Nintendo Wii Leads Next-Gen Console Sales

New figures from market research firm NPD show Nintendo's Wii has dominated console sales during the period next-gen system have been available.

Remember a year ago—or maybe six months ago—when most industry-watchers were expecting the next-generation video game console wars to center on Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360? New sales figures from market research firm NPD covering the period from November 2006 to February 2007 show the Nintendo Wii significantly outselling both its more-powerful (and more-expensive!) competitors.

According to NPD, the Nintendo Wii sold 1.86 million units from November 2006 through February 2007; in comparison, Sony sold 1.1 million PlayStation 3 consoles and Microsoft managed to move 1 million Xbox 360s.

Analysts attribute the Wii’s success to pricing—the system sells for significantly less than either Microsoft’s or Sony’s offerings—and also to the console’s innovative, interactive controls and friendly interface, which are credited with attracting customers who might not otherwise consider purchase of a video game system.

So far, industry-watchers don’t find the Wii’s lack of online multiplayer games a significant shortfall to adoption, although Nintendo plans to bring out its first online-capable title, Pokémon Battle Revolution, at the end of June.