DS gets comfortable at the top of Japan hardware sales charts

Despite the huge amount of news, hype, controversy and intrigue surrounding the looming PSP 3000, Sony's console still hasn't reclaimed its 2008 lead over the DS in the Japanese hardware charts.

None of the sales figures have returned to the lofty heights we saw when the DS pulled ahead for the first time this year a couple of weeks back, but it seems Japanese gamers have dipped a little deeper into their pockets over last week. Nintendo's handheld managed to push 56,439 units, up from 55,995 last week, while the PSP fell even further behind; shifting 41,664 units, down from 47,604.

In all likelihood we're seeing the effect of the PSP 3000 hype – with most consumers now holding off for the imminent release of the hardware update, which could well have a substantial impact on forthcoming sales charts and shunt the PSP back into the lead.

Stay tuned at Pocket Gamer to see how the impending handheld battle plays out. One day, someone will write a book about all this.