![Best Selling Video Games: Japan [2024]](https://data40.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/57_header.png.webp "Best Selling Video Games: Japan [2024]")
Japan’s video game industry, a pioneering force in shaping global gaming culture, has continually introduced groundbreaking titles that capture the imagination of millions. In 2024, the landscape of Japan’s best-selling video games is both diverse and dynamic, featuring an array of genres that appeal to all kinds of gamers. From immersive role-playing games (RPGs) and exhilarating action titles to innovative puzzle games and engaging simulations, Japanese developers remain at the forefront of the industry.
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| Rank | Game | Genre | Developer | Publisher | Platforms | Release Date | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Action role-playing | Square Enix Creative Business Unit I | Square Enix | PlayStation 5 | February 29, 2024 | 314,415 |
| 2 |  | Platform | Nintendo EPD | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch | October 20, 2023 | 264,244 |
| 3 |  | Board Game, Strategy | Konami | Konami | Nintendo Switch | November 16, 2023 | 233,632 |
| 4 |  | Racing | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Wii U, Nintendo Switch | May 29, 2014 | 150,065 |
| 5 |  | Puzzle, Platformer | Nintendo Software Technology | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch | February 16, 2024 | 142,778 |
| 6 |  | Roguelike Role-Playing | Spike Chunsoft | Spike Chunsoft | Nintendo Switch | January 25, 2024 | 138,824 |
| 7 |  | Role-Playing | Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio | Sega | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | January 26, 2024 | 138,411 |
| 8 |  | Action-Adventure | Insomniac Games | Sony Interactive Entertainment | PlayStation 5 | October 20, 2023 | 130,437 |
| 9 |  | Action-Adventure | Good-Feel | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch | March 22, 2024 | 124,432 |
| 10 |  | Role-playing, social simulation | P-Studio | Sega | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | February 2, 2024 | 98,018 |
This article delves into the top-selling video games in Japan for the year 2024, exploring the trends, cultural impacts, and technological advancements that drive their success. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a curious newcomer, join us as we explore the games that have captivated the hearts of players across the nation.
Top-10 Best Selling Games in 2024
1. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Genre: Action Role-Playing Game (RPG)
Developer: Square Enix Creative Business Unit I
Release Date: February 29, 2024
Sales: 314,415
“Final Fantasy VII Rebirth” is the thrilling second installment in the trilogy that remakes the beloved 1997 PlayStation game “Final Fantasy VII.” Developed and published by Square Enix, this 2024 release continues the narrative from the “Final Fantasy VII Remake” (2020), immersing players in a blend of real-time action and strategic role-playing elements. The story picks up immediately after the events of the “Remake,” with players guiding protagonist Cloud Strife and his allies, primarily from the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE. They journey across the Planet to thwart the megacorporation Shinra’s exploitation of the Lifestream for energy and confront the formidable Sephiroth, who aims to merge with the Planet for unprecedented power. Production for “Rebirth” began in November 2019, ahead of the “Remake’s” release, and it was announced in June 2022. The game, which sees Tetsuya Nomura taking on the role of creative director and Naoki Hamaguchi as director, launched exclusively for PlayStation 5 and has garnered critical acclaim for continuing the epic saga with enhanced gameplay and deeper narrative exploration.
2. Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Genre: Platform
Developer: Nintendo EPD
Release Date: October 20, 2023
Sales: 264,244
“Super Mario Bros. Wonder” is a vibrant platform game released in 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, marking the first traditional side-scrolling Super Mario game since “New Super Mario Bros. U” in 2012. Players control Mario, Luigi, and other beloved characters as they venture through the Flower Kingdom—a new realm threatened by Bowser’s latest scheme. After using the magical Wonder Flower, Bowser has merged himself with the kingdom’s castle, plotting to take over this enchanting land. The game features classic side-scrolling gameplay enhanced with fresh mechanics and imaginative environments, inviting players to explore this new world filled with challenges and surprises. Development began in 2019 under the direction of Shiro Mouri, who drew inspiration from the original “Super Mario Bros.,” while producer Takashi Tezuka aimed to reinvent the 2D Mario experience by introducing this captivating new location.
