News - March NPD - US hardware & software sales numbers
Posted by
Josh Freund
at 08:54:06 PM EST on 4.19.2007.
Note: With the way NPD tracks sales data, these March figures take into account roughly five weeks (March 4 - April 7), while last month's figures covered only four weeks.
US hardware sales - March 2007
Rank - System - March sales - Lifetime US sales
1. Nintendo DS ~ 508,000 ~ 10,393,000
2. PlayStation 2 ~ 280,000 ~ 37,975,000
3. Wii ~ 259,000 ~ 2,110,000
4. Xbox 360 ~ 199,000 ~ 5,227,000
5. PlayStation Portable ~ 180,000 ~ 7,256,000
6. Game Boy Advance ~ 148,000 ~ 35,584,000
7. PlayStation 3 ~ 130,000 ~ 1,194,000
8. GameCube ~ 22,000 ~ 11,746,000
The most obvious story this month is the DS, which continues to outpace everything else, selling more than 500K. With this push, it passed the 10 million lifetime sales mark.
As for consoles, the ever-popular PS2 took the #2 spot away from the Wii (which is still suffering from shortages). The Wii also reached a milestone this past month, as it's now sold more than 2 million in the US.
PS3 sales remain low; it seems the $500/600 price point really is too high for consumers. Or, if you choose to believe Sony,
it's still supply-constrained.
Sales of all systems were down percentage-wise from February (considering the extra week).
US software sales - March 2007
Rank - System - March sales - Lifetime US sales
1. PS2 -
God of War II -
Sony ~ 833,000 -
NEW
2. 360 -
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 -
Ubisoft - 394,000 -
NEW
3. 360 -
Guitar Hero II w/ guitar -
Activision ~ 291,000 -
NEW
4. WII -
Wii Play w/ remote -
Nintendo ~ 273,000 (644,000)
5. PS3 -
Motorstorm - Sony ~ 199,000 -
NEW
6. NDS -
Diddy Kong Racing - Nintendo ~ 189,000 (451,000)
7. NDS -
Spectrobes -
Buena Vista Games ~ 165,000 -
NEW
8. 360 -
Major League Baseball 2K7 -
2K Sports ~ 165,000 (278,000)
9. PS2 -
MLB 07: The Show - Sony - 164,000 -
NEW
10. 360 -
Def Jam: Icon -
Electronic Arts ~ 148,000 -
NEW
The top three titles were all #2s in series (with
GH II now appearing on its second platform). As expected, Kratos' second adventure crushed everything.
Wii Play easily passed 500,000 total sales with another strong month;
Diddy Kong Racing sales remained strong as well. Disney/BVG's new action RPG for the DS,
Spectrobes, got off to a great start, selling about 165K.
The most significant PS3 title so far this year came in at #5 with just under 200K copies sold. Rounding out the list were three sports titles - two baseball games and a wrestling sequel.
For reference:
February's sales
Source:
Next Gen
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+0 karma
i_like_pizza 4.26.2007 at 10:43:54 PM
I don't give out neg karma, but wow. That's almost so incredibly funny and stupid that it's deserving of the negative karma you're attempting to gain (or lose, whatever. You know what I mean).
You won't get my neg vote, dizzy, but you were close this time.
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dizzy don mega 4.26.2007 at 10:23:52 PM
One DS sale counts as 2 systems I hope you idiots know. This is because it has 2 screens.
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hypersonicexe 4.26.2007 at 06:23:43 PM
10 mil sales. Wow.
Not bad for a system that people are supposed to be playing on-the-go. Let's split that in half between the two versions. Then, let's take that, and put it into an inflated estimate of 300 mil in population.
At worst, 1.5% of the nation's population. That is a very nice stat to tote, these days.
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rinku 4.25.2007 at 08:19:19 AM
Yes, the wii is selling on price alone, just like the gamecube after nintendo cut its price in more than half. /sarcasm.
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palafox 4.25.2007 at 08:06:04 AM
The one who is disgusting is you scarecrow, and also sick.
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jamix 4.25.2007 at 06:44:43 AM
scarecrow, you're disgusting, stop making excuses and sacrificing lambs to the sony god
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scarecrow9 4.25.2007 at 02:36:09 AM
DS is a handheld.
