Ramblings (Underdog Chamber)

A few days late this month, but here are the NPD July 2010 video game sales results. For the second month now, Nintendo did not dominate the charts. In fact, for hardware sales, the Xbox 360 surpassed even the DS and thus was #1 for July. The DS was close behind, with the other systems trailing by almost half the 360 sales. The poor PSP dropped to a new low for July, and as always, was in last place on the charts.

I find it slightly hard to believe that the 360 is doing so well for just introducing a new slim model, but I guess that is how it goes. If you look closely though, most systems were down from the prior month in sales, and just the 360 managed to hold its ground. Interesting indeed.

NPD figures for July 2010 are:
Hardware:

• 360 = 443,500 units sold! (-02% from prior month)
• NDS/DSi = 398,400 (-28%)
• Wii = 253,900 (-75%)
• PS3 = 214,500 (-42%)
• PSP = 84,000 121,000 (-44%)

Software (top games for July 2010):

• NCAA Football 11 – 360 = 360,000 units sold
• NCAA Football 11 – PS3 = 298,800
• Crackdown 2 – 360 = 208,800
• Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Wii = 193,000
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 – DS = 141,700
• Red Dead Redemption – 360
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 – Wii
• Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies – DS
• New Super Mario Bros. – Wii
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – 360

For July, the Wii did not take many of the top spots, but the 360 and PS3 did take the top two with the latest Football game (no surprise there). The 360 took 3rd with Crackdown 2, while Super Mario Galaxy shows staying power at 4th place. Amazingly Lego Harry Potter for the DS outsold all other versions in 5th place, with the Wii version in 7th. I was somewhat surprised that Red Dead Redemption dropped so much, with the 360 version going to 6th place, and the PS3 version dropping off the charts. Dragon Quest 9 made 8th place, and that makes two for the DS for July, which is a feat in itself! New Super Mario Bros. in 9th shows that this game just won’t quit, and the late Call of Duty for the 360 rounds out the bottom of the top ten. In all, a night mixture of games and systems.

See you next month for the August figures…

It has been a while, but for June, Nintendo did not dominate the hardware sales for current video game systems. While they did keep the top spot with the DS, the Xbox 360 moved up to 2nd place, with the Wii close behind (but not enough). The PS3 was in 4th place as normal, followed lastly by the PSP.

It will be interesting to see if the 360 can hold it’s new position, which I think is partly due to a set of popular games that have come out for the 360 and PS3 in recent months. Plus they did introduce a new model of the 360 as well (but until I hear better stories about that ring of death – I will not buy a 360 – just my two-bits).

NPD figures for June 2010 are:
Hardware:

• NDS/DSi = 510,700 units sold! (+33% from prior month)
• 360 = 451,700 (+132%)
• Wii = 442,500 (+32%)
• PS3 = 304,800 (+97%)
• PSP = 121,000 (+105%)

Software (top games for June 2010):

• Red Dead Redemption – 360 = 582,600 units sold
• Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Wii = 548,400
• Red Dead Redemption – PS3 = 380,300
• New Super Mario Bros. – Wii 200,900
• Just Dance – Wii 174,800
• Wii Fit Plus – Wii
• Toy Story 3 – DS
• UFC Undisputed 2010 – 360
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 – Wii
• UFC Undisputed 2010 – PS3

For a change, the Wii took most of the top software sales spots for June, the opposite of the hardware sales (it always seems to work that way). While Red Dead took 1st and 3rd, the Wii took 2nd, 4th-6th, and 9th place. Super Mario Galaxy 2 was in 2nd place, and I expect it to stay near the top for a while. I still find it a little humorous that New Super Mario Bros. just won’t drop in sales, moving back up to 4th place for June. I was rather surprised by Just Dance for the Wii moving back up into 5th place. How this game moved back up is a mystery, unless it is on sale in advance of the upcoming Just Dance 2? Wii Fit Plus follows in sales, along with Toy Story 3 for the DS, which is not a direct Nintendo game (for a change). The rest, well, they are what they are.

See you next month for the July figures…

It is a bit late for various reasons, but the NPD finally has released the May 2010 video game sales figures.

There is not a bit of doubt in regards to the top two selling gaming systems, which I personally don’t have any issue with (not like some friends I know). Even with their so-called slowing down of sales, Nintendo still dominates the hardware charts. The 360 and PS3 were rather close in sales for May, but the 360 stayed in 3rd place. The PSP was rock bottom again, as I still wonder why they haven’t dropped or replaced this yet with the PSP2. As for the PS2, which NPD no longer tracks, I have no idea if it is still being made. I would guess yes, but how long until it is $19.99, which is when I’ll buy it (kidding of course).

