History has shown that any new Pokemon title will make headlines in Japan in terms of sales. That was still the case for the week of March 12, as the Pokemon Company and Tecmo Koei's collaborative effort--Pokemon + Nobunaga no Yabou--was the top-selling game on the recent Media Creates chart update.

　　Even in pseudo-Feudal Japan, samurai warriors still need to catch 'em all. Pokemon + Nobunaga no Yabou (or Nobunaga's Ambition) beat out newcomers Shining Blade and Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable with 172,027 units sold. The new Pokemon game is set in the Ranse region, which mimics feudal Japan and also contains cartoon versions of historical figures like Oda Nobunaga and Uesugi Kenshin. Gamers are given the objective to conquer 17 castles with their own generals and Pokemon. Combat is handled in an isometric view and is turn based, much like strategy RPGs such as the Disgaea series and Final Fantasy Tactics.

　　Sega's Shining Blade for the PSP was at second place with 122,257 units sold. The RPG is part of the company's Shining RPG series; players initiate combat against enemies in a combat system that mixes up turn-based and real-time elements and places an emphasis on teamwork.

　　Hanging in at third place was Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable for the PSP with 62,408 units sold. The game is a rogue-like RPG with visual novel elements including branching scenarios and full voice acting.

　　Other notable newcomers include the PS3 version of Mass Effect 3, which was at 20th place of the charts with 8,142 units sold. The third instalment of the game concludes the trilogy, with players controlling Commander Shepard as he or she helps beef up the war effort against the main antagonists known as the Reapers. For more information, check out GameSpot's review of the title.

　　The usual sales culprits still hung onto the top 10. One Piece: Kaizoku Musou was just below the three new titles with 34,600 units sold, while Mario Kart 7 and Monster Hunter 3G were close to the bottom of the top 10 with 17,064 and 16,924 units sold, respectively. Hardware sales for the week took a slight dip, but nonetheless still remained consistent like the last update. The 3DS was still on top with 64,017 units sold while the PS3 was at second place with 27,900 units sold. The PS Vita was close to dropping to the four-digit sales mark with 10,021 units sold.

　　JAPAN GAME SALES WEEK OF MARCH 12 – MARCH 18

　　Software

　　Rank/Title/Publisher/Platform/Unit sales

　　1. Pokemon + Nobunaga no Yabou / Pokemon Company, Nintendo / DS / 172,027

　　2. Shining Blade / Sega / PSP / 122,257

　　3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica Portable / PSP / 62,408

　　4. One Piece: Kaizoku Musou / Namco Bandai / PS3 / 34,600

　　5. Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side Premium: 3rd Story / Konami / PSP / 27,717

　　6. Hatsune Miku and Future Stars: Project Mirai / Sega / 3DS / 18,341

　　7. If I Were In A Sealed Room With A Girl, I'd Probably XXX / D3 / 3DS / 18,291

　　8. Mario Kart 7 / Nintendo / 3DS / 17,064

　　9. Monster Hunter 3G / Capcom / 3DS / 16,924

　　10. Mario & Sonic at the 2012 London Olympics / Nintendo / DS / 16,183

　　Hardware

　　3DS – 64,017

　　PS3 – 27,900

　　PSP – 18,633

　　PS Vita – 10,021

　　Wii – 8,127

　　PS2 – 1,165

　　Xbox 360 – 1,145

　　DSi XL – 853

　　DSi – 617