Sony hardware sales double in Japan

Sony hardware sales have almost doubled in Japan over the last week, bumping long-time chart champion Nintendo into third place.

Both PS3 and PSP sales saw meaty jumps of around 20000 units in the space of seven days, thanks to the release of highly anticipated titles Sengoku Basara 3 (aka Samuari Heroes) and rhythm game Hatsune Miku Project Diva 2nd.

For the first time this year, total PSP sales eclipsed total DS range sales, pipping Nintendo by around 4000 units.

The DS and Wii both saw mild declines, while Microsoft enjoyed slight growth for the traditionally low-selling 360.

Despite the success of its elder sibling, the PSPgo's rather dismal trajectory continued, now dropping to just 777 units sold in the space of a week.

Sales of the original PSP have been fairly healthy in Japan for some weeks now, but speculation continues to mount about Sony preparing a touch-screen follow-up.

Japanse hardware sales for the week ending August 1 (previous week in brackets):

• Sony PSP: 48,603 (28,747)
• Sony PlayStation 3: 45,224 (19,420)
• Nintendo DSi XL: 23,120 (24,189)
• Nintendo Wii: 20,038 (21,092)
• Nintendo DSi: 17,950 (18,202)
• Microsoft Xbox 360: 6,929 (6,056)
• Nintendo DS Lite: 4,058 (5,059)
• Sony PlayStation 2: 1,444 (1,475)
• Sony PSPgo: 777 (831)