Late last week, the NPD Report numbers (which the entire gaming industry uses to measure their success), showed that the Nintendo Wii topped 20 million units sold in the U.S., in just 31 months -- a new "fastest-selling console" record as first reported by MCV UK. Given that stories of moms, seniors and other traditional non-gamers will camp out at their local retailer to get their hands on a Wii is a good indication of who is buying the console.
Elevated interest in a new wave of fitness games that started with Wii Fit (352,800 units sold in May) and the recent release of EA Sports Active (which sold 345,800 copies in May), might also show that those looking to lose weight or stay healthy are cutting their expensive ties to the neighborhood gym.
Of course, the rest of the world hasn't been immune to Nintendo's console for everyone, with an additional 30 million units sold worldwide.
Yet, those same numbers for May 2009 also point to a decline in sales as 289,000 units sold, a 58% decline from its May 2008 successes. One analyst, talking to GameDaily News believes that the drop in sales is a sign that Nintendo should reduce the price of the console or create a special pack that comes with a second game, to add further value to the $249 price point.
With a new version of Wii Fit Plus due later this year, Wii gamers might be considered the healthiest people in gaming. At least until EA Sports Active makes the leap to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Micheal Mullen is the Managing Editor of AOL's GameDaily. Over the past 14 years, he has written about video games, technology and celebs for ZD Net, GameSpot News and Electronic Arts.
Reader Comments (2)
Now that would be an interesting number to see.
this just in: 20% of wii users wish they had never bought it and had saved up for something better. tis true