Well more than somewhat but yeah its final total being almost the same as the PSP shows how just looking at the number without the context can be misleading. Now time to see if the Switch 2 can keep the record in Japan for over 20 years.

the GBA basically sold a full generations worth of handhelds in HALF the time, and also basically wiped out any remaining competition for handhelds (which were a thing mostly due to the GB's lower specs usually).

Imagine if the GBA wasn't delayed to hell and back and came out around 1998-9 or so. 

at any rate the GBA really was kneecapped by the PSP really, since responding to the PSP was the reason for the DS coming out so early (without PSP I'd say the DS probably launched with the DS lite as the base model around 2006.)

With a proper lifespan of like 6 years it'd have probably sold over 130m. With consoles lasting really long now the GBA only getting 3.5 years before being replaced and being nearly dead after 5-6 seems wild. Just imagine the Switch 3 coming out at the end of 2028.

Was there a public holiday this week or something? Not only is every current console up, but so are a lot of games; Yakuza 0 on Switch 2 for example is up 76% week over week.

in America.

No public holiday. Japan sales are generally slow in May- Early June. Not many people realize the reason.

In my opinion it is because bonuses are generally paid out in Late June/ Early July. This timing means a general boost happens for non essential goods.

Of course the same thing happens for the December/January holidays in Japan, but much more pronounced.

Oof, speaking of holidays, I wonder what Obon week is going to look like for Switch 2.

Sales will be determined primarily by stock availability for some time I expect; you can only get so much of a boost when demand already exceeds supply.

Not sure regarding software but hardware seems in line with what is expected; Switch 1 fluctuates between ~12k-16k, PS5 got a minor boost due to Death Stranding 2, Switch 2 solely based on supply.

It was pointed out that Death Starnding 2 sas the number 1 most downloaded game on PSN in Japan.
My prediction is that Switch 2 will also see a heavier digital skew this gen simply due to the fact that 8x the built in storage of the original Switch. Its actually practical to store game on it off the shelf.