According to Famitsu's publisher Enterbrain, the Japanese game market is, like a frightened turtle, getting smaller compared to last year. But what was the biggest selling game hardware? Games?

The data for 2007 reflects the period from January 1, 2007 to December 3, 2007. The data for 2008 reflects the period from December 31, 2007 to December 28, 2008. One hundred yen is the equivalent of US$1.08.

2007 Market Size (Figures Are Approximate)
Hardware: ¥327.41 billion
Software: ¥360.54 billion
Total: ¥687.95 billion

2008 Market Size (Figures Are Approximate)
Hardware: ¥250.5 billion
Software: ¥332.12 billion
Total: ¥582.61 billion

More after the break...

2008 Hardware Sales

• Nintendo DS (DS, Lite, DSi)
2008 estimate: 4,029,804 units
Total estimate: 25,135,276 units

• PSP
2008 estimate: 3,543,171 units
Total estimate: 11,078,484 units

• Wii
2008 estimate: 2,908,342 units
Total estimate: 7,526,821 units

• PLAYSTATION 3
2008 estimate: 991,303 units
Total estimate: 2,664,366 units

• Xbox 360
2008 estimate: 317,859 units
Total estimate: 866,167 units

Top 5 Software Sales

1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (PSP)
2008 estimate: 2,452,111 copies
Total estimate: 2,452,111 copies

2. Pokémon Platinum
2008 estimate: 2,187,337 copies
Total estimate: 2,187,337 copies

3. Wii Fit
2008 estimate: 2,149,131 copies
Total estimate: 2,967,297 copies

4. Mario Kart Wii
2008 estimate: 2,003,315 copies
Total estimate: 2,003,315 copies

5. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
2008 estimate: 1,747,113 copies
Total estimate: 1,747,113 copies

[Famitsu]