Analyst: 3.2 million Wiis save holidays

EEDAR's Jesse Divnich projects Nintendo responsible for half of December software sales; 3 million DSs also sold.

The industry-tracking NPD Group is preparing to release its US retail sales data for December, but one analyst is already calling the month yet another big win for Nintendo.

Is this the best-selling game in the best-selling month ever?

In a sales preview note to investors, Electronic Entertainment Design and Research analyst Jesse Divnich predicted the NPD numbers would show that software sales for the month would total $2.7 billion. That would not only match last December's record-high monthly take, but it would also reflect a 14 percent year-over-year growth for the industry. Furthermore, Divnich said that half of those game sales were attributable to Nintendo's market-expanding one-two punch, the Wii and DS.

"Without these sales, the industry would have likely felt the full wrath of the recession--much like other industries closely linked to gaming," Divnich said. "We believe their simple-to-use design, cheaper and wider variety of software titles, and the already 'hot effect' in place on both systems, all played a role in driving both the Wii and the DS to the top of their segments. Simply put, Nintendo saved Christmas."

Divnich also released his expected top 10 sales lists for hardware and software, with Nintendo atop both. The analyst projects that 3.2 million Wiis were sold in the US last month--which would be another record-breaking performance--with the DS not far behind at 3 million sold.

Although Nintendo ruling the hardware roost is nothing new, Divnich also predicted that a handful of the Wii's top 10 mainstays have experienced a sales surge that pushed them to the top of the charts. The analyst pegged the Wii Play With Wii Remote bundle as the best-selling software for the month, adding another 1.3 million sold to its already sizable lifetime totals. Divnich also projected Mario Kart Wii, Wii Fit, and Wii Music to represent Nintendo in the remainder of the top 10 list.

The NPD numbers could have the gaming industry closing out the year on a high note, but Divnich cautions investors not to expect a repeat performance for 2009.

"Currently, EEDAR expects high single-digit increases for software sales in 2009," Divnich said. "We believe that there exists a significant amount of upside to these figures but that will vary widely depending on hardware pricing and the Nintendo Wii's momentum."

EEDAR projected top 10 software sales for December, 2008
Wii Play (Wii)--1.3 million
Call of Duty: World at War (360)--1.2 million
Mario Kart (Wii)--1.2 million
Wii Fit (Wii)--1 million
Gears of War 2 (360)--800,000
Call of Duty: World at War (PS3)--650,000
Madden NFL 09 (360)--500,000
Left 4 Dead (360)--500,000
Prince of Persia (360)--475,000
Wii Music (Wii)--425,000

EEDAR projected hardware sales for December, 2008
Nintendo Wii--3.2 million
Nintendo DS--3 million
Xbox 360--1.5 million
PSP--880,000
PS3--700,000

309 Comments

  • Seifer_Randas

    Posted Jan 20, 2009 9:26 am PT

    Nintendo's smart for creating a system for non-gamers. The worst games sell the best because they're cheap and the best games get overlooked because they're too expensive. I do like a handful of Wii games but I'd buy more if 17 out of 20 weren't mini-game compilations of trash or games that look like they were produced for the N64 and just never released. Apparently though this is what sells..

  • Delbert84

    Posted Jan 20, 2009 12:54 am PT

    I remember when I had a Wii. It was a neat little device that collected dust that might have otherwise invaded my Xbox360.

  • FoxMcCloudDS

    Posted Jan 19, 2009 1:34 pm PT

    They did get one part wrong on that list. haha. Wii Fit actually only sold a slim 999,000, not a million. *sarcasm

  • Pices

    Posted Jan 17, 2009 11:11 pm PT

    to be HONESTLY fair xtressbro, you haven't played them. Who to blame? The developers....and besides, most of these games are great.

  • Xtressbro

    Posted Jan 17, 2009 8:17 pm PT

    to be fair, Pices, most of those games suck.

  • atomD21

    Posted Jan 17, 2009 8:20 am PT

    Quick! Lets all get in to a spitting match about how Wii is kiddy and the 360 and PS3 are the only real consoles!!! Someone please change the tune! I am getting so sick of this constant topic creeping up in almost every comment thread! PLAY WHAT YOU WANT TO! There are great games available for every console/handheld, and the only person who chooses what games you like is you! No matter how many times you post a list of games or a link to a video, you're not going to suddenly make others "see the light" and fall in line with your way of thinking! Point out what you like and let others do the same.

  • Pices

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 12:34 pm PT

    Ok masashi920, here are the list of available adult games on Wii :

    Resident Evil 4
    Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles
    No More Heroes
    Manhunt 2
    Red Steel
    Scarface
    The Godfather
    Call of Duty 3 Call Of Duty World At War
    Medal Of Honor Heroes 2
    Driver Parallel Lines
    Mortal Kombat Armaggeddon
    Far Cry Vengeance

    Future:

    The Conduit
    MadWorld
    House Of The Dead OverKill
    Technu 4
    Onechanbara Bikini Zombie Slayers
    Red Steel 2
    No More Heroes 2
    Fatal Frame 4
    Fragile : Farewell Ruins Of The Moon
    Dead Rising Chop Till You Drop
    Cursed Mountain
    Sadness

    Who Knows? There will be more and I might have missed some for the currently availabe ones

    So...you fail, since these are more than 5 adult games

  • xElite_GameRx

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 8:41 am PT

    even if Nintendo does win the war, which it most likely will, I'll still enjoy the current consoles I own. The console sales don't affect the level of enjoyment I get from using my console for a year as opposed to wii which I get bored of after 3 weeks and end up selling. It does turn up a good profit in the ebay/craigslist market.

  • redskinStu

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 8:24 am PT

    A LOT of women want that fitness game.
    That means a Wii deck will be very, very cheap at EB in about six months.

  • Musashi920

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 7:03 am PT

    @Pices: That video fails. It shows maybe 3-5 games that are "adult" for the wii. Meanwhile practically 90% of the games on the ps3 and 360 are "adult".

    The wii is a kiddy system and its a gimmick too. Despite its great system sales top charting game sales are 360. Also about half that video was for a game that isn't even out yet for the wii.

  • Pices

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 5:30 am PT

    @Intellectual

    The Wii is kiddy?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY7MvE7xNwk

  • Pices

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 5:26 am PT

    ishmael4c you missed the point.... PS3 and 360 gamers are true gamers BUT if theres any true gamer..its a Wii gamer. Why? Because we're buying a system thats way less powerful and not HD. We're buying a "weak" system because we care about gameplay MORE than graphics and we're loyal Nintendo fans. Loyal Nintendo fans means that we have been buying Nintendo games and consoles ever since we discovered about it. Fanboy means that you say that your console is superior while the others suck. I'm not a fanboy because I like the 360 and PS3. The reason why I defend the Wii is because fanboys bash it...and I counter their statements with facts.

  • bob1387

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 2:51 am PT

    I love how people criticize the Wii's specs in comparison to the 360/PS3 when it's owning both of their asses in sales. :-) Besides, I find it amusing how Sony and Microsoft are both struggling to find a way to make their own motion-sensing controls... Seems as though they're intimidated or something "crazy" like that..... Oh, but hey... The Wii "sucks" since it's not HD. :-P

  • ishamael4c

    Posted Jan 15, 2009 12:37 am PT

    Pices:
    "buying a system that is not HD and way less powerful ...... because we care about gameplay" - yeah ps3/x360's gorgeous games really lack in gameplay depth don't they? Fallout 3 and mgs 4 are for children last i heard.

    "loyal Nintendo fans" - so being a true gamer means being a fanboy?

  • Pices

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 2:44 pm PT

    Let me tell you why are wii gamers, true gamers....we are buying a system that is not HD and way less powerful ...... because we care about gameplay & we're loyal Nintendo fans....thats hardcore and being a true gamer

  • Pices

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 1:28 pm PT

    marco, I dont remember any of them have Waggle gimmick....so, are you calling me a non-gamer? please...

  • aBathingApe_

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 10:00 am PT

    Interesting predictions. I can't wait for the NPD numbers myself. It will be interesting to see how they all did, but I agree with the analysts, I too believe that the industry will have gone out a high note.

  • -Intellectual-

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 5:20 am PT

    I used to support Nintendo, I bought the Gamecube and HATED M$ and $ony, but then later I became a HARDCORE gamer and I will never buy the kiddy Wii. LOCK&LOAD !!!!

  • drivinggod2005

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 3:45 am PT

    I thought this was a news story, not a Wii hating thread.

  • marco0798

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 1:43 am PT

    Pices I'm a long time Nintendo Fan and i had a Wii when it came out, the Wii is RUBBISH for anyone who considers themselves a "gamer", by this i mean they are playing games lke BF, Forza, MGS4 etc. Your little list does have a few games on its list MP3 is a good example but majority of them are control waving gimmicks, I'd say about 90% of "gamers" that have a Wii will have a 360 or PS3 because the Wii just wont supply them with what they need personaly I got rid of my Wii quite a while back because it had been gathering dust for over a year since i finished Zelda.

  • flyingteddy

    Posted Jan 14, 2009 1:33 am PT

    @pices
    out of your list i only like mario galaxy.

