NPD May US sales data – Wii still tops, PS3 beats Xbox 360 by margin
It’s that time of the month again. No, not that time of the month, but the other time of the month, when NPD reveals the hardware and software sales data for the US, and we then argue about what it all means. The Wii is continuing its dominance, outselling the PS3 and Xbox 360 combined, but the bigger news is that the PS3 outsold the Xbox 360 by more than just a few thousand this time around.
On the hardware front, the Nintendo Wii is continuing to blow its bigger and bolder rivals away, selling 675,000 units in May. Such a strong showing, particularly in the month after the supposedly unit-shifting release of Grand Theft Auto IV on both rival consoles, makes me wonder if Nintendo will ever be caught, or whether the Wii is forging ahead too quickly and forcefully for Sony and Microsoft to be able to respond.
Nintendo managed the double yet again as the DS came in second place, selling 452,600 units in May. That means Nintendo managed over a million sales of hardware again in the US, a figure which must be driving Sony and Microsoft absolutely mad with jealousy.
The Playstation 3 managed third place, with a quite respectable 208,700 units sold in May. Although this is massively behind the Nintendo consoles, it does represent hope for Sony, as it’s up on April and the same period last year. It also means that the PS3 managed to beat the Xbox 360 this month, and instead of there just being a few thousand in it, there was a 20k difference.
The Xbox 360 came fourth with just 186,600 units sold. People who doubted my claim from a few days ago about the Xbox 360 losing its place should now recheck their facts. I’m not saying the Microsoft console is dead quite yet, but there just seems to be no momentum left. I may have recommended the Xbox as the console to buy for Father’s Day, but long-term I’m concerned for its future.
The PSP managed 182,300 sales, while the aging PS2 managed 132,708 units.
NPD May Hardware Sales Figures
Wii – 675.1K (from 714K)
Nintendo DS – 452.6K (from 415K)
PlayStation 3 – 208.7K (from 187K)
Xbox 360 – 186.6K (from 188K)
PSP – 182.3K (from 193K)
PS2 – 132.7k (from 124k)
On the software front, Grand Theft Auto 4 dominated, as was expected. The game sold in much higher numbers on the Xbox 360 than the PS3, but that’s not a surprise when you realize how many more Xbox 360 owners there are in North America.
Nintendo managed to sell two high-priced games, which both come with bundled peripherals in huge quantities. Wii Mario Kart and Wii Fit both sold incredibly well, with Wii Fit selling out almost the whole of the stock sent to the US by Nintendo. If there had been more units available, I think Wii Fit would have overtaken GTA 4 and actually come out on top of the software sales.
NPD May Software Sales Figures
Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360) – 871.3K
Mario Kart (Wii) – 787.4K
Wii Fit w/balance board (Wii) – 687.7K
Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3) – 442.9K
Wii Play w/remote (Wii) – 294.6K
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) – 171.1K
Iron Man (PS2) – 130.6K
Guitar Hero III: Legends Of Rock w/guitar (Wii) – 116.8K
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness (DS) – 107K
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time (DS) – 102K
Overall, the figures show another incredible month for the games industry. Both hardware and software sales are up from last year, and it seems people no longer baulk at paying high prices for games, as long as they represent value for money. I also notice that four of the top ten games come with peripherals, which is a trend to watch out for in the months and years ahead.
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30 Responses to “NPD May US sales data – Wii still tops, PS3 beats Xbox 360 by margin”
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June 13th, 2008
Sony are doing better. MGS4 is out now so yeah it was to be expected, just wondering how long it will take for 20,000 units a month will take to catch up with the total sales of the 360, well it did come out a whole year before.
June 13th, 2008
A couple things:
1) It’s confirmed: Michael Pachter is wrong all the time about everything ever.
2) GTAIV sold twice as many units as Wii Fit, so… no way in HADES would Fit have outsold GTA last month no matter how many units they had here.
3) It’s spelled “balk.” Unless there’s some AUS/EU spelling I am unaware of.
4) DAVE PARRACK!!!
