NPD March 09: System Hardware Sales Down

It's that time of the month again, and the NPD results are in. The retail tracker who have also dubbed them selves as the "Fungroup" have released the videogame sales numbers for the month of March, which was tracked as a five week month (in contrast to February, which was a four week track). Not many surprises here, as the higher price point of the PlayStation 3 continues to hurt its performance, despite having the best software lineup available at the moment, and despite the success of Killzone 2 and MLB 09.

But, sales are down for all consoles, as the Xbox 360 crossed the checkout counter and into the arms of 330k new owners. The Nintendo Wii saw a drop of over 150k consoles, going from 753k sold, to 601k last month, though still nothing to scoff at. As far as the handhelds and the dying-breed, the PSP is down marginally to 168k sold, meanwhile the DS, also down marginally, brought in 563k. As for the PlayStation 2, well, it pulled in 112k and only four of the tracked days included the new $99 price point, so the NPD expects better results for April. The full breakdown is as follows:

Nintendo Wii 601K
Nintendo DS 563K
Xbox 360 330K
Sony PS3 218K
Sony PSP 168K
Sony PS2 112K

4/17/2009 Arnold Katayev

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Comments (38 posts)

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Scarecrow
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 4:43:34 AM
Reply

Amerika....

I mean, yes America doesn't get it yet

2 up, 2 down

Scarecrow
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 4:43:48 AM

Freaking recession bull****

Last edited by Scarecrow on 4/17/2009 4:44:13 AM

1 up, 2 down

Dnmshow
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 5:00:47 AM
Reply

The real story here (that the writer did not come close to touching) is Killzone 2 sales and Kz2's ability to sell consoles I am angry and upset that Americans bought many more copies of Halo Wars than they did Killzone last month. I thought the release of our killer app wouldnhave done better for the PS3 than it did leaving 50,000 sales behind the Xbox. If we were going to win a month I though this would have been the one. If this sales trend continues we will never overtake the 360.

0 up, 3 down

GHill4Life
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 11:03:30 AM

Its Price! Price! Price! KZ2 was the s*** so was MGS4, Uncharted, LBP etc. I know so many people who will not drop $399 on a console, many won't drop $299. I don't know what the solution is for Sony since they are backed into a corner with rpoduction costs and the need to move units.

But as an owner of a PS3 personally I don't care who wins these "console" wars. I just enjoy the great games.

3 up, 1 down

kreate
Saturday, April 18, 2009 @ 4:05:59 AM

oh wow! killzone is 50k sales behind the halo game? that's impressive.

i thought any game with the word 'halo' would dominate the sales by a greater margin.

good job killzone!

0 up, 0 down

Dnmshow
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 5:23:45 AM
Reply

Sorry looks like the PS3 was actually 110,000 console sales behind the 360.

3 up, 0 down

Andysw
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 5:40:54 AM
Reply

You can bash me all you want, but I think sony's hardware sales would've benefited if they do a price cut for the playstation 3. They can sell more systems as well as gaining the same profit.

2 up, 0 down

crawdaddy
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 8:38:43 AM

You are right! A 299.00 ps3 would blow all these other systems sales out of the water. Come on
sony, WAKE UP!!!!!!!

4 up, 1 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 12:11:03 PM

Too large of losses that would undoubtedly never be able to profit from...just my guess..

0 up, 3 down

isaya85
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 5:58:04 AM
Reply

What i don't like is that so many PS3 owners that hyped Killzone2 didn't even purchase the game all those 16 yr old kids on N4G went and bought RE5 or SF4 but couldn't support GG, N4G sucks its nothing but flame bait articles for the teens

back on topic: march was a slow month no major releases that I can think of, and who's buying all those freakin Wiis I'm just not believing those numbers

PSN ID Biggest_GMoney

1 up, 1 down

raztad
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 7:52:04 AM

@Biggest

Total KZ2's sales are 700K, dont forget those numbers arent including feb 27 and 28 sales. I think KZ2 sold as good as can be expected for a highly hyped game in the internet but with little advertising anywhere else. I guess if you add EU numbers KZ2 has sold by now a respectable 1.5 million copies.

Moving on, this recession is really beating hard the industry and specially the PS3. In terms of value the Ps3 is worth every penny and more, but I suppose many people is just settling for something cheaper.

Last edited by raztad on 4/17/2009 7:54:00 AM

0 up, 0 down

crawdaddy
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 8:28:58 AM

Yeah! It is amazing how those Nintendo products (not just the wii) really keep kicking butt by such high numbers.

2 up, 0 down

Robochic
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 7:32:23 AM
Reply

March was a slow month, nothing really poped out for people. It's not that killzone 2 couldn't help sony but alot of people had to choose when you have 2 major blockbusters like RE5 and Killzone2 i'll be the first to admit i could only get one. But i don't think that would of got people to purchase the hardware. Also for the 360 are those numbers based on "New users" or repeat buyers,thats the only thing that i don't think NDP take in consideration.

