Independent Data Reveals Nintendo Sales For 2007

It was announced yesterday that the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii were the best selling game systems in the US for 2007. Us Nintendo fans already knew that.

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 17, 2008 – Nintendo DS™ and Wii™ finished strong in 2007, commanding sales in the holiday shopping period and finishing the year as the two best-selling video game systems in the United States, according to new data just released by the independent NPD Group. Nintendo DS was the top-selling U.S. system of 2007, with nearly 8.5 million sold, including more than 4 million in November and December alone. Wii placed second, with nearly 6.3 million sold through the year, more than 2.3 million of which sold in the final two months.

“By the end of 2007 we were sold out of virtually all hardware, and much of our stock of software and accessories was sold out as well, thanks to the broad appeal of Wii and Nintendo DS to core gamers, women, families, grandparents – and seemingly everyone in between,”said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales & marketing. “And that momentum continues here in the early weeks of 2008.”

Some additional facts about Nintendo’s 2007 performance in the United States (note: All figures are from NPD):

* Nintendo accounted for 52 percent of all video game hardware systems sold in 2007 – more than all other manufacturers combined.

* Since their respective launches, Nintendo has sold more than 17.6 million Nintendo DS systems and nearly 7.4 million Wii systems in the United States alone.

* Wii Playâ„¢, a collection of nine fun mini-games, finished 2007 with 4.1 million units sold.

* Super Mario Galaxyâ„¢ sold through more than 2.5 million copies since it launched on Nov. 12.

* The two games in the Brain Age® series each sold about 1 million copies in 2007.

* Half of the top 30 best-selling games of 2007 were made for Nintendo systems, including Pokemon® Pearl, Pokemon® Diamond, Mario Party® DS, Guitar Hero III™: Legends of Rock and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games™.

* Nintendo continues to dominate the hand-held market: Of the top 30 best-selling portable games sold in 2007, 25 were made for Nintendo DS and another two were made for Game Boy® Advance.

* Sales of Nintendo DS systems grew 60 percent over those from 2006.

* In 2007, the video game industry grew by 43 percent over 2006. Nintendo is responsible for 60 percent of that growth.

System December 2007/Annual 2007

Nintendo DS 2.47 million/8.50 million
Wii 1.35 million/6.29 million
Xbox 360 1.26 million/4.62 million
PlayStation Portable 1.06 million/3.82 million
PlayStation 2 1.1 million/3.97 million
PlayStation 3 797.6 K/2.56 million

What lies ahead for Nintendo in the upcoming year? With the current 2008 Wii game lineup, we can only see an even brighter future.

Ready to Play in Paradise?

Destineer Announces “Summer Sports: Paradise Island” for the Wii™ System.

Does winter make you yearn for a Tropical getaway? The developer Destineer has recently announced “Summer Sports: Paradise Island,” which will turn your Wii into a luxurious island resort! Well, perhaps minus the open bar and associated opportunities for a one-night-stand. Then again - no passport required and the airfare is sure to be more affordable. Gamers will be able to check into the Paradise Island Resort and explore a vast array of recreational activities in this lush tropical environment – all with intuitive Wii remote! I for one am not 100% sure I am down with this one but I put it squarely on the ‘maybe’ list. Sadly I think both Croquet and Horseshoes would be my games of choice. Honey - start the blender! Here are the features, as reported by the company:

Seven Addictive Games: Challenge your friends to seven different Summer Sports: Basketball, Croquet, Lawn Darts, Badminton, Volleyball, Horse Shoes, and nine uniquely-themed Mini-Golf holes. Basketball even features two distinct courts and three game types: Shot Clock, Around the World, and HORSE.

Intuitive Wii Remote Controls: Summer Sports captures the authentic actions and motions of each sport. With distinct motions for bumps, sets and spikes in Volleyball; forehand and backhand swings in Badminton; and a completely unique Wii Remote gesture for Basketball, Summer Sports is deeper than other sports compilations, yet every bit as accessible.

Island Living: Paradise Island is the ideal vacation destination, complete with the most visually pleasing environments unmatched in the genre. Every aspect of the game, from the loading screens to the characters themselves, is designed to immerse the players in the world of Paradise Island.

Multiplayer: Up to four players can compete in multiplayer action. Play competitively or cooperatively with friends, experience both one-on-one and team-based games, and AI opponents of three different difficulty levels.

Exciting Additional Features: Taunt your opponents with distracting noises, earn Accolades by accomplishing specific tasks during a game, and learn the definition of “squawker” in Lawn Darts!

Summer Sports: Paradise Island is scheduled for release in March of 2008. Enjoy your stay and see you on the beach!