June 13th, 2008
XBOX 360 has no momentum left are you serious. Hello GEARS OF WAR 2, Halo wars, Alen Wake, Too Human, all those RPG’s just mentioned this week. Rachet & Clank and the list goes on. This is expected for Sony to increase console sales as MGS4 is a big deal for the system and probably one of the few good games for the system. Congrats guys. Now I only wonder what the total sales will be like compared to Halo 3. But November I’m sure will blow everything out the water when GOW2 Drops.
June 13th, 2008
CAD,
I’m actually more excited for “all those RPGs” than any of those other games, but I am aware I am in the minority on that.
I’m telling you, Lost Odyssey, Mass Effect, Star Ocean 4, Infinite Undiscovery… these will be responsible for putting a 360 in my living room.
-Arvis
June 13th, 2008
I see an awful lot of Nintendo up there – Good going Big N.
As for 360 vs ps3, we may as well call it a bloody tie still for month-to-month sales. 20k ain’t nothing to get excited about.
June 13th, 2008
Arvis,
I have Lost Odyssey and I love it. I never knew that those kind of games would have grabbed my attention. I now look forward to playing more games like that as the game play and the story are just amazing. MGS4 may have these huge cut scenes and a 90 min one as stated but to me that like watching a movie and not playing a game. Lost Odyssey is like playing the movie the whole way through. Devil May Cry 4 aslo gave that playing through a movie feel as well. Lost Odyssey may be 4 disk long but I don’t care it does not even affect the game play in any way as the disk ends at the end of a mission and not in the middle of any game play. I personally think multiple disk are nothing to worry about as I would prefer multi-disk compared to 20min downloads. Just imagine how many time I can change a disk before 20 minuites are over. Apparently MGS4 has 5 downloads and they even dare to crack jokes in the game about not changing the disk because it’s on Bluray. What a joke that is when compared to a 20 min install.
June 13th, 2008
some more first impressions:
key points
1. splinter cell games has better level design and gameplay.
2. people look plastic
3. installs are waaaaay too lengthy.
4. cutscenes are waaaay too long (we pay for games not movies).
http://www.geek.com/first-impressions-metal-gear-solid-4-for-ps3-20080612
i’ll gladly change a disk to avoid sitting thru those load times… ridiculous.
June 13th, 2008
In damage control mode much kevin?
-The article was about sales not MGS4.
@Cad make your mind up..
“…compared to 20min downloads….”
“…when compared to a 20 min install…”
Neither are correct. Its a 9 minute install to start and then the same between each act.
And wow none of you people ever use a PC? Age of conan, 30-40min + 25gig install (x2 dual layer dvd’s). (lets see how the 360 deals with that badboy when it finally gets released)
Maybe years of PC gaming is why installs don’t really bother me that much, afterall our consoles are just becoming boxed, unupgradeable Pc’s anywhoos.
Sooner or later optical drive read speed won’t have the thru-put to keep up with the rest of the machine and then you’re going to be stuck with HD installation/massive caching. So nit pick the P
PS3 while you can.
Oh and since we’re derailing the thread with random issues that don’t really have much to do with the sales figures, does anyone know when Fable 2 gets released, and whether its coming out for PC? (heck ill even buy a 360 for it, but i’d rather run it on PC).
June 13th, 2008
Kevin – i hope you actually play the game rather than just comment on either what you’ve seen/heard.
1.) The level design is flawless giving multiple opportunities for tracking through the level, it also offers loads of weapons, action and different ways to approach the game/level
2.) The graphics are sublime, no other game can compare with it, as for the “plasticy” look, no console is quite there to make a person look flawless, this is the best yet.
3.) The installs are no problem unless you make them a problem, i dont mind waiting 8 minutes for a download, i don’t see what the problem is.
4.) Luckily you can skip the cut scenes if you don’t like them, but thankfully they are entertaining and you actually want to watch them.
June 13th, 2008
Hey Kevin,
Just done a quick comparison on Metacritic’s ‘Recent and Upcoming’ lists:
Green Scores (76%+)
360 – 21 Titles, Average Score 80.4
PS3 – 18 Titles, Average Score 82.9
Yellow Scores (50-75%)
360 – 25 Titles, Average Score 60.3
PS3 – 21 Titles, Average Score 64.8
Red Scores (below 50%)
360 – 5 Titles, Average Score 42.4
PS3 – 3 Titles, Average Score 40.0
The 360 edges yesterday’s games, but the here and now belongs to the PS3. Keep living in the past, sunshine.
