Crimson Desert PS5 Debuts Strong in Japan
The latest game rankings from Japan for March 16-22 have unveiled a thrilling shake-up, with Pearl Abyss's highly anticipated Crimson Desert making a spectacular entrance. The PlayStation 5 version of Crimson Desert launched straight into the #2 spot, demonstrating significant market impact despite the Nintendo Switch's enduring stronghold on the charts. This strong debut signals a noteworthy moment for PS5 titles in a region traditionally dominated by Nintendo's portable-hybrid console.
A Fiery Entrance for Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert for PS5 secured its impressive #2 position by selling 31,108 units in its debut week. This is a remarkable achievement for a new IP, especially considering the competitive landscape. The game launched on March 20, meaning these sales figures represent just a few days of availability, underscoring the high anticipation and successful initial reception among Japanese gamers. Its strong performance suggests a growing appetite for immersive, visually rich experiences on the PlayStation 5, even as the broader market remains heavily swayed by Nintendo's family-friendly and accessible titles.
Nintendo Switch Maintains Its Iron Grip
While Crimson Desert carved out its niche, the Nintendo Switch once again showcased its unparalleled dominance. Topping the charts at #1 was Pokémon Pokopia, moving an impressive 114,515 units for the week, pushing its total copies sold to a staggering 772,915 since its March 5 release. The sheer volume of Switch titles populating the top 20 is a testament to its widespread appeal and massive install base. Beyond new releases, many evergreen Switch titles continue to sell consistently, proving their long-term value in the market.
Familiar faces like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, released back in March 2020, still moved 4,760 units, bringing its lifetime sales to over 8.4 million. Minecraft also remains a persistent seller with 4,451 units this week, adding to its over 4.1 million total. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a perennial favorite, sold 2,364 units, pushing its incredible lifetime sales past 6.5 million. Even titles like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Nintendo Switch Sports continue to find new homes, demonstrating the sustained interest in Nintendo's core franchises and casual offerings.
Newer Switch releases also performed admirably. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection for Nintendo Switch secured the #3 spot with 10,294 weekly copies, contributing to its healthy 48,012 total. Mario Tennis Fever landed at #5, selling 7,833 units. Even games slated for future releases, like Mario Kart World (June 2025) and Pokémon Legends: Z-A (October 2025), appeared on the chart with significant weekly sales, indicating strong pre-order or download card activity.
PlayStation 5's Continued Presence
Beyond Crimson Desert's stellar debut, the PlayStation 5 also saw two other titles make it into the top 20, albeit further down the list. Resident Evil requiem (Biohazard requiem) held its ground at #6, selling 6,652 units and approaching the 200,000 lifetime sales mark. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection also had a PS5 version, landing at #18 with 2,471 weekly copies. While these titles show the PS5's ability to capture segments of the market, the overall picture in Japan's game ranking remains heavily skewed towards the Nintendo Switch.
Key Market Insights
The latest ranking underscores several key trends in the Japanese gaming market. The Nintendo Switch continues to be an unstoppable force, with a diverse catalog ranging from new releases to long-standing classics that consistently drive sales. Its accessibility and hybrid nature clearly resonate with a broad demographic. For the PlayStation 5, the success of Crimson Desert is a significant win, proving that compelling new titles with strong marketing can break through and capture a substantial audience, even in a Switch-dominated landscape. This success may encourage more developers to target the PS5 for the Japanese market, offering a wider variety of experiences to players.
Looking Ahead
Crimson Desert's #2 debut is undoubtedly a strong start. It will be fascinating to observe how the game performs in the coming weeks and if it can maintain its momentum against the persistent popularity of Nintendo's lineup. For now, the rankings paint a clear picture: the Nintendo Switch is king, but the PlayStation 5 is showing it can still contend for significant slices of the pie with the right game.