Just wanna get that straight.
ahem! Now the REAL consoles are doing good.
The Wii clearly winning(price! PRICE! PRICE!)
360 not far away at all from the ps3.
You ask me, wait 'till the end of the year to see a clearer picture of things.
And please people STOP YOUR CONSOLE BASHING, IT'S SICKENING IN THIS PLACE.
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palafox 4.25.2007 at 01:29:04 AM
Wow! Nice sales for DS. How many of you expect a jump in sales, that surpass the million mark thanks to Pokemon?
If there's no shortages...
-3 karma
rinku 4.24.2007 at 10:05:49 PM
Well, that´s a 600 $ piece of crap. So it better be sturdy.
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yaztimbenzo 4.24.2007 at 07:35:00 PM
ironic how PS3s are so sturdy...
even more than Wiis (remember the whole bricking s***...)
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nekofrog 4.24.2007 at 06:46:34 PM
I'm arrogant? You're the one that does nothing but try and call me out in every thread you ever post in. Consider yourself ignored, troll.
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palafox 4.24.2007 at 05:35:49 PM
OOhh... sorry MR. perfectness.
What an arrogant guy we have here!
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i_like_pizza 4.24.2007 at 12:42:48 PM
Agreed, the lower hardware failure rate (so far) is a welcome surprise. I was expecting the failure rate of the PS3 to be through the roof, but I have heard no such thing yet.
PS- Can I have your autograph
PPS- Steve Nash's Suns are gonna beat you in 5
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nekofrog 4.24.2007 at 11:42:36 AM
I'm boiling in anger? Um... if you say so. I'm boiling in confusion, really, because your english is terrible. Jajajaja.
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kobebryant 4.24.2007 at 10:31:18 AM
people forget to mention that Sony really turned it around with the PS3 and (games withstanding) the hardware is EXCELLENT. Runs smoothly, doesn't break down and doesn't stutter (not to mention the blu-ray player inside is excellent). Considering what they gave us with PS1/PS2, this is a minor miracle.
+1 karma
watkinzez 4.24.2007 at 04:49:34 AM
Now I want Palafox on the GAF podcast.
Wait, that'll lose its novelty in about a minute and become mind-numbingly depressing.
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palafox 4.24.2007 at 12:13:01 AM
Jajaja neko, you'r boiling in anger jajaja.
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kureishima 4.24.2007 at 12:10:17 AM
What the...
[karma below threshold;
show comment] -4 karma
Again, I don't understand what you're saying. You're retarded? Don't speak so ill of yourself.
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palafox 4.23.2007 at 06:08:38 PM
Umm...
"I didn't understand a word you just said".
Promise I'll never talk with retarded again.
Au revoir neko.
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kureishima 4.23.2007 at 12:55:52 PM
"
So does every other LCD. It's a fault of the manufacturing process, not the perceived quality of the manufacturer."
Yes, LCDs often do have this malfunction, however my PSP is the product in which it is most apparent. Not the 4 or so laptop computers, not my flatpanel monitor, not my LCD TV, not the several DSes (though reported problems I hear, but don't see in daily life).
Also, if 360's hardware failure rate is worse than Sony's, I don't think I'll ever pick one up, even when the price gets to my liking. Maybe if I get a several year replacement plan...? But why should I have to do that.. :(
-2 karma
nekofrog 4.23.2007 at 12:25:04 PM
I didn't understand a word you just said.
-3 karma
palafox 4.23.2007 at 11:29:28 AM
Jajajaja... of course neko... maybe your mother believes you.
The commentary you have made is simply a hit that does not apply, just because you made it sound like a stupid lie.
And, after all... nobody asked you!
-3 karma
nekofrog 4.23.2007 at 08:53:09 AM
My DS has two dead pixels. I documented my attempt to return it to Nintendo (who flatly refused) here.
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terpfen 4.23.2007 at 08:48:05 AM
"Even my PSP has dead pixels.. :-/"
So does every other LCD. It's a fault of the manufacturing process, not the perceived quality of the manufacturer.
