Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake Dominates Japan’s November Charts
Dragon Quest 3 Remake Sells Over 900,000 Copies, Dominating Japan’s Charts
Square enix’s beloved RPG franchise returns with a bang, topping Japan’s sales charts in its debut week.
The highly anticipated HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest 3 has stormed onto the Japanese gaming scene, selling an extraordinary 913,000 copies in its first two weeks. The Switch version alone accounted for a staggering 712,188 units sold, securing the top spot on the platform’s charts. The PlayStation 5 version also performed admirably, selling 200,944 copies and landing at number two.
This success marks a triumphant return for the classic RPG, surpassing even the sales figures of Dragon Quest 7: Journey of the Cursed King, which sold 733,000 copies in the same timeframe upon its 2015 release on the Nintendo 3DS.
The remake’s success propelled Square Enix to the forefront of the Japanese gaming market, capturing a commanding 54.1% market share, translating to ¥6.5 billion ($43.2 million) in sales. This represents a significant 30.9% lead over Nintendo, highlighting the immense impact of Dragon Quest 3‘s launch.
Mario Party Jamboree Holds Strong, While New Mario & Luigi Title Debuts
While Dragon Quest 3 dominated the charts, other titles continued to perform well.Super Mario Party: Jamboree slipped two spots to number three, but still managed to sell an additional 168,000 units.Simultaneously occurring, the newly released Mario & Luigi: Brothership debuted at number four, selling a respectable 88,539 copies.
PS5 Sales Surge with Pro Release, But Switch remains King
The release of the PlayStation 5 Pro on November 7th significantly boosted PS5 sales, tripling them compared to October. The console sold a total of 151,000 units across its three models. However, the Nintendo Switch remained the top-selling console, moving 255,401 units and solidifying its position as the preferred platform for Japanese gamers.
The Switch also dominated software sales, accounting for 1.5 million boxed game sales during the period.
japan’s Top 10 Best-Selling Games (October 28 – November 24,2024)
| Ranking | Platform | Title | Publisher |
|—|—|—|—|
| 1 | Switch | Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake | Square Enix |
| 2 | PS5 | Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake | square Enix |
| 3 | Switch | Super Mario Party: Jamboree | Nintendo |
| 4 | Switch | Mario & Luigi: brothership | Nintendo |
| 5 | Switch | Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven | Konami |
| 6 | switch | mario Kart 8 Deluxe | Nintendo |
| 7 | Switch | Animal Crossing: New horizons | Nintendo |
| 8 | Switch | Minecraft: Switch Edition | Microsoft Japan |
| 9 | PS5 | Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | Activision |
| 10 | Switch | The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom | Nintendo |
Dragon Quest 3 Remake Makes a Triumphant Return: A Conversation with Industry Analyst, Professor Kenji Sato
NewsDirectory3.com: Professor Sato,thank you for joining us today. the remake of Dragon Quest 3 has taken japan by storm, selling nearly a million copies in its first two weeks. What are your thoughts on this remarkable success?
Kenji Sato: It’s truly impressive. The Dragon Quest series holds a deeply nostalgic place in the hearts of Japanese gamers, and this HD-2D remake perfectly captures the charm and spirit of the original while introducing it to a new generation. The sales figures are a testament to the enduring power of the franchise and the quality of this reimagining.
NewsDirectory3.com: Dragon Quest 3 outsold even Dragon Quest 7‘s impressive debut. What factors contributed to this phenomenal performance?
Kenji Sato: Several factors come into play. First and foremost, the nostalgia factor can’t be understated. Many players grew up with Dragon Quest 3, and this remake allows them to revisit a beloved classic with modern graphics and gameplay enhancements. Additionally, Square Enix has excelled in marketing and generating hype for the release. The HD-2D art style is visually stunning and has garnered significant attention.
NewsDirectory3.com: The remake’s success also propelled Square Enix to the top of the Japanese market share. How will this impact the company moving forward?
Kenji Sato: this success undoubtedly strengthens Square Enix’s position in the Japanese market. It demonstrates their ability to revitalize classic franchises and appeal to a broad audience. We can expect to see Square Enix continue investing in remakes and reimaginings of beloved titles, capitalizing on this proven formula.
NewsDirectory3.com: looking at the broader market, the launch of the PlayStation 5 Pro undoubtedly boosted PS5 sales. How do you see the console competition shaping up in the coming months?
Kenji Sato: The PlayStation 5 Pro’s arrival has invigorated the console war, but the Nintendo switch remains dominant. It’s unlikely to be dethroned anytime soon, especially with its strong software lineup.The coming months will be exciting to watch as both Sony and Nintendo vie for gamers’ attention.
NewsDirectory3.com: Thank you, Professor Sato, for your insightful analysis.