NPD June: The Last of Us, Animal crossing top charts
The 3DS was the clear winner at US retail this month, taking the top hardware spot and three slots on the software charts, including second place.
The NPD Group has released its regular monthly report on US retail sales. As ever, remember that this report tracks only traditional retail - not digital sales, online retailers, mobile games, DLC and myriad other sectors which represent enormous growth for the industry.
June 2013 saw a now-expected overall drop in spend, down 15% from June 2012's $700.6 million to just $593.3 million. Despite the drop, it's an improvement on May's $386.3 million.
Software sales fell 14% to $313.8 million. Accessories fell 9% from $170.3 million to $155.2 million.
Hardware had a particularly bad drop, falling 30% to $142 million from June 2012's $201.5 million; probably due to the upcoming hardware transition, as these figures do not include next-gen pre-orders, which are through the roof.
Hardware
Nintendo sent a pretty glowing account of the NPD report this month, noting that 225,000 3DS units were sold during June, a 40% year-on-year increase. It was the best-selling system of the month.
“To quote Nintendo during E3, 'software sells hardware', which is evident in this month's 3DS results," the NPD's Liam Callahan said.
"Strong double-digit increases in the 3DS hardware sales were coupled with triple-digit digit increases in software for June sales. 3DS software sales momentum is building due to a steady flow of content over the past few months, leading to positive year-to-date sales results."
Xbox 360 took second place with 140,000 units sold. Nintendo has now held sway over the hardware charts for two months in a row, ending Microsoft's years-long dominance of US retail. That said, the NPD counts consoles and portables separately, allowing Microsoft to add another month to its tally; it's spent 30 months as the best-selling console. Total Xbox 360 platform spend reached $197 million in June.
The NPD began tracking Ouya in June but found retail sales to be "relatively light". The firm didn't seem much concerned, noting a lack of stock and the newness of the brand; direct sales through the company's website are probably a major factor, too.
In a statement published on Joystiq, Ouya CEO Julie Uhrman also dismissed concerns.
"Nobody thinks much about NPD numbers since we all know they miss critical data including reporting from digital retailers or company sites," she said.
"Ouya sold every unit available launch week and are currently still chasing demand."
Software
The Last of Us made a seriously impressive debut; although the NPD doesn't release sales figures, and Sony is yet to follow up the report with a statement, Callahan said the Naughty Dog adventure had the second highest first-month sales of a PS3 first-party game ever, behind God of War 3 in March 2010.
"The Last of Us was also the third highest game to launch during the month of June since NPD began tracking sales in 1995," he added.
Minecraft's retail release performed very strongly, but otherwise, it's all about Nintendo.
“Animal Crossing: New Leaf also sold well in the context of first-party games for the 3DS, having the third highest first-month sales next to two launches from holiday 2011: Mario Kart 7, and Super Mario 3D Land,” Callahan revealed.
Including digital sales, New Leaf life-to-date sales have passed 505,000, Nintendo revealed. It's the second highest digital-to-retail ratio in Nintendo's history, just behind Fire Emblem Awakening.
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon and Donkey Kong Country Returns also charted for the portable, giving it three top ten entries.
The full software chart follows. It's worth noting that the top three slots are all exclusives - the first time that has happened this generation, the NPD said - and that all three were available via download.
- The Last of Us (PS3)
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS)
- Minecraft (X360)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (PC, PS3, Wii U, X360)
- NBA 2K13 (PC, PSP, PS3, Wii, Wii U, 360)
- Injustice: Gods Among Us (PS3, Wii U, X360)
- Donkey Kong Country Returns (3DS, Wii)
- Deadpool (PS3, X360)
- Battlefield 3 (PC, PS3, X360)
- Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS)