PSP Breaks 10 Million Mark In Japan

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Okay, who doesn't own a video game handheld unit in Japan? And at this point, how many don't own the PSP? That thing just keeps selling like mad, and ever since the release of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, it has easily eclipsed the DS in sales every month.

And now, according to Kotaku citing Famitsu, Sony's sleek handheld has officially sold over 10 million units in the Land of the Rising Sun. It took them under four years to hit the lofty plateau - December 12, 2004 - August 24, 2008 - and it only goes to show that after a slow start, the Japanese have lovingly embraced the PSP. Perhaps not surprisingly, of those 10 million owners, 2,396,642 of them have purchased the aforementioned Monster Hunter title, and 1,706,387 bought the first Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (yes, the "G" means it's a whole new title). According to the Top 5 games list, the third-biggest title in Japan is Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII while Phantasy Star Portable slides in at #5. At #4...yep, another Monster Hunter; the original Monster Hunter Portable. Obviously, with the exception of Crisis Core, none of those games can be considered "system sellers" here in the U.S., but hey, different strokes.

The PSP is doing very well just about everywhere these days, but the 10 million sales mark in Japan is a definite milestone. Now, what are those 10 million people going to do about the new PSP-3000? Oh well, all the rest of the Japanese citizens can buy that one; pretty soon, it'll be a customary present for all newborns.

9/1/2008 Ben Dutka

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