APRIL 17, 2009 • The Xbox 360 may not be the best-selling console in North America, but was the only system to report a year-over-year gain in sales during March, according to the NPD Group. The system saw a 25% increase at 330,000 units sold. Regardless, the Wii continued to lead with 601,000 units sold during the month, followed by the DS at 563,000. The PS3 followed at 218,000, with the PSP and PS2 trailing at 168,000 and 112,000 respectively.

Impact: There was a great deal of news made over the fact that March sales were down in what was supposed to be the recession proof video game industry.  In reality, for those playing the monthly numbers game, the decline was insignificant.  A month like March will account for about 5% of annual sales and a single major new product can tilt the scales significantly.  April and, especially, May, could be even worse as 2008 saw the release of Grand Theft Auto IV.