Andre Yoskowitz
12 Jul 2012 23:32
According to the latest figures by the NPD Group, sales of video game hardware, software and accessories in the U.S. fell again, continuing a multi-year trend.
Overall sales fell 29 percent in June to just $700 million.
The industry has seen a prolonged slump as the market for systems like the Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3 mature and more casual gamers move away from hardcore consoles to stick with Android/iOS and Facebook gaming.
Nintendo, which saw its first loss in years earlier this year, sold 155,000 3DS handhelds and 150,000 DSi/XL consoles, whilst also selling 95,000 Wiis.
"The 3DS is still up nearly 25 percent over where the Nintendo DS was in a similar point in time after release to market, and has topped portable hardware sales for the last 11 months," said Anita Frazier, the lead video game NPD analyst.
Microsoft remained the top console seller, with 257,000 Xbox 360 consoles sold during the month. Sony did not reveal their figure, but it was higher than the Wii and lower than the Xbox.