Analyst expects US Wii U sales decline in March

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Games industry analysts have weighed in with US sales predictions for the month of March, ahead of the NPD Group's release of official market data this Thursday.

Xbox 360 and PS3 are expected to lead monthly hardware sales, while Wii U looks set to record another challenging month.
Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter and fellow analyst firm EEDAR think Nintendo's new console only managed to outsell Vita, PSP and PS2 during March in the US.

Wedbush / EEDAR March hardware sales estimates (change year-on-year):

360 - 290,000 (-22%) / 330,000 (-11%)
PS3 - 260,000 (-22) / 270,000 (-19%)
3DS - 190,000 (-16%) / 190,000 (-16%)
DS - 85,000 (-20%) / 100,000 (-5%)
Wii - 85,000 (-51%) / 80,000 (-54%)
Wii U - 55,000 (n/a) / 65,000 (n/a)
Vita - 42,500 (-80%) / 45,000 (n/a)
PSP - 10,000 (-67%) / n/a (n/a)
PS2 - 100 (-99%) / n/a (n/a)
Total - 1,017,600 (-30%) / 1,080,000 (-26%)
Pachter said in a research note today: "We expect hardware sales of 55,000 Wii U units in its fifth month (down 17% month-over-month).

"Last month... the only key hardware device to underperform our expectations was the Wii U, and its fortunes appear unlikely to improve for several months, even if Nintendo decides to drop price, as there are an insufficient number of core titles that are generating interest in the console.

"We think that core gamers are far more likely to turn their attention to the PS4 (due in the holiday season) and the next Xbox, which we believe will be unveiled before E3 and have a launch alongside that of the PS4, and believe that the long-term appeal of the Wii U will be severely limited by the perception that the PS4 and next Xbox will be much more powerful with greater online integration and multimedia functionality. Should the new consoles from Sony and Microsoft be price competitive, we think that Wii U sales may continue to stagnate."

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Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/401155/analyst-expects-us-wii-u-sales-decline-in-march/

Comments

"Analyst expects US Wii U sales decline in March" :: Login/Create an Account :: 61 comments

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slapshot101Posted:

So none of the consoles sales increased this month? I feel bad for PS2, at -99% drop off. It was a good system while it lasted.

FuzPosted:

Rati Nintendo are way behind he other consoles.


yes the big console like ps3 and xbox are what most people play.

CraigPosted:

Nintendo are way behind he other consoles.

KatsumiPosted:

Well this is not really surprising. Nintendo really needs to do something to improve their console. It is seriously lacking in quality

PoonPosted:

Bias They should expect a drop in sales every month...


was thinking the same thing

CheeseStuffedPizzaPosted:

They should expect a drop in sales every month...

WhirlpoolPosted:

Azare Nintendo needs to release their known games to keep their business going. It's the only way to keep their sales rising.


I agree, they should just stick with Nintendo

nasaPosted:

I don't see while an Analyst has too expect this. Any third grader could.

AzarePosted:

Nintendo needs to release their known games to keep their business going. It's the only way to keep their sales rising.

yayPosted:

Liquidvlade I bought one at launch and I don't think I have played more than 2 hours to be honest. Personally until Nintendo starts dropping their A+ games out (Zelda, Metroid, Super Smash Bros) it won't be going anywhere, there isn't a game that makes me wanna say. I wanna play some damn Wii U


Oh hey look, someone who actually knows what they're talking about.

Got mine recently, and I'm almost done with my few games. Once the new Zelda launches (and Bayonetta 2), people WILL buy the WiiU.