Wii still number one in the US

By Mike Bantick
Sunday, 20 May 2007 11:01

Entertainment

Despite only the "promise" of an increase in game titles coming to the Nintendo machine, the Wii continues to hold its fancier rivals at bay.  April figures show that the Wii sales beat not only Microsoft's Xbox 360 and the Sony PlayStation 3, but even the PlayStation 2 fell behind.

April's figures are in, and the Wii continues to dominate in the North American marketplace.  US gamers purchased 360,000 units last month according to official numbers supplied by NPD.

This compares with Nintendo's rivals from Microsoft, selling 82,000 Xbox 360's and Sony moving 174,000 PlayStation 3's.  Normally Nintendo's dominance is tempered by the fact that the aging Sony PlayStation 2 continues to sell well.  However this time around even the Sony workhorse fell behind, shipping 194,000.

The PS2 figures are impressive, and most likely come on the back of swan song software releases such as God of War II

The Nintendo Wii has led sales charts since its launch last December.  Pundits have continued to question the dominance, waiting for the fad bubble to burst.  But it continues to power on. 

The Wii is definitely priced well, and also has established a market niche identity of pick-up-and-play fun.  This makes the consumer decision that much easier - hence the continued sales success.

Game developers who misjudged the Nintendo whirlwind of sales have shifted resources to develop content for the Wii.  Ultimately this should bring relief to Wii owners who may be feeling somewhat short-sheeted on new and varied content