Today, the NPD lays out a hefty report — their market research numbers tell the latest chapter in the epic tale of the three not-so-ancient foes Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft — and how the tide of battle has finally turned.
Item #1: Recession, schmession — the video game industry kicked serious tuchas this year. GameDaily BIZ reports that overall game industry sales hit $1.33 billion dollars in February alone:
GameDaily BIZ has received the February video game sales data from The NPD Group and software sales were even higher than analysts had predicted. Total software sales came to $668.7 million, up 47 percent, while hardware sales grew 19 percent to $480 million. Accessories also grew 36 percent, totaling $185.3 million. Overall, total industry sales increased 34 percent to $1.33 billion.
Item#2: Who’s getting a piece of that $1.33 billion dollar pie? Nintendo, that’s who… but Sony isn’t doing all that badly either. We like Gamasutra’s copy of the figures best:
Nintendo DS - 587.6K (from 251K)
Wii - 432K (from 274K)
PlayStation 2 - 351.8K
PlayStation 3 - 280.8K (from 269K)
Xbox 360 - 254.6K (from 230K)
PSP - 243.1K (from 230K)
More than double the number of fresh Nintendo DS on the streets compared to last month, a substantial outpouring of Wiis, and what’s this? Sony ahead of Microsoft for the second month in a row, that’s what. At least they aren’t neck and neck with PSP again… While we won’t question Microsoft’s word that they’re having a shortage — I mean, while we won’t question it more than once in the same day — GameDaily BIZ has been talking to some analysts, and while one believes Xbox 360s are “in ample quantities,” the second believes Microsoft should strongly consider a price cut.
Item #3: Sequels rock; rock music rocks; but sequels set to rock music rock hardcore, as evidenced by Devil May Cry 4 and Guitar Hero III. Gamasutra brings us another chart:
1. Call of Duty 4 (Xbox 360, Activision) - 296.2K
2. Devil May Cry 4 (Xbox 360, Capcom) - 295.2K
3. Wii Play w/remote (Wii, Nintendo) - 289.7K
4. Devil May Cry 4 (PS3, Capcom) - 233.5K
5. Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock w/guitar (Wii, Activision) - 222.9K
6. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS, Sega) - 205.6K
7. Lost Odyssey (Xbox 360, Microsoft) - 203.6K
8. Turok (Xbox 360, Touchstone) - 197.7K
9. Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock w/guitar (PS2, Activision) - 183.8K
10. Rock Band (Xbox 360, MTV/Harmonix) - 161.8K
600K for Devil May Cry 4? Did that game even have lines? I can’t wait to see what how Super Smash Bros. Brawl impacts the figures for March.
Editor’s note: if you were in any way offended by the use of the NPD logo, we strongly encourage you to take a relaxing bath and remember that you’re reading a game website.
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