NPD: March US game-industry sales up 33 percent

Industrywide growth continues as games, systems, and accessories total tops $1 billion; software rises 15 percent year-on-year as God of War II sells more than 800,000.

The industry-tracking NPD Group released its sales figures for the US March retail period today, and despite at least one analyst's expectations, the streak of significant sales growth has continued for another month.

For the period of March 4 to April 7, game software sales jumped 15 percent over the March 2006 time frame to land at $574 million. Hardware sales were up 69 percent to $370 million, with the overall industry figures (hardware, software, and accessories) totaling $1.1 billion, a 33 percent increase over the previous March.

Like the industry itself, the Nintendo DS continued its strong performance, topping all hardware with 508,000 systems sold for the month. The PlayStation 2 was next in line with 280,000, followed by the Wii (259,000), the Xbox 360 (199,000), the PlayStation Portable (180,000), the Game Boy Advance (148,000), and the PlayStation 3 (130,000).

Software sales were driven by a handful of new releases, with God of War II for the PS2 sitting atop the charts, boasting sales of 833,000. That's double the second-place finisher, the Xbox 360 edition of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, which pulled in sales of 394,000. The Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II saw release in the waning days of the reporting period but still managed to net sales of 291,000 for the $89.99 guitar-equipped bundle in half a week of release.

Wii Play (packed in with a Wii Remote) continued to be the best-selling title on Nintendo's new platform, moving 273,000 copies during the March period. Meanwhile, the PS3-exclusive MotorStorm was that system's best seller, rounding out the top five and narrowly missing the 200K mark with 199,000 copies sold.

Shortly after the NPD reported its numbers, Sony and Nintendo sent out statements to present the figures in a favorable light. In its missive, Sony noted that the PS2 had outsold all console hardware for the month and that the PS3 was the only next-gen console to see an increase over its February sales. Sony said that was despite PS3 supply problems in the US in March, as production had been shifted to focus on the system's European launch. The PS3 also launched in Australia in March.

For Nintendo's part, the Wii and DS maker said it "once again claimed the top two spots among the best-selling new video game systems in America," despite what it called "widespread shortages" for both systems. Nintendo's statement also boasted that the Wii is "the fastest-selling new console in more than a decade" over its first five months of US availability and that it had sold more systems so far this year than "all other manufacturers combined."

A Microsoft representative had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment as of press time.

Top 10 games for March 2007, based on number of units sold:
1. God of War II--PS2--833,000
2. Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2--Xbox 360--394,000
3. Guitar Hero 2--Xbox 360--291,000
4. Wii Play with Wii Remote--Wii--273,000
5. MotorStorm--PS3--199,000
6. Diddy Kong Racing--Nintendo DS--189,000
7. Spectrobes--Nintendo DS--165,000
8. MLB 2K7--Xbox 360--165,000
9. MLB '07: The Show--PS2--164,000
10. Def Jam Icon--Xbox 360--148,000

482 Comments

  • Forelli_Boy

    Posted May 16, 2007 3:42 am GMT

    PS2 outselling Wii shows that if Sony can profit from it, why should it cut it off like other manufacturers do with previous generations?

  • Lord_Regnier

    Posted May 3, 2007 1:52 pm GMT

    The PS3 hasnt long been out, seriously did the 360 do any better? No. The Wii? not really.

  • stefan90

    Posted May 2, 2007 2:35 pm GMT

    i em glad that PS3 is for the moment weakest console in next-gen consoles!!!!!

  • jogunther

    Posted Apr 30, 2007 1:09 am GMT

    Good news for all, but we'll see what the charts like in the winter. You might be suprised whos on top. Disclamer lol, unlike half the members I like the Wii and Xbox360 too even though I have PS3. These forums are sad really.... Oh and go Nintendo go.

  • DoctorFu

    Posted Apr 29, 2007 3:28 pm GMT

    Fun systems get played and non fun systems aren't. People don't play them because they have something to prove. However some don't know how much fun they could be having.