And Splinter Cell vs MGS4? You truly are an idiot.
June 13th, 2008
ohh dammit… well kevin has spoken… now I will cancel my MGS order… throw out my PS3 and play Lost Odyssey (which got how much review scores??) in my twice repaired 360… damn…
When you compare Splinter Cell and MGS kevin.. you sound like an idiot… and its the equivalent of comparing Halo 3 and Geow…. just plain stupid…
If you dont like the long cut scenes… dont buy it… Its not like Kojima will have to put a second mortgage on his second house if you dont buy a copy….
But I have to say… “90 minutes cutscenes…” this scares me… well let me explain this better.. I get very paranoid when playing a game and I try to finsh the level as fast as possible and save the game… what if the save point is AFTER the cut scene… I dont want to miss it but I dont want to accidently miss my chance at saving the game either…. (cus of the frequent power cuts)…. so Im gonna have to have atleast 2-3 hours free time while playing one level
I would like to play Splinter Cell Conviction… looks good… but… OH NO!! starting from scratch… and Too Human??? how long did it take to create teh game again??? 5 years??? yeah Killzone 2 was a HUGE delay
June 13th, 2008
brick and dwh – until mgs earns as many honors and awards from the AIAS that Splinter Cell has, it’s just old news. it WAS a good franchise. just played out. heck, even kojima knows this.
poor gaming noobs… so full of ps3 b.s…so little facts.
June 13th, 2008
bourne – don’t tell me… tell the reviewer…oh wait… you can’t. You said reviewers can’t be wrong about mgs4. uh-oh….looks like your points just flopped.
June 13th, 2008
SW
Installs, Download whateverrrrr!!! You know what I mean.
June 13th, 2008
I disagree with that review, as i showed in my opinion last time. I would like to see where i said that reviewers couldn’t be wrong about mgs4 though, please quote me? Besides the fact that those were opinions, and so if you haven’t actually played the game your point is equally invalid. You might as well review the drive of a car before driving it, based on the looks of it and what other people have said about it. Also that reviwer is in the minority to feel those ways about the game, overall its very positive reports, and even your source feels that “absolutely outstanding”.
June 13th, 2008
DWH
Don’t lie. You have a Modded 360. Microsoft will not fix that.
June 13th, 2008
DWH
Lost Odyssey got 8.2 by IGN and 8.9 By the reader review. What is so bad about that.
June 13th, 2008
It’s funny seeing Kevin hounded into a corner as MGS4 greatness shines all around him (95% metacritic score, higher than any 360 exclusive). U have a real fanboy problem Kevin, it’s clear to all of us the only reason u go on about Splinter Cell being better is because Conviction is a timed exclusive.
MGS4 is without a doubt the best game I have ever played, I’m up to the fourth act and havn’t put the pad down since I started playing, itjust inovates again and again, there is so much freedom in game to go through however u wan’t, a complete interactive battleground. On rails is the best I have ever seen in a game whether knocking of soldiers from Drebin’s APC whilst it goes flying past gekkos and ur shooting them is amazing, and in East Europe on the bike fending of Raging Raven, Haven troops and flying Metal gears is absolutly thrilling.
The graphics are by far and away the best in videogame history, especially on a technical level (there’s a genius part in the game that show’s this).
Boss Battles are the best in the series, which of course means they are the best battles in videogames.
Installs ain’t a problem they are quick and well worth it, MGS4 is the most advanced game ever so the installs can be expected.
One problem is the start of act 3, which is abit fun and different at first but goes on for to long, luckily the end of act 3 more than makes up for it.
The attention to detail is phoenominal, whether it’s spending ages customising ur guns to suit ur style or finding old MGS them tunes for ur IPOD around the levels and tons of easter eggs and fourth wall breaking. My expectation for this game was sky-high and happy to say it has surpassed my expectations. Kojima gets his masterpiece and we get one of the greatest games of all time.
