Japanese Software Chart: Capcom Cats Get the Cream

Thank goodness for cute little cats. Capcom's Monster Hunter Diary spin-off, featuring adventurous kittens battling kid-friendly beasts, has charmed the nation of Japan and reached the top of this week's Software Chart (23rd - 29th August 2010, courtesy Media Create).

1 Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airu Village – Capcom (PSP) – 256,076 / NEW
2 Ace Combat X2: Joint Assault – Namco Bandai (PSP) – 57,785 / NEW
3 Wii Party – Nintendo (Wii) – 54,673
4 Another Century's Episode: R – Namco Bandai (PS3) – 28,354
5 Hakuouki Essays Portable (Limited Edition) – Idea Factory (PSP) – 24,469 / NEW
6 Inazuma Eleven 3: World Challenge!! Spark/Bomber – Level-5 (DS) – 12,889
7 Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Nintendo (Wii) – 11,977
8 Art Academy – Nintendo (DS) – 10,301
9 Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X – Namco Bandai (PSP) – 19,371
10 Sengoku Basara 3 – Capcom (PS3) – 8,834

It leads a healthy week for PSP games, with the spin-off selling over four times as many units as the #2 ranked title, Ace Combat X2: Joint Assault – another new release. A limited edition launch of Hakuouki Essays Portable has helped Idea Factory claim a #5 debut this week, and Namco Bandai's Tales of Phantasia: Narikiri Dungeon X remake is still doing well at #9.

Sony platforms dominate the chart, but Nintendo is doing a fine job holding its ground – Wii Party slips down a place while Level-5's Inazuma Eleven 3 falls from #4 to #6, but Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Art Academy are refusing to budge from their #7 and #8 positions respectively.

Overall, sales are a little more top-heavy than usual, with the attention for Monster Hunter Diary affecting week-on-week sales for the other Top 10 positions.