US Sales - April 2009 NPD

Hero of Canton wrote:

Eighthours wrote:As predicted by some, the casual market seems to be the one disappearing most rapidly. Is the US just lagging a few months behind Japan in terms of the Wii seriously beginning to struggle? Is it just the recession, or is Nintendo's terribly mediocre software lineup for the past year finally starting to work its way through into the market?

Wii hardware is still selling, though. It's the software that's struggling, and the core-focused software at that.

EDIT: Obviously it's taken a hit in percentage terms, but then it's had literally no system-selling software for ages now, and it's STILL ahead of PS3 and 360.

And if the casual market is the one disappearing most rapidly, why is the DS/i doing so well? And why is Wii Fit the number one game?

I think your head's in Vegas already, fella.

I'm talking about casual hardware sales, which have been the driver for Wii's success. Such a percentage drop is MASSIVE, and looking at what's happened in Japan, the recession may well cause this to be a long-term trend. Mark my words, guys. Wii hardware sales are going to be way down month-on-month compared with last year all year.

Apart from DSi, that is a pretty nasty drop in sales for all formats. April is usually a dead month anyway, so it will be interesting to see what figures May holds.

Garth wrote:Some more bits of info from GAF:

Killzone 2: Lower than sales of Halo 3

What's the reason for Halo 3 outselling Killzone 2?

Zellery wrote:What's the reason for Halo 3 outselling Killzone 2?

It's gone down in price as part of the classic range.

Eighthours wrote:I'm talking about casual hardware sales, which have been the driver for Wii's success. Such a percentage drop is MASSIVE, and looking at what's happened in Japan, the recession may well cause this to be a long-term trend. Mark my words, guys. Wii hardware sales are going to be way down month-on-month compared with last year all year.

Bullshit.

suzzopher wrote:

Zellery wrote:What's the reason for Halo 3 outselling Killzone 2?

It's gone down in price as part of the classic range.

Odd, I thought it'd unofficially been £20 in most places for a long time now. Strange that sales rocket when the classic banner is introduced.

EDIT: I suppose it's not so strange for the man on the street.

Zellery wrote:

suzzopher wrote:

Zellery wrote:What's the reason for Halo 3 outselling Killzone 2?

It's gone down in price as part of the classic range.

Odd, I thought it'd unofficially been £20 in most places for a long time now. Strange that sales rocket when the classic banner is introduced.

It's happened for lots of titles over the years. An official price drop does lead to more sales. Look at the Platinum range from the PSone and PS2. Forza 2 last year picked up over here when it went classic.

Eighthours wrote:I'm talking about casual hardware sales, which have been the driver for Wii's success. Such a percentage drop is MASSIVE, and looking at what's happened in Japan, the recession may well cause this to be a long-term trend. Mark my words, guys. Wii hardware sales are going to be way down month-on-month compared with last year all year.

But last April's figures were so high because of key titles like Mario kart and Wii Fit.

Eighthours wrote:I'm talking about casual hardware sales, which have been the driver for Wii's success. Such a percentage drop is MASSIVE, and looking at what's happened in Japan, the recession may well cause this to be a long-term trend. Mark my words, guys. Wii hardware sales are going to be way down month-on-month compared with last year all year.

It looks like 2008 is a bit of an anomaly in terms of hardware and software sales. The release of Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Wii Fit all within a three month period was an unprecedented confluence of multi-million-selling, hardware-driving software. There's no way Nintendo can match that. The Wii has probably already peaked. 2008 was a historic year.

I'm sure Nintendo are feeling the pressure. If Motion+ takes off and they come out with a packed roster of mainstream hits at E3 they might be able to regain some momentum, but I think Motion+ is going to be a hard-sell.

suzzopher wrote:

Zellery wrote:

suzzopher wrote:

Zellery wrote:What's the reason for Halo 3 outselling Killzone 2?

It's gone down in price as part of the classic range.

Odd, I thought it'd unofficially been £20 in most places for a long time now. Strange that sales rocket when the classic banner is introduced.

It's happened for lots of titles over the years. An official price drop does lead to more sales. Look at the Platinum range from the PSone and PS2. Forza 2 last year picked up over here when it went classic.

Yeah you missed my edit.

I guess seeing it in actual shops at that price is bound to see a boom.

Oxx wrote:I'm sure Nintendo are feeling the pressure. If Motion+ takes off and they come out with a packed roster of mainstream hits at E3 they might be able to regain some momentum, but I think Motion+ is going to be a hard-sell.

Isn't it bundled with Wii Sports 2? If that doesn't shift it, nothing will.

Zellery wrote:

suzzopher wrote:

Zellery wrote:

suzzopher wrote:

Zellery wrote:What's the reason for Halo 3 outselling Killzone 2?

It's gone down in price as part of the classic range.

Odd, I thought it'd unofficially been £20 in most places for a long time now. Strange that sales rocket when the classic banner is introduced.

It's happened for lots of titles over the years. An official price drop does lead to more sales. Look at the Platinum range from the PSone and PS2. Forza 2 last year picked up over here when it went classic.

Yeah you missed my edit.

I guess seeing it in actual shops at that price is bound to see a boom.

Your edit beat me sir

Do the yanks not get Wii Play bundled with their Wiis?

Zellery wrote:Do the yanks not get Wii Play bundled with their Wiis?

If you mean Wii Sports, then yes. Otherwise, no.

Kiran wrote:

Zellery wrote:Do the yanks not get Wii Play bundled with their Wiis?

If you mean Wii Sports, then yes. Otherwise, no.

Europeans get Wii Play with their Wiis don't they?

Zellery wrote:Do the yanks not get Wii Play bundled with their Wiis?

No one gets Wii Play bundled with Wii consoles.

HSH28 wrote:

Zellery wrote:Do the yanks not get Wii Play bundled with their Wiis?

No one gets Wii Play bundled with Wii consoles.

Right my bad, why did I think it came bundled?

Zellery wrote:Europeans get Wii Play with their Wiis don't they?

Nope. Europe & US get Wii Sports. Japan gets nothing.

Oxx wrote:It looks like 2008 is a bit of an anomaly in terms of hardware and software sales. The release of Smash Bros., Mario Kart, and Wii Fit all within a three month period was an unprecedented confluence of multi-million-selling, hardware-driving software. There's no way Nintendo can match that. The Wii has probably already peaked. 2008 was a historic year.

I'm sure Nintendo are feeling the pressure. If Motion+ takes off and they come out with a packed roster of mainstream hits at E3 they might be able to regain some momentum, but I think Motion+ is going to be a hard-sell.

Wii Sports Resort should sell more than Smash Brothers or Mario Kart.

It'll be interesting to see how Grand Slam Tennis and Tiger Woods 10 do, I'd expect Tiger Woods to sell a lot on Wii this year.

Zellery wrote:

HSH28 wrote:

Zellery wrote:Do the yanks not get Wii Play bundled with their Wiis?

No one gets Wii Play bundled with Wii consoles.

Right my bad, why did I think it came bundled?

Its bundled with a controller.