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[AdventureRacing]

3DS showing some life, this really is a big year for it. Pokemon is the biggest release it will receive and it has other big games coming so it will be interesting to see how it sells over the holidays.

I am now concerned that Pikmin 3 is going to implode upon release

Hopefully when it does crater it doesn't mean the end of the franchise.

 

[Madao]

can we get an approximate updated LTD on the currently tracked systems? i'm curious to know how close is the 360 to the Wii.

 

[Sho_Nuff82]

So 3DS went from doomed to sort-of-okay in just a few months. Power of Luigi (and Fire Emblem) I guess.

Fairly predictable top 10 order, though I'm sort of surprised that Tomb Raider beat Gears, even with the awful US advertisement for Gears. Walking Dead game stars two of the most popular characters on the show, it was bound to do well.

 

[allan-bh]

Weird.

IGN update their article: http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/04/18/bioshock-infinite-leads-us-sales-for-march

Microsoft reports that 261,000 Xbox 360s were sold in the United States in March, with total retail spend (the amount spent by consumers on hardware, software and accessories) reaching $402 million for the month. Microsoft notes that Xbox 360 sold “more units in March than any other console, marking the 27th consecutive month as the best-selling console in the United States.”​

They removed the hardware comments from NPD.

Either they messed up the Math or weren't supposed to reveal anything.

Does anyone else have the NPD comments for this month?

The dream of good 3DS sales become a nightmare?

 

[Sanic]

I would have thought the 3DS would see YoY growth greater than a couple thousand units with the release of Luigi and other solid titles like Monster Hunter.

Growth is good, but the system is not where it should be.

 

[Zoramon089]

Given the importance of the holiday season and presumably higher prices for 720/PS4 I suppose it could work out for them (since they'd probably be targeting a different audience anyway), but that would require a ton of games, including probably Mario Kart and 3D Mario, as well as a few more ("smaller") titles, hopefully not "lazy" efforts like NSMBU.

And honestly given how barren the line-up has been so far that's the least we should expect.

Maybe Retro is working on something big...

How anybody... especially Nintendo could be content with those 3DS sales is beyond me. Imo it's still underperforming, it needs a pricecut.

LOL. That would be a terrible idea and completely illogical on an upward swing

 

[H_Prestige]

No one knows whats going to be overshadowed. Not sure how you know

It's already being overshadowed.

 

[DaBoss]

The dream of good 3DS sales become a nightmare?

It's back now, Road edited.

 

[speculawyer]

Isn't that the Wii U?

Ice cold.

 

[FoneBone]

The 245K for 3DS is not 100% guaranteed. The commentary doesn't say if it was up 9% in units or dollars. If it was dollars, then the units would not be 245K because the XL is selling at a higher price this year than the 3DS was last year.

I wonder if that's why IGN took the quote down...

EDIT: Never mind re: IGN. But that would explain why Nintendo wouldn't be trumpeting that.

 

[Spiegel]

The 245K for 3DS is not 100% guaranteed. The commentary doesn't say if it was up 9% in units or dollars. If it was dollars, then the units would not be 245K because the XL is selling at a higher price this year than the 3DS was last year.

Seems possible with Nintendo not mentioning anything in the PR

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

It's already being overshadowed.

Overshadowed by what?

 

[Nirolak]

The 245K for 3DS is not 100% guaranteed. The commentary doesn't say if it was up 9% in units or dollars. If it was dollars, then the units would not be 245K because the XL is selling at a higher price this year than the 3DS was last year.

This is a good point actually.

Since IGN removed the note, I'm adding this possibility in to the OP.

 

[TheNatural]

Don't underestimate this killer release list until September.

05/21 Fast & Furious: Showdown
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
Resident Evil: Revelations
05/24 Sniper Elite V2

06/23 Game & Wario

07/16 Turbo: Super Stunt Squad
07/23 The Smurfs 2

08/04 Pikmin 3
08/06 Disney Planes
08/20 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist

 

[antonz]

The 245K for 3DS is not 100% guaranteed. The commentary doesn't say if it was up 9% in units or dollars. If it was dollars, then the units would not be 245K because the XL is selling at a higher price this year than the 3DS was last year.

Hard to say because the Pikachu XL was selling for only 160 at its release and was wildly popular.

 

[Amir0x]

How anybody... especially Nintendo could be content with those 3DS sales is beyond me. Imo it's still underperforming, it needs a pricecut.

At this point with how bad Nintendo is doing with Wii U, people are looking for a silver lining. 3DS is up YOY, which is a step in the right direction. It's the best anyone can hope for at the moment with how the game dedicated handheld market is reducing in NA, and with the dire performance from all other avenues for Nintendo.

Hopefully when it does crater it doesn't mean the end of the franchise.

