December 2008 NPDs Released. Nintendo dominates the charts.
January 15th, 2009 | Written by Amadeo Plaza | Topic: Industry News, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
So, the numbers are out, and 2008′s sales figures broke 2007′s, bringing total full-year sales to a staggering $21.33 billion (up 19 percent from 2007). Total sales in December were up nine percent to $5.29 billion, closing out another record breaking year for an industry that has defied economic odds.
What’s most interesting is the way Nintendo absolutely dominated everyone else on the playing field, selling 2.15 million additional Wiis and 3.04 million DS units in the month of December. Microsoft made a respectable showing, selling 1.44 million units in December. Unsurprisingly, the PSP trailed behind the DS selling 1.02 million units. The PS3 brought up the tail selling only 726,000 units and the PS2 was at the bottom with 410,000.
Hardware sales were up only two percent in December, a total of $1.88 billion, bringing the year-long figure to $7.81 billion, 11 percent increase over 2007. Software numbers were up 15 percent, rounding out at a cool $2.75 billion, leveling out the year’s sales at $10.96 billion (a 26% increase from 2007). Accessory sales also saw a respectable eight percent jump to $662 million for December, finishing the year up 14 percent at $2.57 billion.
No one was safe from Nintendo from a software perspective either, whose Wii Play reigned supreme all year long, topping the December software sales as well as full-year figures. Nintendo published titles also controlled the top four spots on the full-year sales chart, with GTA IV (Xbox 360) coming in at fifth, nearly a million units behind at 3.29 million.
Nintendo dominated the charts all year, cashing in enormously in 2008. Software sales charts for December and the Full-Year can be found below:
Top 10 Games of December 2008
1. Wii Play w/ remote – Wii – Nintendo – 1.46 million
2. Call of Duty: World at War – Xbox 360 – Activision – 1.33 million*
3. Wii Fit w/ balance board – Wii – Nintendo – 999K
4. Mario Kart Wii w/ wheel – Wii – Nintendo – 979K
5. Guitar Hero: World Tour – Wii – Activision – 850K*
6. Gears of War 2 – Xbox 360 – Microsoft – 745K*
7. Left 4 Dead – Xbox 360 – Electronic Arts – 629K
8. Mario Kart – DS – Nintendo – 540K
9. Call of Duty: World at War – PS3 – Activision – 533K
10. Animal Crossing: City Folk – Wii – Nintendo – 497K*
* Includes Collector’s, Limited, Legendary, and Bundled Editions
Top 10 Games of Calendar Year 2008
1. Wii Play w/ remote – Wii – Nintendo – 5.28 million
2. Mario Kart Wii w/ wheel – Wii – Nintendo – 5.00 million
3. Wii Fit w/ balance board – Wii – Nintendo – 4.53 million
4. Super Smash Bros. Brawl – Wii – Nintendo – 4.17 million
5. Grand Theft Auto IV – Xbox 360 – Take-Two – 3.29 million*
6. Call of Duty: World at War – Xbox 360 – Activision – 2.75 million*
7. Gears of War 2 – Xbox 360 – Microsoft – 2.31 million*
8. Grand Theft Auto IV – PS3 – Take-Two – 1.89 million*
9. Madden NFL ’09 – Xbox 360 – Electronic Arts – 1.87 million*
10. Mario Kart – DS – Nintendo – 1.65 million
* Includes Collector’s, Limited, Legendary, and Bundled Editions
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Comment by JoshS on the January 16th, 2009 at 1:30 am
It really is amazing to see the lack of PS3 games on that list, especially MGS4. I wonder what Nintendo is gonna do with all their money
Comment by amadeoplaza on the January 16th, 2009 at 2:06 am
They're probably going to buy a harem of women and platinum chains…that's what I would do at least.
Comment by TheForgotten0ne on the January 16th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
I don't really think NPD shows much, since I live in Europe the American sales isn't really important for me. But still, didnt MGS4 sell more then 1.65million in NA? Thats actually bad.
But, I'll wait until we have every bit, not just one place.
Comment by TonyP on the January 16th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I'm stunned, man. I would've never thought MGS4 wouldn't be on that list. The fact that it wasn't on the list of most rented games in 2008 (http://blog.gamer20.com/2009/01/list-of-2008s-mos…made me think that perhaps that was because so many people just flat out bought the game.
MGS is a huge series here in the States as well as around the world, so I doubt it's a regional issue. I don't know, Jonas. I'm just a bit shocked at the moment to figure out how it didn't make it while a game like Call of Duty: World at War did. It's not a great game (COD:WOW), though its multiplayer is pretty solid.
COD really is a powerhouse franchise. Hell, it sold more than Gears and Madden on the 360.
Comment by David Macphail on the January 16th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
At least the PS3 made a showing, if you check the latest japaneese software charts you won't find a SINGLE Xbox 360 game (Exclusive or otherwise) in the top THIRTY…….embarassing!
Comment by JoshS on the January 16th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Yes, but how many people got MGS4 as part of the bundle? I dont think the NPC takes into account games sold through bundles. I bet if the game was only available stand alone, the count would be a lot higher.
Comment by TonyP on the January 16th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
360 has no shot in Japan. It's almost fun watching them try though, wouldn't you agree. It's like a really dorky and way too nice guy trying to date a strong, independent woman who's very cynical about men.
Comment by TonyP on the January 16th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
360 has no shot in Japan. It's almost fun watching them try though, wouldn't you agree? It's like a really dorky and way too nice guy trying to date a strong, independent woman who's very cynical about men.
Comment by TheForgotten0ne on the January 16th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I don't think that many bought the bundle, some did, but not many. But it would be nice see how much it would be in total.
Comment by TheForgotten0ne on the January 16th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Agreed.
And I think it's a shame people don't see on the world wide sales. People always keep saying, I'm waiting for World Wide sales. But then again, the PS3 isn't doing good in Europe either these days :'(