Japanese Charts: Wii Gets First Monster Hunter Hit

In Japan, Capcom sees its first success with the Monster Hunter franchise on a Nintendo platform, topping the charts with a port of Monster Hunter G for the Wii. Monster Hunter G is an updated version of the original PlayStation 2 game and the basis for initial PSP release Monster Hunter Freedom. The Wii version is a straightforward port, with an optional bundle featuring a branded Classic Controller. However, its first week sales of 132,000 units augur well for the launch of Wii exclusive Monster Hunter 3 later this summer. The second highest new entry of the week, at number three, is Sony’s Killzone 2 on PlayStation 3. Although first-person shooters are a relatively niche genre in Japan, the most prominent titles, such as the Halo series, have always regularly debuted in the top 10. Killzone 2’s first week total of 41,000 units compares to a figure of 59,000 units for 2007’s Halo 3. New at number four is PSP title Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 3, the latest title in Irem’s disaster movie inspired series, that has been know by such titles as Disaster Report and Raw Danger in the West. The new game debuted with 31,000 unit sales. Also new at number six is 2D shoot ‘em-up DeathSmiles from cult publisher and developer Cave. The Xbox 360 conversion of the original arcade game sold just 20,000 units though. The final new entry in a top 10 still well below average in terms of sales is the Xbox 360 version of Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X from Ubisoft at number 10. With the PS3 version not yet released in Japan, the game sold 10,000 units in its first week. Other new entries in the rest of the top 30 include a spin-off from Artdink's long-running A-Train series for the Nintendo DS at number 11 and D3Publisher’s Little Anchor for PlayStation 2 at number 29.

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