Although hardware saw a nice jump for the month, NPD has reported that June U.S. video game industry sales continued the long term downtrend, with overall sales falling 6 percent year-on-year (YoY), to $1.1 billion USD.
Hardware sales saw a nice five percent pop, to $401.7 million, and accessories saw a similar jump to $169.6 million.
Software dragged the entire industry down, falling 15 percent YoY to $531.3 million.
On the hardware side, the DS series led the way, at 510,700 units sold. The Xbox 360 saw a nice boost, moving to 451,700 units sold, beating out the Wii, which sold 422,500 units for the period.
Following behind were the Sony consoles, with the PS3 at 304,800 and the dying PSP handheld at 121,000.
On the software side, Red Dead Redemption continues to be a blockbuster, selling almost a million more units in June.
Full figures via GameSpot:
OVERALL DOLLAR SALES
Games: $1.1 billion (-6%)
Hardware: $401.7 million (+5%%)
Software: $531.3 million (-15%%)
Accessories: $169.6 million (+6%)
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Result for: balance board
If you are planning on vacationing anytime soon, you may want to book yourself into a Westin Hotel, which has announced that it will be supplying at least 10 of its hotel chains with the popular Nintendo Wii console.
What makes the announcement even more special is that the Wiis will come preloaded with a self updating selection of games, meaning no physical discs are required.
The first games to come preloaded will be Wii Sports, Big Brain Academy and Wii Play. Additionally , Wii Fit will be coming May 19th (alongside its US release date) and will even include the balance board. “The fitness aspects of the platform will feature in Westin’s WestinWORKOUT exercise and fitness services,” added the company.
So far hotels in Bellevue and New York City already have the Wii, but LA, San Francisco, Toronto, Kansas City, St Louis, Houston and Savannah will all see the Wiis soon.
Result for: balance board
The blockbuster hit game Wii Fit was finally made available in the US this morning, after selling over 2 million units in Japan over only a matter of weeks. The game is available in New York right now only and then the rest of the US beginning May 21st.
Nintendo’s latest hit allows users to check their body mass index and do various routines such as strength training, aerobics, yoga, skiing, and snowboarding, all in the comfort of their homes.
“Wii Fit will get you moving whether you’ve been playing video games for years or this is your first time,” Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive VP of sales and marketing, said in an announcement. “Wii Fit is easy for anyone to try and is yet another example of how Nintendo continues to expand the world of video games to new audiences.”
The $90 USD game comes with “a hefty balance board that wirelessly communicates with the required Nintendo Wii Console. Measuring 20.5 inches by 13 inches by 3 inches, the board which is basically a complex floor-based game controller, senses the user’s weight as he steps on it and uses the information to control and synchronize the onscreen games and exercises designed to improve your balance, posture and fitness.”
Personal trainers around the world have said the game is a good way to get started on your personal fitness, especially if you are embarrassed to join a traditional gym.
