PS3 Informer

November NPD Results Show Growth For Sony

Sony hardware trailed all other platforms this past November, according to market analysts the NPD group. The PSP was the top-selling platform for the Sony brand in the United States, moving approximately 420,000 units last month. However, the competing Nintendo DS sold three times as many units, and the Microsoft Xbox 360 more than doubled the sales of the Sony PS3. If it is possible to find a silver lining in the November NPD results, it is by comparing this year’s numbers with those of one year ago.

Sony stated in a press release this morning that sales of the PS3 are up 60% from one year ago. This is impressive considering the high cost of the console and the current economic climate. The video game industry as a whole appreared to be weathering the recession well, with sales up 10% over the previous year. On the software side, the highest-selling PS3 titles this november were Call of Duty: World at War and Resistance 2 (see below).

Despite lacking any high-profile games, the handheld PSP managed to sell well in November, partially boosted by the release of a new hardware revision, the PSP 3000. According to Sony, these sales are also best understood in the context of earlier numbers:

“The PSP 3000 and the Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack proved to be a popular choice for movies, games and entertainment content on-the-go in November, with 420,539 units sold. This represents an increase of 118% from October.” The company said.

It appears as though many folks will be finding a PSP 3000 bundle under the Christmas tree this year.

The gritty multiplatform shooter World at War was a strong seller on the PS3 hardware.

[Source: NPD Group, Sony Press Release]