0 up, 0 down

crawdaddy
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 8:16:35 AM

Xbox 360 repeat buyers are not repeat buyers. In most cases they are getting their systems replaced for free for 3 years, and they are reburbished systems, so these figures are probably pretty much based on new system sales. Besides in Bens report it said new users.

Last edited by crawdaddy on 4/17/2009 8:20:21 AM

3 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 12:42:12 PM

Many of those warranties are toast by now, and plenty of people voided the warranty by modding their system so they can just download games off the internet and burn them to dvd, then there's the crowd that just doesn't want a refurb and always buys a new console. Still others get the runaround my MS or get blamed for the console breaking and the warranty isn't honored.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 4/17/2009 12:43:01 PM

0 up, 3 down

kreate
Saturday, April 18, 2009 @ 4:00:20 AM

xbox360 comes with a 1 year warranty.
3 year only covers over heating issues.
i have 2 xbox360.
so i am a repeated buyer.

i have seen refurbished xbox360 that came back from microsoft in a non-working condition, or some form of problem EX:disc tray not coming out correctly

most people(including me)bought or plans to buy a new xbox360 cuz the newer ones comes with upgraded hardware with hdmi port in the back. the old xbox360 doesnt have one in the back.

the general failure rate is around 16-30% approximate depending on which sources u read.
which means 16-30% of the sales is 'probably' a repeated buy. or does the xbox fanboys like to hide this fact?

1 up, 3 down

crawdaddy
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 8:08:44 AM
Reply

Even though all system sales are down, isn't it amazing how all Sony systems are always so far behind all the other systems in sales. Not just behind, but far behind. Even with all these blockbuster exclusives that are supposed to sell more systems. I wonder why? Could it be prices, or could it be fear of buying a system, and Sony coming out with a new version soon after, or could it be that most of the real population of the world just thinks that these other systems are just a better buy for their hard earned dollar?

3 up, 0 down

PhilipJWitow
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 8:31:06 AM

Probably a mixture of everything. People want to play games, and see an affordable thing they can buy. Hard to buy a item that is seen as luxurious, even though in the long-run it turns out to be cheaper and with more features. :
Oh well. People are stupid. :P

1 up, 3 down

raztad
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 8:36:12 AM

@craw

"and Sony coming out with a new version soon after" that is quite far fetched, isnt? I bet you the one putting a new console in the market, claiming early victory, will be MS. Meanwhile the PS3 will be here for looooong time.

First of all, dont forget those numbers are just NA's sales, wordlwide the picture is much better to Sony. Second, the price is high and it is showing here. I dunno Sony will be dropping ps3 price anytime soon. Sony needs to break even with PS3 business and then make profit. Third, the most popular console is the Wii>>360>PS3, the Wii sells cause WiiFit and fat and oldies costumers :D.

Final remarks, 360 was outsold almost the whole last year until the 360 price drop, so it's pretty clear that the price is the decisive factor between both consoles, MS just has done a better job promoting a lower priced console.

1 up, 3 down

GHill4Life
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 11:33:23 AM

Count 1 person (me) in the wait and see mode. I was going to buy a PSP for my B-day in May but all this talk about PSP-2,PSP-4000, PSP UMD free freaked me out and I bought Mario Kart Wii for the kiddies instead.

2 up, 0 down

Sir Shak
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 8:41:32 AM
Reply

Hey Arnold, how come you are delivering regular news updates these days ?

0 up, 0 down

ArnoldK PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 1:35:24 PM

During the more dead months, I'll contribute with bits of news. And April is REALLY dead. Haha.

0 up, 0 down

Jordahn
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 9:42:54 AM
Reply

The PS3 needs a price drop to spur sales... period.

3 up, 1 down

alexmac77
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 9:49:06 AM
Reply

I think if they dropped the price, even to $350, would spur sales because an effective marketing campaign could be used to compare it with the 360 Elite. The Elite for $400 only gets you a bigger hard drive, compared to the blu-ray and wifi with the PS3. If they can sway public opinion, I think they have a killer

3 up, 1 down

Deleted User
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 10:19:48 AM
Reply

Amazing how people would rather buy a Nintendo Wii, Wii Play and Wii Fit, which altogether costs the same as an 80GB PS3. I need to find a site where I can talk to these people and ask them if they felt they got their money's worth.

0 up, 3 down

Bugzbunny109
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 10:48:49 AM
Reply

Sony's ps3 has been heading down a cul-de-sac lately, if you ask me. They need to introduce a price cut; produce more advertisements, and introduce new features-in game voice chat.

