NPD Funworld data reveals Nintendo #1 in several categories

[Santo]

Jan. 22, 2004

Did You Know?

If awards were handed out today for the stars of the video game industry in 2003, Nintendo would walk home with an armful more than any other company. According to independent retail sales data just released by NPD Funworld, Nintendo was named No. 1 in the following categories by the nation's game players:

-- No. 1 Selling System: Game Boy(R) Advance, with 8.1 million sold in 2003

-- No. 1 Fastest-Growing System: Nintendo GameCube(TM), with a 40 percent unit sales increase over 2002 (compared to a 25 percent decline for Sony's PlayStation 2, and flat sales for Microsoft's Xbox)

-- No. 1 Fastest-Growing Game Seller: Nintendo GameCube, with a 77 percent unit sales increase over 2002

-- No. 1 Hit Maker: Four of the year's top seven sellers player only on Nintendo (Pokemon(R) Ruby and Pokemon(R) Sapphire for Game Boy Advance; The Legend of Zelda(R): The Wind Waker(TM) and Mario Kart(R): Double Dash(TM) for Nintendo GameCube)

-- No. 1 Sales Growth: Corporate retail revenues increased 16 percent over 2002

-- No. 1 Landmark: Game Boy Advance just sold its 20 millionth system in America!

[Redstar]

Pretty impresive. The trick, however, will be to keep the trend going for this entire year. Most people who were planning on getting a GCN or a Gameboy more than likely got one over the holidays if they hadn't got one already. The software sales are the most encouraging in my opinion. There are some good titles still to come this year so hopefully things will continue to improve now that people can see what Nintendo really has to offer.

[Cooolcorey]

We've been seeing the PS2 outsell the GC and XBox combined for months on end 3 years after it's release. I think Nintendo can keep the sales up, especially when they start the 2004 AAA title stream next month.

[andre]

good stuff, although the PS2 and X-Box still outsold GCN for the year *sigh*. But, Sony has posted declining sales for PS2 (naturally) and X-Box still has yet to grow in sales.

Good for Nintendo. I just hope the DS won't cannabalize GBA sales, 'cause GBA is the best seller right now. My predictions: GCN will be #1, X-Box #2, PS2 #3

[indivi]

I too hope that the DS doesn't hurt GBA sales... I guess we need to wait till more info is released before such a possibility can be considered a real risk.

Good to hear more confirmation of GC's success. This year should be the best yet for the GC.