August 2008 NPD results

On September 12, 2008, in Sales, by Jeff Rivera

The NPDs are out and fanboys are throwing stones and making excuses once again. As usual, the DS and Wii topped the charts, with the PSP coming in third. The Xbox 360 managed to outsell the PS3 after failing to do so for the entire summer, and that’s still before the recent price drop (sales of the cheaper 360 will be in next month’s NPD). Sales should begin picking up steam as we near the holiday season and bigger games are making their way to the shelves. On the software front, Madden dominated. It’s kind of sad too, because this year’s Madden was a mess. I don’t think we’ve had a good Madden since Madden 2004, but the thing continues to sell like crazy anyway. I don’t understand why people don’t pick up a different NFL ga–oh wait, it’s the only option.

Hardware Sales

  1. Nintendo DS – 518,300
  2. Nintendo Wii – 453,000
  3. Sony PSP – 253,000
  4. Xbox 360 – 195,200
  5. PlayStation 3 – 185,400
  6. PlayStation 2 – 144,100

Top Ten Software Sales

  1. 360 Madden NFL 09 – 1,000,000
  2. PS3 Madden NFL 09 – 643,000
  3. PS2 Madden NFL 09 – 424,500
  4. Wii Wii Fit – 394,900
  5. Wii Mario Kart – 328,700
  6. Wii Wii Play w/ Remote – 200,200
  7. 360 Soulcalibur IV – 174,000
  8. 360 Too Human – 168,200
  9. Wii Madden NFL 09 – 115,800
  10. NDS Guitar Hero: On Tour – 111,200

Pretty predictable month, overall. I’m sure Denis Dyack isn’t too happy that Too Human debuted so softly. Perhaps it will get a holiday bump, but it’s going to take an absolute miracle for that game to sell more than 350,000 copies. Given the fact that development started on that game over 10 years ago on the PSOne, that’s gotta sting quite a bit.

 
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  • Curtass

    Madden was “a mess”?!?!?!? I demand a formal review. Explain yourself!

  • http://stupidgamer.com Jeff Rivera

    Hmm, let’s see…where to begin? Ok, let’s go.

    -Several times I’ve seen the QB pass after scrambling beyond the line of scrimmage.
    -Several times I’ve picked up a fumble only to have the play end immediately despite the player not being down when recovering the ball.
    -If you move outside the pocket with your QB, it’s an automatic INT or TERRIBLY off the target pass even if you set your feet. This is beyond stupid. If you get set, your pass should still be accurate. This is the NFL for crying out loud.
    -Players on come back routes retreat way too far when they receive the ball every time.
    -Superman INTs seem more common than INTs happening when the defender is in perfect position and facing the pass. If the player is in perfect position to make the pick, it should happen. If the player isn’t looking, they shouldn’t make a last second acrobatic move to get it except for very rare occasions.

    I am seriously doubting EA’s commitment to this franchise. I mean, c’mon, how can a game that needs minimal improvement year to year still get released with bugs (3 DREs the first night), stupid hokey gimmicks (Madden Rewind is maybe the dumbest thing ever, so is Madden IQ), and crap like graphical slowdown during and after plays? I really want to like Madden, but it feels like EA just doesn’t give a rip about their biggest franchise. They know it will sell no matter what, so why do much more than piss in a box and release it?

  • Curtass

    I do agree that Madden has it’s obvious flaws, but to call it “a mess”?…it isn’t that bad….

    In any case, it would be nice if EA had some competition ala 2k Sports era, so they could actually be forced to put in a more valiant effort year by year. When does their contract with the NFL run out?

  • http://stupidgamer.com Jeff Rivera

    I believe the have their contract until 2012.

  • Curtass

    I have changed my mind regarding Madden. While I still wouldn’t call it a mess, it still pisses me off with it’s several minor but annoying nuances.

    The on-field problems are obvious (ie: when the computer can’t run and switch carrying-hands at the same time following a catch, and subsequently runs out of bounds…ridiculous), I am more bothered by the crap that happens off field.

    - The playbook automatically goes to “ask Madden” on 4th down. It’s fourth-and-inches on the opponents’ 39-yard line, and Madden thinks I should punt? I don’t think so. Hell, the “ask Madden” feature shouldn’t even be the game if you have the difficulty setting higher than rookie.

    - Signing and re-signing players is monotonous and almost pointless. There’s almost no room for bargaining! The computer shoots out a number that you should offer, and if you go even a few thousand bucks less, you’re slapped in the face with a “Don’t insult my client!” or something of that matter. Signing could be and should be a lot more engaging.

    - In general, navigating though the menus is unnecessarily tedious. When viewing your franchise “transactions” it automatically goes to your team. I think I’d know what transactions I have made. Also, there are so few transactions in the league, it should automatically go to “All NFL”

    - For some reason, the play clock runs when you’re kicking off! In past, after scoring a touchdown, you were able to put the contoller down, stretch out, call your buddy, take a shit, grab a beer and sit back down, all while your team is patiently waiting for you to initiate the kick off. Now, you have to press PAUSE after the score. Sheesh!

    And what’s the difference between “Advanced” and “Hardcore” controls, anyways?



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