PS3 overtakes Wii U in Japan to become top-selling home console again

The PS3 has once again become the top-selling home console in Japan, according to the latest sales data from Famitsu.

Sony’s 2006 machine outpaced Nintendo’s divisive box by a mere 32 units sold last week.

However, both firms’ home consoles were easily outsold by their respective flagship handhelds, the Vita and the 3DS XL, with Nintendo’s XL unsurprisingly Japan’s favourite console overall for another week running.

The original 3DS placed just below the Wii U, outselling the PS4, which was the sixth-best-selling hardware.

Microsoft’s Xbox 360 once again placed last, selling only a handheld of units more than last week.

Over in software, last week’s smash hit Yokai Watch 2 continued its success, effortlessly placing top of the chart for the second week running and outselling newcomer Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines for the Vita, which still sold a respectable 91,696 copies in its debut week.

The third and fourth entries in the chart this week were also brand new; Atelier Shallie: Tasogare no Umi no Alchemist and Gundam Try Age SP placing above Nintendo’s much-loved racing title Mario Kart 8.

Meanwhile, phantom puzzle title Murdered: Soul Suspect knocked Ubisoft’s latest open-world game Watch Dogs out of the Top Ten.

Here’s the software Top Ten for the week ending July 20th:

1.Yokai Watch 2: Ganso/Honke (Level Five) 3DS – 258,554

2.Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines (SCE) Vita 91,696

3. Atelier Shallie: Tasogare no Umi no Alchemist (GUST) PS3 – 54,554

4. Gundam Try Age SP (Bandai Namco) 3DS – 24,019

5.Mario Kart 8 (Nintendo) Wii U – 14,068

6.Yokai Watch (Level Five) 3DS – 11,254

7.Taiko Drum Master: Don to Katsu no Jiku Daiboken (Bandai Namco) 3DS – 11,156

8.Freedom Wars (SCE) Vita – 9,699

9.Pokemon Art Academy (Nintendo) 3DS – 5,847

10. Murdered: Soul Suspect (Square Enix) PS4 – 4,780

And here’s the hardware chart:

1. Nintendo 3DS XL – 35,581

2. PS Vita – 27,492

3. PS3 – 7,315

4. Wii U – 7,283

5. Nintendo 3DS – 5,921

6. PS4 – 5,865

7. PS Vita TV – 1,847

8. PSP – 219

9. Xbox 360 – 102