Unoffiical april npd numbers and rankings.

[theWacoKid]

PSP = 351,000
PS2 = 332,000
Xbox = 153,000
GCN = 63,000
GBA/DS = 250,000 (approx)

April Top 25 Software Sales

US Top 25 Videogame Titles
Rank Title Publisher

1 XBX DOOM 3 COLLECTORS ED Activision
2 PS2 MIDNIGHT CLUB 3: DUB Take Two Interactive
3 PS2 GOD OF WAR Sony
4 XBX DOOM 3 Activision
5 XBX T.CLANCY:CHAOS THEORY Ubi Soft
6 XBX MIDNIGHT CLUB 3: DUB Take Two Interactive
7 XBX WWE WRESTLEMANIA 21 THQ
8 XBX JADE EMPIRE LIMTED ED LucasArts
9 XBX JADE EMPIRE LucasArts
10 PS2 LEGO STAR WARS Eidos
11 PS2 GRAN TURISMO 4 Sony
12 PSP NEED SPEED:UND RIVALS Electronic Arts
13 PS2 MVP BASEBALL 2005 Electronic Arts
14 XBX LEGO STAR WARS Eidos
15 PS2 T.CLANCY:CHAOS THEORY Ubi Soft
16 PSP TWISTED METAL:HEAD ON Sony
17 PS2 DYNASTY WARRIORS 5 Koei
18 PS2 DRAGONBALL Z: SAGAS Atari
19 XBX UNREAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2 Midway
20 PS2 MX VS ATV UNLEASHED THQ
21 PSP UNTOLD LEGENDS:BTHRHD Sony
22 PS2 TEKKEN 5 Namco
23 PS2 FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 2 Electronic Arts
24 PSP RIDGE RACER Namco
25 GBA LEGO STAR WARS Eidos

Ever since the new year began, sony has gone back to outselling the xbox and gc combined with room to spare and this month is no different. How does MS expect to win next gen when they're so content to lose this gen. With the recent nvidia announcement, the xbox is essentially history. Where does MS expect to pick up all those xbox360 customers if not from the ranks of the xbox.

Sony continues to build up an installed base even at this late stage and prep themselves for next gen. MS is banking everything on next gen, much like what Sega did with the dreamcast. Contrary to popular opinion, ps2 hype didn't kill the DC. Once the initial launch was over, the DC struggled badly against both the ps1 and n64. If ps2 hype did the dc in, why didn't it kill off the ps1 and n64 as well. They both easily outsold the DC in 2000 prior to the debut of the ps2.

A lot of gamers, the majority, are not going to be jumping on the next gen bandwagon, for obvious reasons, cost and lack of games, but what is MS going to offer them at the low end. Well, apparently, nothing, from the sound of it. Looks like one of spong's rumors turned out to be true, that MS would discontinue the xbox. For those that missed slade's post, here's the summary.

Nvidia ends shipments of chips for Xbox
By Chris Nuttall in San Francisco
Published: May 13 2005 00:04 | Last updated: May 13 2005 00:04

Nvidia, the graphics chipmaker, said on Thursday it was ending shipments of chips for Microsoft's Xbox game console in the current quarter as what was once one of its biggest customers moved on to its next-generation machine.

Microsoft is expected to release the Xbox 360 in November, featuring a graphics chip from rival ATI. Microsoft had informed Nvidia it would not take any more product after Nvidia's second quarter, ending August 1.

Basically, if they're not accepting anymore shipments as aug. 1st, what kind of supply situation are we talking. We've already heard the xbox has been in short supply for a while. The xbox could literally be gone from shelves well before the xbox 360 even hits shelves. The other damaging thing is that MS is basically telling developers, we're moving on, you should too. Short circuiting a platform with a number of games still in development is not going to sit well with a number of parties. If MS is so quick to dump the xbox, then why should the 360 be any different if it doesn't sell well.