  • Pices

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 11:23 pm PT

    Ok, Wii haters....the Wii has no hardcore games?

    Skate It
    SSBB
    Super Mario Galaxy
    LoZ : Twilight Princess
    Super Paper Mario
    Metroid Prime 3
    Fire Emblem : Radiant Dawn
    Red Steel
    Shawn White Snowboarding
    Okami
    Zack and Wiki
    No More Heroes
    Mario Strikers Charged
    Mario Kart Wii
    Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition
    Call Of Duty World At War
    Battalion Wars 2
    Medal Of Honor Heroes 2
    Naruto Clash Of Ninja Revolution 2
    Wario Land Shake It
    Disaster Day Of Crisis

    And please don't let me list you 50 games coming to the Wii this year and 2010, 45 are hardcore and 5 are casual

  • KillbombX

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 9:43 pm PT

    Wii is pretty much junk to me save for a few games and at parties but at least it's bringing new people to gaming. I have two friends who were basically non-gamers but Wii now has them playing and buying games.

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 6:02 pm PT

    @Toysoldier34

    I half understand what you mean. Third party developers treat the Nintendo Wii as a dumping ground for bad video game ideas and wonder why there games dont sale.

  • Toysoldier34

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 5:48 pm PT

    from a business stand point Nintendo is doing good. but for a gamer they aren't doing much. I'm not impressed by their line up and i wish i hadn't bought a Wii.

  • Nightrain50

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 5:42 pm PT

    wii saves holidays while simutaneously killing videogaming as we know and enjoy

  • Quadster

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 5:05 pm PT

    i love playing oblivion, wasn't keen on mass effect, and i'm still warming to Fallout 3, oh and not being super realistic was the reason i loved oblivion, pretty visuals yes, realistic gameplay....NO!!!!!(which is good)
    What i was trying to get say was escapism titles are really scarse lately, they're few and far between and have been for quite some years now.
    i'll name a handful of titles which i have personally gone back to many times within this time:
    Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1,2 and Defiance.(PC)
    Sonic Adventure(DC)
    REZ(DC/Xbox 360)
    Metal Gear Solid 1, 2 and 3 (GC/PC/PS2)
    Painkiller(PC)
    TrackMania(PC)
    Half Life 2(PC)
    Sheep Raider(Sheep Dog N' Wolf if you're in EU/UK)(PC)
    Metroid Prime(GC)
    Viewtiful Joe(GC)
    Ridge Racer 6(X360)
    Animal Crossing(DS)

  • gudni

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 5:00 pm PT

    I have a Wii(bought in feb.2008 ) and it is the first console i have bought in years(not counting my a PSP a year before which never satisfied me) and it has turned me back to gaming! God bless Nintendo for bringing me back.
    Lack of good games..that's absurd. Maybe lack of FPS but thats not really what an Adventure gamer like me is into.

  • rotnem

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 4:55 pm PT

    @ x3qtr

    You got it mate. That's what makes the Wii so popular. Nintendo has always been a family game company for as long as I can remember. My dad, who is not into games at all, has the DS and plays Professor Layton and the Brain Academy games. The Wii knows how to entertain everyone, not a select number of people, and it does that job well.

  • trw534

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 4:22 pm PT

    cod world at war is a great game so it deserves to be up there

  • I1yodsyo1I

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 4:10 pm PT

    No surprise here.

  • okassar posted Jan 13, 2009 2:57 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    okassar

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:57 pm PT (hide)

    Too bad I swore that I will never even consider buying a Wii in my lifeWhat a failure of a gaming system,I do salute Nintendo for tricking so many people though,wow.They sure lost my loyalty and trust though,I was with them up until the Gamecube,but forget this trash.

  • Myugenjin

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:54 pm PT

    I hear some of ya Wii fans but still everyone I kno that has a Wii really wants a PS3 or 360! With todays econ Americans are petrified from buying and parents think either the PS3's to expensive or the 360 breaks to often plain and simple.

  • Fyre8892

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:46 pm PT

    As long as Nintendo's success in the casual gaming market doesn't draw other producers away from making "hardcore" (and I use that term loosely) games, I couldn't care less. Sure I think the Wii sucks, but you can't argue with sales. I say kudos to Nintendo for helping to expand the market.

  • LOXO7

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:39 pm PT

    I don't get the Wii. And I probably never will.

