G4TV: Video Game Sales Down 10% In August; Madden NFL 11, Xbox 360 Take Top Spots

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Industry financial firm NPD have released their hardware and software sales figures for August 2010, and despite the Xbox 360 taking the top spot for console sales for the third consecutive month, it was the weakest August for sales since 2006. However, as expected, EA moved almost 2 million units of the latest installment of the publisher’s perennial August champion, Madden NFL 11, which actually bumped off EA's other football franchise, NCAA Football 11, from the top two spots.

Video Game Software Sales, August 2010

1. 360 -- Madden NFL 11, Electronic Arts, 920,800
2. PS3 -- Madden NFL 11, EA, 893,600
3. Wii -- Super Mario Galaxy 2, Nintendo, 124,600
4. 360 -- Mafia II, Take 2 Interactive, 121,600
5. DS -- New Super Mario Bros., Nintendo, 110,400
6. Wii -- New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Nintendo, N/A
7. PS3 -- Mafia II, Take 2 Interactive, 121,600
8. 360 -- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Activision Blizzard, N/A
9. 360 -- NCAA Football 11, Electronic Arts, N/A
10. Wii -- Wii Fit Plus, Nintendo, N/A

Video Game Hardware Sales, August 2010

1. 360 -- 356,700
2. DS -- 342,700
3. Wii -- 244,300
4. PS3 -- 226,000
5. PSP -- 79,400

Despite the continued decline in overall sales, the 360 and PlayStation 3 saw increases in dollar sales compared to last year, with the 360 accounting for 1/3 of all new physical retail sales (hardware, software, and accessories) and the PS3 contributing 1/4 of total sales.

The biggest losses for the month came in the portable gaming sector, with hardware, software, and accessories sales falling 25 percent compared to the same period last year. Nintendo’s Wii also took a big hit, with Nintendo’s console seeing its lowest month for unit sales since launch; total console sales are down 6 percent.

Even though NPD doesn’t include PC sales in their reports, they did note that Blizzard’s StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty sold over 300,000 units in August, which technically makes it the month's third best-selling game. Not surprisingly, PC sales for the month were up 35 percent over last year.

Another month, another collection of sales figures to wade through. Any thoughts on the industry as we head into what is sure to be one of the more memorable holiday seasons this generation?

Should the need arise, feel free to E-Mail me your suggestions, tips, and/or personal philosophies, or follow me on Twitter.







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