The Most Popular Console in Japan, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the console you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:34
Gaming consoles have a significant impact on both entertainment and culture, particularly in Japan where the gaming industry commands a large portion of the market. Understanding which consoles garner the most popularity can provide insights into consumer preferences and industry trends. This listing serves as a barometer for what is currently capturing the interest of gamers in the region.
By participating in these rankings, users contribute to a clearer picture of the market dynamics and help others make informed choices about which products might suit their gaming needs. This live ranking is not only informative but also a reflection of active consumer engagement. Each vote helps to shape a more accurate depiction of the gaming landscape in Japan.
What Is the Most Popular Console in Japan?
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128votes
Evan-Amos · Public domainNintendo Switch
NintendoThe Nintendo Switch has been the best-selling console in Japan since its release in 2017. It is a hybrid console that allows players to switch between handheld and TV modes, making it popular for on-the-go gaming.The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid gaming console that can be used both as a handheld device and as a home console. It was released by Nintendo in March 2017 and has gained immense popularity worldwide. The console offers a unique gaming experience, allowing users to seamlessly switch between playing games on a TV screen and on the go.- Display: 6.2-inch LCD touchscreen
- Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels
- Storage: 32GB, expandable with microSD cards
- Battery Life: Approximately 2.5 to 6.5 hours
- Processor: NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
Nintendo Switch in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most advanced console
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular platform for gaming
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular item for sale on Amazon
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237votes
Evan-Amos · Public domainPlayStation 4
Sony Interactive EntertainmentThe PlayStation 4 is the second most popular console in Japan. It has a large library of games and is popular for its exclusive titles.The PlayStation 4 is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It is the fourth installment in the PlayStation console series and was first released in 2013. The PS4 is highly popular in Japan and has a wide range of games available.- CPU: Custom 1.6 GHz 8-core AMD x86-64 Jaguar processor
- GPU: 1.84 teraflops AMD Radeon
- Memory: 8GB GDDR5
- Storage: 500GB or 1TB hard drive (varies by model)
- Resolution: Up to 4K (select games and content)
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329votes
Evan-Amos · Public domainNintendo 3DS
NintendoThe Nintendo 3DS is a handheld console that is popular for its unique 3D capabilities. It has a large library of games, including many from Nintendo's classic franchises.The Nintendo 3DS is a portable handheld gaming console that offers a unique glasses-free stereoscopic 3D gaming experience. It is a successor to the Nintendo DS and was released in February 2011.- Main processor: Dual-core ARM11 MPCore
- Graphics processor: DMP PICA200
- Display: Dual screens (top: 3.53-inch, bottom: 3.02-inch), both capable of displaying 16.77 million colors
- Resolution: 400x240 pixels (top screen), 320x240 pixels (bottom screen)
- 3D capabilities: Glasses-free stereoscopic 3D on the top screen
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421votes
Evan-Amos · Public domainPlayStation Vita
Sony Interactive EntertainmentThe PlayStation Vita is another handheld console that is popular in Japan. It has a large library of games, including many Japanese RPGs.The PlayStation Vita is a handheld gaming console that was released by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2011. It was designed as a successor to the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and aimed to provide console-like gaming experiences on the go. The Vita featured a wide range of games, including both original titles and ports of popular PlayStation games.- Processor: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore
- Graphics: SGX543MP4+
- Display: 5-inch OLED touchscreen
- Resolution: 960x544 pixels
- RAM: 512 MB
PlayStation Vita in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most overrated console
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522votes
Wii U
NintendoThe Wii U is a console that was released by Nintendo in 2012. It was not as popular as its predecessor, the Wii, but it still has a dedicated following in Japan.The Wii U is a gaming console developed and produced by Nintendo. It was released in 2012 as the successor to the Wii console. The console features a unique controller, called the GamePad, which has a built-in touchscreen that allows for enhanced gameplay experiences. With the Wii U, players can enjoy a variety of games, both from physical discs and digital downloads.- Processor: IBM Power-based multi-core processor
- Graphics: AMD Radeon-based High Definition GPU
- Memory: 2GB RAM
- Storage: 8GB or 32GB internal flash memory
- Media: Wii U optical discs, Wii optical discs, and digital downloads
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65votes
PlayStation 3
Sony Computer EntertainmentThe PlayStation 3 is an older console that is still popular in Japan. It has a large library of games and is often used as a Blu-ray player.The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a gaming console developed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was released in 2006 and is part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. The PS3 revolutionized the gaming experience with its impressive graphics, advanced processing power, and extensive multimedia capabilities.- Processor: Cell Broadband Engine
- Graphics: NVIDIA RSX Reality Synthesizer
- Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM
- Storage: Available in 20GB, 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, 120GB, 160GB, 250GB, and 320GB models
- Connectivity: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, HDMI
PlayStation 3 in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most advanced console
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712votes
Evan-Amos · Public domainXbox One
