Category: Nintendo DS

NPD Console Hardware Sales Figures for July 2010

July’s NPD numbers are the most interesting console sales figures in a long, long time. For the first time in three years (I think), a Nintendo console is not on top of the list! The quote Brian Fellow from Brian Fellow’s Safari Planet, “That’s crazy!!!” Let’s check out the numbers:

  • Xbox 360: 443,500
  • Nintendo DS: 398,400
  • Nintendo Wii: 253,900
  • PlayStation 3: 214,500
  • PlayStation Portable 84,000

Even though Nintendo sold a lot of hardware in July, it just feels weird that the company didn’t top the charts. It’s like when Hulk Hogan turned heel or seeing Joe Torre in a Dodgers’ uniform — it’s just doesn’t feel right.

Is this the start of Nintendo’s decline (until the 3DS takes over the world)? Can Microsoft sustain the momentum it generated with the Xbox 360 Slim SeXbox 360? Look at those lowly PSP numbers? Is there anything Sony can do to kickstart its handheld system? Or should Sony focus its portable efforts on the PSP2? Answer and discuss (please)!

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of June 2010

Here are NPD Group’s console software sales figures for June 2010. There are a lot of repeats on June’s list, with Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption leading the way. There’s also one omission that annoyed me. And the the top ten are….

  1. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360): 582,900
  2. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 548,400
  3. Red Dead Redemption (PS3): 380,300
  4. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii): 200,900
  5. Just Dance (Wii): 174,800
  6. Wii Fit Plus (Wii)
  7. Toy Story 3 (Nintendo DS)
  8. UFC 2010: Undisputed (Xbox 360)
  9. LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Wii)
  10. UFC 2010: Undisputed (PS3)

Ugh. Just Dance is back on the list and Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver didn’t make it?!? Come on people!!! Oh well, as a Harry Potter nerd at least I can be happy about the number nine spot. Expelliarmus bitches!

What did you think of June’s top ten? You surprised that Red Dead is still dominating? Wasn’t it interesting that the only version of Toy Story 3 that made it on the list was the handheld one?

NPD Hardware Sales Figures for June 2010

NPD Group released its console sales data for June 2010. It was an unusual and exciting month for console hardware. Microsoft did very well thanks to the Xbox 360 “slim”. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true. When you get caught between the moon and New York City. Let’s look at the numbers:

  • Nintendo DS: 510, 700
  • Xbox 360: 451,700
  • Nintendo Wii: 422,500
  • PlayStation 3: 304,800
  • PlayStation Portable: 121,000

Nobody should be surprised that the Xbox 360 beat the Wii in June. Hardcore gamers bought the new version of the console while bargain hunters snatched up the older model at marked down prices. Sony recently claimed that its inventory problem will no longer be an issue, so it will be interesting to see how the PS3 does for the rest of the year. As for Nintendo…it keeps putting up excellent numbers.

Nintendo reminds me a bit of the Boston Celtics’ Robert Parish; every year sports writers predicted a decline in his stats, but dude put up the same numbers for like 20 years. Some analysts and a lot of enthusiast gamers keep saying, “This is the month Nintendo will decline,” and the company keeps posting excellent sales figures.

Anyway, let me know what you think of NPD Group’s June 2010 console sales figures. Were you surprised that Microsoft did so well? Or was that what you expected from its console refresh?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

There are pretty two games coming out this week. First up is NCAA Football 11 on multiple platforms. More importantly, Dragon Quest IX for Nintendo DS is here! I’m super looking forward to playing this. While Dragon Quest isn’t as popular in America as its sister franchise, Final Fantasy, it has a huge following in Japan. Sure, it doesn’t have Reona Rewis, but I’m expecting to dig this game as much or more than Final Fantasy XIII.

Any of you planning to pick up new games this week? List ’em (please)!

Coffee Talk #175: Handheld Gaming and You

There are a bunch of you that don’t like playing games on portable systems. I’ve never really understood this position. To me, a great game is a great game — it doesn’t matter if it’s on a PC, home console, or portable console. I’ve spent hundreds of hours on Pokemon games and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is one of my favorite games this generation. I love that I can play a portable gaming system in bed, on an airplane, in the dentist’s office, etc. I feel like a lot of you are missing out.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the Yankees possibly picking up Cliff Lee, Harry Potter vs. Twilight, or the wrath of Dan Gilbert, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

There are a bunch of you that don’t like playing games on portable systems. I’ve never really understood this position. To me, a great game is a great game — it doesn’t matter if it’s on a PC, home console, or portable console. I’ve spent hundreds of hours on Pokemon games and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is one of my favorite games this generation. I love that I can play a portable gaming system in bed, on an airplane, in the dentist’s office, etc. I feel like a lot of you are missing out.

