One of the most popular games in history is also big in Japan.
PlayStation Japan announced this week that Minecraft has sold 500,000 copies on the PlayStation Network, across the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4, and Vita, making it a top-ranking downloadable game for the region. The success of this Western hit in thee East is likely music to the ears of Microsoft following their $2.5 billion purchase of Minecraft developer Mojang late last year.
This sales are surprising, as console game sales have tapered off as Japanese consumers take to mobile over boxes and handhelds from Nintendo and Sony. Minecraft would be the No. 9 game on the 2014 sales charts if its PS iterations counted as one game.
The PlayStation Vita version alone sold 200,000 of those copies since its launch in late October. To continue the momentum, Sony will release Minecraft: PlayStation Vita edition in Japan on March 19 as a retail game.
PlayStation Japan teased various updates for Minecraft in the near future for players in the region.