Zelda helps 3DS outsell PSP in Japan

For the first time in months the 3DS is the best-selling hardware format in Japan, with sales receiving a considerable boost from the release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time 3D.

3DS sales for the week were up by more than a third to 40,649, well ahead of the PSP on 31,747 - despite an increase for Sony's portable this week as well.

There has been some controversy over the performance of Ocarina of Time 3D though, with website Andriasang reporting that it may have been supply constrained, with retailers reporting a low first shipment.

As a result sales of the game were almost identical to the other major release of the week: Level-5's Danbōru Senki on PSP - part of a cross-media franchise that includes toys and an anime.

Although independent chart compiler Media Create puts Ocarina of Time 3D in second place with 164,110 unit sales to 166,187, the chart from rival Enterbrain reverses the two positions.

In either case Nintendo will hope that this week sees a turning point for the 3DS's fortunes in Japan, with three titles in the top 10 and new releases generally now charting higher and for longer than during the post-launch period.

The other major new release this week is visual novel sequel Steins;Gate Hiyoku Renri no Darling on Xbox 360, from specialist publisher 5pb. A total of three new titles in the romance-themed franchise were released this week, with the sequel itself selling 31,666 units at number four.

A double pack containing the original game sold 11,041 units at number five and a budget-priced re-release of the first game sold 3,914 units at number 16.