NPD February 2011: Late and...last?

Folks, it's been awhile since I last posted on the 3DS. And we're finally getting some info in on if the system sold and...

Wait. You're telling me I forgot to post the NPD of February last month? Well let's get it out of the way.

Wii - 454,870
Xbox 360 - 535,214
PS3 - 402,648
NDS - 456,732
PSP - 77,647
PS2 - 28,951

In an odd twist of fate, 4 of the 6 systems have risen above 400K. The Wii, 360, PS3 and DS. The DS slightly edges out the Wii while the 360 is above 500K, the best non-Holiday sales. The PSP and PS2 however, are below 100K. How the PSP continues to not sell in America is beyond me.

But what about the software sales?

1. Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision: 360, PS3, Wii, NDS, PC)
2. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (Capcom: 360, PS3) - 790,200
3. Just Dance 2 (Ubisoft: Wii) - 554,552
4. NBA 2K11 (Take-Two: 360, PS3, PSP, Wii, PS2, PC)
5. Dead Space 2 (EA: 360, PS3, PC)
6. Zumba Fitness: Join the Party (Majesco: Wii, 360, PS3)
7. Bulletstorm (EA: 360, PS3, PC) - 285,600
8. Killzone 3 (Sony: PS3) - 279,824
9. Michael Jackson The Experience (Ubisoft: Wii, DS, PSP)
10. Mario Sports Mix (Nintendo: WII) - 199,965

In first place, Call of Duty: Black Ops dominates again with Marvel vs Capcom 3 righ tbehind. Just Dance 2 is dancing ahead of NBA 2K11 and Dead Space 2. Zumba Fitness: Join the Party is proving you don't need a Wii to party like a maniac and Bulletstorm is right up the alley ahead of Killzone 3. Rapping out the Top 10 are Michael Jackons the Experience and Mario Sports Mix, with a slower than usual start

At first glance, it seems Call of Duty has once again risen above everything else. Marvel vs Capcom 3, Just Dance, NBA 2K11, Michael Jackson: The Experience and even Mario Sports Mix. But what happens when they break up into individual SKUs?

1. Just Dance 2 (Ubisoft: Wii) - 554,552
2. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (Capcom: PS3) - 398,284
3. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (Capcom: X360) - 391,913
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision: X360) - 390,729
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops (Activision: PS3) - 288,674
6. Killzone 3 (Sony: PS3) - 279,824
7. Bulletstorm (EA: X360) - 233,365
8. Zumba Fitness: Join the Party (Majesco: Wii) - 226,685
9. Michael Jackson The Experience (Ubisoft: Wii) - 226, 378
10. NBA 2K11 (Take-Two: X360) - 224,800
11. Mario Sports Mix (Nintendo: Wii) - 199,965
12. Dance Central (MTV Games: X360) - 183,920
13. Dead Space 2 (EA: X360) - 179,675
14. NBA 2K11 (Take-Two: PS3) - 159,278

NOOOOOO! It's as I feared. Just Dance 2 is dancing all over the competition.

Interestingly, Marvel vs Capcom 3 is nearly evened out with the PS3 version outselling the 360 version. On the Call of Duty side of tings, the 360 version is outselling the PS3 version. While Bulletstorm was outselling Killzone 3 across both systems, the 360 version alone is no match for the PS3 exclusive.

As much as I am excited for next month's report, there is some bad news that may force me to use VGChartz. A message from NPD to Analyst Michael Patcher

“NPD would appreciate it, if you and your teams refrain from providing any of our Games data directly to the media. This includes live discussions, e-mails, and/or notes. In some cases, you may have to remove the media from your distribution lists. Should the media take issue with this, you can feel free to send them my contact information, and I can connect them with the appropriate NPD representative.”

Ain't that a kick in the balls. If I do a March 2011 report, it may be from non-NPD numbers. Due to that, we may not know how well the 3DS will do from the officials, especially if they want their numbers to cost $10,000. Next thing you'll know, reviews from IGN, Gamespot, 1up, Gamesrader, Gamepro, etc. will cost money just to look at.

Works Cited

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