Category: Xbox 360

NPD Hardware Sales Figures for January 2010

The first NPD hardware numbers of the new year and new decade are out! Let’s take a look at the console hardware sales figures for January 2010:

  • Wii: 465,800
  • Nintendo DS: 422,200
  • Xbox 360: 332,800
  • PlayStation 3: 276,900
  • PlayStation Portable: 100,100
  • PlayStation 2: 41,600

Naturally, sales had to be down from December and the ultra-busy holiday period. The Wii and DS continued to lead the business, while the Xbox 360 beat out the PlayStation 3. It will be interesting to see if the PS3 picks up in February and March. There are a few PS3 exclusives that will surely sell well, what will they move hardware?

Now channel your inner Jesse Divnich and analyze the numbers yourselves!

NPD Console Sales Figures Top 10 Games of January 2010

NPD Group released its console software sales figures for January 2010 and it pretty much looks like the previous couple of months, though a few new entries managed to crack the top 10. Check it out!

  1. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii): 656,700
  2. Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360): 572,100
  3. Wii Fit Plus (Wii): 555,700
  4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360): 326,700
  5. Mario Kart Wii (Wii): 310,900
  6. Wii Sports Resort (Wii): 297,600
  7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PS3): 259,000
  8. Army of Two: The 40th Day (Xbox 360): 246,500
  9. Just Dance (Wii): 191,900
  10. Darksiders (Xbox 360): 171,200

New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Modern Warfare 2 continued to dominate the charts. Although Mario took the top spot, MW2 for 360 is actually beating it out in North America. Globally it’s a different story and if Mario has legs like other Wii titles, I expect it to take the lead over here. Speaking of legs, Mario Kart Wii has demonstrated crazy lasting power, appearing on the charts well after its release. The awesome peeps at BioWare put up strong numbers with Mass Effect 2 — seriously guys, you’re my second favorite thing about Canada. You rule!

One question for you: Just Dance?!? Really?!?

Dragon Age: Origins Awakening Character Reveal: Velanna

The next Dragon Age: Origins Awakening NPC revealed by BioWare is Velanna, an angry Dalish elf. She appears to dislike clothing and has the power to animate trees. Along with Anders, this makes two Awakening NPCs that focus on magic. I’m looking forward to learning more about this angry chick. I’m also pretty sure a bunch of you are wondering, “Yeah, but can I bang her?”

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UFC Undisputed 2010 Coming in May, Brock Lesnar on Cover

THQ has announced that UFC Undisputed will be hitting store shelves on May 25, 2010, sporting Brock Lesnar as the cover athlete. The company claims that its second UFC game is, “Poised to deliver intelligent and intuitive combat, increased fighter customization, robust career progression, challenging new gameplay modes and explosive online offerings.” Hopefully the explosive offerings have nothing to do with gastrointestinal issues (MMA fighters wear skimpy shorts, after all).

The first UFC Undisputed was a huge hit last year. Considering the popularity of MMA and UFC, that wasn’t too surprising. That said, it was a strong return for MMA to videogames and the sophomore effort should be even better.

I’m definitely psyched for this one. How about you?

PSA: Xbox Live Deals of the Week (Three Games!)

Microsoft has three games on special for its Xbox Live Deal of the Week: Marvel vs. Capcom 2, TMNT: Turtles in Time Re-shelled, and Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao. The games are 800, 400, and 800 Microsoft Points, respectively. I was interested in Re-shelled when it was released, but never got around to picking it up. At 50 percent off, I’ll probably pick it up this week.

Any of these games interest you guys and dolls?

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

Last week was pretty dry in terms of videogame releases, but this week more than makes up for it with Bioshock 2 and Dante’s Inferno. Hitting the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, both games deliver heavy action, but in very different ways. The Wii actually has a couple of interesting titles up its sleeve with Shiren The Wanderer and Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll. Neither are a high profile as the two games mentioned earlier, but the Shiren series has an ardent following and everyone loves balled monkeys.

As always, let your fellow RPadholics and me know if you’re picking up any of this week’s new releases.

PlayStation 3 Closing the Gap with Xbox 360, Almost Profitable

Sony’s PlayStation 3 console has been performing well since the introduction of the PlayStation 3 Slim and (more importantly) a price cut to $299. ShackNews noted that the PS3 is at 33.71-million units worldwide, while the Xbox 360 is at 39-million. Considering that it came out later than Microsoft’s system and its initial price was a turn-off to many gamers, I was surprised to learn that the global installed bases are so close.

In related news, Endgadget has reported that Sony is currently losing about $18 per PlayStation 3 sold. In November I wrote about Sony Corp.’s CFO saying that the PS3 will be profitable some time in 2010. It will be interesting to see if and when the company reaches that goal.

As always, I’d love your thoughts on the console wars. Do you think Sony can catch up to Microsoft this year? Do you think the PS3 will reach profitability?

Microsoft Pulling the Plug on Original Xbox Games on April 15

Microsoft is pulling the plug on Xbox Live support for original Xbox games (or really, Halo 2). Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten (didn’t he play for the Yankees once?) issued an official statement that included the following:

On April 15 we will discontinue the Xbox Live service for original Xbox consoles and games, including Xbox v1 games playable on Xbox 360 and Xbox Originals. I want to start by saying this isn’t a decision we made lightly, but after careful consideration, it is clear this will provide the greatest benefit to the Xbox Live community.

I was actually surprised and impressed that Microsoft supported online play for the original Xbox this long. Do any of you still play Xbox 1 games online?

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Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Brings Back Classic 2D Gaming

Sega of America has revealed that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 will bring the iconic blue speedster back to his 2D roots in a downloadable game for PlayStation  Network, Wii, and Xbox Live. Associate brand manager Ken Balough dropped some details on GameSpot:

This game is truly a labor of love. A lot of us grew up on the Sega Genesis console; in fact, I remember vividly the first day I got mine with Revenge of Shinobi and Moonwalker. Ever since Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has been a game classic Sega fans have always wanted to see. It was the right people, at the right time, getting together and finally making this game we’ve all wanted to see.

While the game is a brand-new adventure, it will definitely pick up after Sonic & Knuckles. However, what you are looking at is the beginning of a new story arc.

I’m totally down for some 2D Sonic action. How about you?

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Dragon Age: Origins Awakening Character Reveal: Anders

[Updated with video!] BioWare has unveiled new information on a brand new character that will debut in the Dragon Age: Origins Awakening expansion pack (due out in March!). His name is Anders and he’s an apostate (illegal mage). A flippant fellow, Anders seems to heavy a healthy hate for blood mages and the chantry. My initial thought is that he’s Alistair with magic, but I’m sure there’s more to him than that. I can’t wait to learn more about him!

Let me know what you think of Anders when you have a moment.