  • MJ22see

    Posted Apr 28, 2007 12:45 am GMT

    One thing I find funny is all these people asking if Wii owners are having fun all the time with their system. My thing is weren't video game systems designed to be just that a "virtual game." Come on people its across the board, either you're playing the system because its fun or you're bored with it and its collecting dust. I'm sure some PS3 owners and 360 owners have gotten bored with their system too. Sheesh, no system is going to disappear whether you want it to or not. The 360 is safe having come out earlier then the other 2. And the PS3 or the Wii isn't going to only be supported by first party titles till at the earliest the summer of 08.

  • chocolate1325

    Posted Apr 27, 2007 2:07 pm GMT

    The PSP is doing fairly well for its first handheld but the DS is just so popular. Both good handhelds but the DS is better. PS3 might pick up in the future when the price drops but even then I still think the Wii will sell more.

  • killeryoda85

    Posted Apr 27, 2007 4:52 am GMT

    Go Nintendo! i have all three and whilst i love my Wii, i agree that the decent games are few and far between...

  • GrimGravy

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 7:54 pm GMT

    well i see their sales coming to a hault if they dont start coming out with more games besides last gen ports with a new control scheme. come on nintendo give me more to play on my wii besides paper mario and twilight princess

  • zaphod_b

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 7:14 pm GMT

    Insania_aeger,

    Remember something. Nintendo does not sell their systems at a loss. They started making a profit on console #1. Any games they sell are just gravy. With the continuing profitability of the DS, Nintendo will be far from out, even if they remain #3 in the console wars. This means that fans of Nintendo like myself will continue to enjoy their games, regardless of how they stack up against Sony or MS. That's what is so beautiful about it.

  • Insania_aeger

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 6:29 pm GMT

    Dear Chocolate1325 (odd choice for a name, but whatever),

    There's a few things I'd like to remind you:

    1. Sony is new in the handheld gaming market. The fact that they have no experience in this area, and competed with Nintendo, whose dominated this market for over a decade. While not a superior gaming platform, the PSP is stellar in virtually every other way, save websurfing and some online gamings issues. That's not a bad start.

    2. Handheld gaming is not like home gaming. Handheld games can get away with simplistic design, marginal lasting appeal, and the bare basics of online play. Console gamers, such as myself, simply cannot tolerate when a company decides to take the same approach to home gaming and online play.

    3. It's only been 4 months. There's nothing more shortsighted than stating that the Wii will indefinitely defeat the 360 and the PS3 judge by its first-quarter sales alone. Sony took an even greater risk, in my opinion. Instead of making a cheaper system to appear first, they decided to make the ultimate beast, with a controversial new method for processing, and with the most standard features (including a full-fledged Blu-Ray player. Sony, unfortunately for them, is not particularly apt at support such a powerhouse with much incentives to both developers and consumers, and there is currently no demand for the system. In a year from now, when games may be superior in Sony's favor, the Wii's 3rd party supporters will have to attempt to squeeze creative titles from the limited hardware and unused ideas. Don't be surprised if Nintendo is the only developer pulling their weight to keep the console alive until the generation's end. Now, by no means do I want any of the 3 competitors to drop down, but they way I foresee it, Sony's far from out of the picture, and it's really Nintendo that I'm worried about. Nintendo hasn't already won, and chances are it could sink as well as swim in this market. So let's just wait for things to settle over, like by the end of the year, before we jump to any conclusions, or annoy Sony supporters like me. I'll get a Wii sometime soon, but it would seem idiotic to suddenly become unfaithful to Sony after two 100,000,000+ copy selling console generations. They know what they're doing (I hope!)

  • 7thRonin

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 6:18 pm GMT

    Theyre not aiming the same market dude !

  • chocolate1325

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 4:54 pm GMT

    PS3 is no match for Wii and PSP no match for DS. It looks like Nintendo are getting back on top. Playstation is not the the dominant force it was and it is getting embarassing for Sony. Keep up the good work Nintendo.

  • Ebag3587

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 1:02 pm GMT

    In a decade huh? So basically since playstation 1? Not that impressive.