Yeah... but at the very least if it is the last one, I hope they go out with a bang. I want my multiplayer mode... but I wish it was online

 

[Magicpaint]

The 245K for 3DS is not 100% guaranteed. The commentary doesn't say if it was up 9% in units or dollars. If it was dollars, then the units would not be 245K because the XL is selling at a higher price this year than the 3DS was last year.

Hmm, true. So it might not even be up YoY then. Would explain why Nintendo is silent on its figures.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

No one knows whats going to be overshadowed. Not sure how you know

When are console launches not surrounded in a media blitz? And if they launch around the same time, you can bet Wii U will have pretty much zero mindshare over the holiday.
Nintendo should have crammed a load of big games (the Wii fits and the Mario Karts) onto the Wii U in its first year or so, before attention shifts onto newer consoles, but they've squandered any lead they had.

 

[Satchel]

Go Tomb Raider.

Also, my favorite was reading Nintendos PR. Mario Kart, Smash and a new Mario at E3?

This is going to be the greatest E3 in a loooooong time. Potentially ever.

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

However, sales for the Nintendo 3DS grew 9% over last March. In March 2013, the Xbox 360 had the highest hardware unit sales for the 20th month in a row.”

It says sales regarding 360 and 3DS.

 

[darkside31337]

Hardware suffered in March, with "deep declines" of 32 percent in dollar spend, with stronger downturns for portable hardware than for traditional consoles. The Nintendo 3DS was an anomaly, with sales for the platform growing 9 percent year-over-year.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/npd-bioshock-infinite-soars-to-top-spot-in-march-us-sales-6407248

Definitely looks like its 9% in dollars.

 

[DragonSworne]

Maybe Retro is working on something big...

And just like Metroid Prime, it'll be outsold by what ever third party releases on next gen system, much like Splinter Cell overshadow Metroid Prime.

 

[Bruno MB]

I seem to remember the NPD thread when Pikmin 2 launched that it sold somewhere in the 240,000-280,000 range its launch month and then dropped off a cliff, so Pikmin 3 is likely doomed on Wii U

Pikmin 2 debuted selling 132,618 in its first month (September 04), it sold 61,043 in the following 2 months (October and November 04). So yes, it had very weak legs.

 

[Linkhero1]

No one knows whats going to be overshadowed. Not sure how you know

In terms of media coverage, it will most likely be overshadowed.

 

[Barack Lesnar]

What are the odds we get Vita and Wii U numbers, pretty good odds? A good estimate at least

 

[lunchwithyuzo]

Eager for MH3U results. For reference the previous known NPD debuts for the series were 68k MHFU PSP and 121k MH3 Wii, though both those had much larger advertising campaigns.

 

[speculawyer]

MS and Sony need to get that new hardware out there. The biz has been stagnant for years now. And that WiiU sure ain't setting the world on fire.

 

[Can Crusher]

Total retail spend on the Xbox 360 platform in March reached $402 million, (hardware, software and accessories), the most for any console in the U.S. (Source: NPD Group, March 2013)

This is a crazy amount of spending. Damn.

 

[Mpl90]

Hardware suffered in March, with "deep declines" of 32 percent in dollar spend, with stronger downturns for portable hardware than for traditional consoles. The Nintendo 3DS was an anomaly, with sales for the platform growing 9 percent year-over-year.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/npd-bioshock-infinite-soars-to-top-spot-in-march-us-sales-6407248

Definitely looks like its 9% in dollars.

Not that much, since first they talk about dollar spending, but then they specifically talk about SALES for 3DS and 360.

 

[Dlacy13g]

Will be interesting to see if Sony says anything. I thought analysts had them at a close 2nd with PS3 in hardware this month. Thought they might break out of their PR head in hole to say something this go round.

 

[Little Green Yoda]

Hard to say because the Pikachu XL was selling for only 160 at its release and was wildly popular.

Limited release and wasn't it only $160 at one retailer?

 

[Zoramon089]

And just like Metroid Prime, it'll be outsold by what ever third party releases on next gen system, much like Splinter Cell overshadow Metroid Prime.

And just like DKCR, right?
I never said Metroid and I wouldn't call it big either

 

[Skiesofwonder]

I'm just waiting for Creamsugar to come in and post:

360>PS3>3DS>Wii>Vita>WiiU>NDS

Place will explode.

 

[Road]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/npd-bioshock-infinite-soars-to-top-spot-in-march-us-sales-6407248

"Two strong launches for the month included Tomb Raider and BioShock Infinite, which were the highest first month sales for games in these franchises," Callahan said.​

Someone look for their past results. =P

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

When are console launches not surrounded in a media blitz? And if they launch around the same time, you can bet Wii U will have pretty much zero mindshare over the holiday.
Nintendo should have crammed a load of big games (the Wii fits and the Mario Karts) onto the Wii U in its first year or so, before attention shifts onto newer consoles, but they've squandered any lead they had.

You are right. The 360 was overshadowed by PS3 Holiday 06.

