Rise In Game Accessory Sales

Wireless controllers and Wii Fit the big winners.

The holidays weren’t just a bonanza for game consoles and, of course, games themselves. They also brought a big boost to game accessories, according to a story in the Financial Times.   The Wii Fit, which focuses on health, was launched in Japan on December 1, since when it’s sold half a million copies. It uses a balance board shaped like bathroom scales.   Accessories are becoming more and more integral to games. In the US the top selling game, Guitar Hero III from Activision, uses a guitar accessory. How popular is it? During November it accounted for 17% of all game sales, a staggering figure given the strong competition. Its rival EA’s Rock Band, includes a microphone, drum kit and guitar in its packaging.   Wireless controllers for the Wii, especially the Zapper, which comes bundled with Link’s Crossbow Training, and PS3 have also been massive sellers, along with buzzer controllers for quiz games.