Wii U Sales May Be Slowing In Japan, But The PS4 Is Dying Over There

One Angry Gamer "Nintendo’s little console-that-could is still showing that it can huff and puff with the big boys, and it’s doing so while entertaining some waning momentum over in the land of the rising sun… if the weekly Media Create sales data is anything to go by. The sales data for the week ending on July 20th has gone live and it shows some dwindling promise for Nintendo’s Wii U, and a near graveyard trip for the PS4."

[Mikey32230]

Wii U Sales May Be Slowing In Japan, But The PS4 Is Dying In Japan...

But The PS4 is living in the USA (2.5x larger population than japan) and and Europe (5x larger population than japan)

Japan loves portables. So let them love portables.

[Thatguy-310]

Plus why would someone expect a console to flourish if most of the software appeal to the western demographic. The only reason the PS4 hasn't taken off is simply because it has no games that appeal to Japanese gamers.

[guitarded77]

I think Tokyo Game Show should ignite the Japanese interest. It's just that post launch lull right now.

[denawayne]

Japan is too smart to buy in to the hype

[hkgamer]

definitely true. similar to ps3 launch if i remember correctly.

tbh, i dont care if ps4 is succesful in japan. as long as we get the big japanese developers on board to making ps4 games then its all set. sort of similar to ms situation. as long as they get japanese developers on board they are happy.

[Lightning Mr Bubbles]

Well PS4 doesn't have any damn games, get some interesting RPG's and then the Japanese might have a reason to buy it.

The Japanese RPG's take a few years to get on board, it was the same with with the PS3, but eventually it will get going.

Don't worry, it will still sell more than the XBOX One there.

[gaffyh]

Wii U has had some time to build its library, PS4 has no real Japanese-loved games. As soon as we get FF out there, or even deep down, we might see a bit of a boost.

[FlameHawk]

You don't care if Sony doesn't do well in Japan? You do know Japan is the 2nd biggest gaming country in the world? After the US its Japan then UK in terms of hardware, so actually it does matter.

[kreate]

Microsoft should seize the opportunity.
But they are also too focused on the american market.

[Bhuahahaha]

@flamehawk

actually china is the biggest out there.

its gamers is more than the population of usa

[Ninver]

@ /denawayne

I guess M$ is sh#t outta luck then

[Chrischi1988]

Having no games is no excuse. As it was no excuse for all the PS/Xbox Fanboys, when the new gen wasnt here, but the Wii U was.

[GordonKnight]

Why does this even matter? Even if you own stock in Sony I would be worried about the PS4 sales, but all the other departments.

All three consoles are here to stay.

Deal with it!!!

We need some really gaming news!!!

Like Apple just bought Sony.

[rawz]

@flamehawk

It's not about the biggest countries, it's about the biggest areas. Japan ain't bigger than the whole europe.

[DarkZane]

@Chrischi1988

It is an excuse when there is literally no japanese games on the ps4 so far.

PS4 will take off when jRPG starts coming.

The Xbox One will never sell in japan no matter what they release.

[Retroman]

nor north america appealed game

[ShinMaster]

In the words of Wii U fans: "Wait for [insert game/s] and you'll see a boost"

Seriously though. I'm expecting a boost post TGS. Or at least when the games shown at TGS get released.

[Chrischi1988]

Exactly ShinMaster, they do the exact same thing with almost the same situations, but now at least they know why. Before they acted like it is an exclusive fault of nintendo.

[truefan1]

Credit to Nintendo for staying true to their home turf. They should continue to be solid there as Nintendo actually releases japanese content. Nintendo definitely deserves to be #1 in Japan, in both home consoles and handheld.

[user7402931]

just because its your home turf you have to stay true to it? what if your turf was a dumpster, would you stay true to it?

[sweendog]

All it takes is one game in Japan to shift a lot of consoles. They dont get excited about machines like we do but as soon as a good rpg comes out, whether it be Wii u Xbox or Ps4, consoles will sell. Just look back to when the PS got FF7

[Dannycr]

They are not "Staying true to their home turf" They are just repeating the same thing they do everytime they release a console. It's an already tested formula, so why change it?

[Pain]

hmm can't figure out if Truefan has abandoned the XboxOneSinkingShip pr campaign and is championing for Nintendo.. now?...

or just pulling the the enemy of my enemy is my friend dribble..

