Wii Fit, Sims 3 top console, PC games of '09...so far

ChartSpot: NPD's rankings of US game sales from January to June show EA's sim sequel edging out WOW expansion on PC charts with over 820K sold; Nintendo takes half of non-PC top 10.

Just under a week after it published a worse-than-expected US monthly game sales report, the NPD Group has released its top 10 best-seller charts for the year so far. The rankings were based on unit sales figures, which were themselves not made public--for the most part (see below).

Americans preferred limber Miis...

The leading industry-research group found that, in the first six months of 2009, Nintendo dominated the domestic non-PC games market, occupying six of the top 10 slots. Wii Fit came in first, followed by Pokemon Platinum (DS), the Wii Remote pack-in Wii Play, and Wii Mario Kart, which is bundled with the Wii wheel. The last two positions on the top 10 were taken by some venerable DS holdovers--New Super Mario Bros., released in May 2006, and Mario Kart DS, first released in November 2005.

Sandwiched between the Mii yoginis and pocket-sized plumbers were three Xbox 360 games--Capcom's Resident Evil 5 (fifth), THQ's UFC 2009 Undisputed (sixth), and Activision's 2008 hit Call of Duty: World at War (seventh). The sole PlayStation 3 title to crack the top 20 was the long-awaited--and critically praised--first-party shooter Killzone 2, which fought its way into eighth place.

On the PC charts--much like in the real world--Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard fought it out for supremacy. From January to July, the former's Sims 3 was a double threat, with the regular edition being the top game and the $70 collector's edition coming in eighth. According to NPD, the game has sold over 820,000 units in June, the month it was released. Despite competing against its own sequel, The Sims 2: Double Deluxe was the six-month period's bronze-medal winner, with The Sims 2: Apartment Life expansion taking 10th place. EA also scored with Spore, the half-year's seventh-place PC title.

...and happy sims during the first half of 2009.

Activision Blizzard's showing wasn't too shabby, with the World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King expansion coming in second, and the $40 World of Warcraft: Battle Chest Bundle--which consists of the original game and the Burning Crusade expansion--coming in fourth. The original World of Warcraft, which was released over four and a half years ago, remained a best seller in sixth place. Rounding out the top 10 US PC games from January to June were fifth-place finisher Empire: Total War from Sega and ninth-place game Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II from THQ.

TOP NON-PC US GAMES: JAN.-JUNE 2009
1) Wii Fit w/ Balance Board (Wii) - Nintendo
2) Pokemon Platinum (DS) - Nintendo
3) Wii Play w/ Remote (Wii) - Nintendo
4) Wii Mario Kart w/ Wheel (Wii) - Nintendo
5) Resident Evil 5 (Xbox 360) - Capcom
6) UFC 2009 Undisputed (Xbox 360) - THQ
7) Call of Duty: World at War (Xbox 360) - Activision Blizzard
8) Killzone 2 (PlayStation 3) - SCEA
9) Mario Kart DS (DS) - Nintendo
10) New Super Mario Bros. (DS) - Nintendo

TOP PC US GAMES: JAN.-JUNE 2009
1) The Sims 3 - Electronic Arts
2) World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King - Activision Blizzard
3) The Sims 2: Double Deluxe - Electronic Arts
4) World of Warcraft: Battle Chest - Activision Blizzard
5) Empire: Total War - Sega
6) World of Warcraft - Activision Blizzard
7) Spore - Electronic Arts
8) The Sims 3: Collector's Edition - Electronic Arts
9) Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - THQ
10) The Sims 2: Apartment Life - Electronic Arts

99 Comments

  • Blade8Aus

    Posted Oct 10, 2009 3:08 am PT

    wow spore is selling well?

  • Blade8Aus

    Posted Oct 10, 2009 2:34 am PT

    @ronnieo54
    you are correct...maybe they can =P
    i am pretty damn certain the server closed a few years ago or something (a time close to then)

  • lilkimy

    Posted Aug 4, 2009 12:44 pm PT

    JCASHUFL-You go get a life, you internet troll. You're a joke with little rank.

