Japan’s fondness for anything bearing the Monster Hunter name apparently knows no bounds. Monster Hunter Tri has just launched, shifted loads in no time at all and caused a massive surge in Wii sales into the bargain.

Guess we should have seen that one coming. However, the scale and speed of Tri’s sale is worthy of a raised eyebrow or two – 520,000 copies in a single day! And that’s more than enough to blast the previous incumbent, the record breaking Dragon Quest IX, right off its perch. Then again the latter sold 2.3 million in its opening week, so the fight’s not finished yet.

Elsewhere the Japanese software chart heralds five other new entries, including Gears of War 2 which sold a thoroughly respectable 49,000 copies. Alas 360 sales did not soar in proportion and the big ‘Box maintains its sixth place in the hardware charts. Speaking of which here’s the countdown for the week ending August 2nd, last week’s figures in brackets. Check that Wii uplift too:

1. Wii - 95,357 (23,995)
2. DSi - 73,710 (80,362)
3. PSP - 33,049 (30,523)
4. DS Lite - 12,027 (12,385)
5. PS3 - 8,760 (8,997)
6. PS2 - 3,617 (3,305)
7. Xbox 360 - 3,552 (3,080)

And here’s Japan’s software top ten which, as usual, makes our own look all lumpy and pedestrian in comparison. Notice which console is completely missing from this picture?

1. Monster Hunter Tri (Wii – NE)
2. Dragon Quest IX (DS)
3. Tomodachi Connection (DS)
4. Wii Sports Resort (Wii)
5. Puyo Puyo 7 (DS – NE)
6. Gears of Wars 2 (Xbox 360 – NE)
7. Hisshou Pachinko: Pachi-Slot Kouraku Series Vol 14 (PS2 – NE)
8. Armored Core 3 Portable (PSP – NE)
9. Okaeri! Chibi-Robo! Happy Richie Oosouji (DS)
10. ToHeart 2 Portable Double Pack (PSP – NE)