Final Fantasy 12 rules over an otherwise DS-dominated sales week.

Courtesy of Media-Create, we have the most recent sales figures from Japan.

The week saw an FF-related spike in PS2 sales driving the console past the 'darling handhelds' (industry darlings DS and PSP), save for the DS Lite. As supply issues continue to stabilize, the Lite has not had a problem practically selling out of every unit retailers can get their hands on. Interest will likely remain popular, as the system itself remains hot in the eyes of the Japanese public. The good ol' Original DS saw noticeable sales slippage however - likely not a trend if the Lite truly becomes easier to obtain. The Lite will eventually completely replace its sturdy older brother, the only question is when.

The week's console numbers:

In software, the week's big story could not be escaped: Final Fantasy 12 has finally been released after a myriad of delays that cast the game's direction deeply into doubt. This new FF, while sporting a radically different gameplay system that has some series veterans troubled, nevertheless garnered FF-like high ratings from Japanese publications and correspondingly high opening week sales numbers. The final tally was well over 1.7 million, right in line with the performance of 2001's Final Fantasy X.

But enough about PS2 games. DS titles commanded 7 of the top 10 with, as usual, Animal Crossing DS and the Training series leading the way. One new DS game debuted in the top 10: the strange, cutesy, likely manic and certainly thoroughly frog themed Chou-Gekijou-Ban Keroro Gunsou: Enshuu Dayo! Zenin Shuugou. The next few weeks will see some significant releases: besides new "Touch Generations" software releases (that had been delayed on par with DS Lite shortages), the end of March will see Xenosaga 1+2. RPG fans take note, as the game is sporting very high production values in line with series expectations (despite the art style change).

The weekly software numbers: