Best-Selling Video Games in Japan During the First-Half of 2009

The Japanese market has different tastes in video games than their western counterparts. This is because a majority of video games are made in Japan. As a result, western-developed games aren't usually the most popular in that region. Furthermore, Japanese-developed games usually come out in Japan first before being released in other regions. So which games have sold the best so far this year in Japan? Here are the top five selling games in 2009 for that region.

5. Wii Fit (Nintendo Wii)
^{Publisher: Nintendo, Developer: Nintendo, Japanese Release Date: December 1, 2007, ESRB Rating: E}
Wii Fit is by far the oldest game on the best-selling list of 2009 in Japan. Despite being released in late 2007, it is still outselling a majority of newer games in the Japanese market two years later. Casual players in Japan simply can't get enough of the Wii Balance Board accessory in addition to the numerous fun and healthy mini-games of Wii Fit.

4. Resident Evil 5 (Playstation 3)
^{Publisher: Capcom, Developer: Capcom, Japanese Release Date: March 5, 2009, ESRB Rating: M}
The latest game in the popular Resident Evil series had a strong showing so far this year in Japan. In fact, Resident Evil 5 could have been even higher on the best-selling list if the numbers for the Xbox 360 version were also counted. The two-player cooperative mode in the survivor-horror title helped spur sales for Resident Evil 5 in Japan so far in 2009.

3. Yakuza 3 (Playstation 3)
^{Publisher: Sega, Developer: Sega, Japanese Release Date: February 26, 2009, ESRB Rating: NA}
While it is nowhere as popular in North America, the Yakuza series is the Japanese equivalent to Grand Theft Auto in terms of gameplay and popularity. The Playstation 3 exclusive managed to become the best-selling home console game so far in 2009. That is quite impressive due to the small user base of the Playstation 3. Unfortunately, it looks like Sega may be skipping out on a North American release due to low interests from previous titles.

2. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite: PSP the Best (PSP)
^{Publisher: Sega, Developer: Sega, Japanese Release Date: October 30, 2008, ESRB Rating: T}
The Monster Hunter portable series single-handily pushed hardware sales on the PSP and help the system established itself as the second most popular in Japan after the Nintendo DS. The highly addicting four-player cooperative game has been entrancing Japanese gamers for the past couple of years. Therefore, it is no surprise that Monster Hunter Freedom Unite: PSP the Best, the latest version, is among the top selling Japanese games so far in 2009.

1. Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story (Nintendo DS)
^{Publisher: Nintendo, Developer: Alpha Team, Japanese Release Date: February 11, 2009, ESRB Rating: E}
In a bit of a surprise, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story is the best-selling game half way through this year. The third portable game in the popular RPG series follows Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time and Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga. With a strong lineage and a big user base on the Nintendo DS, Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story outsold every other game in the first-half of 2009.