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NPD: July game-industry sales soar 37 percent

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Aug 23, 2007 4:43 pm PT

PlayStation 3 doesn't beat 360, and Wii tops DS; NCAA, Guitar Hero Encore, Wii Play top software side.

On Tuesday, the NPD Group released its July sales figures for Canada. As some analysts predicted, the industry-research group reported that, following its $100 price cut (while supplies last), the 60GB PlayStation 3 outsold the Xbox 360 for the first time ever. Both devices, though, were roundly bested by Nintendo's Wii, which, despite a still-constrained supply, continues to be the best-selling console. As has been the case for well over a year, the top non-PC gaming platform was the Nintendo DS handheld.

Today, NPD revealed its July sales figures for the next-most-southern country in the Western hemisphere, the United States. There, the story was different, with the 360 staving off the PS3 with 170,000 to 159,000 units sold, respectively. Both were outpaced by the DS's 405,000 units, which was in turn eclipsed by the Wii's 425,000 units. NPD also reported that 222,000 PlayStation 2s, 214,000 PlayStation Portables, and 87,000 Game Boy Advances were sold during the month. (GameCube and original Xbox sales figures are no longer reported.)

Overall, the game industry raked in an impressive $925.5 million during July, a 37 percent increase over the same period in 2006. Hardware sales surged 77 percent year over year, racking up $380.8 million in sales. Accessories were also way up, rising 51 percent annually to $125.4 million. Software was also in the ascendant, climbing 11 percent to $419.9 million.

"Despite the summer slowdown, the [game] industry still realized nearly $1 billion in sales for the month, and year-to-date is up nearly 43 percent from the same time period in 2006," said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. "At this pace, the industry is on track to ring up $16-$18 billion for the year." Should that sales milestone come to pass, it would be a new record for the games business in the US.

As far as specific software titles go, the month's biggest game was NCAA Football 08 from Electronic Arts. The Xbox 360 version of the game was the month's best-selling game, selling 397,000 units, followed by the PlayStation 2 edition (fourth, with 236,000 units), and the PlayStation 3 edition (sixth, with 156,000 units).

EA archrival Activision also had a strong showing in July, with Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s being July's second-most popular game, at 339,000 units. Riding the wave of popularity that buoyed its film source to the top of the box office, Transformers overcame middling reviews to sell 143,000 copies on the PS2 (eighth), followed by the still-strong PS2 (ninth) and 360 (10th) editions of Guitar Hero II.

The rest of the top 10 software party were all first-party. More specifically, they were all Nintendo. The Wii Play and Wii Remote bundle was July's third-best-selling game, with 278,000 units, with Mario Party 8 coming in fifth with 117,000 units, and Pokémon Diamond for the DS securing seventh place with 144,000 units. A full list of July's top 10 software titles is below.

1) NCAA Football 08 - Xbox 360 - Electronic Arts - 397,000
2) Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The 80s - PS2 - Activision - 339,000
3) Wii Play (with Wii Remote) - Wii - Nintendo - 278,000
4) NCAA Football 08 - PS2 - Electronic Arts - 236,000
5) Wii Mario Party 8 - Wii - Nintendo - 177,000
6) NCAA Football 08 - PS3 - Electronic Arts - 156,000
7) Pokémon Diamond Version - DS - Nintendo- 144,000
8) Transformers: The Game - PS2 - Activision - 143,000
9) Guitar Hero II (with guitar) - PS2 - Activision - 138,000
10) Guitar Hero II (with guitar) - Xbox 360 - Activision - 108,000

464 Comments

  • XboxGuyxx

    Posted Sep 30, 2007 9:22 am PT

    I love how these PS3 fanboys (I'm looking at you Tor Thorsen) try to shift public perception with their deceitful writing styles. "There, the story was different, with the 360 staving off the PS3 with 170,000 to 159,000 units sold, respectively." Oh yes dear lord 360 is fighting for it's life. Pffft! Until PS3 starts doubling the 360's sales every month (like the 360 did to the PS3 for the first 6 months of it's lifespan) they are gonna be dead last. There hasn't been a PS3 game in the top ten ever. EVER. Put your personal feelings aside Tor and just report. Okay fanboy.

  • Omihalcon

    Posted Sep 2, 2007 2:18 am PT

    that is a lot of money...

  • Cypher_187

    Posted Sep 1, 2007 10:23 am PT

    @osxgp
    Actually, the Saturn and the Dreamcast were last place for both of those generations

  • nickythenewt21

    Posted Sep 1, 2007 8:02 am PT

    I actually found a Wii in Mexico. I almost bought it, but then remembered that I couldn't take it on the airplane back home. Stupid no technology from other countries rule!

  • osxgp

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 10:09 pm PT

    Nintendo is just loving the spotlight right now. Can you blame them after 2 back to back last place consoles (handhelds not included).

  • PatLTornado

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 9:24 pm PT

    Tenji I didn't say you hated SEGA. I said that I believe that they will release another console in the next round.

    Reguardless of what you say and what thier finacial status is, I think that SEGA of Japan is more than willing to take the risk of releasing another console if it's in thier best interest especially if they're not cutting is as a 3rd party publisher. When you think about it, SEGA never really had much success in the early 1980s as a 3rd party developer thier strong point was always hardware mainly arcade machines.

