Japan's Bestsellers Highlight Our Gaming Cultural Divide, One More Time

What’s selling well in Japan these days? The likes of Meruru no Atelier: Arland no Renkinjutsushi 3, Steins;Gate and a new Gundam game for the PlayStation Portable. I know. Exciting, right?

Well, maybe not to you. You might not know what the hell a Meruru no Atelier: Arland no Renkinjutsushi 3 is. It’s the latest entry in Gust’s alchemy-infused role-playing game series. We’ve had a couple escape Japan, like Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis and Atelier Rorona: The Alchemist of Arland. They’re a big deal in Japan, which is proven by the newest entry for the PlayStation 3 selling a cool 80,000 copies week one.

Other notables in the top ten include a new Bleach game for the PS3, a Prince of Tennis game and lots of PSP fare. Maybe you can better relate to Mass Effect 2 and GTA IV: Complete Edition cracking the top 20?

To see how they’re gaming and spending Japan, read on for the latest Media Creates sales figures.

01. Meruru no Atelier: Arland no Renkinjutsushi 3 (PS3) – 82,585 / NEW

02. Steins;Gate (PSP) – 63,558 / NEW

03. Gundam Memories: Tatakai no Kioku (PSP) – 52,067 / NEW

04. Cardboard Senki (PSP) – 38,326 / 204,513

05. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS) – 37,452 / 201,563

06. Tennis no Oji-Sama Gyutto! Dokidoki Survival Umi to Yama no Love Passion (DS) – 30,234 / NEW

07. Yakuza: Of the End (PS3) – 24,247 / 376,738

08. Bleach: Soul Ignition (PS3) – 23,516 / NEW

09. Wii Sports Resort w/ Wii RemotePlus (Wii) – 9,874 / 362,957

10. Gloria Union (PSP) – 8,933 / NEW

11. Pokemon Black / White (DS)