MS is supporting the xbox till 2007?! Yeah, right. Talk about your pr lies.

[DrunkenThumbmaster]

PSP = 351,000
PS2 = 332,000
Xbox = 153,000
GCN = 63,000
GBA/DS = 250,000 (approx)

April Top 25 Software Sales

US Top 25 Videogame Titles
Rank Title Publisher

1 XBX DOOM 3 COLLECTORS ED Activision
2 PS2 MIDNIGHT CLUB 3: DUB Take Two Interactive
3 PS2 GOD OF WAR Sony
4 XBX DOOM 3 Activision
5 XBX T.CLANCY:CHAOS THEORY Ubi Soft
6 XBX MIDNIGHT CLUB 3: DUB Take Two Interactive
7 XBX WWE WRESTLEMANIA 21 THQ
8 XBX JADE EMPIRE LIMTED ED LucasArts
9 XBX JADE EMPIRE LucasArts
10 PS2 LEGO STAR WARS Eidos
11 PS2 GRAN TURISMO 4 Sony
12 PSP NEED SPEED:UND RIVALS Electronic Arts
13 PS2 MVP BASEBALL 2005 Electronic Arts
14 XBX LEGO STAR WARS Eidos
15 PS2 T.CLANCY:CHAOS THEORY Ubi Soft
16 PSP TWISTED METAL:HEAD ON Sony
17 PS2 DYNASTY WARRIORS 5 Koei
18 PS2 DRAGONBALL Z: SAGAS Atari
19 XBX UNREAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2 Midway
20 PS2 MX VS ATV UNLEASHED THQ
21 PSP UNTOLD LEGENDS:BTHRHD Sony
22 PS2 TEKKEN 5 Namco
23 PS2 FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 2 Electronic Arts
24 PSP RIDGE RACER Namco
25 GBA LEGO STAR WARS Eidos

Ever since the new year began, sony has gone back to outselling the xbox and gc combined with room to spare and this month is no different. How does MS expect to win next gen when they're so content to lose this gen. With the recent nvidia announcement, the xbox is essentially history. Where does MS expect to pick up all those xbox360 customers if not from the ranks of the xbox.

Sony continues to build up an installed base even at this late stage and prep themselves for next gen. MS is banking everything on next gen, much like what Sega did with the dreamcast. Contrary to popular opinion, ps2 hype didn't kill the DC. Once the initial launch was over, the DC struggled badly against both the ps1 and n64. If ps2 hype did the dc in, why didn't it kill off the ps1 and n64 as well. They both easily outsold the DC in 2000 prior to the debut of the ps2.

A lot of gamers, the majority, are not going to be jumping on the next gen bandwagon, for obvious reasons, cost and lack of games, but what is MS going to offer them at the low end. Well, apparently, nothing, from the sound of it. Looks like one of spong's rumors turned out to be true, that MS would discontinue the xbox. For those that missed slade's post, here's the summary.

Nvidia ends shipments of chips for Xbox
By Chris Nuttall in San Francisco
Published: May 13 2005 00:04 | Last updated: May 13 2005 00:04

Nvidia, the graphics chipmaker, said on Thursday it was ending shipments of chips for Microsoft's Xbox game console in the current quarter as what was once one of its biggest customers moved on to its next-generation machine.

Microsoft is expected to release the Xbox 360 in November, featuring a graphics chip from rival ATI. Microsoft had informed Nvidia it would not take any more product after Nvidia's second quarter, ending August 1.

Basically, if they're not accepting anymore shipments as aug. 1st, what kind of supply situation are we talking. We've already heard the xbox has been in short supply for a while. The xbox could literally be gone from shelves well before the xbox 360 even hits shelves. The other damaging thing is that MS is basically telling developers, we're moving on, you should too. Short circuiting a platform with a number of games still in development is not going to sit well with a number of parties. If MS is so quick to dump the xbox, then why should the 360 be any different if it doesn't sell well.

