Big three respond to August US sales

By Robert Purchese Published 12 September, 2008

We won, shout all three, in different ways.

Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony have all spun their interpretations of the US sales figures for August, which saw Madden NFL 09 dominate the software charts and Nintendo platforms romp hardware figures.

Nintendo, buoyed by consistently excellent hardware sales, got its spin in first: pointing to lifetime North American sales of 22 million DS handhelds and nearly 12 million Wii consoles.

Microsoft was more bullish in response to the data, claiming that "Xbox 360 owns sports" following Madden NFL 09 topping the software charts on the platform with over one million units sold.

And Sony pointed to PlayStation 3's success this year, stating that sales of hardware have risen 92 per cent compared to 2007, with software also growing by the same amount.

Nintendo noted that five games for Wii featured in the top ten for August: Wii Fit sold almost 395,000 copies, Mario Kart just under 329,000, Wii Play 200,000, Madden NFL 09 All-Play around 116,000, and Guitar Hero: World Tour sold over 111,000.

"The positive public response to Nintendo DS and Wii has stayed strong throughout 2008," said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo US almost-marketing-boss. "New titles like Madden NFL 09 All-Play for Wii have joined top ten veterans like Wii Fit, demonstrating the wide and long-lasting appeal of Nintendo games."

For Microsoft, lifetime-to-date spending on Xbox 360 consoles and games in the US has reached USD 10.7 billion according to the NPD data, as the console installed base climbs to 10.9 million and the attach rate hits 8 games per unit.

To support claims of sports dominance, Microsoft revealed that Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 sold 56,000 units in the first five days on sale on Xbox 360, while NCAA Football 09 has sold 460,000 units since release.

A total of USD 94 million (GBP 47 million) was spent on third-party games in August, with Xbox 360 generating more money than any other console: USD 4.1 billion or 58 per cent of market share, according to the company.

Hardware sales for Sony continue to climb, with more than two million PlayStation 3 units sold during 2008 in the US, up 92 per cent on last year.

And it wasn't just Microsoft that enjoyed success with EA Sports titles - sales of Madden NFL 09 on the PS3 reached 643,000 units in August, an increase of 90 per cent year-on-year compared to Madden NFL 08.

More than 263,000 copies of Soulcalibur IV have been sold for the PS3 in July and August, with Sony claiming a 38 per cent higher attach rate than on the Xbox 360.

PSP sales in August were up 67 per cent compared to the same period last year, fuelled by the NFL 09 PSP Entertainment Pack, which helped shift 253,012 units during the month.

Sales of the PlayStation 2 have now topped more than 42.7 million units in the US, thanks to 144,096 consoles being sold in August. The entire PlayStation brand generated USD 365 million during the month.

"We had yet another strong month for PlayStation in August, which validates that consumers are indeed recognising the long-term value that PS3 offers as both a gaming and home entertainment device," said Jack Tretton, boss of Sony America, probably itching to mention the ten-year plan.

"We also began shipping the new 80GB PS3 model in late August to address any short-term inventory transitions from the 40GB to 80GB model. We're looking forward to a solid holiday season and are excited to offer a string of unmatched content to consumers in the coming months with LittleBigPlanet, SOCOM: Confrontation, Resistance 2, and MotorStorm: Pacific Rift," he added.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (48) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Halo.Jones #1 3 years ago

    Woooo, my willy is bigger and fatter than your willy.
    Edited by 1 at 12/09/08 @ 10:23

  • seasidebaz #2 3 years ago

    WE IZ WINNAZ!!

    (Gamers, that is)

  • Vanmunt #3 3 years ago

    Credit Crunch anybody?

  • the_dudefather #4 3 years ago

    Everyone wins :3

  • Widge #5 3 years ago

    I tuned off halfway through, but YAY! EVERYONE WINS! \o/

  • DFawkes #6 3 years ago

    You're all winners! But, in a more accurate way, Nintendo is :p

    Not really, all 3 consoles have some great games out, so alls good.

  • HEAVYface #7 3 years ago

    anybody still making ps2 games? - they sold a lot of consoles and that....whos buying 'em?

  • anomagnus #8 3 years ago

    i was so sad to see how too human had done

    genius game, flawed, but once you worked with it, it was stunning

  • Dizzy #9 3 years ago

    Everybody wins. Some just more than others ;)

  • neonemesis #10 3 years ago

    HEAVYface:

    Yakuza 2
    Warriors Orochi 2
    Persona 3 FES
    Mercenaries 2

    nuff said on the PS2 front. I can hold off going next gen for now.

  • Kill_Crazy #11 3 years ago

    PS2 Games: My bro-in-law played Ferrari at mine (ps3) and liked it then bought it on PS2! Haven't seen what it's like yet though, could be shite in comparison.