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mechachu 4.23.2007 at 02:08:28 AM
nekofrog is right... strange as that sounds
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palafox 4.23.2007 at 12:31:04 AM
Talking about Japan I'd say.
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ikexc07 4.22.2007 at 11:22:38 PM
On a side note, the 360's hardware and failure rate is far worse than any of Sony's products.
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xi 4.22.2007 at 08:55:50 PM
I think GH2 trumped all Legendary, since it was on sale for a full 5 days, and still managed to sell 300k.
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nekofrog 4.22.2007 at 08:20:42 PM
No, I am simply saying you're confusing two different subjects, as you do often.
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legendarysword 4.22.2007 at 08:06:45 PM
GoWII trumped all, but I'm wondering if the unreported sales data is what's resulting in the 800k sales (since supposedly there were 1m preorders for it). I refuse to believe that 1 in 5 on average without new sales would cancel after playing the Colossus battle.
Also, I would like to take the time to curse the Clotho endurance run on Titan mode.
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palafox 4.22.2007 at 04:05:03 PM
You simply cannot accept the PS2 hardware, (Sony's in general) is crap.
Simple as that.
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nekofrog 4.22.2007 at 03:09:31 PM
Palafox: there's a world of difference between setting out to destroy a console and having it break naturally during its life cycle.
Lord you're dense.
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palafox 4.22.2007 at 01:18:13 AM
It's true d.lo.
IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME, SEE THIS VIDEOS, AND REALIZE THAT THE PS2 CAN EASILY BE BROKEN:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrJOkQE7JV0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVRJtqPRZhQ
Maybe that's the reason why the PS2 has sold that much... people has to buy one after another because of the bad quality...
+2 karma
kureishima 4.21.2007 at 10:47:01 PM
Well, I wish I could say I had the fella's luck who has had the perfectly functional "launch Playstation".
Everyone I know has had a problem with at least one Ps2 or PSX system. In my case, I had to send it back to Sony four times. One time which they decided it'd be a great idea to send it back without a controller (which required me to send it back again due to Sony's inability to cope).
My original PSX had a memory card problem, well, the port. IT would often cause the controller ports to stop functioning.
My Ps2 problems spread much further than that. I've had DREs, magic gate problems, and more DREs. I'm not speaking of an occasional DRE, I'm speaking of a crushing-DRE issue which disallows one to play pretty much anything without trying for half an hour.
And no, I don't let babies eat on my Ps2 or allow kittens to utilize it as a litter box. I also don't use it as an anchor for my boat. Hopefully that solves all questions.
I'm a collector and I have thousands of games, I pride my self on peerless condition. The Playstations are treated just as well as any other system I own. Dusted and everything.
I've come to despise Sony hardware quickly in to the Ps2 lifecycle. My XBX never malfunctioned (I think, I don't really use it ever) and I don't have a 360 yet (too expensive for what it offers), so I really can't say much personally about Microsoft.
Even my PSP has dead pixels.. :-/
Sony's hardware is crap, it's not news.
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ununbiundave 4.21.2007 at 05:23:03 PM
That wacky laser eye. My unit only plays CDs, rendering it mostly useless, though I guess I have to get Gradius V now.
I also refuse to buy another PS2; Just waiting impatiently for a good PS2 emulator now.
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d.lo 4.21.2007 at 11:45:40 AM
You guys, it not even debatable - if you have a 5 year old PS2 that works perfectly, you're just lucky.
It's not the worst console ever for breaking - 360 easily wins that crown, and you could argue the NES cart connector (although that problem was were easily fixed). But the PS2 DOES break easily, it's a legally proven fact, as SOny lost a lawsuit about it (Google DRE Lawsuit it if you want to read about it). Personally, my PS2 has the most common problem, it stopped reading CDs two years ago, so bye bye to my favourite game (Gradius V). If you never play CD based games you may never even notice this problem even if you have it, but if you're into niche games it's a big problem. It also doesn't read DVD movies about 30% of the time, so it's been useless as a DVD player for four years.
I refuse to buy another system that I already own. I treat my systems like gold, and every other system I've ever owned is in perfect working condition. But the original model PS2's drive was very badly made, and given how many people I know who've bought a replacement system, I don't doubt at least 20% of PS2 sales are re-sales, maybe more.
