Nintendo games account for almost half of 2008 software sales
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Jan 26th 2009 at 6:00PM }
In case you needed it confirmed yet again: Nintendo totally wins at selling stuff. Gamasutra went through the NPD statistics for 2008 software sales with a fine tooth-comb, and discovered that Wii and DS titles formed almost half of all games sold during 2008.Of the 268 million games sold in the U.S. last year, 132 million (49%) were for Nintendo platforms, compared to 86 million (32%) for Sony consoles, and 50 million (19%) for Microsoft. Furthermore, the Wii software tie-in ratio isn't looking too shabby: an even six games per system, an identical figure to that of the PlayStation 3.
For more statistics that make us want to joyously high-five a bobcat, hit up Gamasutra.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mauroh @ Jan 26th 2009 6:47PM
So, does that mean that all those who say the wii might sell better but on the other hand it'll eventually hurt the gaming scene due to low software sales are actually lying? I'll be damned!!
Mr Khan @ Jan 26th 2009 7:22PM
Nintendo's back, baby!
Apparently the new Indiana Jones game isn't in addition to the PS360 game, it's a substitute for it, so signs are that developers are really taking notice of it
And the economy being in the tank will help. Developers will want to take less risks, and it's far easier to profit on the Wii
Eric @ Jan 26th 2009 9:55PM
Not wanting to take risks and easy profits can go both ways...
Don @ Jan 26th 2009 10:32PM
Is this really good news? Because it sends a message to Nintendo & other publishers that what they've been doing so far is exactly what the market wants.
Do most of us feel completely satisfied with the software selection of the last 2 years?
http://handheldaddict.blogspot.com/
Danny @ Jan 26th 2009 11:03PM
they have focused on selling crappy titles and that is why they are selling a my but at the same time were unsatisfied.
Sol @ Jan 27th 2009 12:52AM
The Wii catalogue is fine and many of the games that sold well deserved it. If you have enough time to play all the good games on Wii then you have more free time than most people.
Dr Jeckyl and Mr ESC. @ Jan 27th 2009 1:14AM
Posting in new system.
Josh @ Jan 27th 2009 1:15AM
REDESIGN!!!
AND I JUST REALIZED, I DON'T SUFFER THE GREEN TEXT PROBLEM ANYMORE, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE TEXT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE FADED ANYMORE! BUT THEN AGAIN, EVERYONE HERE IS STILL 2 STARS, SO WHO KNOWS!!! I MEAN, I HAVE NOTHING TO COMPARE IT TO!! I'LL CHECK OUT ANOTHER POST!!!
Josh @ Jan 27th 2009 1:19AM
OH I SEE HOW IT IS THE COMMENTS FADE OR GET A BLUE BACKGROUND LIKE ON ENGADGET (RIGHT?) YEAH THIS IS GOOD REALLY GOOD REALLY REALLY GOOD BECAUSE NOW I HAVE NO MORE GREEN FADED BLOCKY TEXT ISSUES!!!
YES CAPS I'M EXCITED!
The hearts have a slight white outline, though...So it shows up against the blue background of 3-heart comments. A tad jarring maybe a bit.
samfish @ Jan 27th 2009 1:15AM
Aww...still the same ol' boring comment system :(
samfish @ Jan 27th 2009 1:21AM
I hope they didn't get rid of the rest of the fanboy staff, like Alisha.
Blue_Falcon @ Jan 27th 2009 1:28AM
Seems like Alisha isn't around, if the team joystiq editor bar (to the right) is correct.
ramuji @ Jan 27th 2009 3:01AM
What? Alisha is gone? :(
Melao @ Jan 27th 2009 5:28AM
I am Nintendo fanboy, don't get me wrong, but 2008 was not a great year for the Wii imho.
On the other hand 2008 was the year of the DS (at least for me).
I hope that Nintendo takes advantage of this incredible revenues, and strengthen the Wii platform with more awesome games.
Evan @ Jan 27th 2009 9:08AM
Sony deserves credit for Nintendo's success - they practically handed the majority of the console audience to Nintendo.
Sony has abandoned what made the PS2 successful, and turned the PS3 into an Xbox. The PS2's best selling games included a healthy mix of action, J-RPGs, racing, and platforming games, but not one FPS in the top 20! Now Sony is focusing on Xbox-style FPS and third-person shooters, which is clearly not what most PS2 owners bought. The majority of the PS2's audience, who buy a console for J-RPGs, kids games, etc., is not served by the PS3, and are buying 360s and Wiis.
Dante G @ Jan 27th 2009 10:08AM
Exactly. Even when the ps3 is a great piece of hardware it doesn't have the cheap hit games the ps2 had.
irkiikii @ Jan 27th 2009 10:01AM
Haha, now we just need more places to keep all of our games :p
Heimbachae @ Jan 27th 2009 4:39PM
Nintendo wins, hands down. That's a fact. Now what I am curious about is those other numbers. Sony bested Microsoft in the U.S. by 36 mill??? Somehow I HIGHLY HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHLY doubt that is correct.
johnson412 @ Jan 27th 2009 6:25PM
You do realize that those were total PlayStation sales, including PS2, PS3, and PSP, right?
Microsoft only has the Xbox and Windows, and there weren't a ton of high-selling Windows games this year.
Heimbachae @ Jan 27th 2009 8:00PM
yea, i thought about that. i also thought about how xbox outsold ps3 2 to 1 over the holidays. And with a price of 399 compared to 199. Now i understand they have a ps2 (coming in it's 9th year on sale now) and psp (4 years? i'm not positive). If the argument was WORLD and not US I would believe those numbers, but it's hard to believe that a system for double the amount of one system, a 9 year old system, and a portable that hasn't been given the proper games since ever are beating out a 199 dollar powerhouse.