  • JCASHUFL

    Posted Jul 30, 2009 5:12 pm PT

    Sims.. what a joke.. get a life, people

  • ronnieo54

    Posted Jul 26, 2009 1:56 pm PT

    To fallout guy: they did make a sims mmo. It was called the sims online. Came out a few years ago. I don't know if it is still up and running but I'm sure one of our fellow readers can enlighten youto is status and quality.

  • lightwarrior179

    Posted Jul 25, 2009 5:51 am PT

    It would be wrong to say that Wii Fit isn't a game.
    Also,it doesn't come as a surprise since Sims 3 and Wii Fit are the kinds of games whose popularity extends even beyond the usual gaming crowd.

  • MagicOneUp

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 6:24 pm PT

    well done for Ninty again and again for chart topping with wii -fit. guess there are more over weigh people than initially though. For whom said wii fit is not a game, must have fat in their brain. what is considered a game? for me its an interaction between a player and the on screen action, eg, press a button or have an input of command. most games are different on how you play. but after all Nintendo got top position thats all that matters.

  • Humorguy_basic

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 7:41 am PT

    @doktron, I have been PC gaming for 20 plus years and have 600+PC games - and I agree with you totally! It is the end of PC gaming as we know it. But at least for both of us,the advent of DOSBox means we have plenty of great PC gaming ahead of us regardless! I am currently getting stuck into Dagger and finishing off my latest X-Com campaign!

  • doktron

    Posted Jul 24, 2009 6:55 am PT

    I am a hardcore PC gamer (I own over200 PC games,bought in the last 10 yrs,which averages 20 games a yr., and have played them all)) and I find this list of top 10 games sad.I bought only 1 game on this list(Warhammer40000-DOW2).Most of the games on this list are not for us hardcore gamers but casuel gamers that may buy only 1 or 2 games a yr.,if that!(the SIMS, 4 of them on this list,which I dont play and are not real games as far as I m concerned!)) I used to buy 1 or 2 games every month but this yr. so far I ve bought only 3 games,and I dont consider any of them classics(call of duty-waw,FEAR 2, and Warhammer40000-DOW2).I hope the next 5 months are better and they dont screw up the upcoming PC games.Maybe if they produced better PC games their profits would be better, instead of producing crappy console ports that should have originally been made for the PC.

  • COD2-The_Pope

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 6:19 pm PT

    right on cyborg, the PC is far more advanced than any of the consoles, there's just better video cards, processors, faster internet, free DLC packs, u can download full games for free, tonnes of free online games, HD capabilities, etc. All of that just plus all of what cyborg said is why the PC will always remain on top, unless all console companies combine to create some kind of rediculasly advanced system lol

  • cyborg100000

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 4:06 pm PT

    "Meh, maybe developers are giving up on the PC cuz they know that all people buy nowadays is WoW and The Sims. I miss the days when the top selling PC games had variety. Heck, I miss the days when the PC wasn't last on a developers mind.

    Good to see Empire and Warhammer weasling their way into that chart though."

    Fallout 3, Half Life, Crysis, Bioshock, WoW, Total War, CoD, Sims, C&C, upcoming Star Wars MMO, Serious Sam 3, TF2, Starcraft, Diablo, potentially superior graphics to consoles, mods and literally unlimited amount of free mini games.

    The PC is anything but dead and the day I switch over to average-assed console games with no mods, the limit of a controller and rarely a good title to buy that doesn't come out for PC with little support from DLC or patches is the day I stop gaming.

  • daabulls23

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 2:07 pm PT

    I'm actually a little surprised to see Empire: Total War at number 5, but it's pretty sweet! Heck, 7 out of the 10 PC titles have "Sim" or "Warcraft" in it.

  • sun_rider95

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:11 pm PT

    cool........hate it

  • jamesAboy19

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 12:17 pm PT

    @ the_danny
    yes....1 ps3 game.....1 ps3 exclusive, im asuming you an xbox fanboy by putting this in which case stfu because all the xbox games were multi-plat, so congratulations on not having any exclusives to boast about!

    on topic. im glad the xbox had little else out as its probably helped the other mulitplatform games get alot more sales, so every cloud has a silver lining
    as for killzone 2 im very happy to see it make the top 10! and i hope the Killzone 2 community gets alot bigger (because i looooove killzone 2)
    and congrants to nintendo for selling millions of coppies of such a gimiky game (wii fit) and making yourselfs a trabajillion dollars. NIntendo.....your geniuses! (and probably filthy rich)

  • zaphod_b

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:49 am PT

    The Wii Fit should not be considered a game on these game charts. You might as well say that running shoes outsold Resident Evil.