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ununbiundave 4.21.2007 at 09:59:25 AM
The PS2 does have a huge, great library... also alot of shovelware, of course. I think alot of people overlook some great games on the console (read:Maximo), but such is life. While that is the main point, the underlying factor is the amazing breaking console. I've only met one person whose PS2 didn't die. It would be nice to know how many non-replacement PS2s they've sold over the years, to get an idea of their actual market penetration.
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jesusfreakdk 4.20.2007 at 11:08:15 PM
>>"With two more game arriving in the mail soon (NSMB and Puzzle Quest), and a long wishlist of upcoming and currently released games, I can see why so many people are gushing over the DS. It's got a great library."
Glad you're enjoying it, mate. It was the same for me--I didn't get one until last year, and before that I just had a GBA. I knew I wanted a handheld, so I went with the DS purely based on price over the PSP, and now I remain a satisfied customer with a bunch of great games coming out for it.
Seriously, I think a DS and PS2 are all I need for a good while. The PS2's library is so huge I know this time next year if someone should ask me what console I'm playing the most, the answer will be the PS2. Now, the 360 has been getting some good stuff, so I might consider that as my first next-gen purchase; that is, unless some really nice Wii games hit by then (I promised my brothers I'd buy a Wii when SSBB came out).
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shippoyasha 4.20.2007 at 07:32:01 PM
Let's face the facts here: PS2 has one of the biggest game libraries in the history of games. That is the answer, not the hardware failures. Hell, even my FIRST GENERATION Playstation is in tip top shape.
BTW, PS3 isn't selling quite as badly, and we don't know if the sales could rise with the better titles later this year. But it strikes me that the 360 is outselling it even at this low point of the year.
As for DS, I can partly attribute it to girl gamers actually. Because I often see girls with it a lot nowadays.
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soul4ger 4.20.2007 at 07:22:57 PM
I have two launch PS2s, one from Japan, one from America, and I've never had anything resembling a problem. ::hears explosion in the game room:: But seriously, I think a lot of the system malfunctioning has to do with people not treating them very well, whether it's leaving them on, or putting them in an area where they can't cool properly, or changing discs improperly, etc. That's not to say people haven't been victimized, because I'm sure some have, but having worked at game retail for almost eight years, I've seen some NASTY stuff. Most people just don't care about their things.
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kswiston 4.20.2007 at 05:57:14 PM
I've had my PS2 for over 5 years now and it still works fine. Luck of the draw I guess.
The continued success of the PS2 doesn't surprise me because it's got a huge library of quality games. Many of which can be bought as greatest hits titles for $20 or less. I mean, for the price of a PS3 and one game, you could get a brand new PS2, an extra controller, 2 memory cards, and 20 greatest hits titles. Even more if you buy games used.
If I was one of the people who held off on a PS2 in favor of an Xbox or Gamecube, I'd be picking one up about now.
I recently broke down and bought a used DS with 6 games (Animal Crossing, Metroid:PH, Mario & Luigi 2, Warioware, Mario Kart and Starfox Command). It's the first handheld system I've owned since I bought a Gameboy Pocket about 10 years ago.
Other than Starfox Command, the games I have so far are great (Mario Kart DS is probably the best in the series). With two more game arriving in the mail soon (NSMB and Puzzle Quest), and a long wishlist of upcoming and currently released games, I can see why so many people are gushing over the DS. It's got a great library.
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hypersonicexe 4.20.2007 at 04:06:27 PM
The only discretion I can think of with Wal-Mart numbers is that sales could be limited due to limited shipments.
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ikexc07 4.20.2007 at 03:50:05 PM
soul4ger: It's true that NPD doesn't track stores like Toys 'R Us and Wal-Mart but these are still the best estimates we can get for US numbers and they are probably still very close to the correct numbers.
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soul4ger 4.20.2007 at 02:57:04 PM
NPD doesn't track all the retail outlets, either, do they? Like, Wal-Mart doesn't submit numbers to them. Or has that changed? I know it used to be that way...
