If you haven't caught a glimpse of the NPD numbers for November yet, just look below.
Hardware
- Wii - 2,040,000
- DS - 1,570,000
- 360 - 836,000
- PSP - 421,000
- PS3 - 378,000
- PS2 - 206,000
Software
- Gears of War 2 (360) - 1,560,000
- Call of Duty: World at War (360) - 1,410,000
- Wii Play (Wii) - 769,000
- Wii Fit (Wii) - 697,000
- Mario Kart Wii (Wii) - 637,000
- Call of Duty: World at War (PS3) - 597,000
- Guitar Hero World Tour (Wii) - 475,000
- Left 4 Dead (360) - 410,000
- Resistance 2 (PS3) - 385,000
- Wii Music (Wii) - 297,000
A lot of things.
I was not expecting Nintendo to do this well. 2 million consoles sold in a month in one region is staggering and damn near historic. And if you look at the software charts, you see the word "Wii" well represented... partially because of the game titles, but c'mon now, Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii should've been out of the top 10 months ago if you go by traditional standards. We knew the handheld war was long over and the DS prevailed big, but now it's safe to say for good that the Wii is no fad, but the champion this generation.
Microsoft isn't exactly struggling, though. This is the hardcore console this generation and the two best-selling games prove it. Call of Duty: World at War selling more on the 360 by at least 2.5 to 1? That shows how they've marketed their machine as a gaming console rather than a media center. However, Microsoft might have to stop going after the casual audience... there's no chance they'll choose the 360 over the Wii this time. Lips and You're in the Movies were the two supposed casual killer apps, but it's just not enough. Stick with the hardcore for now, Microsoft, then when the hypothetical 720 is ready, then go for it.
And Sony... it's either time to drop the price or abandon ship. Sony is laying off some of its workforce and without the PlayStation brand topping the charts every month, you know things need to change. When they introduced the PS3, we expected grand things to come... but Sony overestimated their brand name and Blu-ray... and now they're paying for it big. And with the economy in the shitter, chances are people won't go for the most expensive gaming experience and settle for something more affordable. Sony... sorry, but you're destined for last place forever unless the PS4 returns the brand to its PS2 glory days.
And that's my analysis. Whatever console you prefer, you can't argue with the numbers... It's a Nintendo world and everybody else is living in it. At least the 360 has it's island of core gamers of their own.
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