MicrosoftThe Xbox One is not as popular in Japan as it is in other regions. However, it still has a dedicated following and is popular for its exclusive titles.The Xbox One is an advanced gaming console developed by Microsoft. It is a successor to the Xbox 360 and offers a wide range of features, including advanced graphics capabilities, backward compatibility with selected Xbox 360 games, and an extensive online ecosystem. With its sleek design and powerful performance, the Xbox One aims to provide immersive gaming experiences to players of all ages.- Processor: Custom 8-core AMD CPU
- Graphics: AMD Radeon GPU, 6 teraflops of performance
- Memory: 8GB DDR3 RAM
- Storage: 500GB or 1TB internal HDD (varies by model)
- Optical Drive: Blu-ray/DVD
Xbox One in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most overrated console
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810votes
Evan-Amos · Public domainPlayStation Portable
Sony Computer EntertainmentThe PlayStation Portable is an older handheld console that is still popular in Japan. It has a large library of games and is often used for emulation.The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld gaming console developed and produced by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan in December 2004. The PSP distinguishes itself with its compact size, multimedia capabilities, and powerful hardware, providing a high-quality gaming experience on the go.- Display: 4.3-inch TFT LCD screen
- Resolution: 480 x 272 pixels
- Processor: 333 MHz MIPS R4000
- Graphics: 166 MHz GPU
- Memory: 32 MB RAM, 4 MB VRAM
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910votes
Evan-Amos · Public domainNintendo DS
NintendoThe Nintendo DS is an older handheld console that is still popular in Japan. It has a large library of games, including many from Nintendo's classic franchises.The Nintendo DS is a handheld gaming console that was released by Nintendo. It features dual screens, with the lower touchscreen allowing for unique input methods. The console was known for its extensive library of games and its portability.- Release Date: November 21, 2004
- CPU: Two ARM processors, ARM7 clocked at 33 MHz and ARM9 clocked at 67 MHz
- Memory: 4 MB of Mobile RAM
- Display: Dual 3.12-inch TFT LCD screens, 256x192 pixels resolution
- Graphics: Engine built-in ARM processor, supporting 2D graphics
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102votes
Evan-Amos · Public domainSega Saturn
SegaThe Sega Saturn is an older console that was released in 1994. It is still popular in Japan among retro gaming enthusiasts.The Sega Saturn was a video game console released by Sega in 1994. It was known for its significant marketing and critical failures, leading to its reputation as one of the most overrated consoles in gaming history.- Release Date: November 22, 1994
- CPU: Dual Hitachi SH-2 32-bit processors
- Graphics: Two video display processors, VDP1 and VDP2
- Sound: Yamaha FH1 DSP and a custom sound processor
- RAM: 2 MB
Sega Saturn in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most overrated console
Missing your favorite console?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular console
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Game availabilityThe number of exclusive or popular game titles available on the console is another important determinant. Consoles with high-quality and sought-after games tend to be more popular.
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Cultural preferencesDepending on the tastes and preferences of Japanese gamers, some consoles and game genres may be more appealing. Consider whether a particular console caters to these preferences.
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Market shareAnalyzing the market share of each console may also give an indication of its popularity. A larger market share represents more users and higher popularity.
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PriceThe affordability of a console has a significant impact on its popularity. Lower-priced consoles may be more accessible and thus more popular among the general public in Japan.
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User satisfactionGathering feedback and reviews from Japanese gamers can provide valuable insight into their experience with different consoles. High user satisfaction rates can contribute to a larger user base and increased popularity.
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Technical specifications and featuresEvaluating the hardware capabilities, performance, and unique features of a console can also influence its popularity. Consoles with advanced technology and innovative features may appeal more to the Japanese audience.
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Local support and customer serviceConsoles that provide excellent local support, customer service, and after-sales service are likely to attract more loyal customers and thus gain popularity.
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Word of mouthThe influence of friends, family, and community recommendations can also impact console popularity. A strong word-of-mouth reputation among Japanese gamers can boost a console's popularity.
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Online presenceAnalyzing online discussions, social media mentions, and search trends can help determine which console is generating more interest and popularity in Japan.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular console in Japan. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or console is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2876 views
- 172 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each console once every 24 hours. The rank of each console is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular console in japan
Japan has been a hub for console gaming since the introduction of the first home console, the Magnavox Odyssey, in 1972. Over the years, consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Sony PlayStation, and the Xbox have gained massive popularity in the country. However, in recent years, the Japanese gaming industry has seen a significant shift towards mobile gaming, leading to a decline in console sales. Despite this, consoles still hold a special place in the hearts of many Japanese gamers, and the debate over which console is the most popular continues to thrive. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the most popular consoles in Japan and explore what makes them so beloved by gamers in the country.
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