MS is supporting the xbox till 2007?! Yeah, right. Talk about your pr lies.


Wow! You make a sales thread and don't mention the software sales. Well by looking at the sales chart I can see why. Great post ;)

[theWacoKid]

Wow! You make a sales thread and don't mention the software sales. Well by looking at the sales chart I can see why. Great post ;)

I thought I'd leave that to the xboobs like yourself. Since MS is killing off the xbox, those sales seemed fairly secondary in importance. Sony took spots 2 and 3, so and numerous spots down the chart. With Doom3, SC:CT and JE, I expected a big month for those titles. You can always count on the xbox lemming effect to generate first month sales.

[Mochan]

You mention XBox is losing but when I look at the sales chart I see XBox games are trouncing the PS2 games handily.

[theWacoKid]

You mention XBox is losing but when I look at the sales chart I see XBox games are trouncing the PS2 games handily.

Hardware sales, dude, hardware sales. The xbox outsold the ps2 in november and december of 2004, but since then, its gone back to the old standard. Rumors were cited of xbox shortages due to MS phasing out the xbox. MS denied this and said they had underestimated demand for the xbox over the holidays and were playing catch up and that the hardware shortage was temporary. Looks like MS was lying out their teeth and those rumors of MS ditching the xbox were true.

My point is, toyota customers become lexus customers but if all you have is a mercedes benz dealership where do your customers come from? Short circuiting the xbox is not going to help sell more 360s. Price is a factor along with software selection and with no mention of backwards compatability, you have to wonder what MS is thinking.

The fact that the xbox has big titles selling well makes their decision to dump the console that much more perplexing. Why dump a product at its peak? Sorry, but I just don't get it. And GS interviewed three analysts as to what MS should do with the xbox and dumping it was not mentioned as a game plan.

[Pandarbock]

Basically, if they're not accepting anymore shipments as aug. 1st, what kind of supply situation are we talking. We've already heard the xbox has been in short supply for a while. The xbox could literally be gone from shelves well before the xbox 360 even hits shelves. The other damaging thing is that MS is basically telling developers, we're moving on, you should too. Short circuiting a platform with a number of games still in development is not going to sit well with a number of parties. If MS is so quick to dump the xbox, then why should the 360 be any different if it doesn't sell well.

MS is supporting the xbox till 2007?! Yeah, right. Talk about your pr lies.

Certainly not surprising, watch the ourcolony video and it becomes clear MS is eager to move on to a ricer "pimp my video game system" approach to marketing / revenue stream. They need to dump the old clunker land yacht in favor of a cheaper to make slimmer model, and pretty much forget that the dinosaur existed. Seriously though when has MS ever supported any of there products with full fervor after the new line has come out? window 95? windows 98? How about changing the format completely between each version of office, so that you can't open a newer office document in older versions of office?

[theWacoKid]

Certainly not surprising, watch the ourcolony video and it becomes clear MS is eager to move on to a ricer "pimp my video game system" approach to marketing / revenue stream. They need to dump the old clunker land yacht in favor of a cheaper to make slimmer model, and pretty much forget that the dinosaur existed. Seriously though when has MS ever supported any of there products with full fervor after the new line has come out? window 95? windows 98? How about changing the format completely between each version of office, so that you can't open a newer office document in older versions of office?

People look for the big mistake when it comes to console wars and how it affects who comes out on top. This is the big mistake for MS. No low end to fall back on, a customer base to draw from for the future. If you're a gamer, and you approve of this approach, dump the old and bring on the new, then basically you've invalidated the last few years of your gaming experience, that it was a colossal waste of time. Because a good game is a good game is a good game.

With the ps2, I brought over my existing ps1 game library, I bought FFIX, and wouldn've bought more, but the software dried up very quickly.