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matters 4.20.2007 at 02:21:46 PM
Wow that many Sony fanboys purchased GOW II even though it's graphics are that of the WEAKEST last gen console? Amazing. I thought those guys refused to play last gen graphics and anything less than the fastest console with 1080p wasn't good enough for them? Go figure. *cough*hypocrites*cough* (look it up if you don't know exactly what it means)
Kidding. I own and love the game personally. Too bad I had to buy YET ANOTHER PS2 to play it considering how easy they break. Sigh. I place my bets on that being the reason PS2 sales are still doing so well.
It was worth it though I guess considering how good GOW II is. Now I suppose I'll go buy Okami and the few other games I missed because my PS2 wasn't working.
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70m 4.20.2007 at 02:02:31 PM
Once again, the continued success of the PS2 shouldn't surprise me. I was one of the 833,000 who got God of War II, and it really is a good game. There's also all the people getting the Guitar Hero games, Final Fantasy XII is still recent, and there's a large selection of sports games available cheaper than the new generation ones.
Still, I'm surprised. I expected sales to drop quickly once the PS3 was out. It seems the PS3 is the one hurting from both of them being on the market.
-1 karma
narj 4.20.2007 at 12:12:43 PM
hey gaf thanks for deleting my posts ;). i didnt know you cant. sry fot the off-topic
thanks again.
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hypersonicexe 4.20.2007 at 11:59:22 AM
-360 software sales again are astronomical. Microsoft knows how to move games to owners of its system and that is the main reason why the 360 is enjoying the best 3rd party support right now.
While I still think launching a year early was a bad move by Microsoft, they can certainly boast a library of games. It's paying off dividends, but at the cost of image and hardware quality.
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drumlord 4.20.2007 at 11:56:33 AM
i_like_pizza is right. NPD doesn't listen to companies' sales figures because they commonly used shipped figures, which is meaningless when you are trying to track the purchases of consumers.
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i_like_pizza 4.20.2007 at 11:48:35 AM
That's a good theory, praxis, and it might actually be accurate (at least partially), but if I understand the NPD's function correctly, that shouldn't be the case.
As far as I know, the NPD group is an independent firm that tracks sales through retailers, not the companies themselves. If they got their data from manufacturers, it would actually be quite pointless to have an NPD at all, as manufacturer's could just release their data to the public at a whim. NPD's funworld division has deals with about 60% of NA retailers to track the sales of the video game market, and they estimate the rest of the sales that they aren't able to track.
So, as I said before, I don't think NPD cares one tiny bit what MS says they have shipped/sold/shoved in a corner somewhere/etc. NPD tracks sales independently of press releases. They track sales through retail.
-3 karma
dizzy don mega 4.20.2007 at 09:59:11 AM
I find it hard to believe the PSP sold that much. wow.
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oni 4.20.2007 at 03:18:27 AM
jeez, with ps2 sales like those, i'd say that sony don't really need to be all that worried
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cainkid 4.20.2007 at 03:01:30 AM
Yes, next month will be insane. Hopefully more of nintendo at the top of the software charts in the US.
But like usual Software wise the success will be pretty temporary. Nintendo needs something that can stay at the top of the US charts for awhile.
But that doesn't matter though, things are going good anyhow. Good showing by all 3.
+2 karma
praxis 4.20.2007 at 03:01:06 AM
I think it should be clear why 360 sales are low; I'm assuming NPD numbers are based off of what manufacturers release.
Microsoft releases the number of units they ship to retailers, and call that how many they've 'sold' (sold to retailers).
We know that they MASSIVELY overshipped around November-December to meet their 10 million units shipped claim, overstocking all stores (local Best Buy has pyramids, literally). Then they dropped the June '07 estimate from 15 million to 12 million shipped.
Microsoft shipped a lot more than were going to sell in December, and now they're reducing shipments so they can sell the stock that's piled up in stores. Since they release the shipment numbers as sold, and since they're reducing shipments (they only plan to ship 2 million from January-June?), these numbers are going to be WAY less until Microsoft sells out all the inventory and resumes big shipments.
Just my theory anyway.