  • Falcatops

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:36 pm PT

    its funny to see how all the "hardcore gamers" get angry at the wii because it sells well. it seems that nintendo found it golden chicken: the "casual gamer".

    all this years marketing towards the hardcore and now they realize that the casual is saving the gaming industry.

    i'm sure someone will say: HOW THE WII CAN SAVE THE GAMING INDUSTRY WITH CRAPPY GAMES?? WII FIT?? WII MUSIC?? GO BUY A X360 AND PLAY GOW2!!

    well, the answer for that is that it makes money flows from the buyer to the seller (pretty logical uh?) and if that ever stops happening, then the industry dies no matter how many times a week you play halo3, gow2 and mgs4

  • SoNin360

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:34 pm PT

    commonsenselife Posted Jan 13, 2009 4:32 pm CT rofl for comment below me.
    --

    what mine?

  • commonsenselife

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:32 pm PT

    rofl for comment below me.

  • SoNin360

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:29 pm PT

    @Mikethechimp
    i do hope you were being sarcastic.

  • Mikethechimp

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 2:01 pm PT

    YEAH WII PLAY GOTY 2009! FTW FTW FTW FTW

  • Hinduce

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 1:59 pm PT

    Did anyone notice the underestimated Left4Dead on there. So under rated and under appreciated. I remember seeing that game out of stock and not able to rent while Gears2 and other wack Wii games sitting around collecting dust. I use to work at a game store and I swear people must buy Wii's in hiding because no one came in and bough that amount of Wii's or it's accessories.

  • puppiemaster

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 1:15 pm PT

    lol idiots on here, its a gimmick, well the Big N must be selling it via mind control because most of the world wants a Wii.

    The Wii has some great games on it but snobbery will stop most of the people that post on here playing them.

    I have a PS3, I play Singstar on it, I have a 360 and I play FPS and RPG's on it. There is a place for all 3 in a home.

    I even bought Little Big Planet, if you want to talk gimmicks and hype start with that game.

    I play my Wii the least of my 3 consoles, but I still love it, I agree that Wii Music is total crap though,

  • paullywog

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 1:13 pm PT

    when psp is projected to sell more than the ps3, that's sad.

  • squidracerX

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 1:10 pm PT

    THIS ARTICLE IS STUPID AND INCORRECT!
    "without Nintendo the industry would have likely felt the full wrath of the recession" .....ummmm what!? How did Nintendo help the "industry" at all? Clearly Nintendo itself made all the money off of the console sales, and they also made all of the money off of the 4 top ten games they sold. Its not like they had any third parties' titles sell that well. In fact if Nintendo didn't exist at all I bet the other 2 consoles would have sold better, and more third parties could have spread the wealth. On the PS3/360 side I see EA, Ubisoft, Valve and Activision all selling lots of games, Nintendo didn't save Christmas! IT HOGGED IT FOR ITSELF!

  • puppiemaster

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 1:06 pm PT

    None of this its cheaper crap, its FUN for the whole family, not just the kids

  • osiris

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 1:03 pm PT

    x3qtr says it perfectly. The Wii is the everypersons gaming console. There for a party toy or if some mom/dad has 30 minutes around the house with nothing to do and gets that bug in her head to try something new. The 360 and PS3 will always undersell the Wii because of that. It won't kill hard core games, just add another cash inflow into the gaming indeustry. I hope.

  • x3qtr

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 12:23 pm PT

    What people need to remember is that the Wii is the casual console. Its cheaper, more appealing, and has more value as a family unit. People tear it down because the games aren't on par with those on the 360 and ps3. While I think that is true it will always outsell those 2 systems based on the facts thats its cheap and it has the interactivity for groups of people to play it together.

  • BlackDragon110

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 11:52 am PT

    Once again the Wii has outsold the 360 and PS3 combined. And once again the Wii haters all come out of the woodworks to bytch about it. And they never have anything new to say. It's just more of the same tried old arguments that didn't make any sense back when they were said more than 2 years ago. The ironic thing about it is that the very fact that the Wii is doing so well pretty much debunks all of their arguments. I guess it makes them feel better to try and tear down the system and try to convince Wii owners that they are all wrong for buy the it. Well they Wii has sold some 46 million units so far, it doesn't look like the haters are doing a very good job.

  • star77241 posted Jan 13, 2009 11:40 am PT (does not meet display criteria. login to show)

    star77241

    Posted Jan 13, 2009 11:40 am PT (hide)

    I think this is crap. I own a Wii. But I've only got around ten games for it. And that's because they're the only good games. I swear it would be better if the Wii was only on par or selling less than the other systems because then it would be only core gamers playing it. And then we would get some good games instead of crapware. The Wii is supposed to be getting innovating games but all those seem to be going to the PS3. It's got Noby Noby and Little Big Planet, while we're stuck with How Many Mini-Games Can I Fit In To This Game? What the hell is that about?!?!?!

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