As for being ot Japan never buys something they don't need till they need it its not like they well most have the cash to blow on a giant paper weight till they have a reason to turn it on.

[ShinMaster]

@ truefan1

I guess since the Xbox is a complete fail in Japan, you might as well praise the next best thing that isn't your direct competitor, right?

Most of the games aimed at Japanese audiences made for Nintendo consoles are made by third-parties. Just like PlayStation.

@ Pain

"or just pulling the enemy of my enemy is my friend dribble..."

Exactly.

[Chrischi1988]

It is not like nintendo chose to stay true to their home turf, the turf decided this. So if the dumpster is your home turf and the dumbster choses to stay true with you, then you got no choice, it is not like nintendo stopping to sell their own stuff in its home country.

[AgentSmithPS4]

https://imgflip.com/i/ajuck

[2cents]

129 Xbox 360's lol.

[Thatguy-310]

The Xbox one is going to kill the chartz thou!! /s

[showtimefolks]

i am not worried, sales for ps4 will pick up. Its only matter of time with software support

[Knushwood Butt]

Software.

Things will pick up a bit when LOU and Destiny are released.

Beyond that though, there's not much to boost hardware sales. Maybe the Dynasty Warrioris / Sangoku games will help.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

LMAO

[Kribwalker]

Does not change the fact that this article is talking about the PS4 in japan and not anywhere else.

I remember being laughed at and downvoted when I said the PS4 would maybe hit 500,000 at launch in Japan. People yelling out they would hit a million at launch. I'm bit sure they have hit a million 6 months in. I'm gonna get the wii u around Christmas this year, for my kids, but I'll play it too....waiting on a price drop for the ps4 as it has gone up to $449 in canada, funny how MS has kept the price the same tho 😉

[3-4-5]

More games = more sales.

Sales for both will pick up soon with Destiny & Super Smash Brothers.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

Smash Bros, Hyrule Warriors and Bayonetta 2 yes but Destiny not really

[Dunban67]

This article makes little sense - it sounds like someone attempting to make a juvenile argument trying to find something positive about Wii u sales but not quite having enough ammo

OR

A homer journalist trying to defend falling Wii u sales in Japan via comparing "apples and oranges"......

Nintendo caters to the Japanese market more than any of its other markets ( probably in part because that is were most of its stockholders live) - the problem for now at least is the console market in Japan is shrinking - Sony seems to be catering to the West First w it's newest home console and the results are very positive - the Westen markets are bigger than Japan and at least seem to be static of not still growing

Sooner or later Sony and MSFT will take thier shots at the Japanese markets home console markets - at this point the PS4 has released there but they have not released much if any software exclusive to the current gen and focused on the Japanese market- obviously XB1 has not released there at all yet

If the Wii u is going to build an insurmountable lead on the Ps4 and XB1 they SHOULD be selling more now - but it is too early to judge who will win the Japanese console market this gen because the other 2 competitors have not entered yet or have not fired many of any of thier bullets yet-

The other important question and much more relevant point is how important winning the Japanese console market will be this gen outside of pride- of the 3 major regions tracked by VgChartz the Japanese market is by far the least important as it relates purely to sales/revenue - hopefully that will change but it does not look like it any time soon

As a Wii u owner and only a wiiu owner re home consoles - I would like to see Nintendo put the same effort and relative resources into the western (USA for me) markets as they have in Japan - IMO that would be the story worth writing

[Muzikguy]

I hope they start releasing some JRPGs soon. That's what the PS4 needs. That's also what I (a Murican) want. Release those and watch the sales take off! Can't really trust Squeenix to do it though, have to look somewheres else

[Concertoine]

There isnt much of a difference...

Nothing is selling well in Japan, except handhelds.

If you look at the Famitsu most anticipated games, a lot of PS4 games are on there along with Wii U. I think both will do well, that is however well a console can do in Japan at this point.

[Gardenia]

It's not dying, it just hasn't started yet. They are into totally different kind of games than here in the west

[N4g_null]

Waiting for their economy to get right....

[WilliamUsher]

This is probably the most likely scenario. The world's economy is still tipsy turvy, and Japan seems to be reeling from the lopsided market weight right now.

