Nintendo Still Dominates, but Not Like they Used To
It is becoming increasingly clear that the video game industry is not recession proof. Even as some global markets are beginning to emerge from tough times, May’s North American game sales show the industry may be in for a prolonged rude awakening.
Last month’s NPD hardware rankings only show overall sales of $302.5 million, and overall sales were less than $1 billion. Though that sounds like a lot of money, it’s the first time industry sales have dipped below the billion dollar mark since August of 2007.
Nintendo was on top again, with DS and DSi units combining to sell 633,500 units–down from April. Wii sales were also down both compared to last and compared to May 2008, with only 289,500 units moving. Microsoft’s XBOX 360 was flat with 175,000 consoles moving. Sony’s Playstation 3 was the only console to see an uptick in sales, with 131,000 consoles sold–an increase from April of about 4,000 units.
Nintendo stock closed down yesterday on NASDAQ in light of the news, while Sony and Microsoft saw a slight uptick.
When the industry was a little more bullet proof, it was expected the current crop of consoles had at least three to five more years of life in them. That could all change if this downward trend holds. How do you see the console generation panning out long-term? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Loading ...
Ok, but that’s not my problem. So, I don’t really care.
I think the PS3 is goin to sell much more in the future and win the console war. PS3 is going to do that I think, and the experts says that too. Since it is the best console of them all. But still I prefer the 360 even if it isn’t as good as the PS3 at all.
@Osnic: Nah, personally I’m all for the 360.
But wow, 4000 to 131 000 units? That’s quite a jump.
Nonono, it was a jump from 127K to 131K…a difference of 4,000.
Geez, I am not doing well at this whole “news” thing this week.
-T
The wii is wining right now but I honestly dont understand why… I mean Im a longtime hardcore nintendo fan but even I admit the console is terrible… all thats made on it are generic high school musical and spengbab games.(oppinionated)
as for microsofts game division I really hope they loose too much and go down. 360 is the worst machine ever made(oppinionated). All it does is break.(fact)
and PS3 isnt sellling and I dont understand why… It can do anything. Its the best. too quote a song “No more Xbox I turned PS3, Ive had it for months it still amazes me. Remote connection(should be remote play but whatever.), free online play reliable system what more can I say?”(facts all facts)
I really truly hope people will understand that PS3 is worth the price tag. I mean its actually cheap for what all it can do.
Wii it self is crap, but everything around it is really good, like the games and the motion plus! And it’s pretty cheap!
The 360 i a crappy console, but it’s very cheap and you get the graphics and stuff. Good and if you are lucky, it doesn’t break!
The PS3 is perfect! But too expensive! Ok, it’s very good, but I would never spend so much money on a console. I would rather buy a Wii or 360.
And I’m a Nintendo/SEGA fan so I have the Wii and I’m happy with what I got. WII MOTION PLUS!
And who cares about the motion stuff on the other consoles! It’s too expensive!
SONIC!
Really I just want a WiiHD then the haters will shut their mouths.
PS3 is good console since I own it but Sony needs to lower the prices.
360 fails
360 and PS3 have basically the same games, how does it ‘fail’ ?
Unless by fail you mean sell more units.
Gaming will be fine. Especially if it does better than movies and music combined.
PS3 is my preferred console because it’s both powerful and sturdy/reliable. Seeing it in last place is nothing new and it is expected, but I’m glad it’s still alive, because it’s damn good. I think Sony’s success like that of the PS1 and 2 is over for good. I don’t think PS3 will ever see such popularity, but I stand by it because I can see Sony put alot into making it of good quality in both power and durability (both of those do not co-exist with eachother on MS or Ninty’s consoles) And if a new generation comes around sooner because of economic situations, I’m not gonna jump into it right away. I try not to do that because each new generation usually starts off sucking or being mediocre. I wait until the consoles prove what they’re made of (usually a couple years) while I catch up on the previous generation games I missed, only I buy them for less money since they’re no longer new and sometimes used.
I got a Wii May last year & I’ve yet to be dissapointed. Honestly all the other two have over it is graphics, and to be honest, I could live with last gen graphics for the rest of my gaming life. As a gamer though, there are some games that I want on the other two though, however in the case of PS3, it’s simply too expensive. It’s the most expensive console as it is, and it’s games cost a whole $10 more than normal. Controllers cost about 15 dollars more (how is it that a Wii-mote and Nunchuk cost lesss than one piece of tech?) and almost everything good on it is also on the 360. As for the 360, it’s failure rate is just plain God awful. My brother has one that broke twice already. Now they don’t even pay for the fucking box to send it in. On top of that, aside from the controller and the console it’s got the same monetary problems the Station has, and I still have to pay for Live. All Nintendo needs in their next console is a dedicated online service, like the fantastic PSN, and a new Smash Bros. & I’m sold.
Sony and Microsoft will destroy gaming then leave.
Nintendo will reign supreme as the only survivor. Mario Party 25 anyone?
@Skai:
Well, considering the amount of things the PS3 does, I’m surprised it isn’t more than 400 bucks. Every penny is worth it with this thing. PS3 remotes I’ve seen for about 40 bucks are worth it I think. Especially since they’re rechargeable and have a longer battery life than the Wii Remote/Nunchucks AAs which you either have to keep replacing or buy some 3rd party rechargeable batteries for which costs extra either way. And I know what you mean about the 360, the incredible failure rate turned me away, too. People tell me “You can send it in for repairs for free!” but really, I shouldn’t HAVE to send it in and wait a couple weeks to get it back. MS sshould make sturdier consoles in the first place. Also paying to play online turned me away because I’m not big on online multiplayer, but when I do get an itch to do it, I don’t wanna have to pay for a subscription. I just want to play online whenever I feel like it, like I can do with Nintendo or Sony. And don’t get me wrong, I think every multiplayer game should be online so friends around the world can play together, but I just don’t play online regularly. Sometimes I go for months without playing online, so paying for something like Xbox Live would be a rip-off for me and a let-down should I happen to want to play online.
So far Nintendo sells got better all thanks to Brawl … a year & still selling like hot cakes