  • presh #12 3 years ago

    @ CelticRed:

    Yawn. The fanboy thread is somewhere else.

  • Madafunkola #13 3 years ago

    I thought it was just Apologie who listed future PS3 games as an argument for superiority? Or maybe Apologie is JACK TRETTON!!! That would answer a lot of questions...

  • seasidebaz #14 3 years ago

    @farticus:

    I was hoping Microsoft would do a "better than" thing...

    "PRICE CUT, BETTER THAN HALO!"

    hehe

  • DrDamn #15 3 years ago

    @Farticus
    I think we should take time out to watch the ZeroPunctuation review of Too Human tonight.

  • johnnybrn #16 3 years ago

    anomagnus,

    True its a shame but like many we wait for the inevitable bargain bin price drop

    I was in gamestation yesterday and had to choose between Soul Calibur 4 and Too Human. And thought should I get it, but nah, just wait a couple of weeks and it will be in £20 bracket.

  • El-Dev #17 3 years ago

    This is in America these sales, being reported on a site called eurogamer.net. Nearly as relevant as videogamer.com(a UK site) reporting the japanese sales figures every month.

  • miiiguel #18 3 years ago

    "i was so sad to see how too human had done

    genius game, flawed, but once you worked with it, it was stunning "

    Easier this way, when someone says exactly what I wanted to. Thx, to the OP, and to cut/paste.

  • Kyle #19 3 years ago

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........

  • onyxbox #20 3 years ago


    WE IZ WINNAZ!!

    (Gamers, that is)


    Yay!

  • MORZTAN #21 3 years ago

    Too Human... BAH!

    Hope this makes SC shift there fokus to a sequel to Eternal Darkness!

    Though, as it likewise bombed, that may seem very unlikely.

  • Dizzy #22 3 years ago

    BTW when does the next gen start actually?

  • onyxbox #23 3 years ago

    BTW when does the next gen start actually?

    Rumour has it around 2011

  • onyxbox #24 3 years ago

    @ CelticRed:

    Yawn. The fanboy thread is somewhere else.



    yep, it's getting a little tiring now... N4G this way -->

  • shinki #25 3 years ago

    Cough... how did GH: World Tour sell 110,000 when it's not out?

  • RustyBullet #26 3 years ago

    To be honest i couldent give a flying F**k. I have all 3 but play the 360 more as it has games Wii 2nd for fun and the PS3 to watch films as i only have 7 games i would call good.

  • robg #27 3 years ago

    Nintendo: we sold the most hardware out of everyone!
    Microsoft: we sold the most software out of everyone!
    Sony: we sold more of both...than we did last year!

    Not that I care, but I do find Sony's announcements hilarious...

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #28 3 years ago

    +1 robg

    "More than 263,000 copies of Soulcalibur IV have been sold for the PS3 in July and August, with Sony claiming a 38 per cent higher attach rate than on the Xbox 360."

    *shakes head*

  • Negotiator #29 3 years ago

    Sony are full of shit, they have nothing to gloat about and yet they shout it from the rooftops. They sold the least amount of hardware and software, and still find some way of making it sound like a victory, morons.

  • Oh-Bollox #30 3 years ago

    What would happen if a company actually told the truth about sales? Are the PR department simply taken outside and shot, or what? There has to be a positive spin on everything.

  • onyxbox #31 3 years ago

    @Negotiator

    Calm down. All 3 companies talk shit... that's why it's so entertaining.

    edit: we just need to sit back and enjoy the show
    Edited by 1 at 12/09/08 @ 13:08

  • Teamallstar #32 3 years ago

    It is briliant how Sony are in 3rd place on every category and are now merely pointing out that they have sold a few more consoles that they had this time last year.

    Well done sony.

  • Widge #33 3 years ago

    nice one teamallstar, adding that to your collection of sonybitch comments? not much input to the site, but each one a nugget of awesome.

  • Negotiator #34 3 years ago

    I think I hate Sony, down to their constant lie's, however I will have to buy a PS3 for next year because of that game Heavy Rain.

  • FenderMaster #35 3 years ago

    everybody wins

  • seasidebaz #36 3 years ago

    MS will do better in Europe now too. Woolworths is dropping the 360's price (all SKUs) by £30.

  • Les #37 3 years ago

    "Sony are full of shit, they have nothing to gloat about and yet they shout it from the rooftops. They sold the least amount of hardware and software, and still find some way of making it sound like a victory, morons."

    A moron accusing others of being morons, how ironic...

    Sony have plenty to gloat about because unlike the 360 that's always seen a decline in year-to-year sales, at least PS3 is still improving. That's a encouraging sign for the future of the platform (there might be some small hope left) whereas the 360 is highly unlikely to escape its doom as another financial failure because it has already peaked.

