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Nintendo rules March console hardware sales

It’s business as usual for Nintendo, once again sitting atop the console hardware sales charts.

The NPD Group has released its retail findings for March, revealing that Nintendo has sold a staggering 721,000 Wii console for the month – no doubt selling every unit to hit store shelves. To further add to the regular demand, the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl has Nintendo fans in a frenzy.

The Nintendo DS carries on with strong, unwavering sales at 698,000 units sold, just behind the Wii.

“Nintendo systems represented 58 percent of all video game hardware sold in March in the United States,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales and marketing. “We expect our momentum to continue with big upcoming game launches like Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit.”

Sony’s handheld took a distant, but still respectable third spot with the PSP selling 297,000 units. The success of the PSP during March is likely attributed to the release of God of War: Chains of Olympus and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII for the portable.

Microsoft was finally able to pull ahead of the PlayStation 3 after being behind for the first two months of 2008. The Xbox 360 sold 262,000 units, perhaps as a sign of supplies finally being replenished at retailers.

“Going into March, some key U.S. retailers were still experiencing the trickle down effect of Xbox 360 console shortages,” Microsoft said in a statement. “By the end of March, supply issues had improved and we expect retailers to be fully stocked with Xbox 360 consoles in time for the "Grand Theft Auto IV" launch.”

The PlayStation 3 held its position over the previous-generation counterpart, selling 257,000 consoles. The PlayStation 2 sat in sixth with a still relevant 216,000 units sold.

"Our sales momentum continues to defy what is traditionally a sluggish sales month. PS3 continued the strong momentum with a year-over-year sales growth of over 98 percent. It is proof that, in these economically challenging times, consumers recognize the long-term value of our platforms and the tremendous heritage of our brand in delivering the best entertainment experience,” commented Jack Tretton, CEO of SCEA.

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PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Enigmatic on 4/18/2008 11:10:24 AM , Rating: 4
I expect the Xbox 360 and PS3 to be roughly neck in neck from now on. Monthly sales are quite close. But perhaps the exclusive GTA IV content will allow the 360 to surge ahead next month as well. It will be interesting to see how much benefit Microsoft receives for securing the exclusive content.




RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Drew327 on 4/18/2008 11:37:50 AM , Rating: 2
I agree, I think they will both be even for a while. Although, on the topic of exclusive GTA4 downloadable content- I work for Best Buy in the gaming department. The next customer that comes in and knows about that will be the first.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By MooseMuffin on 4/18/2008 5:01:07 PM , Rating: 2
I think its safe to expect a marketing blitz from Microsoft in the very near future. When the release date rolls around, people will know.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Alexvrb on 4/19/2008 6:40:07 PM , Rating: 2
Drew, the only thing that little piece of data tells me is that most people who walk into a Best Buy are ignorant. So sing us a new song.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By boogle on 4/20/2008 10:49:20 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Drew, the only thing that little piece of data tells me is that most people who walk into a Best Buy are ignorant. So sing us a new song.


They're also the 'masses' who generate the largest income for all 3 parties.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By daftrok on 4/18/2008 11:38:51 AM , Rating: 1
With all of the exclusives coming out for the PS3, I doubt this year will be neck and neck. Granted the 360 has exclusive content and few exclusive games but not as much (nor as diverse) when compared to the PS3.

2008 Exclusives in alphabetical order:
1) Afrika
2) The Agency
3) Big Time Revenge
4) Buzz! Quiz TV
5) Final Fantasy XIII (yes this is confirmed for 2008)
6) God of War III (coming soon on back of Chains of Olympus manual)
7) Haze
8) Infamous
9) Killzone 2
10) LittleBigPlanet
11) Metal Gear Solid 4
12) Metal Gear Solid Online (yes they are separate)
13) Motorstorm 2
14) Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm
15) Resistance: Fall of Man 2
16) Singstar
17) Siren: New Translation (Japan only sad face)
18) Tekken 6
19) WarDevil
20) White Knight Story

More exclusives (http://www.ps3forums.com/showthread.php?t=86124)

I feel this is the year when PS3 will start to catch up (and maybe even tie) the Xbox 360 sales. However there are several factors to consider for this year:

1) Will Microsoft finally cut the price of the 360 to the 199/299/399 price point? If so, will the PS3 get a price drop to compete?

2) Is the failure rate of the 360 hardware going to go down significantly enough to stop people from worrying about it?

3) Will an affordable Blu ray add-on be released in order to try to bridge the gap between the 360 and PS3?

4) Will there be an Xbox 360 with built-in Blu ray?

All and all, this is going to be an interesting year. In my opinion, however, I feel this year is the year for the PS3. No I'm not a fan boy. Yes I love Halo PC and Ninja Gaiden and Gears of War. I just feel that given all the things happening with PS3, this is probably gonna be the year it's going to go to 2nd place.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Elementalism on 4/18/2008 11:43:31 AM , Rating: 4
Well it could be interesting but we are 1/4th of the way through the year and all the PS3 has to show for it is meager 2 back to back sales lead over the 360 in hardware. And an absolute spanking on the software front. The PS3 is going to need to finish strong as hell to make it "The year of the PS3". I think one worrysome fact is COD4 on the 360 outsold Rainbow 6 Vegas on the PS3. That isnt a good indication of things to come imo.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By bgm063 on 4/18/2008 1:06:38 PM , Rating: 2
Not so sure about your assumption. We're not in the holiday season yet and still have a long way to go. That's usually the time of year when the console makers really try to win over customers who are still on the fence about which one to buy. MS could bring about a new service to XBL. Sony could finally get HOME up and going. Nintendo... well, all they have to do is keep doing what they've been doing. While the Wii is no Super Computer, it sure sells and sells like a champ.

