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Microsoft reports strong Xbox sales

The company cites NPD data in claiming that its Xbox console has sold more units in its first two weeks than any other competing product.

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Microsoft has announced that it has sold more units of its Xbox console in its first two weeks of availability than any console to date. The company cited NPD TRST data in making its claims, but failed to release any specific sales numbers for the Xbox. Microsoft additionally stated that, according to NPD data, 2.4 Xbox games are being sold for every console unit sold, which is a larger attach ratio than the PlayStation 2 and the GameCube, both of which averaged 1.9 games sold per console. According to Microsoft, Halo was the best selling game at launch, with games such as NFL Fever 2002, Dead or Alive 3, Project Gotham Racing, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2x, and Madden NFL 2002 also enjoying brisk sales.

"The data clearly show that Xbox is off to a torrid start," said Robbie Bach, chief executive officer at Microsoft's Xbox games division. "Xbox sold out as soon as we launched, and we're selling systems as fast as we can produce them. More than 100,000 units a week are being delivered to retailers, so game players are likely to find Xbox systems throughout the holiday season. With one of the best launch lineups ever, I understand why Xbox is the most sought-after gift for the holiday."

Things are looking quite rosy in the Nintendo camp, as well. Nintendo of America announced today that, based on communication with its retailers, the company's GameCube console has sold nearly 600,000 units since it was released on November 18. The company's sales numbers seems to be in line with a new report from analysts at Credit Suisse First Boston, which cited NPD TRST data in claiming that in its first week of sales Nintendo sold 469,000 units of the GameCube. The report goes on to state that since its release on November 15 the Microsoft Xbox has sold a total of 556,000 units.

"Both in terms of total units sold to date and even more so in the comparative number of units we're selling per day, Nintendo GameCube's advantages in game quality and affordability are being amply demonstrated in stores across America," Peter Main, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Nintendo of America, said about the early GameCube sales. "In short, although launching at retail three days following the Microsoft Xbox, it seems apparent that we have sold through to consumers more game consoles than they have even been able to deliver to retail outlets." Main's claims seem to refute Microsoft's announcement made today.

It must be noted, however, that the final comparative sales numbers for the November console launches won't be available until NPD TRST releases its cumulative numbers later this month.

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