The whole customization thing in 360 is so cell phone-ish trivial. Different faceplates, your own little personalized gamertag area or whatever. What is it that MS is looking to sell, anyway? Ultimately, the big swing factor are gaming exclusives be they first party of third party. MS first party for launch isn't strong any way you cut it. Kameo has been panned repeatedly at each E3, and now xbots on message boards are hypocritically praising a title they didn't give two sh&*s about yesterday, a nintendo gc reject. And PDZ, well, its just a big question mark, now isn't it? PGR3, a sequel. Are there any third party exclusives?

Lots of talk about specs, that will prove largely irrelevant since the competition will boast similar or greater specs and features. The only real advantage with 360 is if you want to move to next gen, they'll get you there first, but aside from that, what's the big deal.

[Renzatic Gear]

Certainly not surprising, watch the ourcolony video and it becomes clear MS is eager to move on to a ricer "pimp my video game system" approach to marketing / revenue stream.
http://users.chartertn.net/greymatt/ricercar.jpg

YO MY XBOX 360 CODENAME BLOODTITS HAS SOME MAD BLING RIMS!

[Pandarbock]

http://users.chartertn.net/greymatt/ricercar.jpg

YO MY XBOX 360 CODENAME BLOODTITS HAS SOME MAD BLING RIMS!

DAM DAWG DAT A TIGHT AZZ RIG YAZ GOT YO (certainly much smaller than the original xbox) :D hehehehe

[Renzatic Gear]

They Gots Type R Decals Too Yo! Add 3-fiffy Horsepower All Up In Dat Mug!

[Gadfly2317]

You mention XBox is losing but when I look at the sales chart I see XBox games are trouncing the PS2 games handily.

I don't see that. I see a deep, more diverse libary on the Ps2 selling to a more diverse and larger gaming base. What you see on this April software chart is 1.) April is not exactly the big month for releasing games, yet Xbox did release a couple big games, and Xbox games sell in herd numbers and then dissappear off the charts, a couple exceptions called Halo aside.

But yes, the Xbox does have momentum. That's what's so bizarre about MS killing it off, ending its production. Like Waco says, why disown your past and have no low-end system for low-end gamers? Ps1's are still for sale, NEW, aren't they? What are Xbox gamers going to do when their sys dies? The other point Waco makes is pretty damned on the mark. . . developers who have games upcoming on Xbox can't be pleased if gamers can no longer buy xbox's.

It's one more reason why I'm not interested in Xbox2. . . they pulled the plug in a big fast way with the financial disaster that the Xbox has been. Judging by the specs of the Xbox2, it will also be a money loser unless it posts much bigger sales numbers than Xbox did. That's the whole hope of MS in launching first, that they will be like Ps2 in 2001. But they won't, and I fully believe based on the current behavior and basic business common sense that if 3 years after XBox2's launch that if it is losing a billion a year like XBox did, it will get the plug pulled to. It's a loser system with limited gaming. It just seems like a redundant waste to me when the Ps3 offers so much more, or the Revolution offering something so different.

Xbox2: more of the same; more shooting, racing sports, and another money losing system that'll get killed off in 3 years.

[Mochan]

I don't see that. I see a deep, more diverse libary on the Ps2 selling to a more diverse and larger gaming base.

That makes sense. But I also think there haven't really been too many good releases on the PS2 lately. The only games I've gotten lately are God of War and Shin Megami Tensei. I'll be getting Stella Deus as soon as I can find it here. But oh boy next month is Super Robot Wars Alpha 3!!!!! And later this month is Namco x Capcom!!!!

[Gadfly2317]

That makes sense. But I also think there haven't really been too many good releases on the PS2 lately. The only games I've gotten lately are God of War and Shin Megami Tensei. I'll be getting Stella Deus as soon as I can find it here. But oh boy next month is Super Robot Wars Alpha 3!!!!! And later this month is Namco x Capcom!!!!

How are you enjoying Shin Megami Tensei? I want to get the version Atlus announced for the DS, since I'm more likely to get around to actually playing it that way, even if I do miss out on voice/cut-scene stuff.

