June Video Games Sales Decline 6% On Weaker Software Sales

U.S. video game industry sales in June fell 6% to $1.1 billion from $1.17 billion a year ago, market research firm NPD reports. While hardware sales were up 5%, to $401.7 million, and accessories were up 6% to $169.6 million, software sales fell 15% from a year ago, to $531.3 million.

All categories were up from May levels, however, when total sales were $823.5 million.

Among the console platforms:

• The Sony PlayStation 3 sold 304,800 units, nearly double the 154,500 sold in May, and up from 164,700 a year ago.
• The Microsoft Xbox 360 sold 451,700 units, well over 2x the 194,600 sold in May, and well above the 240,600 sold last June.
• The Nintendo Wii sold 422,500, up from 334,800 in May, and 361,700 a year ago.

Among the handhelds:

• The Sony PSP sold 121,000, up from 59,400 in May, but down from 163,000 a year ago.
• The Nintendo DS sold 510,700, up from 383,700 in May, but down from 766,500 a year ago.

Here�s a look at the 10 best selling software titles for June; NPD provides actual unit data only for the top 5:

• Red Dead Redemption, Take Two Interactive, for the Xbox, 582,900 units.
• Super Mario Galaxy 2, Nintendo, for the Wii, 548,400 units.
• Red Dead Redemption, Take Two, for the PS3, 383,300 units.
• New Super Mario Bros., Nintendo, for the Wii, 200,900 units.
• Just Dance, Ubisoft, for the Wii, 174,800.
• Wii Fit Plus w/Balance Board, Nintendo, for the Wii.
• Toy Story 3, Disney, for the DS.
• UFC 2010: Undisputed, THQ, for the Xbox.
• Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4, Warner Bros. Interactive, for the Wii.
  
• UFC 2010: Undisputed, THQ, for the PS3.