As we reported yesterday, initial sales reports for the Nintendo 3DS in Japan indicate that nearly all of the 400,000 units shipped to retail outlets have sold out. Famitsu, the Japanese gaming magazine and website, has just reported which game among the Japanese launch lineup sold the most copies.

The immensely popular (both in Japan and the rest of the world) Professor Layton series took top day one sales for the 3DS with Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle. According to Famitsu, Japanese consumers picked up 117,589 copies of Professor Layton‘s latest title.

Famitsu also indicates a tweak in the previously reported grand total of 3DS handhelds sold. Their estimated count sits at 371,326 units sold. Quick, snap judgement math says that roughly one for every three consumers that purchased the 3DS also purchased Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle.

While this game has not officially been announced for the western part of the world, the series has always been successful all over. Given that fact and early sales for the 3DS version, it’s all but a definite that The Mask of Miracle will see an international release.

What’s worth considering here is the launch lineup in North America and which game among the pack will stand the best chance at doing as well as Professor Layton has done in Japan. At first glance, there’s no single title that carries the same punch and instant wallop that the puzzle solving series does. Here are the North American 3DS launch titles:

  • Pilotwings Resort from Nintendo
  • Steel Diver from Nintendo
  • nintendogs + cats from Nintendo
  • Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition from CAPCOM
  • The Sims 3 from EA
  • Madden NFL Football from EA SPORTS
  • Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D from Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
  • LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars from LucasArts
  • RIDGE RACER 3D from NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
  • Super Monkey Ball 3D from SEGA
  • BUST-A-MOVE UNIVERSE from Square-Enix, Inc.
  • SAMURAI WARRIORS: Chronicles from TECMO KOEI AMERICA Corp.
  • Asphalt 3D from UBISOFT
  • Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D from UBISOFT
  • Rayman 3D from UBISOFT
  • Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Shadow Wars from UBISOFT

While I find myself probably a little too excited for Monkey Ball and Pilotwings (what can I say, previous games from the series typically rank in my favorite of all time), I would imagine some folks are hesitant to get excited.

Okay, so, guessing time… Which game among the pack will sell the best during launch day in North America?

[via Famitsu]