+1 karma
drmariokart 4.20.2007 at 02:58:32 AM
Since VF5 and Motorstorm didnt move PS3s, lets move it up to Lair, until that doesnt and we can move it to the next thing that saves the PS3
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d.lo 4.20.2007 at 02:33:30 AM
Dead.
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scarecrow9 4.20.2007 at 01:42:18 AM
God Of War FTW!
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paul_gale 4.20.2007 at 01:40:57 AM
Wow, there is just no stopping the DS and I'm glad that it hit the 10 million mark in the United States before the handheld was out for 2.5 years, too. As for Wii, it's great to see it pass 2 million here, by the end of March, but it's too bad that Nintendo is still struggling with demand.
I do applaud them however, on having shipped AND sold, more than 6.5 million Wii units in less than 5 months of global availability.
The PS2 and GBA continue to impress as well; selling as high as they do, despite being out for so many years. I think the charts this month are really interesting, because they show a lot about the console and software wars, how Xbox 360 is doing against PS3 "time-wise", how GameCube is soon to be passed by the DS, etc.
As for software sales God of War II cleaned house in a big way, but I totally expect to see Pokemon Diamond, Pearl, and Super Paper Mario up in the top of these charts, next month. This was a fun month to look at.
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i_like_pizza 4.20.2007 at 01:13:40 AM
The DS is amazing.
Also, I'm quite impressed by the amount of software that the 360 moves, as well, but that wasn't much of a problem with the Xbox either, ever. The problem is convincing potential buyers to make the hardware leap. I don't think that trend is going to change with the 360.
Next month, Pokemon = MADNESS
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soul4ger 4.20.2007 at 12:23:35 AM
When your system costs $600, you need more than ONE game that sells it. In fact, you probably need a handful. Good luck to Sony with that.
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ikexc07 4.20.2007 at 12:01:33 AM
I guess MotorStorm wasn't the system seller that Sony wanted it to be. Wow at those GoW2 numbers those are really incredible. I expect an April filled with Nintendo as both Super Paper Mario and Pokemon launches this month and those titles will no doubt be huge sellers and definitely push hardware. Also, I think Nintendo might have held back those Wiis to be sure there were some for Super Paper Mario.
It's also quite astounding that the GBA is still selling, ever more so than the PS3.
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leetdude 4.19.2007 at 11:36:58 PM
Software sales are still labeled as "February."
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aerobica 4.19.2007 at 11:34:19 PM
I can't be the only one that's worried about the Wii selling hardware but when it comes to software... not so much. The only reason Wii Play has sold so well is because it came with a remote that was impossible to find during that time.
I guess we'll see how Paper Mario does next month this time, but I think Wii could be headed the way of the Gamecube (which is honestly fine by me... I love(d)the Gamecube) unless some third-party exclusives start showing up.
-1 karma
soul4ger 4.19.2007 at 10:19:39 PM
Xbox 360 just isn't selling well, actually.. That's all it comes down to. It's unfortunate, but I doubt people are waiting for the Elite.
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shooter_mcgavin 4.19.2007 at 09:35:38 PM
I was just reading another message board where people are saying that the Xbox 360's sales are relativley low. Most probably due to the announcment of the Xbox 360 Elite.
The logic there being that the announcment of the Elite would have caused potential/planned buyers to put their plans in getting an Xbox 360 on hold.
However, another reason why buyers could have put their actions on standby, IMO, is that the impending annoucnment of the Elite could speculate a potential price drop for both the Core and Premium version of the console.
Personally, Im all for a price drop for the Xbox 360. I think Microsoft kept the $399.99 price point a tad long in the system's 18 month life (especially when the 120 GB 360 is only $80 apart).
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unforgivingedges 4.19.2007 at 08:59:07 PM
Just want to get in here first and say that all hardware sales were down this month.
My overall synopsis:
-Wii shortages led to lower numbers
-360 software sales again are astronomical. Microsoft knows how to move games to owners of its system and that is the main reason why the 360 is enjoying the best 3rd party support right now.
-Interesting to note that Wii sales were down more, percentage-wise, compared to the PS3 from last month's data.
-Nice to see Motorstorm sell so well, but that's probably because the PS3 doesn't have many standout titles right now.
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