3. Momotaro Dentetsu World: Chikyuu wa Kibou de Mawatteru!
Genre: Board Game, Strategy
Developer: Konami
Release Date: November 16, 2023
Sales: 233,632
“Momotaro Dentetsu World: Chikyuu wa Kibou de Mawatteru!”—translated as “Momotaro Dentetsu World: The Earth Spins with Hope!”—brings an innovative twist to the beloved series by introducing a spherical map of the Earth. For the first time, players can navigate a globe instead of the traditional flat maps, enhancing the gaming experience with a three-dimensional perspective of locations and distances between countries and regions. This global expansion integrates familiar elements of the Momotaro Dentetsu series, such as diverse properties and iconic characters, but on a much grander, world-class scale. Players can also look forward to new events and encounters with numerous historical heroes scattered across the globe. This installment promises to enrich the series’ legacy by combining strategic depth with a visually engaging representation of the world, inviting players to a uniquely immersive board game adventure.
4. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Genre: Racing
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Release Date: May 29, 2014
Sales: 150,065
“Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” is the definitive version of the critically acclaimed “Mario Kart 8,” initially released for the Nintendo Wii U, and enhanced for the Nintendo Switch. This game brings together all the tracks, characters, and vehicles from the original game along with its downloadable content, plus additional features exclusive to the Deluxe version. Players can race against friends or the computer in a variety of detailed and inventive tracks that defy gravity and traditional racing mechanics. “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” includes a revamped battle mode with new arenas and battle-specific game types, providing comprehensive and engaging gameplay. The game supports local and online multiplayer modes, allowing up to 12 players to compete in exhilarating races and battles. With its vibrant graphics, improved performance, and inclusion of all past DLC, “Mario Kart 8 Deluxe” offers the ultimate kart racing experience, making it a staple title for Nintendo Switch owners around the world.
5. Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Genre: Puzzle, Platformer
Developer: Nintendo Software Technology
Release Date: February 16, 2024
Sales: 142,778
A refreshed version of “Mario vs. Donkey Kong” was launched for the Nintendo Switch on February 16, 2024. This remake boasts improved graphics and introduces local co-op play, with Toad as a playable second character. It offers “Casual” and “Classic” play styles; “Casual” simplifies gameplay by removing the time limit, adding checkpoints, and allowing Mario to endure more hits, while “Classic” mirrors the original’s challenge. The game adds two new worlds, Merry Mini-Land and Slippery Summit, along with their Plus versions, contributing 30 new levels and expanding the total to over 130. Additionally, a “Time Attack” mode unlocks after completing the game. “Mario vs. Donkey Kong” marks a successful revival of the historical feud between these iconic characters, offering hours of engaging gameplay and creative challenges.
6. Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island
Genre: Roguelike Role-Playing Game (RPG)
Developer: Spike Chunsoft
Release Date: 2024
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Sales: 138,824
“Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island” marks the sixth main entry in the revered Shiren the Wanderer series, part of the larger Mystery Dungeon franchise. Released for the Nintendo Switch in 2024, this game arrives more than 13 years after the last mainline title in Japan, “Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate,” and 8 years since its release in the West. In this installment, players explore the enigmatic Serpentcoil Island, tackling procedurally generated dungeons that promise a new layout and challenges with every attempt. The game retains the classic roguelike elements of strategic turn-based gameplay and permanent consequences for defeat, demanding careful planning and sharp tactics from players. With its rich narrative continuation and evolved gameplay mechanics, “Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island” offers both longtime fans and newcomers a deep, immersive experience in a persistently surprising and unforgiving world.
7. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Genre: Role-Playing Game (RPG)
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Release Date: January 26, 2024
Sales: 138,411
“Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth” is the ninth mainline entry in the “Like a Dragon” series, following the events of “Yakuza: Like a Dragon” (2020) and the spin-off “Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name” (2023). This installment features Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist from the previous game, and Kazuma Kiryu, the series’ original protagonist. For the first time, the narrative unfolds in an overseas setting—Hawaii—alongside familiar locales in Japan. The story centers on Kasuga’s quest to reunite with his mother and Kiryu’s personal battle with cancer, weaving a tale of family, survival, and camaraderie. Players explore these diverse environments, engaging in the series’ signature blend of deep storytelling and dynamic RPG gameplay. “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth” has received positive reviews for its engaging plot, character development, and innovative setting, marking another successful chapter in this beloved franchise.
8. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Genre: Action-Adventure
Developer: Insomniac Games
Release Date: October 20, 2023
Sales: 130,437
“Marvel’s Spider-Man 2,” released in 2023, is the third installment in the Marvel’s Spider-Man series, continuing the adventures of Peter Parker and Miles Morales. This entry introduces formidable new adversaries, including Kraven the Hunter, who transforms New York City into a hunting ground for super-powered individuals, and the Venom symbiote, which complicates Parker’s life with its dark influence. Building on the foundation of its predecessors, the game enhances both heroes’ combat and traversal mechanics with new web-based gadgets and suits, including a unique symbiote suit for Parker. The game has been lauded for its deep narrative, character development, and gameplay advancements, becoming PlayStation’s fastest-selling title and winning multiple awards at the D.I.C.E. Awards.
9. Princess Peach™: Showtime!
Genre: Action-Adventure
Developer: Good-Feel
Release Date: March 22, 2024
Sales: 124,432
“Princess Peach: Showtime!” is a 2024 action-adventure game that marks the first title since 2005 to feature Princess Peach as the main protagonist. Developed by Good-Feel and published by Nintendo, this innovative game released on the Nintendo Switch has received generally positive reviews. Players control Princess Peach, who is aided by a sentient ribbon named Stella, allowing interaction with objects and characters within the game. By standing on special circular platforms, Peach can transform into various forms such as Swordfighter Peach, Detective Peach, Patissier Peach, Kung Fu Peach, Ninja Peach, Cowgirl Peach, Figure Skater Peach, Dashing Thief Peach, Mermaid Peach, and Mighty Peach. Each transformation grants unique abilities that cater to different gameplay strategies and puzzles, enriching the traditional adventure with dynamic and versatile play styles.
10. Persona 3 Reload
Genre: Role-Playing Game (RPG)
Developer: P-Studio
Release Date: February 2, 2024
Sales: 98,018
“Persona 3 Reload” is a remake of the 2006 game “Persona 3,” the fourth main installment in the Persona series, which is part of the larger Megami Tensei franchise. This 2024 release updates the beloved game with modern graphics and gameplay improvements to align with more recent entries in the series, like “Persona 5.” The story revolves around a high school student who returns to his hometown a decade after a tragic car accident that killed his parents. He discovers the ability to summon a Persona, the physical manifestation of his inner spirit, and joins the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (S.E.E.S.), a group tasked with defeating Shadows and exploring the mysterious Dark Hour. The development of “Persona 3 Reload” began in 2019, prompted by fan requests after the global success of “Persona 5.” The game features a completely overhauled art direction by Tomohiro Kumagai, updated character designs by Azusa Shimada, and a refreshed soundtrack by Atsushi Kitajoh with contributions from Shoji Meguro and performances by Azumi Takahashi and Lotus Juice. Upon its release, “Persona 3 Reload” quickly became Atlus’ fastest-selling game, receiving widespread acclaim for its enhanced visuals, refined mechanics, and faithful retelling of the original story.
A Look at Japan’s Best-Selling Video Games
In conclusion, the landscape of Japan’s best-selling video games in 2024 illustrates the diverse interests and evolving tastes of Japanese gamers. This year’s top titles, ranging from action-packed adventures to intricate role-playing games, not only reflect a deep appreciation for immersive storytelling and innovative gameplay but also underscore Japan’s critical role in shaping global gaming trends. The continued success of both long-standing franchises and groundbreaking new entries highlights the dynamism and resilience of the Japanese video game industry. As we look to the future, these games not only promise to entertain and engage but also to inspire the next generation of game developers both in Japan and around the world.
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