Onyny-
Yea I think people take the market is dead thing a bit too far, but 2 things I feel I need to correct you on ; ).
1. There is missing data that is Pre- VGC's birth in Japan, yea alot of the classic are there, but you will notice the absence of those mid major games that failed to sell a million WW, but might have done 200k in Japan or something, I guess games like, the Gundum ones now days. Then again you could be using famitsu and be totally correct.
2. When people talk about the dying Japanese market they are refferring to home consoles. Take out the gameboy and gba (terrible sw sellers - pokemon), and take out the DS (incredible SW seller) and PSP (in Japan it sell sw, ok, and a few games great). When you do that suspect that not only will you see no growth over the last 10 years in HC software sales, but actually shrinking sales the last few years. Combine that will the massive growth of the West, and Japan is looking pretty paltry right now.
End of 2009 Predictions (Set, January 1st 2009)
Wii- 72 million 3rd Year Peak, better slate of releases
360- 37 million Should trend down slightly after 3rd year peak
PS3- 29 million Sales should pick up next year, 3rd year peak and price cut
