Despite signs of improvement last week, sales have fallen slightly again in the Japanese software charts – although they are still not abnormal for the time of year. The new number one has sold somewhat less than the expected 100,000 minimum, with D3 Publisher’s new Neon Genesis Evangelion branded pachinko simulator for the PlayStation 2 selling 80,586 units. With DS Observation Training moving down one place to number two, the second highest new entry of the week, at number three, is Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai 2 (aka Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai - Another Road) on PSP, with 44,337 units sold. Although there are only three PSP titles in the top thirty, the third highest entry is also for Sony’s portable console – with Final Fantasy II: Anniversary Edition debuting at number four with 36,637 units sold. This is only a little less than the first Final Fantasy: Anniversary Edition’s debut at 48,559 units, despite the second game being far less renowned in fan circles. The final new entry of the week is the first Harvest Moon title for the Wii at number seven, with 21,866 units sold. Despite the disappointing figures, it is one of three Wii games in the top ten and six overall in the top thirty. There are no PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 titles in the top thirty and D3 Publisher’s pachinko title is the only PlayStation 2 game. (Hardware sales data for the week in Japan will be available from tomorrow morning.)

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