kingdom Hearts gave the PSP a substantial bump, as Sony's portable shifted 145,682 units on the week. The Wii posted 76,772 units, edging out the PlayStation 3's 61,591 unit performance. The DSi, DSI XL (known as LL in Japan), and DS Lite fell in line, selling 50,178 units, 45,221 units, and 10,067 units, respectively. The Xbox 360 took up its customary position low on the chart with 5,461 units, slipping past the PlayStation 2's 3,092 tally. The PSP Go, which continues to struggle in Japan, sold 2,841 units.

JAPAN GAME SALES WEEK OF JANUARY 4-10, 2010
Software:
Rank / Title / Publisher / Platform / Unit sales
1) Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep / Square Enix / PSP / 445,962
2) New Super Mario Bros. Wii / Nintendo / Wii / 158,994
3) Tomodachi Collection / Nintendo / DS / 93,912
4) Wii Fit Plus / Nintendo / Wii / 53,569
5) The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks / Nintendo / DS / 48,518
6) Final Fantasy XIII / Square Enix / PS3 / 41,663
7) Pokemon HeartGold and SoulSilver / Nintendo / DS / 37,283
8) Inazuma Eleven 2: Kyoui no Shinryokusha - Fire and Blizzard / Level 5 / DS / 36,634
9) Wii Sports Resort / Nintendo / Wii / 32,738
10) Phantasy Star Portable 2 / Sega / PSP / 26,775

Hardware:
PSP - 145,682
Wii - 76,772
PS3 - 61,591
DSi - 50,178
DSi LL - 45,221
DS Lite - 10,067
Xbox 360 - 5,461
PS2 - 3,092
PSP Go - 2,841