So I don't know if the COD4 and Rainbow 6 Vegas comparison is that good of an indication.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Manch on 4/18/2008 3:59:04 PM , Rating: 2
I agree,If games are to be compared, then how about games that are on both platforms and released at the same time:

COD4 (not sure if it was co-released)
ARMY of 2
Rainbow 6 VEGAS 2

anybody have numbers on these? a percentage of games sold vs consoles sold for each system. I figured that might be a fairer comparison since the PS3 launched later than the 360.

I'd like to see a survey though of people that have both consoles and which console they preferr for multi-system titles.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Manch on 4/18/2008 4:19:04 PM , Rating: 2
Since I can't edit!

I realize that the using the late launch of the PS3 would be ufair. If the system had just launched sure but now that factor is pretty much negligible since it has been in the channel for a while now. The only game of the three I listed that's a system seller is COD4. The other two while relatively popular aren't

I pulled these numbers off of simexchange.

For the US only

360 sold to date 9,636,000

PS3 sold to date 3,796,000

For the US only.

AO2 360 1.18mil
AO2 PS3 775K

neither version of the game is selling to the point that "total consoles sold" is a limiting factor.

I don't know how accurate simexchange is but its the only site I could get to from my work PC.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Elementalism on 4/18/2008 4:23:49 PM , Rating: 2
Well I wasnt comparing the games persay. But wanted to point out a game that has been on the market for 6 months outsold the Rainbow 6 on the PS3, a new game.

Unless the Holiday season is simply insane for Sony. They are going to want to start stomping Microsoft in the NA market now if it is going to be the year of the PS3.

So far Blu-Ray sales have dried up and they cant gain any meaningful traction in software sales marketshare in console gaming.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By deeznuts on 4/18/2008 1:46:11 PM , Rating: 1
quote:
Well it could be interesting but we are 1/4th of the way through the year and all the PS3 has to show for it is meager 2 back to back sales lead over the 360 in hardware. And an absolute spanking on the software front. The PS3 is going to need to finish strong as hell to make it "The year of the PS3". I think one worrysome fact is COD4 on the 360 outsold Rainbow 6 Vegas on the PS3. That isnt a good indication of things to come imo.


NPD is only the US. The PS3 outsold the 360 worldwide last year (with all of the 360's humongous hits) and has been killing it worldwide this year. It lost by 5k this month (which is essentially an accounting error, not that I'm alleging one) in the US yet outsells it by 50k+ in just Japan.

I think it's refreshing Sony didn't come out 2 minutes before NPD came out (a la insecure MS) and claim the 5k difference was because they pulled the 80GB consoles to make a new bundle. If anyone remembers, the 80GB was selling quite well, better than the 40GB I think, or at least on par.

Anyone think if they didn't pull the 80GB to make the new MGS4 bundle, they could have sold 5k more? I think so.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Elementalism on 4/18/2008 4:19:26 PM , Rating: 3
US is the biggest market for these units. Killing is a relative term in this regard as the NA market is about 40% larger than the next biggest market. Which if vgchartz is to be believed the 360 still has the edge in total consoles sold in Europe. Japan is a lost cause for any U.S. console maker or game developer. Sony could ship a piece of turd with a controller and outsell anything from Microsoft in that market.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Locutus465 on 4/18/2008 11:52:11 AM , Rating: 4
The 360 console is now the cheapest next-gen console in Europe and if you check my response to crazyblackman you'll see I've posted an artical dated this month stating 360 sales have doubled in Europe.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By bandstand124 on 4/18/2008 11:59:46 AM , Rating: 3
Yes, 360 sales have doubled.

Is it still being outsold by the PS3? Yes.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Locutus465 on 4/18/2008 1:16:09 PM , Rating: 3
Perhaps, but considering the price drops only took effect not all *THAT* long ago this is impressive.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By Aloonatic on 4/18/08, Rating: 0
RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By ioKain on 4/18/2008 12:07:30 PM , Rating: 5
Especially if those exclusives are just as cool as Heavenly Sword, Motorstorm, WarHawk.......*rolls eyes*.

I don't know about you guys but Buzz! Quiz TV and Big Time Revenge sound like game of the year contenders to me. PS3 has FF and Metal Gear going for it and thats about it.


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By FITCamaro on 4/18/2008 3:15:23 PM , Rating: 2
I don't know about you, but I think I'm going to go buy a PS3 just to play Singstar. SPARKLES!!!!


RE: PS3 XBOX 360 Sales
By TerranMagistrate on 4/20/2008 11:14:58 PM , Rating: 2
Final Fantasy XIII, Gran Turismo 5 & MGS4 among others will pretty much spank anything coming out for the 360, from the look of the 360 exclusive list.

The fact that the PS3 is easily outselling the 360 worldwide and that its toe-to-toe with the 360 in NA proves that the PS3 has more "going for it" than Microsoft's shoddy offering.