Skip to main content

Video game sales down 4 pct in January

Market researcher NPD has released its estimated U.S. sales figures for video games and video game consoles for the month of January 2011…and the results aren’t all that great for the industry as a whole, although there are some standout successes for the month. Overall, sales of games and hardware totaled $1.14 billion during January, down from $1.18 billion in January of 2010. However, the slump would have been larger if not for the emerging popularity of new dancing games like Ubisoft’s Just Dance, Harmonix’s Dance Central, and Zumba Fitness: Join the Party.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the month, NPD sales sales of game hardware were down eight percent compared to a year ago, bringing in $324 million compared to $353.7 million. Software sales were also down five percent to $576 million from $606.8 million. Only gaming peripherals&mdsah;like Microsoft’s Kinect motion sensor system for the Xbox 360 and Sony Move for the PS3—saw improved sales from last year, with sales up 6 percent to $235.1 million.

Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty: Black Ops was the top-selling game of the month, still riding high after a record launch last November. Ubisoft’s Just Dance 2 came in second for the month, Zumba Fitness: Join the Party came in fifth, and both Ubisoft’s Michael Jackson The Experience and the Kinect-supporting Dance Central cracked the top ten. Rounding out the top five titles for the month were EA’s Dead Space 2, and Sony’s Little Big Planet.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Target Gaming Sale: Cheap games for Nintendo Switch, PS4, and Xbox One
Two people playing a video game.

What’s better than two games? Three games. Luckily, Target is currently running a sale in that vein with the lowest item being free. A wide variety of select games are on offer for gamers to dive into, no matter what their preference. There’s something for everyone, with games on offer for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

Not only that, but some of these titles are currently running at discounted prices, ensuring you'll be getting more for your cash. The incredible story-driven Death Stranding is currently $30, making for a $20 savings. Adding already discounted games into the mix is really going to ensure you get the most out of the sale.

Read more
Best Buy Gaming Sale: Nintendo Switch, PS4 & Xbox One
Two people playing a video game.

Today marks the final day of Best Buy's Dads & Grads Sale, meaning time is running out to take home some must-have gaming hardware and software on the cheap. Whether you're shopping for yourself, a friend, a relative, or even your dad for Father's Day, now is the time to buy. We've rounded up a handful of our favourite deals from the Dads & Grads Sale below. Rather see what's on offer for yourself? Just head over to Best Buy and see if anything stands out.
SHOP THE SALE

Grand Theft Auto V -- $20, was $30

Read more
The next Batman: Arkham game is a Meta Quest 3 exclusive
Batman stands in front of a bat shadow in Batman: Arkham Shadow.

A new Batman: Arkham was just announced, but it's not what you'd expect. Titled Batman: Arkham Shadow, it's a VR title made exclusively for the Meta Quest 3.

Not much is known about the game's story, with the tagline in a Meta blog post simply stating the following: "Evil stalks the streets. Gotham City is in danger. And you’re the only one who can save it." Shortly after the announcement, Geoff Keighley confirmed on X that we'll get more details on the game during his Summer Game Fest 2024 showcase on June 7. For now, the following teaser, which ends with Batman setting off a smoke bomb to get away from a horde of rats (is Ratcatcher in this game?), will have to suffice.

Read more