  • Liquid_Snake

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 12:14 pm GMT

    can anyone with a wii seriously tell me they've had nothing but fun with it, likewise with those with a 360 that they loved the system before gow came out? the only next gen system i own is the wii, and considering i havent used it in months, ill be very cautious about buying another system this year. only ps3 when gta and mgs hit stores seems even remotely appealing.

  • kca89

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 10:20 am GMT

    Good news for Nintendo the Wii is fun. Hopefully this kind of news leads to more gaming titles.

  • TTDog

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 10:08 am GMT

    "Mekky_9892: Lets just face it. The PS3 sells ridiculolusly well in the UK, that's it! We're being treated worse than the rest of the world yet we are still eating out of Sony's hands!"

    Well it did for 1 maybe 2 weeks, the best selling game in week 3 sold 6,899 copies. Not that good. Once all the chavs had got there's then the sales dropped, going round the game shops yesterday the one noticeable thing about the PS3 shelves was the complete lack of interest in them.

  • Mekky_9892

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 9:54 am GMT

    Lets just face it. The PS3 sells ridiculolusly well in the UK, that's it! We're being treated worse than the rest of the world yet we are still eating out of Sony's hands!

    @chocolate1325: The PS2 is only outselling next-gen consoles because of it's games. @smoothn00dle: Nintendo and Sony aren't "friends"! Why would they be friends? Not after the far superior PSP being totally destroyed by the DS, anyway.

    People are finally realising that gaming doesn't mean Playstation! Sony no longer has their Iron Grip on the gaming market, and they need to realise that.

  • TTDog

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 7:06 am GMT

    @king_pin_87; If you think there's nothing but shooters on 360 your showing just how little you know about the machine fanboy.

    Incidentally what sort of game is RFOM? The supposed best game on PS3.

  • YukoAsho

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 6:25 am GMT

    MrSickVisionz - Except that DS software sells great? Two or three titles in the top ten every month.

    The PS3 is doing poorly, everyone who isn't working for Sony knows that. They've pegged September as their big month, though, so we'll have to wait and see.

  • king_pin_87

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 5:26 am GMT

    miiiguel:
    360 is the best thing that happened to us, video-gamers, since PS2. That's a bloody fact!
    Enjoy life, buy one!

    sure.....playing nothing but shooters is unbelievable innovation huh? Seriously, other than gears, there are very few to no truly brilliant games on that system, just a lot of ok ones. The games on it is the same as the original Xbox, very shooter heavy with no platform games what so ever, and just about no games that appeal to kids and casual gamers. You may as well put a giant sticker on it saying "nerds only".

    The PS2 was far superior at this point in time than the 360, in sales and in game quality. Gears of war and Viva Pinata compared to GT3, Final Fantasy X, Tekken Tag, MGS2, Twisted Metal Black, DMC, Ico as well as others. Doesn't look like the next PS2 to me.

  • waniman

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 5:13 am GMT

    is it too late to buy a ps2 for god of war 1 and 2?..


    lol

  • miiiguel

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 3:32 am GMT

    360 is the best thing that happened to us, video-gamers, since PS2. That's a bloody fact!
    Enjoy life, buy one!

  • miiiguel

    Posted Apr 26, 2007 3:27 am GMT

    smoothn00dle: Sony and Nintendo are friends..., mate..., there are no friends in buisness.
    But I understand your position, gotta team with the winners right ?

    Don't u worry about PS3, it's gonna live just like PSP-o-flop, it drags, but lives. And I know whata talking about, I have one (feel so sorry for that). But you seem a bit ridicule when you say PSP is competing with Pocket PC... let me ask my boss if he wants to check is outlook account on a PSP rather than is PocketPC... he might also want to connet a PSP to that video projector to show his beloved Excel spread sheets...

  • MrSickVisionz

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 8:30 pm GMT

    I think your logic is flawed. The main reason is that by that logic you could also argue that the GBA/DS is just a fad. And I don't think anyone would agree with that.

    Heck, the PS3 is doomed for failure by that logic. Its practically dead in the water.

