DS recaptures the weekly hardware lead in the week ending January 22nd (pre-DS Lite announcent)

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

DS sales again climbed to the top of the charts as PSP numbers continued to fall post-holidays. In the wake of the DS Lite announcement, we now have another reason for the system's stunning sell-out over New Year's: Nintendo had certainly been planning its stock for the rollout when they were hit with the landslide of demand. It will be interesting to follow it's effect on DS sales in the coming weeks leading to the redesign's March 2nd debut. The original DS (henceforth DSOG) will continue to be sold alongside the Lite in a move that suggests Nintendo further playing to the mass-market acceptance of the portable. Nintendo commented that the redesign was aimed in particular at adults and women with its higher price tag and slimmer profile - DSOG would therefore be for younger players and the less fashion-conscious.

The week's console numbers:

Meanwhile, it appears that software sales will remain strong as DS owners continue to seek new entertainment on their portable. Japanese Mario Kart DS sales officially surpassed 1 million (though it became clear that the milestone was inevitable over the holiday rush) with the hit sequel Brain Training 2 likely to duplicate the feat over this current week. On a related note, its just amazing that the first Brain Training continues to sell so briskly even in the face of its sequel. A new paradigm, indeed.

Fans of portable survival horror (or hey, Resident Evil/Biohazard in particular) take note of the Japanese release of Resident Evil: Deadly Silence, the DS remake of the first PSOne game in the series (in other words, it is extremely close to the original Resident Evil as opposed to the Gamecube reimagining). Likely because it is yet another REmake (get it!?) sales numbers, which include the special edition release that comes complete with a myriad of goodies (including a branded case for the DS), were not too great in its first week. As a high profile third party release, hopefully subsequent weeks will generate more interest.

The Gamecube also saw a major new release in the form of Super Mario Strikers. The game opened relatively well - its always nice to see the ol' GC make a guest appearance on the charts.

The weekly software numbers follow: