Crimson Desert of PS5 Struggles to Hold Ground in Nintendo-Dominated Japanese Charts

Key Takeaways

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Nintendos dominance in Japans gaming market is evident, with strong sales for their hardware and software.
- Pokémon Pokopia on Nintendo Switch 2 leads physical game sales, approaching one million copies sold.
- The Nintendo Switch 2 has surpassed five million units sold in Japan.
Sonys PlayStation 5 recorded steady sales, with over seven and a half million consoles sold in Japan.

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According to Famitsu magazine’s sales data for the week of March 30 to April 5, 2026, Nintendo’s dominance in the Japanese market continues. This week’s report highlights the strong performance of both Nintendo hardware and software. In physical game sales, Pokémon Pokopia for Nintendo Switch 2 topped the charts with 45,484 units sold. Since its launch in Japan, the title has sold 867,171 units and is rapidly approaching one million copies sold. With the exception of Crimson Desert, Nintendo titles dominated the top 10. The complete list of top 10 software sales for March 30 to April 5 is as follows: 1. Pokémon Pokopia – 45,484 (867,171) 2. Mario Kart World – 8,131 (2,888,474) 3. Minecraft – 5,186 (4,182,507) 4. Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection – 4,956 (23,194) 5. Animal Crossing: New Horizons – 4,710 (8,415,833) 6. Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection – 4,588 (58,077) 7. Super Mario Bros. Wonder Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Meetup in Bellabel Park – 4,324 (14,482) 8. Pokémon FireRed Version / LeafGreen Version (Download Card) – 4,146 (15,292) 9. Crimson Desert – 3,812 (40,185) 10. Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition – 3,706 (98,786) (Note: Values in parentheses represent total sales.)

On the hardware front, the Nintendo Switch 2 sold 59,543 units, pushing the platform past five million units sold in Japan. The original Nintendo Switch also maintained steady sales, moving an additional 16,342 units. Sony’s PlayStation 5 recorded 13,539 units sold, bringing its cumulative sales to over seven and a half million consoles in Japan. The Xbox Series X/S sold a combined 932 units. The complete list of top 10 hardware sales for March 30 to April 5 is as follows: 1. Nintendo Switch 2 – 59,543 (5,011,059) 2. PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – 12,141 (1,248,515) 3. Nintendo Switch OLED Model – 7,468 (9,526,329) 4. Nintendo Switch Lite – 4,807 (6,903,964) 5. Nintendo Switch – 4,067 (20,027,104) 6. PlayStation 5 Pro – 840 (341,548) 7. PlayStation 5 – 558 (5,910,474) 8. Xbox Series X – 525 (325,952) 9. Xbox Series X Digital Edition – 278 (29,362) 10. Xbox Series S – 129 (341,622) (Note: Values in parentheses represent total sales.) In other news, Crimson Desert, which ranked ninth in software sales, is now available for review on Xbox Series X and is rumored to be in development for the Nintendo Switch 2.

PlayStation 5 Pro Enhances Crimson Desert Graphics; Performance Mode Surprises with Crisper Landscapes

Digital Foundry reports that Crimson Desert on PlayStation 5 Pro offers a significant graphical upgrade over the base console. Enhancements include improved lighting, reflections, and better PSSR implementation for increased image sharpness in high-quality mode. Patch 1.02.00 introduced Upgraded PSSR Sharpen and Native AA, further improving visual clarity on the PS5 Pro. While graphical fidelity is improved, performance mode sees minimal change on the PS5 Pro. Digital Foundry also noted that, surprisingly, landscapes appeared crisper in performance mode. Separately, it has been reported that a simple tweak to the PC version of Crimson Desert can substantially increase frame rates. These figures and reports highlight Nintendo’s continued strength in the Japanese market, as well as the graphical enhancements offered by the latest hardware for titles like Crimson Desert.

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