Nintendo scores big in November with three top ten titles and 2.7 million systems sold.
The Nintendo DS was the top-selling video game system in the critical sales month of November, according to the NPD Group. In addition, the top ten software sales list included three Wii-exclusive titles.
Although sales figures were not released for the specific systems, NPD analyst Anita Frazier was quoted as saying, "The best-selling system overall was the Nintendo DS. It was a high/low story for the DS this month with the new red SKU providing the most sales and the white, lower-priced SKU being #2. It appears the DS attracted two pockets of consumers: those looking for a unique limited-edition product and those looking for value." The DS turned six years old in November, yet sales continue to be strong as Nintendo transitions into the 3DS launch period next spring.
Nintendo further clarified system sales totals in a press release. More than 1.5 million DS systems and more than 1.2 million Wii systems were sold in November. These totals are down slightly from last year's 1.7 million DS and 1.26 million Wii system sales.
The top ten software sales list showed Wii Fit Plus at number ten, as well as Donkey Kong Country Returns debuting at number six. Leaked numbers indicate the Retro Studios-developed platformer sold 430,500 units. Ubisoft's Wii-exclusive Just Dance 2 placed third for the month.
The best-selling title of the month was Call of Duty: Black Ops, however, no figures were given as to how many Wii and DS copies contributed to its success. Frazier noted, "Black Ops debuted as the best-selling game in its launch month (in history) with Black Ops selling 8.4 million units at retail in the U.S. With only one month of sales, it has become the 7th best-selling game of all time, life-to-date. Black Ops accounted for 25% of all video game software units sold in the month of November."
Other third party titles available on Wii were as follows: Madden NFL 11 finished fourth, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit finished seventh, and NBA 2K11 finished ninth. Each of these titles is available on PS3 and Xbox 360 as well as other platforms. No other DS titles made the list.
Overall, retail sales were improved from November 2009, showing a 3% hike from 1.46 billion to 1.5 billion. Sales, however, were still down on the year, with a 4% decrease from last year. November 2010 represented the best November on record in terms of physical sales, topping the previous record set by November 2008 by approximately 30 million dollars.