Truly, I guess maybe I'm gamed out, and glad of it, but there's little coming on the consoles that has me really excited. Nothing on Xbox. Okami and Ps2 (and Wanda, mostly because of the promotion its gotten from guys around here, but Okami's the one that calls out to me.) and Killer 7 on GC, and of course that Gorgeous new Zelda with all the horseback based combat, and suposedly dwarfing WindWaker in size.

Other than that, I'm STILL all about the DS and what is getting ready to come out. I've got quite the covet list for that system (even though, funny as hell, what I'm using it for is playing Lunar Lander and Breakout while I listen over and over and over to Sleepy Time Gorrilla Museums first album. Yep, I'm officially strung out, over the rainbow, and a complete lack of use to this message board at the moment.)

[slade]

I doubt that the software sales chart is true. Gran Turismo 4 is not going to sink to eleven just like that. And God of War in number two isn't feasible either.

[theWacoKid]

I doubt that the software sales chart is true. Gran Turismo 4 is not going to sink to eleven just like that. And God of War in number two isn't feasible either.

That's why I list it as unofficial. Its FWIW, which may not be much.

[Mochan]

Shin Megami Tensei is great! The atmosphere, story and characters make the show. The character system isn't half bad, it's like a dumbed down FFX FFTactics system. Not the best, and it could be a lot better (I hate being only able to equip 8 skills at a time out of the hundreds you'll be learning, it puts a damper on the character customization, which is a strong part of this game).

And still, it's a very typical JRPG and if you've grown weary of that, SMT:DDS isn't going to change your mind. All the usual stuff are there: complete linearity, way too many random encounters, dungeons and levelling up. But I have to admit it's one of the better traditional JRPGs I've played in a while.

One bad thing is that there's too much combat and the story segments are too few and far between, only coming out after the boss fight at the end of a long-ass 2-3 hour dungeon. This is a shame because the story segments are one of the strong parts of this game.

[theWacoKid]

FWIW, some indivual stats for top fives.

PS2

1 MIDNIGHT CLUB 3: DUB Take-Two Interactive 11,823,380 $ 238,443
2 GOD OF WAR Sony 9,073,448 $ 182,571
3 LEGO STAR WARS Eidos 4,787,039 $ 120,296
4 GRAN TURISMO 4 Sony 4,111,851 $ 82,796
5 MVP BASEBALL 2005 Electronic Arts 3,591,877 $ 120,319


XBOX

1 DOOM 3 COLLECTORS ED Activision 13,079,850 $ 220,454
2 DOOM 3 Activision 8,081,774 $ 164,258
3 T.CLANCY:CHAOS THEORY Ubi Soft 8,071,464 $ 164,022
4 MIDNIGHT CLUB 3: DUB Take-Two Interactive 7,892,765 $ 159,325
5 WWE WRESTLEMANIA 21 THQ 5,423,751 $ 108,712


GCN

1 DK: JUNGLE W/BONGOS Nintendo 2,086,199 $ 38,379
2 DRAGONBALL Z: SAGAS Atari 1,248,139 $ 31,745
3 STAR FOX: ASSAULT Nintendo 1,139,895 $ 23,014
4 MARIO PARTY 6 W/MIC Nintendo 1,029,009 $ 20,668
5 RESIDENT EVIL 4 Capcom 826,130 $ 16,445


Handhelds

PSP NEED SPEED:UND RIVALS Electronic Arts 3,933,665 $ 79,010
PSP TWISTED METAL:HEAD ON Sony 2,808,298 $ 70,544
PSP UNTOLD LEGENDS:BTHRHD Sony 2,551,429 $ 64,144
PSP RIDGE RACER Namco 2,195,410 $ 55,082
GBA LEGO STAR WARS Eidos 2,184,754 $ 74,831

The gamecube has a dismal month, absolutely dismal.