NPD figures for May 2010 are:
Hardware:

• NDS/DSi = 383,700 units sold! (-15% from prior month)
• Wii = 334,800 (+20%)
• 360 = 194,600 (+05%)
• PS3 = 154,500 (-15%)
• PSP = 59,400 (-10%)

Software (top games for May 2010):

• Red Dead Redemption – 360 = 945,900 units sold
• Red Dead Redemption – PS3 = 567,100
• Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Wii = 563,900
• UFC Undisputed 2010 – 360 = 221,100
• UFC Undisputed 2010 – PS3 = 192,300
• Wii Fit Plus – Wii
• New Super Mario Bros. – Wii
• Alan Wake – 360
• Pokemon Soulsilver – DS
• Skate 3 – 360

As is the case with software sales, the 360 and PS3 top the charts like they do so often. I think this is partly due to their being just too many games for the Wii, but that in just my opinion. Seem like Red Dead Redemption is (was) a hit for May, 2010. The lastest UFC game did rather well also in May, on the 360 and PS3 again. In between their is Nintendo’s Super Mario Galaxy 2, which I expect to do well for a few months (there are enough Mario fans out their to keep it going). Wii Fit Plus stayed in the top ten again, even though America is still too fat (including myself to some extent). New Super Mario Bros. proves my Mario opinion point, as it is still a top ten game. I won’t deny that I have no idea what Alan Wake is (and honestly I don’t really care – sorry). Nice to see a DS game in the list, but does it have to be a Pokemon game (not that they are bad, just something else for a change). Bottom is Skate 3, which I never got into when it was just Skate (not my cup of tea – which I don’t like either).

See you later this month for the June figures…

Back on track posting the monthly NPD sales figures. I missed February, but I’m not missing April.

It comes as no surprise that the Nintendo DS and Wii were the top two selling gaming systems for April. However, from what I have seen on the Web, Nintendo is slowly starting to lose sales. Guess it might be time for the Wii 2! Other than that, the 360 stays in 3rd place, followed by the PS3 with the PSP rock bottom once again (rumors that a PSP 2 are in the works are probably true). The PS2 sales dropped enough that the NPD did not post their sales figure for April. Guess the PS2 may be in its final days.

NPD figures for April 2010 are:
Hardware:

• NDS/DSi = 440,800 units sold! (-63% from prior month)
• Wii = 277,200 (-50%)
• 360 = 185,400 (-55%)
• PS3 = 180,800 (-58%)
• PSP = 65,500 (-55%)

Software (top games for April 2010):

• Splinter Cell: Conviction – 360 = 486,100 units sold
• Pokemon Soulsilver – DS = 242,900
• New Super Mario Bros. – Wii = 200,300
• Pokemon Heartgold – DS = 192,600
• God of War III – PS3 = 180,300
• Wii Sports Resort – Wii = ?
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – 360 = ?
• Wii Fit Plus – Wii = ?
• Just Dance – Wii = ?
• Super Street Fighter IV – PS3 = ?

Found it a bit odd that the NPD did list figures for the last 5 games in the top ten list? Other than that, figures for April are not that high, but that is actually normal for April. It is usually the slowest month of the year. The big hit for April was Splinter Cell for the 360, followed by the Pokemon twins and the still well selling New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. I was a bit surprised to see Sports Resort climb back into the top ten. The rest is what it is with the Just Dance for the Wii making 9th place, a game that is selling very well with younger girls (as far as I know).

First off, I can’t believe I missed posting the February sales figures last month. Guess I got too caught up with the MGC show.

Since I don’t have February figures (and I’m not getting them), I won’t show any growth or decline in sales from the prior month.
As has been the case for some time now, the Nintendo DS took top spot, followed by its big brother Wii. The 360 was in 3rd, followed closely this time by the PS3, and the PSP and PS2 are bottom as almost always. I personally love the DS in the top spot, but still wish they’d break it down to DS and DSi sales. I would guess the DSi is doing more, but I really don’t know.