If the average consumer has to cut costs and budget expenses, games are likely the first to go.

Even in a sluggish economy, the handhelds are still doing pretty decent over there (no surprise given that Japanese mobile market dwarfs America when it comes to spending). I'd really like to see how well the consoles perform as things begin to straighten out in the market.

[N4g_null]

You see little to almost no development from Japan. Basically if you can sell now you are going to the bank later. This will have the biggest effect on ps4 because the bulk of its title will be 3d shooters and western games. I'm not sure sony will have the money to correct that thanks to how 3rd parties are now.

[ChickeyCantor]

To have a good economy you have to buy/sell. In this case neither is happening.

[DJustinUNCHAIND]

Were you fired from CinemaBlend?

[chrisarsenalsavart]

Yeah! Cause Us and Eu economy are in such a better shape than Japan right now!
Oh wait, no they aren't

[TongkatAli]

The economy is good in Germany, Russia, Dubai and Hong Kong

[Geekman]

A PS4 DOOM AND GLOOM ARTICLE? ON N4G!?!??!? *Faints*

Oh and tell the author to shut up while I'm unconscious.

[SG1_dapunisherX]

your bubble is doom

[DivineCrusader]

PS4 sales will probably pick up once some JRPGs get released.

As for the Wii U, a full-fledged Pokèmon game in glorious 1080p would surely do the trick. We're still waiting, Nintendo...

[kingdom18]

I agree with the JRPGs sentiment, that will most currently push sales.

And as much as I'd love it, I don't think we'd see a Pokemon game on the Wii U, I think more of their signature series and a few JRPGs of their own would help as well.

[Urzusix]

Watch it sell out as soon as Final Fantasy type 0 hits, then sell insane amounts when Tales or The Idolmaster hits

[MSBAUSTX]

Type O HD is a rerelease i think or has already been released i thought on psp. All it is for ps4 is an HD remake. They wont be flocking to stores to buy PS4s for a rerelease of an old game

[hkgamer]

if type0 sells more than ffxhd then sony has nothing to worry about.

i still dont understand why no vita release though

[BrandanT]

The new Tales game is being made for PS3.

[kratoz1209]

The next game won't be though

[kingdom18]

And hopefully that will be their last, and Baba will tackle current gen. I really want to see what a new Tales game would look like on the PS4.

[MajorLazer]

Japan is not so important anymore...

[ScorpiusX]

To who ,cause I always hear we own Japan , Japan is our turf. But now it has no importance. How flip floppy of u .

[MajorLazer]

We? I have no affiliations with any gaming company, you must have me mistaken for someone else.. Japan is not important because Europe and America are so much bigger and relevant markets. To put it into context, the Xbox 360 managed to lead most of last gen and it performed poorly in Japan. That is because the American and European markets are so much more bigger and important

[Back-to-Back]

Japan is important, but it's importance to Sony has definitely declined in the past 5+ years. Ever since the PS4 reveal it's easy to see how Sony shifted its focus to EU and NA. Hell look when the ps4 launches in Japan.
Overall, I still think that Japan does a great job making games that are original and niche. I wish rpgs ruled the market again.

[ScorpiusX]

Go Nintendo show them what your made of , beat that fellow countrymen rear .

[Rask]

seems like a mad nintendrone

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Nintendo gets way more crap than Sony lately, from all corners of the internet.
It's true that an article like this is still childish click bait, but can you honestly blame some of them for wanting payback every once in a while after everything they have to put up with just for owning a console from Nintendo?
This was inevitable. Best thing to do is to accept it as the childish but justified comeback that it is, then ignore it.
Besides, we've got games to play.

[jholden3249]

Where were you for the past year for all the articles basking in the glory of Sony sales while jeering at the Wii U? If we're gonna throw the fanboy card then let's do it on equal ground.

[BitbyDeath]

Support for PS4 will come when the games do.
Til then though it will continue to flounder.

[dcj0524]

The PS4 is like the oppisite of the VITA, Tons of western games and hardly any eastern games.

[Chrono]

FF XV alone will sell more than WiiU there.

[ritsuka666]

I doubt this game will be release in 2015.

[plmkoh]

The PS4 still managing ~7000 a week without any appeal to the Japanese market, what'll happen when titles do release.