I havn’t even got around to the story!, it’s amazing so much is being answered, this of course means there isn’t as much room for an emotional story like MGS3, but the characters are brilliantly realised, good story and characters do matter in games(Bioshock and Collosus are great examples) and MGS4 has it. and the choice of Old Snake is brilliant u really identify with him.
Criticise the cutscenes length all u want but for the fans the gameplay and cutscenes are brilliantly interwovan and use the games medium masterfully.
Best. game. ever. Go criticise Haze and Lair all u want Kevin and XBOTS, it’s finally happened MGS4 tips the scales in ps3 favour for games and it can compete with Halo 3 and Gears of War put together. MGS4 is the top exclusive console game and we can all agree ps3 has the better exclusive list for 2008 and 2009.
Game Over xbox 360. 360!!!!!!!!!!! 360!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 13th, 2008
Gamespot gave MGS4 a perfect 10
IGN gave it a perfect 10
Kevin…Name ONE just ONE 360 “Exclusive” (which happens to be also available on the pc) that these reviewers gave a 10 to.
And DWH.
There are no 90min cutscenes in the game according to Konami.
June 14th, 2008
hamburger – gamespot’s credibility has been in question for a loooooong time as well as their motivations for reviews. If you remember, they also gave Tony Hawk 4 a perfect 10. a skateboarding game? not to mention the firing of Jeff G after his less than stellar review of one of GS’ largest advertisers. I’ve seen the other scores, and they seem to be solid, with many giving 10/10, 5/5, 3/3, etc. Having seen the game, i can safely say it’s justified for the most part, but certainly not anything truly groundbreaking, innovative, or worth dropping $500 for. Certainly one of the, if not THE, best ps3 game on the market.
I’m certain it’ll sell more than a few ps3. they have to; after this, they have very few games with the branding of mgs or gta.
it’s hilarious you claim that ONE game suddenly tips the scale in favor of the ps3. one game in a library of mediocrity. yeah…no fanboyism here… lol.
June 14th, 2008
I didnt say Lost Odyssey is a bad game CAD… I dont play a lot of FF like RPGs so I didnt buy this game… and I never claimed MS fixed my 360… I got it fixed from the same guys who modded it….
So who DO you trust kevin?? Xbox magazine?? The Onion?? Something Aweful??
SO… you didnt like Tony Hawks 4??? or was there something wrong with it… 10-20 years from now… when better games and better consoles… they are gonna ask… WHY DID THEY GIVE GTA 4 10 out of 10?? and that question would be as stupid as the one you asked today…
What do I care… Im happy with what I have… I just have some fun by proving you wrong… or when I see that you take things a little too seriously… in a site that you claim to be a fanboy… if you dont like it… dont come here… I doubt Blorge will go out of business without the Flame Posts…
June 15th, 2008
Kevin
I never claimed that one game tipped the scale towards the ps3. I just wanted you to name one 360 game that was perfect, and obviously there are none.
And you question gamespot’s credibility?
Well, I question it too. Simply because they gave Halo3 a 9.6. That game has absolutely the worst, the very worst single player campaign out there and the multyplayer isn’t all that special either. COD4 is certainly better. So why Halo a 9.6?
If Halo is a 9.6 then MGS4 is nothing but a 10.
MGS has an amazing Single player campaign (which I’ve nearly finished) and awesome multiplayer too. So, how can you give that game less?
June 15th, 2008
When will they realise that Nintendo only need to see Wii fit to half the people who own a Wii to bet GTA on the PS3 Who will have to sell it to every one with a PS3 to claim a victory over them. I mean Its official another Mega Drive story here people.
June 15th, 2008
Whoever says that Lost Odyssey was a bad game has either not played it or are not into RPGs. I’m playing it through for a second time and am enjoying it again.
I am interested in seeing what Square have in store for 360 users too. In the meantime I might pick up Blue Dragon in a discount bin. Sure it’s not the best RPG, but it’s not god awful either.
