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Wii sales break US record

Jan 16 2009 08:15

San Francisco - Nintendo sold 10.17 million Wii consoles in the United States in 2008, setting a new video game record despite dismal economic conditions gripping the country, according to NPD Group statistics.

Nintendo's DS handheld game devices sold nearly as well, with US consumers snatching up 9.95 million of them last year, the NPD figures released on Thursday indicate.

"There is no longer a question that if you offer consumers an expanded definition of what a video game can be, and deliver that idea with quality and affordability in mind, millions of new people will start playing video games," said Nintendo of America executive vice president of sales and marketing Cammie Dunaway.

"Concepts like 'Wii Fit,' 'Guitar Hero,' and 'Rock Band' never would have seemed feasible just a few years ago, and now they're driving growth for our the entire industry."

NPD reported that 55% of new-generation video game consoles sold in the United States last year were Wii devices, known for motion-sensing controllers and family-style play.

The four top-selling video games last year are Wii titles, and Nintendo's retail success is credited with helping video game industry revenues in 2008 rise 19% from the previous year.

- AFP

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Fubar
Jan 16 2009 12:08 Report this comment

Well Shaun this one is easy to answer. There is a high demand for the system and a short supply. Remember you can either sell lots cheaply or a few expensivly. Due to our economic structure where 70% of the coutry is poor and only about 5% of that could even afford to look at a Wii the companies have kept the prices high. Only the xbox360 seems to have become "good value"...the others are still to steeply priced. Wii is a family console and hence woman dig it too ;). Hence the big market.

Shaun
Jan 16 2009 09:48 Report this comment

That is really great.But why is the Wii so expensive here in SA compared to the other consoles?Overseas its much cheaper against the other consoles.


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