EEDAR: Nintendo saved Christmas

Jesse Divnich of Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR) has revealed that Nintendo software and hardware sales accounted for 50 percent of everything games related at retail in the US for December.

"Without these sales, the industry would have likely felt the full wrath of the recession - much like other industries closely linked to gaming," wrote Divnich.

"We believe the simple to use design, cheaper and wider variety of software titles, and the already 'hot effect' in place on both systems, all played a role in driving both the Wii and the DS to the top of their segments. Simply put, Nintendo saved Christmas."

EEDAR reckons Nintendo DS sold 3 million units whilst 3.2 million Wiis were shifted.

The research firm also issued its top ten software expectations:

• Wii Play w/ remote (Wii) – 1.3 million units
• Call of Duty: World at War (Xbox 360) – 1.2 million units
• Mario Kart w/ wheel (Wii) – 1.2 million units
• Wii Fit w/ board (Wii) – 1 million units
• Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360) – 800,000 units
• Call of Duty: World at War (PS3) – 650,000 units
• Madden NFL 09 (360) – 500,000 units
• Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360) – 500,000 units
• Prince of Persia (Xbox 360) – 475,000 units
• Wii Music (Wii) – 425,000 units

Thanks, GI.

By Mike Bowden