Last edited by Bugzbunny109 on 4/17/2009 10:49:25 AM

2 up, 1 down

tanner1
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 12:22:48 PM
Reply

xbox-330,000 x $200, ps3-215,000 x $400. Which is better? Do the math, sony is doin ok but a price cut would help

3 up, 0 down

King James
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 12:31:57 PM
Reply

Not surprised at the NPD numbers. Americans are totally ignorant to Killzone 2's awesomeness and the 3's superiority.

I am curious to know how the PS3 fared in Europe. Anybody know?

1 up, 2 down

Dustinwp
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 12:49:24 PM
Reply

Pretty sad people rush to buy a product(Xbox360) that broke Ford Motors product failure record. I believe Ford got those honors for the wonderful Ford Pinto. So the PS3 is like a Porsche and the Xbox360 is like a pinto. Americans do love products that are cheap, but fail often.

Last edited by Dustinwp on 4/17/2009 12:54:40 PM

0 up, 3 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 12:50:12 PM
Reply

Nintendo's popularity just plain baffles me. Is it that people just like goofy gadgets? Look at that DS commercial with Beyonce, that game looks retarded.

Anyway, PS3 will catch up to 360 at least now that the poles have shifted and 360 is the system with "no games"

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 4/17/2009 12:51:01 PM

2 up, 3 down

Scarecrow
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 2:07:14 PM

Yup

The good news here is that the "hardcore" will be forced to buy ps3s once they realize the games are on the ps3. And the 360 really has nothing but more FPSs or so-so games.

1 up, 3 down

HOODGE
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 3:47:01 PM
Reply

@Crawdaddy.

Sorry dude, I'am a repeat console buyer and my buddy is a 4 console repeat buyer. Don't go saying that Microsoft doesn't have repeat console buyers..Load of rubbish. Couldn't be farther from the truth. I can count 25 people on my friends list on Live that are repeat buyers. Go buy a crapbox and in a short period of time you will know what we xbox owners are talking about. The refurbished consoles most of the time end up dying quicker than a new one, so a lot of times people just go out and buy a new one.

As for PS3 sales numbers, there was nothing to get down on Sony about. Great sales numbers considering it is a Premium gaming system not a "cheapo last maybe one year console with hardly no games".

Scarecrow you are right, the PS3 is a hardcore system for the hardcore gamer, and as the world turns there are more casual gamers and budget minded gamers out there that buy the 3fixme and nintendo pee systems. Lol's sorry thats funny.

I will say again that Sony's biggest problem is not the price but the poor advertising program they possess. Don't know when they will finally figure that out. Otherwise don't worry. Sony's PS3 business is very healthy here in the states. It's killing MS everywhere else but here. US is Microsofts turf the way I see it. That's it. Mind you pretty big piece of turf tho, but just a matter of time.

Last edited by HOODGE on 4/17/2009 3:49:10 PM

2 up, 3 down

crawdaddy
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 10:50:00 PM

What you said even makes the ps3 look that much worse since people are willing to just keep on buying such a crappy system as the xbox 360 over and over, and over again rather than buy a ps3. I could understand it if it was free warranty stuff, but to actually keep buying them over and over really looks bad on the ps3. Also I want to remind you that the term was new owners, and not repeat owners in this article. Pretty sad!!!!!!, but the saddest part is that the ps3 was last place behind wii and xbox 360.

3 up, 0 down

kreate
Saturday, April 18, 2009 @ 4:16:12 AM

@crawdaddy

according to your comment, u do admit that xbox360 is a piece of crap system right?

i am on my 2nd xbox360 but i didnt buy the system cuz its such a great or crappy system.
i bought it cuz i already own over 10 xbox games and i want to continually play those games. im not even finished with some of them.

both ps3 and xbox360 have good games, but it just sucks that a company like microsoft made a according to your comment, 'crappy' system.

Last edited by kreate on 4/18/2009 4:21:07 AM

0 up, 3 down

007
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 4:28:58 PM
Reply

I am completely baffled by the wii numbers. Why is that crap console selling so much?? I will throw money at sony for 10 ps3 (or even the 360) than for a wii any day! ok I am exaggerating by still!!! comon americans wake up and STOP buying a wii!!!

1 up, 3 down

Oyashiro
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 5:59:28 PM
Reply

Go! PS2! Go! I'm still amazed at how well it still sells.

0 up, 0 down

acolyte
Friday, April 17, 2009 @ 8:14:25 PM
Reply

Well we should factor in the price cut rumours spoking a few individuals from purchasing. Again this is highly debatable as to the numbers or effect.

0 up, 0 down

kreate
Saturday, April 18, 2009 @ 4:18:51 AM
Reply

guys, come on now.

some months, xbox360 is on the bottom of the sales chart.
some months, ps3 is on the bottom of the sales chart.

the actions of xbox fanboys:
when xbox360 sales are down, they stay quiet.
when ps3 sales are down, they make sure the whole world hears this.

2 up, 3 down

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