  • Dizzy #38 3 years ago

    "Sony have plenty to gloat about because unlike the 360 that's always seen a decline in year-to-year sales"

    ROFL... and that is probably the reason Sony decided to not sell a lot of PS3 in the beginning! Smart thinking!

  • bonker #39 3 years ago

    "A total of USD 94 million (GBP 47 million) was spent on third-party games in August, with Xbox 360 generating more money than any other console: USD 4.1 billion or 58 per cent of market share, according to the company. "

    Well Sony come out with their usual ridiculous % increase-based figures (hard not to sound good when you sold fuck-all last year!).

    The MS numbers above are seriously impressive though. I don't know how differently the different platforms push money through to the 3rd-party devs but when you're in a 3-horse race and you're responsible for 58% of the revenue coming to your s/w partners then you're in a seriously strong position ...

  • Negotiator #40 3 years ago

    A moron accusing others of being morons, how ironic...

    Sony have plenty to gloat about because unlike the 360 that's always seen a decline in year-to-year sales, at least PS3 is still improving. That's a encouraging sign for the future of the platform (there might be some small hope left) whereas the 360 is highly unlikely to escape its doom as another financial failure because it has already peaked.

    Yes Les-bian a console that's been out a whole year before is still outselling the PS3, Sony how do they do it. The 360 a "financial failure" is that a joke, MS make money on the 360, Sony however lose money on every PS3 sold, check the facts moron.

  • Negotiator #41 3 years ago

    "A moron accusing another moron of accusing others of being morons. Whoa, so meta."

    And the morons just keep on coming.

  • bonker #42 3 years ago

    Meta-morons??

  • MeBrains #43 3 years ago

    @negotiator: Sony is lying? How about MS with their "failure rates are according to industry standards", while it probably was around 60%?! Off all lies I have witnessed during my 15y professional career, that would be the most scandalous corporate lie I have ever seen.

    Sony went through a hell of a time with so-called defective batteries: 6 units on 22 MILLION units made malfunctioned! What is the failure rate there?

  • Dizzy #44 3 years ago

    "Off all lies I have witnessed during my 15y professional career, that would be the most scandalous corporate lie I have ever seen. "

    Killzone E3 movie just called.

  • MeBrains #45 3 years ago

    O_o

    exactly Arbiter. The infamous Killzone movie is NOTHING in comparison to selling a defective system to the market at premium price. Now, if you are weird enough to think so: MS showed prerenders of Halo 3 as well, claiming it was all in-game. It just is damn standard practice at a certain point in time when a game is conceived.
    Edited by 1 at 13/09/08 @ 13:21

  • Dizzy #46 3 years ago

    ORLY? So dramatically (by about factor 100) inflating the capabilities of your product is not a problem? I think I rather buy a car that breaks after a while (and I get a new one) than to buy one that was advertised as a Porche but performs like a Beetle. The corporate squirming that went on was a sight to behold as well. MS had a big prob with their products but replaced them without a lot of fuzz. Sony sold you something that can't handle what they promised. Try to get a replacement for that.

    BTW Halo 3 E3 movie was ingame engine (the Press got a behind doors more extended demo where they had a completely free roaming camera). There was never any debate about that actually. Now you are just inventing stuff.
    Edited by 1 at 13/09/08 @ 13:27

  • bonker #47 3 years ago

    "@negotiator: Sony is lying? How about MS with their "failure rates are according to industry standards", while it probably was around 60%?! Off all lies I have witnessed during my 15y professional career, that would be the most scandalous corporate lie I have ever seen."

    Er, WorldCom/Monsanto/big tobacco??

  • bonker #48 3 years ago

    "@Dizzy

    It took them 19 months to cop to the problems with the 360. Over a year and half period where the 360's failure rate was at its highest and MS denied there was an issue! Do you think that alll the 360's in the world only started breaking down AFTER MS put its warranty extension on RRoD into effect. How many early adopters got f*cked in the ass I wonder?

    Overhyping a game doesn't come close.

    I'm still utterly flabbergasted that you are suggesting its acceptable under any circunmstances to ship a product with the defect rate of the 360! I mean seriously, since when was a global mega-corporation shitting on its userbase and their conusmer rights considered to be alright, even laudable?

    Think on this: What we're seeing here is a classic abusive relationship. Just because MS says it "loves you" by replacing your latest dead box, it doesn't make it alright that this action is immediately preceded and precipitated by it kicking your teeth in!

    It's like an episoide of COPS:

    "But he's a gooood man, he ain't mean!" WHACK! "

    I wouldn't argue against the above but you should really direct some of the blame towards Joe Public for still buying into it but most of all, towards Sony for not supplying a viable alternative hence Joe Public keeps on buying the bad bread ...