NPD Sales for July 2010

It is that time of the year, folks, or do I mean month...either way, the NPD data from July 2010 has been released, and June's sales seemed to be a fortelling of July's sales, from the looks of it.

Hardware

PlayStation 3 214.5K
PSP 84.0K
Xbox 360 443.5K
Wii 253.9K
Nintendo DS 398.4K

It seems that releasing the new 4GB model and continued sales of the new Slim 360 created a sustained sales growth for Microsoft's Xbox 360 in July. The PSP is sitting at the usual, depressing spot in sales, but what is surprising me more is how the Wii seems to be slowing down sales-wise so much this summer. Could the 360 finally be taking casual gamers away from the Wii? It should be mentioned, however, that while the 360 is less than 300,000 sales from exceeding the current Year-to-Date sales of Wii, it has a few million between it and Wii's current Life-to-Date hardware sales. Furthermore, the Wii hardware is up from 2009, though only by 1%, pretty much a non-growth. The last time the 360 outsold every other system and handheld on sale was when Halo 3 launched in 2007. Good job, Microsoft!


Software

1) NCAA FOOTBALL 11 (360) - 368.0K
2) NCAA FOOTBALL 11 (PS3) - 298.8K
3) CRACKDOWN 2 - 208.8K
4) SUPER MARIO GALAXY 2 - 193.0K
5) LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 1-4 (DS) - 141.7K
6) RED DEAD REDEMPTION (360)
7) LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 1-4 (Wii)
8) DRAGON QUEST IX: SENTINELS OF THE STARRY SKIES
9) NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. WII
10) CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2 (360)

Software-wise, this month seemed a little more barren than last. Dragon Quest IX's appearance is a good sign for the series, as it is predominantly a Japan mega-seller and niche title to Western tastes compared to Final Fantasy. Nintendo pushing the game seems to have worked. Meanwhile, Crackdown 2's sales are expected, but it seems a bit low for how well the first sold. EA is raking in the cash with the yearly football titles, too! Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's appearance is expected, with the heightened hardware sales from the 360.

Is there something I missed? Of course! Starcraft II! According to NPD data, Starcraft II was the top selling title for the month with over 700k unit sales since release. Looks like Blizzard is the secretive but content winner this time around!


Predictions for August

Madden NFL 11 will be the top seller, with 360 selling near or over a million, and the PS3 version just below at about 600k. Metroid: Other M will not appear on the charts at all, because its launch is too close to the end of the month, but if it does, expect a lower-half appearance. The hardware sales will be about the same, too, as 360 owners will be created with Madden, as is usually the case.


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