Last week, the authoritative American statistical agency NPD released a comprehensive report on the U.S. gaming market for 2007. Regardless of whether people are willing to accept it or not, the final annual performance of all home consoles and handhelds (sales statistics for NGC, Xbox, and GBA have ceased) was ultimately laid out for public discussion. This report from NPD brought some data about the winners and losers in the U.S. gaming market competition in 2007 that were either regrettable or thought-provoking. For example, the ultimate champion of the 2007 console war was the DS(L), with sales exceeding 8.5 million units, selling twice as many consoles as its rival PSP throughout 2007. By consistently attracting non-core users under Nintendo's strategy, it expanded its influence at an astonishing speed.
The hardware sales ranking for the U.S. gaming market in 2007 (units):
- DS: 8.5 million
- Wii: 6.29 million
- X360: 4.62 million
- PS2: 3.97 million
- PSP: 3.82 million
- PS3: 2.56 million
Of course, who is the true ruler of the current U.S. gaming market? After comparing cumulative sales, you'll find that the answer is PS2, or more accurately, still PS2.
Already an "early pioneer" leading a new generation of storage formats 8 years ago, the PS2, now considered last-gen hardware, hasn't become obsolete or a relic like its two previous rivals. Instead, it continues to fight even as next-generation high-definition entertainment experiences and motion-sensing technology suitable for all ages dominate the scene. It remains vigorous and formidable. At least according to current statistics, no competitor in the U.S. has the capability to approach the brilliance created by the PS2, let alone catch up.
On another front, Nintendo's new home console, the Wii, spent a nerve-wracking 2007 dealing with persistent supply shortages and insufficient production capacity. However, its annual sales of 7.38 million units made the X360, which leads by only over a million units, start to feel uneasy, and surpassing the PSP is merely a matter of months. If the success of the Wii represents the prevailing trend and public preference of this generation's TV gaming industry, then in the next five years, Nintendo’s only concern will be increasing production, increasing production, and increasing production.
Cumulative hardware sales ranking for the U.S. gaming market (units):
- PS2: 41.12 million
- GBA: 36.24 million
- DS: 17.65 million
- PSP: 10.47 million
- X360: 9.15 million
- Wii: 7.38 million
- PS3: 3.25 million