NPD Lists Top-Selling Console and Handheld Games Since 1995

January 19, 2010 4:30 PM

We reported NPD Group's list of 2009's top-selling games just a few days ago, but IndustryGamers has released a list of the top-selling games according to the NPD dating back to 1995, when the group first began tracking sales data.

IndustryGamers notes that the list of games has been compiled by title, rather than individual SKU's, meaning that sales for all platforms are lumped into a single result for multiplatform offerings. This makes the appearance of the three Wii-exclusives even more impressive, though it's also worth noting that Wii Play, Wii Fit, and Mario Kart all come bundled with peripherals. In Wii Play's case, it came packaged with a Wii-mote for only about $10 more than it would cost to buy the controller by itself, a fact which surely had a positive impact on sales.

NPD's Best Unit Sales by Title (since 1995)

Wii Play
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Wii Fit
Mario Kart w/ Wheel
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Madden NFL '07
Call of Duty: World at War
Namco Museum

The list includes games for consoles and handhelds, but doesn't include PC titles. All of the data relates to sales in the United States.

Jeff Mattas

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Yxalitis

 reply
January 19, 2010 4:55 PM

Wii Play...ONLY because it included a second controller for less than the price of buying one seperately
- Korban
  
   reply
  January 19, 2010 5:01 PM
  
  and this makes you mad...
  - Vincent Grayson
    
     reply
    January 19, 2010 5:08 PM
    
    It is a bit deceptive. Not that these kinds of things aren't always.
  - Fred Garvin
    
     reply
    January 19, 2010 5:38 PM
    
    I don't think anyone is mad, it's just that Nintendo trots out Wii Play numbers all the time and it's misleading considering that it's as much the controller as the software people are buying.
    - wieder
      
       reply
      January 19, 2010 7:39 PM
      
      Especially since Wii Play is pretty weak when it comes to First Party Nintendo Wii games.
- theLephty
  
   reply
  January 19, 2010 6:07 PM
  
  while I totally agree it shouldn't count, Wii Play retails for $10 more than a controller... so it's basically a $10 game, up next to $50-$60 games... the only thing I don't understand is why wii sports isn't number one on the list since they "sold" one with every wii...
  - theLephty
    
     reply
    January 19, 2010 6:09 PM
    
    "npd doesn't list games bundled with console hardware." Chris Faylor
    
    ahh, there is my answer.
  - capt tripps
    
     reply
    January 19, 2010 6:50 PM
    
    If you drop Wii Play, you'll have to drop other games like Guitar Hero, Wii Fit, and anything else that bundles hardware.
    - Schnapple
      
       reply
      January 20, 2010 5:41 AM
      
      Unless you set up some sort of special rule that excludes games which come with hardware that also comes with the base unit. But yeah it's too complicated for NPD to maintain (what if the controller is different somehow?) so they don't bother.
- radarman
  
   reply
  January 20, 2010 8:21 AM
  
  making it cost the same as... a 360 game? i fail to see your point.
  - wieder
    
     reply
    January 20, 2010 9:26 AM
    
    The reason it's a point is because the Wii supports up to 4 controllers but only comes with one. Virtually everyone who purchases a Wii is going to get at least one more remote so when faced with buying a $50 remote or a $60 remote + game... it's a pretty easy option. It's a pretty thin line between that and a hardware bundle (which they do exclude) and is definitely part of Nintendo's way of keeping the core cost of the system down... knowing you are going to spend at least another $50 almost guaranteed.
    - wieder
      
       reply
      January 20, 2010 9:27 AM
      
      Note I don't disagree with the inclusion... just trying to elaborate on what the point is that people were making.