The latest NPD Data shows that Nintendo dominated both the hardware and software side of things in the US for January 2009. The Wii was the best-selling console with 679 200 units while Wii Fit surged to the top of the software chart with a whopping 777 000 copies sold.

Total sales of the video game industry increased by 13% to $1.33 billion while hardware shot up by 17% to $445.4 million and software soared to $676.6 million, up by 10%. Accessories were also on the up and up, reaching $209.8 million, an 11% year-on-year increase.

NPD Analyst Anita Frazier commented “Even in these tough economic times, the fact that total sales were able to realize a 13 percent increase in revenue (compared to Jan’07) speaks to the continued strength of video games as one of the leading entertainment industries in the U.S.”

The Nintendo DS followed the Wii with 510 800 units while the Xbox 360 stayed ahead of the PS3 with 309 000 and 203 200 units respectively. The PSP sold 172 300 units and the PS2 still continues to sell well with 101 200.

There were only two new releases in the Top 10 this month, with Nintendo taking the Top 3 spots and boasting no fewer than five games exclusive to Nintendo systems. Wii Fit outsold the competition by almost two to one with 777 000 copies while Wii Play followed in second place with 415 000 and Mario Kart Wii in third with 292 000.

Left 4 Dead sold 243 000 copies to secure fourth, the first of four Xbox 360 titles in the Top 10. The Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty: World at War followed with 235 000 and Skate 2 debuted in sixth with 199 000 copies.

Guitar Hero: World Tour for the Wii was next with 155 000 copies while two golden oldies, New Super Mario Bros and Mario Kart DS, followed with 135 000 and 132 000 copies respectively. Lord of the Rings: Conquest was the second new entry with 113 000 copies.

According to Frazier, “Only two of the top 10 games this month were new releases. The continued strength of games that have been in the market for some time clues us into just how many new consumers are coming into the industry. This broadening of the audience for gaming will help buoy the industry through these tough economic times, provided they have enough compelling content to keep them interested.”

US Game Industry Totals for January 2009

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

• Video games - $1.33 billion (+13%)
• Video games hardware - $445.4 million (+17%)
• Video games software - $676.6 million (+10%)
• Video game accessories - $209.8 million (+11%)

Hardware Sales for January 2009

1. Wii – 679 200
2. Nintendo DS – 510 800
3. Xbox 360 –309 000
4. PS3 – 203 200
5. PSP – 172 300
6. PS2 – 101 200

Top Ten Software Sales for January 2009

• Wii Fit with Balance Board (Nintendo, Wii) – 777 000
• Wii Play with Wii Remote (Nintendo, Wii) – 415 000
• Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel (Nintendo, Wii) – 292 000
• Left 4 Dead (EA, Xbox 360) – 243 000
• Call of Duty: World at War (Activision, Xbox 360) – 235 000
• Skate 2 (EA, Xbox 360) – 199 000
• Guitar Hero: World Tour (Activision, Wii) – 155 000
• New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo, DS) – 135 000
• Mario Kart DS (Nintendo, DS) – 132 000
• Lord of the Rings: Conquest (EA, Xbox 360) – 113 000

(Figures include Collector’s Edition and non-hardware bundles)

Source: NPD