June 2009 Console Game Sales: Summer slump

Gamers, we’ve officially entered the summer slump. That time when there’s no hugely hyped release coming until October or so. It’s also the time when many gamers finish playing catch-up from the previous holiday season. This editor, for one, is still working his way through Dead Space (and regretting having waited this long to start).

Looking at the numbers, it’s a slump for game retailers as well. June 2009 sales were down 31 percent from 2008–a start contrast that many observers will be quick to associate with continuing economic hard times. Retail research firm NPD, in its report for June, stated that the drop is the biggest since September 2000.

“The impact of the economy is clearly reflected in the sales numbers,” said NPD analyst Anita Frazier in a statement following the release of the numbers. She added that at this point, consumers are waiting for a must-have title - or a hardware price cut.

Amazingly, Nintendo’s Wii Play finally fell out of the top 10, after over 3 years on the charts. Most have ascribed that dynastic run on the charts to the inclusion of an extra Wii Remote in a package costing only $10 more than a standalone remote, though it’s possible that Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 might be the replacement with its packed-in Wii MotionPlus accessory.

This month’s top 10 games and hardware sales rankings follow, with thanks to Wired:

1. Prototype (360)
2. UFC 2009: Undisputed (360)
3. EA Sports Active Bundle (Wii)
4. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (Wii)
5. Wii Fit (Wii)
6. Fight Night Round 4 (360)
7. Fight Night Round 4 (PS3)
8. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
9. Red Faction: Guerrilla (360)
10. Infamous (PS3)

Top hardware sales (units sold in parenthesis):

1. Nintendo DS (766,500)
2. Wii (361,700)
3. Xbox 360 (240,600)
4. PlayStation 3 (164,700)
5. PSP (163,500)
6. PlayStation 2 (152,700)