BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here

More From Forbes

Edit Story

Ouch! May U.S. Video Game Retail Sales Fall 14% From Year Ago

This article is more than 10 years old.

The video game sector continues to struggle.

In May, according to market research firm NPD Group, U.S. retail video game sector sales were down 14% from the same month last year, due largely to a 19% drop in console game software sales. Hardware sales were down 5%, while accessory sales were off 6%. Figures do not reflect digital distribution or used game sales. This was the worst overall month for the industry since October 2006, NPD says, due in part to "a light slate of new releases." NPD notes that there were 42 new SKUs released in May, versus 58 a year ago, and 72 in the same month in 2009.

NPD notes that the Xbox 360 platform has contributed 34% of year-to-date revenues, up 7 points from the comparable period last year. Combined sales of PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 hardware are up 28% for the month and 21% year to date.

The slide in May reverses a 24% gain in April.

Here's a look at the month's 10 best selling games:

  • L.A. Noire, Take-Two Interactive.
  • Brink, Bethesda Softworks
  • Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game, Disney Interactive
  • Portal 2, Electronic Arts
  • Mortal Kombat 2011, Warner Bros. Interactive
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops, Activision Blizzard
  • Zumba Fitness: Join the Party, Majesco
  • NBA 2K11, Take-Two Interactive
  • Just Dance 2, Ubisoft
  • Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, Lucasarts