Vroom! Wii passes Xbox 360 in US

Mike Bantick
Thursday, 29 May 2008 11:03

Your IT - Entertainment

It has finally happened; the Nintendo Wii has overtaken the Microsoft Xbox 360 install base over in the America’s.

Though its call of ‘official’ is somewhat big-noting  itself, the sometimes maligned VGChartz website that tracks gaming related sales information has made the call.  The Nintendo Wii has now surpassed the install base of Microsoft Xbox 360’s in the US.

From the site “With the release of the latest figures from VGChartz, Wii has officially passed 360 in the Americas in lifetime sales as of the week ending May 24th, 2008, despite the 360 having an extra year on the market. Wii has reached 11.7M sales in America in its 79th week available; whereas, 360 reached 11.5M in American sales in its 131st week. PS3 is currently at 4.9M lifetime sales in the Americas after it's 80th week on the market. (For reference, the "America" region tracked by VGChartz includes all of North, Central, and South America.)”

The report goes on; “This week saw a boost in Wii sales due to Nintendo releasing additional supply to support the launch of Wii Fit. To date, Wii remains largely sold out in the US. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime had gone on record in February as saying the Wii would pass the 360 in the US by June based on the strength of recently released hits Super Smash Bros Brawl and Mario Kart Wii in addition to Wii Fit (not to mention increased supply).”

Since its launch back in December 2006, the little blue line representing Wii sales has been inching ever closer to the green Xbox 360 sales line.  “Officially” catching it last week.

Meanwhile the PS3 seems to 63, visually at least, matching Xbox 360 in a continuing battle.