    I believe that SEGA can still release another console, after all they now do have more money then they did in the Dreamcast era., if SEGA can come up with the right marketing learn from all the mistakes that everyone made this past generation, and release a console with a good budget, they can succeed and consumers would be won back.

    A note to others here, the fanboys. I know you can't fathom SEGA launching another console but you just got to accept the fact that it will eventally happen.

  • osxgp

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 8:16 pm PT

    I wonder how much a demand the Wii would have if it were readily available? People tend to want something they can't have.

  • devilmaycry2020

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 2:04 pm PT

    the bigger picture here is that Sony is outselling every one, cause of the wider coverage of the market taking 5 spots in the top ten list. for the Sony haters ps3 is the last thing you need to worry about!

  • Anhmeister

    Posted Aug 28, 2007 1:44 pm PT

    @Stardust666

    Err...Ever hear of LittleBigPlanet?

  • LinkDragon90

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 9:17 pm PT

    go go ninty...

  • Merodach

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 7:12 am PT

    Bioshock averages above 9.5 and now so does Metroid prime 3, all this in one month. Warhawk, Lair, Heavenly Sword each scored below average, Sony will remain in third for the remainder of this year.

  • xgalacticax

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 6:52 am PT

    i can see this place is crawling with nintendo haters. the sales figures are in ur faces here. a majority of people cant be wrong about stuff. I personally dont play stuff like wii play, but thats just my taste. and this thing of wii selling cos its cheap??? give us a break....just add a hundred bucks and u get a 360 premium. also, in its heyday, the gamecube cost 100 bucks below the ps2's price but did that stop the ps2's domination? fanboys, get a life, its all about the games. if i was a console fanboy, i dont think price will stop me from getting my fav console. i got my wii to play zelda, ill get a 360 when halo 3 comes out and a ps3 when/ if god of war 3 comes out. theres something good for everyone on every console.

  • StarDust666

    Posted Aug 27, 2007 4:23 am PT

    Here's an idea; why not make a game thats so simple to play, so cheap to make, apealing to the 'wider' demographic = $$$. But thats too much for Sony to think about, lets please the 'graphic whores' and make more 'realistic' games... its the begining of the end for Sony....

  • jmdude

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 9:09 pm PT

    Most of us here in the Philippines say that PSP is better than DS. For us the DS is crap. I dont see anyone here carrying a DS (except one of my friends who really dont want to buy a PSP) Most of us even play their PSP during class hours. But then i think its different over there in the US.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 8:57 pm PT

    maxxorz

    why do people keep buying that Nintendo junk? wait for some real games to come out for your console before spending your money. Wii Play + Wiimote? c'mon guys...
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Kinda silly to call a company's products junk when said company's products are pwing every others company's products. Seriously Nintendo has sold more 1st party games than the competition combined. lol @ fanboy.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 8:53 pm PT

    l337fool

    215np
    "The Wii is still outselling 360"

    Ya and so is the PS2 but last gen hardware is cheap so go figure. What I and every other gamer cares about is who has the 3rd party support.... Hmm XBOX360 has the number one selling 3rd party game how strange.....
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Who are these "every other" gamers you are referring to. I have an Xbox360 but I bought a Wii solely for VC and Nintendo 1st party games. Not to mention I needed another Gamecube. Good 3rd party games is just icing on the cake. Speak for yourself...You only got 4 thumbs up from the "every other gamers" who agree with you. Your priorities aren't everyone else's.

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 8:45 pm PT

    Greatwasabi

    Wii sells because it's cheap. It appeals to older people and that's why. It's not because of 'good gameplay' Wii is possibly the most non hardcore gaming console ever. At least at the moment. Ever noticed how the success of each console depends on their price? Cheapest? Wii, it's in 1st place
    2nd Cheapest? 360, it's in 2nd place
    3rd Cheapest? PS3, it's in 3rd place

    COINCIDENCE?
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The Gamecube was the cheapest last gen....so was the N64 the gen before. Thumbs down for you.

  • jmdude

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 8:38 pm PT

    What's so special about the DS that a PSP doesn't have?!!! I mean the PSP can play games, music and movies!!!!!! while the DS can only support games!!!!! (I both have a DS and a PSP but the my DS has not been touched for almost 2 months). Is the sales of the PS3 affected by it's price, lack of games or both?

  • getoconnection

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 8:38 pm PT

    l337fool

    (Have you ever wondered how Wii can sell out every month without having more games on the NPD? People aren't buying them. They are just playing their Wii Sports and perhaps one more title.)"
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    If the games are so simple on the Wii have you ever considered them to be pretty cheap to make as well? With that in mind I don't think the games have to make the list to do well considering developers didn't really spend a lot of money to make them. And if your logic of people just buying the Wii for Wii Sports is to hold true that would be a testament of Nintendo ingenuity. They would have to be geniuses to get millions of people to part with 250+ dollars just to play a "tech demo." You fanboys don't realize just how well a picture you paint of Nintendo even when you are constantly trying to put the company down lol....

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