The video game industry in the US recorded revenue of $1.12 billion, up 37% from $816.3 million in May 2007. Hardware sales were up by 34% year-on-year at $428.6 million. $536.9 million was recorded for software sales, up 41% from last year while accessories saw a 30% increase to $150.8 million.

Hardware sales

The Wii and Nintendo DS claimed the top two spots in terms of hardware sales for a fourth month in a row. The Wii crossed the finishing line first with 675 100 units followed by the Nintendo DS with 452 600 units.

The PS3 overtook the Xbox 360, selling 208 700 units in comparison to 186 600. NPD analyst Anita Frazier commented “The continued success of GTA IV is not translating into big hardware sales for either the PS3 or the 360 but there may yet to be a lift in June due to gift-giving for Father’s Day and Graduations.”

The PSP recorded sales of 182 300 units, coming in last place on the hardware chart due to the PS2 data being discontinued in May, the first month that the PS2 has been excluded since 2000.

Software sales

Take Two’s Grand Theft Auto IV for the Xbox 360 once again topped the software side of things with 871 300 copies sold. Nintendo’s Mario Kart Wii was not far behind with 787 400 copies while despite being supply constrained Nintendo’s Wii Fit came in third with 687 700 copies.

The PS3 version of GTA IV finished fourth with 442 900 copies. Interesting to note that according to Frazier “GTA IV has now generated combined sales of 4.2 million units, making it the top-selling title of the year.” Nintendo’s Wii Play secured fifth place with 294 600 copies while Super Smash Bros. Brawl was at number 6 with 171 100 copies.

Sega’s movie tie-in Iron Man muscled into seventh with 130 600 copies and Activision’s Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock for the Wii was next with 116 800 copies. Nintendo’s Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness and Time for the Nintendo DS were at numbers 9 and 10 with 107 000 and 102 000 copies respectively.

“The U.S. video games industry has generated $6.6B in sales so far this year which exceeds total 1997 annual revenues. The industry is on pace to achieve revenues in the $21-$23B range for 2008” commented Frazier.

If you missed it, make sure you check out the NPD results for April.

Hardware Sales for May 2008

• Wii – 675 100
• Nintendo DS – 452 600
• PS3 – 208 700
• Xbox 360 – 186 600
• PSP – 182 300

Top Ten Software Sales for May 2008

• Grand Theft Auto IV (Take Two, Xbox 360) – 871 300
• Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel (Nintendo, Wii) – 787 400
• Wii Fit with Balance Board (Nintendo, Wii) – 687 700
• Grand Theft Auto IV (Take Two, PS3) – 442 900
• Wii Play with Wii Remote (Nintendo, Wii) – 294 600
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Nintendo, Wii) – 171 100
• Iron Man (Sega, PS2) – 130 600
• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Activision, Wii) – 116 800
• Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness (Nintendo, DS) – 107 000
• Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time (Nintendo, DS) – 102 000

US Game Industry Totals for May 2008

Below is a list of the category, followed by the total and the change in brackets.

• Video games - $1.12 billion (+37%)
• Video games hardware - $428.6 million (+34%)
• Video games software - $536.9 million (+41%)
• Video game accessories - $150.8 million (+30%)

Source: NPD