pongConditions in the U.S. video game sector remained grim in August, as U.S. retail sales slumped 20% from the same month last year, according to new data from research firm NPD.
Hardware sales were down 39%; software sales fell 7%; accessory sales were down 7%. Including PC games, software sales were down 11%.
NPD analyst Anita Frazier notes that no hardware platforms posted a year-over-year sales increase, but that both the Nintendo 3DS and the PlayStation 3 saw a sequential unit increase in August over July. She notes that the 3DS XL launched on August 19, and still accounts for 44% of 3DS sales for the month.
“The current hardware systems are showing their age, so it goes without saying that it would be great to have new systems breathe life into traditional retail industry sales," she says. "I am anxious to learn more about the Wii U launch later this month. And with any luck we will hear news about other systems on the horizon.”
Here's a look at the month's top 10 best selling games at retail:
Darksiders II, THQ
New Super Mario Bros 2, Nintendo
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, Square Enix
NCAA Football 13, Electronic Arts
Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, Warner Bros. Interactive
Sleeping Dogs, Square Enix
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, Activision Blizzzard
Batman: Arkham City, Warner Bros. Interactive
Call of Duty: Black Ops, Activision Blizzzard
The Amazing Spider-Man, Activision Blizzzard