 

[Nirolak]

Hardware suffered in March, with "deep declines" of 32 percent in dollar spend, with stronger downturns for portable hardware than for traditional consoles. The Nintendo 3DS was an anomaly, with sales for the platform growing 9 percent year-over-year.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/npd-bioshock-infinite-soars-to-top-spot-in-march-us-sales-6407248

Definitely looks like its 9% in dollars.

Yeah. Unfortunate, since it seems we've lost a number. :/

 

[liger05]

So 3DS numbers could be bad.

 

[ASIS]

I can see Pikmin 3 selling like 70K copies in its launch month. Unless Nintendo markets the shit out of it.

Even then, Pikmin just doesn't have the appeal to be a million seller. Unless they focus on the multiplayer, which by all accounts was masterful in 2.

 

[UberTag]

3DS showing some life, this really is a big year for it. Pokemon is the biggest release it will receive and it has other big games coming so it will be interesting to see how it sells over the holidays.

I can easily see the 3DS vs. 360 war being waged at the top of the charts for the next 12-15 months... including this holiday season.
The 3DS should actually sell more than the 360 in June unless we finally get a price drop and/or release of the fabled 360 Stingray.

 

[PhatSaqs]

MS and Sony need to get that new hardware out there. The biz has been stagnant for years now. And that WiiU sure ain't setting the world on fire.

Total retail spend on the Xbox 360 platform in March reached $402 million, (hardware, software and accessories), the most for any console in the U.S. (Source: NPD Group, March 2013)

This is why MS aint rushing.

 

[Exterminieren]

Ignore, not reading properly.

 

[DaBoss]

There is hope for Monster Hunter!

Callahan added that "with solid performances of new games like Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity, and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, 3DS software sales increased over 50% from last March.” He also noted that "based on the launch of BioShock Infinite and continued strength of NBA 2K13, software sales for Take 2 Interactive were the highest for any March since The NPD Group began tracking retail sales (1995).”​

Castlevania also released in March, and it wasn't mentioned there, so it must have bombed, but MH3U doesn't seem to have bombed for the 3DS!!!

This is a good point actually.

Since IGN removed the note, I'm adding this possibility in to the OP.

According to NPD analyst Liam Callahan, "March 2013 saw deep declines of 32% in dollar spending for dedicated video game hardware, with stronger declines for portable hardware than for consoles. However, sales for the Nintendo 3DS grew 9% over last March. In March 2013, the Xbox 360 had the highest hardware unit sales for the 20th month in a row.”

http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/04/18/bioshock-infinite-leads-us-sales-for-march​

It says sales regarding 360 and 3DS.

It specifically says hardware unit sales for 360. It seems like it is in dollars.

 

[Little Green Yoda]

I'm just waiting for Creamsugar to come in and post:



Place will explode.

With the wrong inequality signs to boot? ;p

 

[Relaxed Muscle]

So 3DS numbers could be bad.

Yes..or at least not higher YoY.

 

[Road]

Yeah. Unfortunate, since it seems we've lost a number. :/

While the context is dollar sales, I don't really remember a time when NPD singled out a system like that talking about hardware that was not talking about unit sales.

Spoiler

I expect someone to find evidence to the contrary in 5 minutes.

Have to wait for confirmation, anyway, I guess.

 

[Miles X]

can we get an approximate updated LTD on the currently tracked systems? i'm curious to know how close is the 360 to the Wii.

360 is at 38.82m

Wii is at 40.70m as of Dec 2012, so it's missing last 3 months.

 

[Nirolak]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/npd-bioshock-infinite-soars-to-top-spot-in-march-us-sales-6407248

"Two strong launches for the month included Tomb Raider and BioShock Infinite, which were the highest first month sales for games in these franchises," Callahan said.​

Someone look for their past results. =P

I think that puts it somewhere above 560K, but we don't have complete results since only the 360 version of BioShock 2 charted.

 

[Puppet Shadow]

Eh? It explicitly says sales. That suggests units, not value.

Ya, I agree. 'Sales' almost always refers to units.


Edit:

According to NPD analyst Liam Callahan, "March 2013 saw deep declines of 32% in dollar spending for dedicated video game hardware, with stronger declines for portable hardware than for consoles. However, sales for the Nintendo 3DS grew 9% over last March. In March 2013, the Xbox 360 had the highest hardware unit sales for the 20th month in a row.”

Hmm, looks like dollars then.

 

[Xellos]

Hopefully Nintendo can generate some excitement for Wii U at E3. The launch has been a complete disaster.

Nice to see Luigi selling well, though. Maybe we won't have to wait another 12 years for LM3.

 

[BlazingDarkness]

In terms of media coverage, it will most likely be overshadowed.

Yep, the 'new console' fervor will devour any Wii U presence. And the Wii U doesn't benefit from any early release momentum because Nintendo have left it to die with a barren software library.