  • YukoAsho

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 8:20 pm GMT

    Again, I'm going to ask all the people who DON'T think the Wii is a fad one question: Where the hell are the software sales? We've had multiple months of only Wii Play on the top 10 (which comes with a free Wii remote), despite their being some good titles (Rayman FTW). Obviously Super Paper Mario's going to sell awesome, but Mario games always do. If this ISN'T a fad, why aren't we seeing games other than Mario and Zelda selling well without the extra remote?

  • MrSickVisionz

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 8:15 pm GMT

    """the fastest-selling new console in more than a decade"

    Beanie Babies sold fast too at one time, doesn't mean it's a great item. Just sayin...""

    The GB was a fast seller... and now theres like 100+ million of them out there and they're still selling crazy. Comparing video game systems to beanie babies is stupid when you could actually compare it to past video game systems from the company.

    The Wii is not a fad guys. Even if it is, its gonna be an iPod like fad where 5 years down the line (which is a new console) its still crazy popular. They've got more games coming out for it aimed a wider age range. Hindsight is 20/20 but it doesn't mean forsight is always legally blind.

    360, you can argue that for all its great stuff everywhere else in the world, its bombing in Japan. PS3... you could argue something positive and negative i'm sure. For the Wii, its selling well everywhere its released.

  • King_Dodongo

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 7:56 pm GMT

    NINTENDO OWNS!

  • alberto2045

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 7:48 pm GMT

    the Wii is "the fastest-selling new console in more than a decade" ROLF that is a good joke

  • Unstoppable_1

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 5:32 pm GMT

    Very interesting thx for the numbers and hope you have the April numbers soon!

  • chocolate1325

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 3:41 pm GMT

    The GBA outselling the PS3 is sad but the PS2 outselling the three next gen consoles is amazing.

  • ChinoJamesKeene

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 3:15 pm GMT

    The GBA has out sold everything, even the PS2 Blink....

  • malmeid2

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 2:02 pm GMT

    psymon_05 God of War completely trashed everything else on the list -----------------------------
    Isn't there like 100 million ps2's worldwide? I think Graw and GH2 did pretty well considering the 360 has maaaybe 1/10 the user base of ps2. Just my two cents though. I also see more 360 games in the top ten than any other console.

  • lukeblink182

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 1:19 pm GMT

    The Game Boy Advance outsold the PlayStation 3, thats pretty sad if you ask me.

  • psymon_05

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 12:49 pm GMT

    God of War completely trashed everything else on the list

  • rey06

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 12:16 pm GMT

    Not even one PSP software is there hahaha!!! i feel bad for sony now, losers.

  • MJ22see

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 9:53 am GMT

    Bonehead01, there's a simple reason for why Xbox 360 has more games being bought. It has an installed base at this point much larger than the other 2. Most people are buying the PS3 and Wii not just for what's out but for the second and third generation titles, which are already coming out on the 360.

    Also, consoles usually sell more titles than handhelds so you're not seeing many DS games on the list even though its popular. And the PS2 system is selling because it has a large catalog of titles being the clear winner of last gen consoles, while games are selling because it has a large installed base like the 360.

    Quit trying to twist the news fanboys!

  • smoothn00dle

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 9:32 am GMT

    @finalsquall76
    I am in Australia. 999 aus dollar for elite?? unbelievable *v*

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 5:23 am GMT

    -Hard to believe MotorStorm made 5th. But there is nothing else worth buying when you are stuck with only a BS3.

  • king_pin_87

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 2:53 am GMT

    THE_WHITE_MAGE:
    As final evidence, Motorstorm scored higher here than a lot of other sites, while Twilight Princess got an 8.8. Seriously?

    Evidence? Motorstorm got a 7.9 on Gs, but on Metacritic (Gamerankings is down I think) the average is 8.2, so if anything, it is one of the lower scores, just like twilight princess.

    And putting a PS2 tag on and Wii and DS game is just an obvious mistake, nothing in it at all that they quickly fixed. The reason this has a PS2 tag is because God of War 2 was the highest selling game of the month. Your basing this biased crap on a merely typo, and not on facts.