So explain it to me! Tell me why you love or hate portable gaming. It’s totally cool if you don’t dig it. I’m just trying to understand why. While you’re typing your answers, imagine “Getting to Know You” from The King and I playing in the background. Ha!

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of May 2010

Here are NPD Group’s console software sales figures for May 2010. There were a lot of great releases in May, which is traditionally a slow month for the business. Some of your favorites made the list and there were a few surprises as well. Let’s check out the digits!

  1. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360): 945,900
  2. Red Dead Redemption (PS3): 567,100
  3. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii): 563,000
  4. UFC 2010: Undisputed (Xbox 360): 221,100
  5. UFC 2010: Undisputed (PS3): 192,300
  6. Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board (Wii)
  7. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
  8. Alan Wake (Xbox 360)
  9. Pokemon SoulSilver (Nintendo DS)
  10. Skate 3 (Xbox 360)

Perhaps it’s just me, but I’m used to seeing more Nintendo games in the top 10. Ha! Obviously Red Dead Redemption was May’s killer title. UFC 2010 did well, which shouldn’t be a surprise. I was happy to see games like Alan Wake and Skate 3 on the list; they didn’t get as much hype and commercial time as some of May’s other titles, but they did well. Naturally, Nintendo continued to do well with Mario and Pokemon.

Anything on May’s list surprise you?

NPD Hardware Sales Figures for May 2010

NPD Group released its console sales data for May 2010. The gaming industry is still in a year-over-year decline, but will May’s console hardware sales help the business bust out of the slump? Let’s check out the numbers:

  • Nintendo DS: 383,700
  • Nintendo Wii: 334,800
  • Xbox 360: 194,600
  • PlayStation 3: 154,500
  • PlayStation Portable: 59,400

The Wii and Xbox 360 are up from April, but the rest of the systems are down. For the Nintendo DS, the difference isn’t that big of a deal since it’s trouncing the competition and continues to sell extremely well. Sony was slightly down and put up decent numbers, but not enough to compete with the Xbox 360. With a lot of gamers excited about the 360 hardware refresh, I’d be surprised if the gap didn’t widen in May.

Any thoughts on these lovely numbers? Uh…fore?!? Ha!

Pokemon Black/White Dated for September 18…in Japan

Nintendo of Japan has announced that Pokemon Black and Pokemon White will be released on September 18, 2010. If the company’s pattern holds true then expect a North American release around April 2011. *sigh* I’m kicking myself for dropping Japanese class after one semester. Being able to read Japanese would have been incredibly useful in this line of work. Ah well…capricious youth.

This Week’s Videogame Releases

There are oodles of interesting games out this week — a perfect way to add some sizzle to your summer. On the multiplatform front, you have LEGO Harry Potter and Singularity. There are also several interesting exclusives out for all three major platforms: PlayStation 3 has Trinity Universe, Xbox 360 has Ninety-Nine Nights II, and Wii has Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (Treasure rules!!!).

As much as I can’t wait to play Sin & Punishment, my recommendation for the week is Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip for PlayStation Portable. It’s super fun in that Mario Tennis (the handheld versions) way. A (not a) review of this fine game is on the way.

Are any of you picking up new games this week? Let me know what’s on your wishlist (please)!

Shigeru Miyamoto Says That Cats Are Like Girls

During a roundtable discussions at E3 2010, Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto revealed that cats were originally part of Nintendogs, but they didn’t behave quite right. For example, when dogs are happy they wag their tail. Cats…not so much.

As with several Miyamoto games, a lot of the ideas behind Nintendogs + Cats were derived from his personal experience. As many of you know, a lot of his ideas from Zelda came from playing in caves, likewise for Pikmin and gardening, and finally Nintendogs and his family dog. Miyamoto picked up a kitten and was fascinated by the way it interacted with his dog.

Miyamoto jokingly stated that cats are similar to women:

Cats are interesting. They’re kind of like girls. If they come and talk to you, it’s great. If you go and talk to them, sometimes it doesn’t turn out so well.

Too true Mr. Miyamoto. Too true.