  • plm3d_basic

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:12 am PT

    When will people realize that nobody has actually lost weight with Wii Fit? You're better off doing pilates, using free weights, performing hardcore calisthenics, or jogging. The same idiots who buy this to lose weight are the same ones who buy that electric belt that makes your stomach twitches while they are laying on the couch and stuff their faces with chips watching tv.

  • mtwmaster

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:01 am PT

    Yay Empire!!!

  • Geek12

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 10:24 am PT

    Good to see that there is still competition in the PC game world. (not being sarcastic, i really am glad to see that the PC game market still matters.)

  • janderdarkmoon

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 10:18 am PT

    Ahhh WiiFit number one, yet still so many fatties. go for a jog tubby!

  • kbaily

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:55 am PT

    It still amazes me the way NSMB continues to sell when so many other core titles fall off after a couple weeks.
    Wonder if we will expect the same performance from NSMBWii?

  • skhellitor

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:39 am PT

    will new super mario bros ever stop selling like a beast?

  • joke_man

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:33 am PT

    Wow, some of those games have been out for years. ie Mario Kart, etc.

  • BladesOfAthena

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:16 am PT

    Wii Fit is vastly overrated.

  • lolx2334

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 9:12 am PT

    i like 360 very muchh

  • Hillsy_

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 8:29 am PT

    @StephenBassford

    True, I agree with you mostly. Mario Galaxy is level design done with the upmost care. A testament to Nintendo's knowledge of there own hardware... but...Mario Galaxy is an early product, can't the Wii be pushed or the capabilities be used further? The problem is, Mario Galaxy is one game in the Wii's Library. Maybe you are right, maybe developers aren't taking any risks, and this is why the Wii is suffering so to speak. I suppose as long as Nintendo makes a profit, they are happy. Wii Fit isn't a game/activity I am interesting in, but I understand the value of the product. A new IP for Nintendo.

    I'm not going to critise the PS3 or 360 as they both provide there own levels or experiences. The playstation 1 had Tomb Raider, Resident Evil. PS2 Ratchet and Clank, Daxter, Killzone. PS3 Drake's Fortune, Resistance. Xbox, Mass Effect, Gears of War Halo etc. They all introduce something, a new IP. All formats have something to offer.

    I know Nintendo are some of the best game developers around, but I will be interested to see what Bethesda has planned for the Wii. I know they are working on a game for the Wii. One last thing, the fifth top game for the Wii is Lego Star Wars Complete Saga, which is a third party game, but again this game was released in 2007?? Aren't there any new third party games doing well?? Nintendo themselves seem to be concentrating more on the accessories rather than the games. Which is a pity, as Nintendo produce 'some' of the best games I know.

  • StephenBassford

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 8:05 am PT

    @Hillsy

    I do agree with you that third party support (if you want to call it "support") has been less than stellar. But Nintendo's games have always been the cornerstone of each of their systems, unlike the Playstation 3 and the XBOX 360. I think developers are afraid of the Wii and making a game entirely different from their 360 and PS3 counterparts. It's rather disappointing too. Obviously the Wii's graphical power is considerably less than the PS3 and 360, but games like Mario Galaxy have proven just how far the boundaries of the Wii can be pushed. I just think developers aren't brave enough to put themselves out on a limb.

  • falloutguy318

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 7:48 am PT

    they should make a sims mmo that would be sweet

  • the_danny

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 6:33 am PT

    just 1 ps3 game

  • Hillsy_

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 6:22 am PT

    @StephenBassford

    Just to fill some people in:

    Zelda: Twilight Princess has sold over 5 million
    Mario Galaxy has sold over 8 million
    Mario Kart Wii has sold over 16 million
    Super Smash Brothers has sold over 8 million

    I agree the Wii has some good games. And they have sold well even though I didn't like TPZelda...but... Only Nintendo games sell well, no third party games. I think that is sad. Tell me a third party game which has sold over 8 million, or at least 5 million. People love Nintendo, but Nintendo don't deliver the amount of games people would like. Rant over.