[Imalwaysright]

Japan's consumption tax hike might have something to do with the fact that consoles aren't selling well in Japan.

http://www.gamerevolution.c...

[HmongAmerican]

PS4 was made for the US markets.

[Master-H]

Japanese console players likes Japanese games first and foremost , the Ps4 simply don't have enough of those, and the few it has are available on another console they own, the PS3, i'm sure it will pick up when more Ps4 only Japanese games come out.

-Yakuza Ishin (on ps3 too)
-Dynasty Warriors (was available on ps3 like a year earlier)
-Samurai Warriors (already available on ps3)
-Akiba's Trip 2 (already available on ps3)
-Warriors Orochi 3 (was available on ps3 like 3 years earlier)
-Nobunaga no Yabō: Sozou (already available on ps3)
-Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn (already available on ps3 and requires a sub)
- Metal Gear Solid 5 Ground Zeros (already available on ps3 and other platforms, plus it's too short)
- Knack ..i guess the only Ps4 only sorta-Japanese game ? and it came with the systems and it wasn't reviewed well.

Even upcoming games like Natural Doctrine is cross gen so there is no real incentive for Japanese gamers to rush and get a Ps4.

[DialgaMarine]

How the hell is the PS4 dying, if it hasn't even really been born there yet? The big JRPG releases are still yet to come, but they do, the console's sales will pick up. It'll be just like it was for the PS3. I wonder how people are this stupid.

[Drithe]

Once really good games come in the Ps4 is going to explode.

[rxl209]

"Wii U Sales May Be Slowing In Japan, But The PS4 Is Dying In Japan"......and their numbers are almost identical, who wrote this trash?

[NatureOfLogic_]

Some Nintendo fanboys feelings were hurt from the earlier "PS3 outsold WiiU in Japan article." Nothing to see here.

[TongkatAli]

I know, my god, lol. I pointed that out and the reaction I got was "your full of hate". Then I gave the douche a reply back full of hate to show him/she what that really looks like.

When you talk about the Wii U you better say it's amazing they won't tolerate anything else.

[Tei777]

I Believe there is normally around 2k between the 2 systems. Wii U around 9k, PS4 around 7k. Both are selling like crap, if one is dying, so is the other lol.

[Xof]

The PS4 is flagging in Japan because it doesn't have any games, and the Japanese market is more oriented around the idea of "killer apps"--single games good enough to buy a platform for. The WiiU has that, arguably. The PS4 does not.

And even ignoring the lack of a "great" game, the PS4 is also sorely lacking for good/average titles, especially Japanese titles. FPS and TPS games will only appeal to so many people.

I expect things to turn around at TGS this September, or shortly thereafter. I, for one, am super-psyched to see what Japanese developers will be doing. Especially because A) most Japanese developers tend to announce games when they're closer to release than Western developers, so we won't have to wait as long for the games they show off; and B) All PS4 games will be available digitally, which makes importing MUCH less painful.

I'm particularly hopeful for a (decent) Gundam game by Q2 2015. I guess I could cross my fingers for another Artdink Macross game, but that's not likely to happen on anything but Vita 'til 2018+.

[Spotie]

And yet, despite what the PS4 apparently lacks, it's selling not too far behind the Wii U. So what happens when those killer apps come? (and they will come)

Honestly, it's hardly different from the PS4 elsewhere: "no games," but on par with or better than the competition.

[Xof]

I'm not entirely sure what you're trying to say.

The PS4 is selling on hype right now, so when those "killer apps" do arrive in the Japanese market expect the same thing to happen that always happens: a massive sales spike and increasing sales thereafter.

[Ihatetrolls76]

See you edited your remark about Americans.

[Mikeyy]

Not enough JRPGS for them yet. Not a huge deal. It'll get there eventually.

[Donnywho]

Nothing to play on the damn thing yet. Can't wait to spend this money on one... When there's something to buy with it.

[johny5]

I honestly think it has something to do with the small spaces in most Japanese homes?

You can't fit a large screen TV in your average Japanese home and children over there don't have time to be sitting immobile playing video games because in there culture kids are expected to give 100% of there time towards academics!