June 15th, 2008
Actually kevin not one game. Metacritic score of 80% (I’ve put in 79%ers HS and BD, because I feel they deserve to be in the list as well) or above:
PS3: MGS4 – 95%
Warhawk – 84%
Ratchet and Clank – 89%
Uncharted – 88%
GT5: Prologue – 80%
Motorstorm – 84%
RFOM – 86%
Heavenly Sword – 79%
Tekken 5 – 82%
Ninja Gaiden Sigma – 88%
Singstar – 83%
360: Halo 3 – 94%
GOW – 94%
Mass Effect (looks like not for long) – 91%
PGR 4- 85%
Forza – 90%
Dead Rising – 85%
NG2 – 82%
Viva Pinata – 84%
Crackdown – 83%
Ace Combat 6 – 80%
Perfect Dark Zero – 81%
C&C 3 – 82%
Blue Dragon – 79%
Let’s draw some conclusions shall we:
Please note that I may have missed some obscure titles on either platform that I’m not aware are exclusives.
The 360 has more obviously seeing as it has been out longer by a year in US and Japan and a year and half in Europe, however clearly the ps3 has a better line up a year and a half into it’s life cycle than the 360 did.
I would also like to point out the genre’s in that list, the ps3’s are more wide ranging most of the the titles use a mix of genres.
360 is currently the best for shooters(obviously), Racers and RPG’S looking to the future however it seems that the ps3 will get both of these with Motorstorm, Gran Turismo and Wipeout(notice how different each of these three are) going up against Forza and PGR
As for RPG’s the PS3 has got White Knight Cronicles, Valkyrie and of course FF13 on the way and with Mass Effect’s exclusive status looking grim and the ps3’s tradition of RPG’s it looks like the ps3 will have that genre too.
MMORPG – There is no way the Agency could be worse than Two Worlds
Currently the ps3 has Hack and Slash, Action Adventure, Platforming, Party games and the multi genre behmoth that is MGS4.
Few 360 games are anything outside of there designated genre with the exception of Mass Effect, whilst ps3 games like MGS4, Uncharted and R&C use a brilliant mix of genre to create a more wide appealing console, it looks the same for the future as well as I think we can all agree the ps3 has a better future line-up.
Still it’s funny seeing us all fight over second place.
June 15th, 2008
Me
I agree with you. While the ps3 is offering a mix of genres, the 360 only has shooters to offer and only 1 or 2 other genres. And Mass Effect is no longer an exclusive as its also on the PC.
However, Uncharted, although superb, lacks online multiplayer and thats like the minimum requirement for games these days. I believe if Uncharted had online, it would’ve surely reached the 90%+ range.
And the Ps3 does have a stellar line-up coming up.
Although, I’m still looking forward to Gears2. No doubt thats gonna be amazing as well. I don’t think it’ll be a 10 like MGS4, but it’ll still be superb.
June 15th, 2008
i recoon were likely to see a comeback from rayman on the gamecube?
June 15th, 2008
I’m glad Uncharted was not online, it’s still nice to have great single player games, if Uncharted was online alot of time would need devoted to the online part and single player may have suffered. Mostly it should just be FPS’s and racers that have online play and single player. I like the choice u get on the ps3.
Warhawk wouldn’t have been better with single player therefore u can get it u just want online play.
Uncharted and Ratchet and Clank would not be better with online play so people can get it who want great single player with no ime wasted creating online play.
MGS4 had full attention from Kojima productions as MGO was developed separtly.
This kind of trend is good for the ps3 as it does not alienate anyone who does not want online play for single player game and vice – versa this ensures great single player and online games with a choice of what u want and some games that have both.
June 16th, 2008
hamburger – there is no perfect game on the 360 or the ps3. look around at the reveiews for mgs. many have found PLENTY to complain about, yet gamespot (and their advertisers) decided it was a 10. Just like tony hawk. it was NOT a 10, by ANYONE’S standards.
i really don’t think you played or understood halo 3’s storyline. Maybe 2 hours of cutscenes would have helped. i loved the conclusion, how they tied everything together and the presentation of the story and history. As did millions of others, including reviewers. I think it was just too advanced for your tastes.
it’s a nice game, mgs. just not perfect, by any means. altho; given the anemic offerings on the ps3, i can see how this title stands out in such a sea of meh-ness…. beggars aren’t typically choosers.
June 17th, 2008
I’m still not buying a Ps3.