    You are obviously a nintendo fanboy, and saying Jeff Gerstmann's OPINION on a game is wrong is just ignorant and stupid, unless you are super duper psychic and can read his mind, realising he is secretly lying to be cool. 8.8 is NOT a bad score, and IMO 8.7 and above is what should be called AAA.

  • immortal_rose

    Posted Apr 25, 2007 2:39 am GMT

    PS3 VS 360 VS WII AND THE WINNER IS............PS2

  • finalsquall76

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 11:29 pm GMT

    wwonka666 No-one is taking money for the Elite and it comes out next week. Is it really going to be $479.99?

    In AU i heard the price of the elite will be $999 which is the same price as the ps3

  • smoothn00dle

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 11:25 pm GMT

    @wwonka666
    u are dreaming elite for $100 trade in. like that will ever happen!!

    Sony and Nintendo, they are friends. Look at DS and PSP, both aimed at different market. DS for causal gamers on the go and PSP is a multi-media mobile device for games, musics, movies and photos. PSP's real competitor are Apple Ipod and M$ PocketPC.

  • wwonka666

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 11:03 pm GMT

    Microsoft didn't comment because I belive a price-drop is imminent. No-one is taking money for the Elite and it comes out next week. Is it really going to be $479.99? I sure hope not. I hope MIcrosoft has some tricks up their sleeve and a price drop or value added packages are in the works. Also, I hope they allow current owners an opportunity to do something special, like get an elite for $100 if they trade in their current 360. That would be fricking awesome.

  • Bonehead01

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 8:30 pm GMT

    I think the telling point of these numbers are that while Nintendo has sold a huge amount of hardware, the software numbers don't match (I also don't think Wii play should be posted as a game since it would seem the remote is the selling point in that package). While the 360 sold among the lowest of consoles, it's also selling a much higher rate of software. It's also worth noting that the xbox 360 alone has 4 titles in the top ten for the month, while no other single console has more than 2, let alone combining for only 3 each.
    Also to answer THE_WHITE_MAGE, I'm not sure about the whole Sony bias thing, but Inoticed that God of War 2, a Playstation 2 title, not only took the number 1 spot but did so by nearly outselling the 2-4 combined.

  • lithus

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 8:14 pm GMT

    "the fastest-selling new console in more than a decade"

    Beanie Babies sold fast too at one time, doesn't mean it's a great item. Just sayin...

  • THE_WHITE_MAGE

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 4:34 pm GMT

    I am curious as to why the tag on this article is for the Playstation 2, when the DS outsold it 2 to 1. Is it because Gamespot.com is biased towards Sony? I am going with yes. A couple of weeks ago, they put a PS2 tag on a Disney article that talked about making games exclusively for the DS and Wii. Huh? I noticed they changed it a day later, no doubt due to angry (and right to be) posters. As final evidence, Motorstorm scored higher here than a lot of other sites, while Twilight Princess got an 8.8. Seriously? I am sorry Jeff, but when 99 % of the gaming press gives it 9.5 or above, you are not only wrong, but not in touch with the game industry as it is now. So don't review any more Nintendo games, Jeff, and the rest of you can stop putting Sony tags on everything, even when the news is more about something else.

  • Dill-Man

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 4:28 pm GMT

    i don't understand how people are saying the wii is just a fad, think about it, it hasn't gotten started yet, none of the big nintendo games have come out other than zelda and paper mario, there's still mario galaxy, the true wii zelda, metriod, pokemon, brawl, etc. etc.

    people said the same thing of the DS and look at it now

    also the 360 is quite good, don't wanna not give it a share

    GBA outselling PS3? cmon, even if they is making more money then GBA cause of price tag it's still kinda sad

  • chocolate1325

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 4:01 pm GMT

    The Wii might be at a low price thats because they want people to play games and have fun. Hope the Wii continues it's success

  • mynameisshmoe

    Posted Apr 24, 2007 3:26 pm GMT

    ownage da bonage

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