[tubers]

Interested on PS4 JPN scene after these releases:

KH3
FFXV
RE7/next gen RE

[xtheblackparade]

So what, everyone suddenly stopped gaming in Japan? Wii, playstation and xbox are all declining in sales over there. I don't get that and I doubt the stats are realistic because a country, even if it's an island, doesn't just stop gaming. Except if everyone goes retro console.

[Movieworld]

They havent stopped gaming. They are just gaming on handhelds and last generation consoles they already own.

[3dmariofan68]

yeaj the wii u is doomed FALASY IS OVER!! sorry HATERS! the Wii u is going to do just fine, and it will last, with so many great games, like smash bros, bayonetta 2, Zelda, and Splatoon, the wii has finally hit it's stride!

[ibrake4naps]

Hope xb1 is doing well there

[Clarence]

All is needed is jrpg. Once the PS4 gets them it will sale better in Japan.

[tiffac008]

6 months without any major Japanese centric game since launch would do this to a console. So the PS4 selling under the Wii U in Japan should be expected at this time.

[Gemmol]

the answer is......Japan is not stupid to fall for hype like us, and they know every game for ps4 is coming to the ps3 also, someone is going to read my post and skip everything I say and focus on the word every game that comes to ps4 will come to ps3 and will respond with I guess this is why I can play the new infamous on my ps3, but hopefully there are some smart ones that understand that I mean majority of the games, for example destiny, call of duty, and etc....so yeah majority of the games on ps4 is for ps3, so no reason for them to upgrade......its like I said in the beginning of my message they are not stupid like us to buy a system cause of the hype when there are no games

I am guilty of buying from hype, such a stupid decision

[Jaqen_Hghar]

A man enjoys his PS4 immensely. It has the best console version of all those cross gen games and with the internet capabilities and superior controller they're well worth getting on PS4. Also Infamous, Resogun, and all the free plus games that you only get on PS4 are incentive enough for a man

[Jaqen_Hghar]

WiiU had a year to build up a Japanese catalogue and has given the Japs their favorite games (Mario Kart and Monster Hunter). Once Final Fantasy 15, Yakuza, and other big Jap titles start flying onto PS4 and not WiiU we will see a surge in PS4 sales. Hopefully it can reach 10m lifetime with the home console market shrinking there and match PS3.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Sony products in general have fallen out of favor with the Japanese public, with the exception of the PSP and maybe the PSV. The Japanese heavily prefer Apple products now.

But it's not the PS4 that's dying in Japan, it's console gaming.

Here's an interesting read.

http://www.japansubculture....

I can also say that friends of mine from Japan reacted very strongly to the news about the closure of "Sony City" and the "Sony Holy Land building."

[saviin]

Well as the comments prove, if you can't face reality, make excuses.

[tekksin]

Nintendo fans will shine a light on even the smallest victories. Sad.

[HollywoodLA]

Sadly, for the irradiated island of Japan, I have to say "WHO CARES."

I mean honestly. It just not relevant anymore. The Japanese market is almost becoming a niche market in it's own way.

Sony needs more Asian-centric games. But it's basically irrelevant for both Sony and MS. Nintendo is the proverbial flopping fish (Magikarp) that only manages to sell well in Japan, for any prolonged period of time, and is deemed rather irrelevant in every other territory.

Who cares. Next article. No offense.

[fonger08]

Are you serious? Japan bought 10.5million PS3s and 12.76million Wiis, both roughly 13% of their total console sales last gen. Just because "you" don't find them relevant doesn't mean Sony or Nintendo don't... hell even Microsoft finds the audience relevant enough to launch console that has no appeal to them. so yeah, please disprove any of this...

[HollywoodLA]

Is it relevant for Sony or Microsoft to 'win' in Japan, in order to 'win' globally?

Oh... I can't wait for the answer to that question. Please, do hurry and answer my rather simple question, won't you?

Also, great statistics lol. The defunct wii, and you even ADDED PS3 and Wii together. Well... that makes it seem even more legitimate of a claim lol.

Anyway, do answer my question. Is Japan necessary in anyway to lead globally, and if so why is it being disregarded at the levels you see now? ..don't take too long.

