NPD reports 17% decline in video game sales

17.04.2009
According to the leading global market research company NPD Group, video game sales dipped 17% in the month of March to $1.43 billion. This is the first reported decline in overall sales since September 2008.

NPD analyst Anita Frazier says, "While it might be tempting to jump to the conclusion that the sky is starting to fall on the video games industry given this month's results, it's important to remember that two very big things are different this year than last. First, Easter fell in March last year whereas it fell in April this year, and last March included the release of , which went on to become the fourth best-selling game in 2008."

Overall, hardware sales slid 18% to $4.55 million, with Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS leading the pack. Software sales were down 17 percent to $792.83 million, with topping sales across the PS3 and Xbox 360 consoles.