JAPAN: Yakuza 3 sells 300,000

The lead developer of Sega’s underground gangster romp Yakuza 3 has stated that since its Japanese release on February 26th the game has sold 300,000 copies.

Kotaku reports that the number already makes the game one of the PS3’s all-time Top Ten best sellers, though it still lags behind the current record holder – Konami’s Metal Gear Solid 4, which shifted 465,000 units in its first week.

The Yakuza series, seen by many as the spiritual successor to cult Dreamcast series Shemue, is a triple-A franchise in Japan. It’s failed to replicate the success in Europe, though it hasn’t been helped by release dates far behind those seen in the Far East.

Yahuza 3 is still not scheduled for release on PS3 outside of Japan.