NPD figures for March 2010 are:
Hardware:

• NDS/DSi = 700,800 units sold! (no +/- % figures from prior month)
• Wii = 557,500
• 360 = 338,400
• PS3 = 313,900
• PSP = 119,900
• PS2 = 118.300

Software (top games for March 2010):

• God of War III – PS3 = 1,100,000 units sold
• Pokemon Soulsilver – DS = 1,02,000
• Final Fantasy XIII – PS3 = 828,200
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – 360 = 825,500
• Pokemon Heartgold – DS = 761,200
• Final Fantasy XIII – 360 = 493,900
• New Super Mario Bros. – Wii = 457,400
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – PS3 = 451,200
• Wii Fit Plus – Wii = 429,600
• MLB 20: The Show – PS3 = 349,200

Interesting game sales, as this is the first time I can remember the PS3 taking four of the top ten spots, including #1! Of course, good old Pokemon took two spots, as this game always sells (nothing against it, just don’t care for it myself). The 360 only had two top ten spots, along with the the Wii (which did not have any new games in the top list). Very good mixture this month, as I like to see most of the systems make the top ten (with the exception of the PSP – which I can’t remember ever making the top ten in game sales!).

The January 2010 video game sales figures have been released by the NPD. As a bit predicted, sales overall went down after the holiday, but Nintendo still took the top spots in many ways. The Wii and DS seem unstoppable, for now. And for the switch again, the 360 moved back to 3rd place in console sales, with the PS3 just behind it.

NPD figures for January 2010 are:
Hardware:

• Wii = 465,800 units sold! (down 819% from prior month)
• NDS/DSi = 422,200 (down 784%)
• 360 = 332,800 (down 395%)
• PS3 = 276,900 (down 490%)
• PSP = 100,100 (down 655%)
• PS2 = 41,600 (down 812%)

Software (top games for January 2010):

• New Super Mario Bros. – Wii = 656,700 units sold
• Mass Effect 2 – 360 = 572,100
• Wii Fit Plus – Wii = 555,700
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – 360 = 326,700
• Mario Kart Wii – Wii = 310,900
• Wii Sport Resort – Wii = 297,600
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – PS3 = 259,000
• Army of Two: The 40th Day – 360 = 246,500
• Just Dance – Wii = 191,900
• Darksiders – 360 = 171,200

Even though overall sales were down in January 2010, the Wii took many spots in the top ten, including 1st place again with New Super Mario Bros. This will probably be on top for a few more months. The Wii took many other spots with Wii Fit Plus, Mario Kart (you can’t keep it down), Sport Resort, and Just Dance. Now where did that last title come from? The 360 did good with Mass Effect 2, which was in the #2 spot, despite not being on sale all of January! The 360 took 4 other spots, while the PS3 only had 1 (not good). And once again, the DS drops off the top ten game list (I find this odd, considering how well the system sells).

That’s it for now…. (till next month)

The NPD released the December 2009 (U.S.) sales figures last week, so I’m a bit late posting there here (sorry). As was to be expected for the holidays, sales figures were rather high for December, with the Wii and DS(i) taking the top places in hardware sales once again. The PS3 though managed to get back into 3rd place, ahead of the 360, but not by a huge margin.

NPD figures for December 2009 are:
Hardware:

• Wii = 3,810,000 units sold! (up 302% from prior month)
• NDS/DSi = 3,310,000 (up 195%)
• PS3 = 1,360,000 (up 192%)
• 360 = 1,310,000 (up 160%)
• PSP = 654,700 up 223%)
• PS2 = 333,200 (up 164%)

Software (top games for December 2009):

• New Super Mario Bros. – Wii = 2,820,000 units sold
• Wii Fit Plus – Wii = 2,410,000
• Wii Sports Resort – Wii = 1,790,000
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – 360 = 1,630,000
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – PS3 = 1,120,000
• Wii Play – Wii = 1,010,000
• Mario Kart Wii – Wii = 936,100
• Assassin’s Creed 2 – 360 = 783,100
• Left 4 Dead 2 – 360 = 728,500
• Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story – DS = 656,700

For December, 2009, the Wii finally takes back the top spots, and big time too. The New Super Mario Bros. did very well, along with the updated Wii Fit Plus. Wii Sports Resort did rather well too, along with Mario Kart Wii a bit farther down the chart. Wii Play has come back from the dead again, and sadly just because it comes with a controller (simple fact). Modern Warfare did well on both the 360 and PS3 (it’s only spot), but no where near the top three Wii games in sales figures. The bottom of the chart is taken up by the 360 with Assassin’s Creed 2 and Left 4 Dead 2. The DS managed to get a game into the top ten with Bowser’s Inside Story, which is actually a decent game.

