NPD October 2011: Xenoblade is coming baby

Before we get down to October's NPD, I wanna get this out of the way. For those of you who anticipated Xenoblade to come to North America, guess what, IT'S COMING!

Nintendo of America finally did it! After earlier rumors and teasing, it has finally been announced that the looooong awaited roleplaying game, Xenoblade, will be coming to North American Wiis in April 2012. It'll go by its European name, Xenoblade Chronicles.

That's right folks. Like a Rainfall that happened while we least expect it, Xenoblade will be coming next year to North America. Mark your calendar Wii owners. April is the due date.

With that out of the way, here comes the NPD of October.

However, we're going do things different. Instead of Hardware first, then software, we're reversing it. So...


1. Battlefield 3 (360, PS3, PC)** Electronic Arts - almost 2 million
2. Batman: Arkham City (360, PS3)** Warner Bros. Interactive - 1.5 million
3. NBA 2K12 (360, PS3, PSP, Wii, PS2, PC) Take Two Interactive
4. Rage (360, PS3, PC) Bethesda Softworks - 550k
5. Just Dance 3 (Wii, 360) Ubisoft
6. Dark Souls (PS3, 360)** Namco Bandai Games
7. Madden NFL 12 (360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP)** Electronic Arts
8. Forza Motorsport 4 (360)** Microsoft
9. Gears of War 3 (360)** Microsoft
10. FIFA Soccer 12 (360, PS3, Wii, PSP, PS2, 3DS) Electronic Arts
11. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (not in order 3DS, Wii, 360, PS3, PC) Activision

Not to be one to capitalize on opportunity, EA dominates on the top with Battlefield 3. Batman's 2nd 360/PS3 title from Rocksteady rocks on at number 2 with NBA 2K12 at number 3 and Rage at number 4. 360 and Wii owners are dancing to Just Dance 3 at 5 with Dark Souls hanging on at 6. At number 7, Madden NFL 2012. Rounding out the Top 10, Forza Motorsport 4, Gears of War 3 and Fifa Soccer 12. Interestingly, an 11th place confirms the new Skylanders game. Normally we don't do 11th, but this is an exception.

Now let's get down to Hardware

360 - 393k (+14.9%)
3DS - >250k
WII - <250k (<+7.75%)
PS3 - 240k~250k (estimated from Microsoft, Nintendo and NPD PR) (-4.0% - 0.0%)
NDS - <180k (>-47.4%)

The 360 is still at top with the 3DS right behind. The Wii also did decently against the PS3 with the oldskool DS falling behind. And what happened to the PSP? Did it strike out? Will the Vita give Sony the handheld power, or does Nintendo have a trap card up its sleeve.

I'll be posting the NPD November numbers earlier than usual since it is Christmas time. In the meantime, enjoy this little clip for you Skyrim fans.




Works Cited:
Destructoid
NeoGAF