  • heds777

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 5:59 am PT

    Killzone 2 FTW! I hope it sells well. ive got my copy.

  • SirSpoon84

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 5:22 am PT

    why are so many ppl still buying wow, i mean the pvp is all screwed up and the new gear is all crud, nothing new

  • shani_boy101

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 5:10 am PT

    Go Killzone 2!!! that games is awesome!!!

    i seriously need to get Sims 3 though, never played any of them at all, number 3 would be a nice start, they coulda upped the graphics a little bit though, even though EA was trying to make it accessible to the casual market without upgrading.

  • Excedra

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 5:01 am PT

    I like 360.

  • soulcold posted Jul 23, 2009 4:08 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    soulcold

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 4:08 am PT (hide)

    Atleast 360 gets 2nd place!!

  • SkidRow18

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 3:52 am PT

    not surprise with nintendo topping the chart

  • Mr_Versipellis

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 3:46 am PT

    Who'd ever have guessed?
    /sarcasm

  • zanelli

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 3:19 am PT

    Why are they split anyway?

  • TheIndianChild

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 2:48 am PT

    Glad to know Killzone 2 is still selling well ... ...

  • metalgear-solid

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 1:35 am PT

    Killzone 2 is the best out of those by far!

  • eightren

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 12:59 am PT

    Nintendo Rocks!

  • Javieralijandro

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 12:26 am PT

    dam, 4 out of 10 nintendo is owning in sales..

  • Halcalix

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 11:47 pm PT

    Hahaha I love The Sims and Wii Fit

  • mariokart64fan

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 11:47 pm PT

    wow- mario kart released 2005 - - - and still in the top ten , is this one of the 2 best mariokarts ever release this kinda reminds me of goldeneye how it sat there for yrs ,

  • mariokart64fan

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 11:45 pm PT

    nintendo laid the smack down since launch lol , , good going nintendo , i want a need for speed hot pursuit 3 .. nitro seems to fit the bill ,. wii is everything i expected the gc to be and more

  • black_ice23

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 11:02 pm PT

    Nintendo laying the smack down

  • dunnowhathuh

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 10:30 pm PT

    Meh, maybe developers are giving up on the PC cuz they know that all people buy nowadays is WoW and The Sims. I miss the days when the top selling PC games had variety. Heck, I miss the days when the PC wasn't last on a developers mind.

    Good to see Empire and Warhammer weasling their way into that chart though.

  • vietboi89

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 10:19 pm PT

    u no, technically the pc IS the top selling platform, everyone has one, even if its not used for gaming they still get the points for making the sale, wat other system can u watch por- i mean a documentary, play a video game, pose as a hot boy to ruin some poor preteen girls life, catch some spyware, do a survey, check ur email to reveal a spam mail that unloads a trojan, give ur entire identity away to win a free ipod and update ur status on facebook?

  • ClawedMonkey

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 9:43 pm PT

    @ JangoWuzHere: Street FIghter 4 PC is a top seller via digital distribution, which is not shown on these stats, only retail sales. Not taking digital distribution into account just makes these stats interesting, but ultimately useless to get a solid comparison of what the top selling games on a given platform are.

    Digital distribution services on the PC are huge and have big user bases already. When the console's digital distribution services grown a bit more and you can buy every available game through Xbox Live/PSN, you'll see how useless these stats become.

advertisement
Click Here

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Wii Fit Boxshot
Wii Fit

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    341 of 84,348
    (up by 40)
    WII Rank:
    23 of 2,107
    Highest Rank:
    1 in 2008
    Tracking:
    3,157 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    1,854 Wish It»
  • Users Now Playing:
    1,108
  • Number of Players:

    1 Player

  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. wii fit
    2. wii
    3. fit
    4. nintendo
    5. fitness
  • Everyone Rating Description

    Titles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older. Titles in this category may contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close

Related Games

Recent News

See All News »

Site Blogs