[fonger08]

Wow... ok so lets start with is it important to win numbers or make money... I forget which is important to business, maybe you can help me with that?
That defunct Wii is still close 20 million above everyone else, and their numbers aren't added together (Wii/PS3) it's simple math 10.5/101=13% and 12.76/82= 13% but I know you know those facts, they don't really matter do they...
And to answer your question let's take Japan's PS3 numbers away globally... where do they rank now against the 360, here let me show you, 82- 12.76 = last place. Is Japan essential to "winning" a console race, well it was last gen... but please disprove my math, or show hypothetical numbers where Japan doesn't matter this gen... as you often put it, I'll wait for your answer.

[Picnic]

Number of reasons:

The Japanese don't go crazy about anything that's massively 'PC-like'. The PS4 was marketed as essentially being like a super charged PC. That does nothing for the Japanese who like stylised games where they don't necessarily care about 1080p 60FPS. For their art style, the Japanese are still happy with the PS3 as the Cell took so long to get to grips with.

Sony shafted Japan by making them wait 3 months after the US and European launches. And despite the delay Sony still didn't have a Japan-centric sweetener ready for Japan such as Deep Down which isn't going to come out until later this year or next year. When the Sony execs launched PS4 in Japan they looked sheepish. As well they might - they were giving Japan nothing extra. They were sucking up to PC gamer loving America and Europe. And they'd released interviews saying that Japan didn't take to the PS4 as much as other markets. If it wasn't for Japan, we wouldn't have Puppeteer and Rain courtesy of SCE Japan Studio. But they were on PS3. There's just not a massive need for Japanese gamers to leap to a PS4. There's not a massive need for anyone to if they're not heavily in to fast FPS games or social gaming where you tell the world what you're doing.

The Xbox One has actually become a bit of a cult hit in terms of preorders in Japan, more than the Xbox360 was. It doesn't take too long to work out why- Ryse's hack and slash is in a samurai tradition. Titanfall's mechs might be loved by some robot-loving Japanese people. D4 is on the horizon. Microsoft don't have to bend over backwards to be stereotypically Japanese in order to appeal to some of the Japanese hardcore.

[Picnic]

My comment is right and you either know it or you're too stupid to. That's a possible reason for why you didn't write a reply stating what you disagree with.

[MaxKingoftheWild]

Not sure how something separated by 1-2 thousand sales a week determines if one is "dying." especially when the one supposedly dying hasn't hit the 2-3 thousand a week sales the other one reached just a year ago. When Mgs, Ff (will sell 1million in one day), Kh, Tales, GTA (yes, this is actually big in japan too) and a ton other games Nintendo will never see hit then we will know which one is dying.

[vergilxx3]

Ps vita is a god there

[ErazorDJ]

WiiU exclusive games has focused on the Japanese market, Marios's games, donkey kong, zelda HD, Mario Kart.... and ps4.....¿Knack?

[Doritos_Pope]

Hey Japan, I'll take your PS4 thanks. Theres still shortages here in my Doritos kingdom!

[Malacath]

I don't understand why the japanese dont seem to like real games consoles anymore.

Its all handhelds now.

If Sony are struggling to sell ps4 there then microsoft might as well not bother.

[pornflakes]

Remember that PS owners switch faster to the next get compared to Xbox Owners.

Same was with the 360. It sold 5 Million units in one year... bad hardware, bad news, and many more but after Gears was shown the cristmas season was won!

This year will be the same, with Hallo:MCC at least 3 Million ppl will jump from the 360 to the next generation all in one Xbox one, mark my words!

After this, MS will stay on first place in NA with more Blockbusters comming in 201: Quantum break, Fable Legends, Phantom Dust, Halo 5 and the next Gears of War.

Sony will urgently need the Japan market.

[XiHinataHyuga]

Desperate nintendrones bashing Sony. Move along, nothing new to see here.

[XiSasukeUchiha]

Thanks Hinata for using common sense, btw I know where Naruto is!

[ashcroft]

The PS4 needs JRPGs. I share japan's sentiment... The 3DS now has all the JRPGs you can ever hope for, I have no interest with the excessive FPS games that are coming on consoles, with the exception of Destiny and a new borderlands game.

These open world RPG's are so boring. I remember sidequests unlocking more of the story not detracting you from the plot.

When the RPGs hit on the ps4, the ps4 will sell in Japan. Right now, the 3ds is dominating in that department.