I wonder how sales will drop in January, after the big Xmas sale spike for the end of 2009. We’ll see in just so many weeks.

The NPD has released the November 2009 (U.S.) sales figures, and a tad earlier than normal, which is fine with me. With the holidays fast approaching, sales #’s went up compared to last month, which just makes sense. The DS regained the top spot, followed by it’s bigger brother (the Wii). The Xbox 360 managed to regain its spot over the PS3, while the PSP slowly drops down. PS2 sales while even at the bottom are still amazing, simply due to the fact that the system will be ten years old soon!

NPD figures for November 2009 are:
Hardware:

• NDS/DSi = 1,700,000 units sold! (up 372%)
• Wii = 1,260,000 (up 248%)
• 360 = 819,500 (up 329%)
• PS3 = 710,400 (up 221%)
• PSP = 293,900 up 168%)
• PS2 = 203,100 (up 172%)

Software (top games for November 2009):

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – 360 = 4,200,000 units sold
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – PS3 = 1,870,000
• New Super Mario Bros. – Wii = 1,390,000
• Assassin’s Creed 2 – 360 = 794,700
• Left 4 Dead 2 – 360 = 744,000
• Wii Sports Resort – Wii = 720,200
• Wii Fit Plus – Wii = 679,000
• Assassin’s Creed 2 – PS3 = 448,000
• Dragon Age: Origins – 360 = 362,100
• Mario Kart Wii – Wii = 315,000

For November, 2009, the 360 took the 1st spot in software sales big time with Modern Warfare 2, selling over 4 million copies! Now that is impressive. Somewhat below that, the PS3 sold just under 2 million copies of Modern Warfare 2. Assassin’s Creed 2 also made the charts for the 360 and PS3, with the 360 outselling the PS3, but not as much as with Modern Warfare 2. The Wii managed to pull off 3rd place in software sales with the New Super Mario Bros. (I won’t deny that I look forward to getting this game for Xmas – hopefully). The Wii also took three other spots, with the popular Wii Sports Resort, the updated Wii Fit Plus, and the still well selling Mario Kart Wii (this older game keeps getting into the charts). The last two spots were filled with 360 games, Left 3 Dead 2 doing well in 5th place, and Dragon Age: Origins, the only console version to make the top ten.

Software sales were up a lot for November, and I would guess they’ll be up for December too. Past the holidays, now that will probably be a different story, unless some really killer games come out.

The NPD has released the October 2009 (U.S.) sales figures, with overall sales down from last month by around $200 million in both hardware and software sales. Not exactly a good sign in my book, with the holiday season coming up so quickly.

For October, the Wii took the #1 spot back (from the PS3 and DS), which I’m sure the price drop to $199 helped to achieve. The DS/DSi dropped to 2nd place, and the lower priced PS3 is in 3rd place, but a decent amount above the Xbox 360. The remaining follow of course.

NPD figures for October 2009 are:
Hardware:

• Wii = 506,900 units sold! (up 9%)
• NDS/DSi = 457,600 (down 14%)
• PS3 = 320,600 (down 53%)
• 360 = 249,700 (down 41%)
• PSP = 174,600 down 9%)
• PS2 = 117,800 (down 24%)

Software (top games for October 2009):

• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – PS3 = 537,000 units sold
• Wii Fit Plus – Wii = 441,000
• Borderlands – 360 = 418,000
• Wii Sports Resort – Wii = 314,000
• NBA 2K10 – 360 = 311,000
• Halo 3:ODST – 360 = 271,000
• NBA 2K10 – PS3 = 213,000
• Forza Motorsport 3 – 360 = 175,000
• Kingdom Hearts 358/2 – DS = 169,000
• FIFA Soccer 10 – 360 = 156,000

The 360 took half the top ten games for October, but it didn’t get the top two spots. Uncharted 2 for the PS3 got the #1 spot, with Halo for the 360 dropping to 6th place. Nintendo’s Wii Fit Plus was the 2nd place game, doing well in replacing the original fitness game. The only spot for the DS was with Kingdom Hearts in 9th place. The rest is a nice mixture, but lite on Wii or DS games for the month.

In all, software sales #’s were about half of what they were a month ago. Let’s hope they pick up as we get much closer to Xmas (just a little over a month away).

For those Odyssey2 and Videopac fans out there, John Dondzila at Classic Game Creations has come out with a new 233-in-1 Multi-Cart for these systems. You can bet this will be on display at the MGC ’10 show, in the UC area of course!

And it is only $40! You can’t beat that price!