Big three respond to May US sales

Reaction from 'the big three' to the US hardware and software sales for the month of May has arrived.

Hardware winner by a country mile Nintendo, was full of sunshine. NOA second in command Cammie Dunaway came to the conclusion that punters must like the value the new Wii bundles offer, and promised to keep up momentum with the autumnal release schedule.

"These May results show that consumers are really responding to the value proposition of our new Wii configuration that now includes Wii Sports Resort and a Wii MotionPlus accessory," she said.

"May also saw the launch of two great games: Super Mario Galaxy 2 for Wii and Picross 3D for Nintendo DS. They preface the steady drumbeat of big games for the second half of 2010 we announced at the E3 Expo that will keep fans engaged and having fun”.

Her mention of the "steady drumbeat of big games" may have been made to counter the forward-looking statements of both Microsoft and Sony, which both welcome major hardware additions this year.

Microsoft noted that May was "typically a slower sales month" but chirped that four Xbox 360 games made the US software top 10. This included the runaway winner Red Dead Redemption.

Microsoft boasted that the attach rate of the console had risen to 8.9 games, and wallowed in the largest revenue share of the market combining sales of hardware, software and accessories - in other words, overpriced hard-drives and wireless dongles.

But the focus for Microsoft was on the upcoming US hardware sales for June, following the release of the new "whisper quiet" Xbox 360 on 14th June.

"We are hearing great feedback from retailers that the new Xbox 360 250GB is experiencing unprecedented demand," commented Microsoft. "Consumers are eager to experience this new console, completely redesigned for the future of entertainment: Sleeker, smaller, and whisper-quiet.

"Strong demand for the new Xbox 360 250GB combined with a $50 price reduction in the US on the Xbox 360 Arcade and Elite consoles has resulted in a significant sales spike for Xbox 360 since the new console hit shelves on or around June 14."

Sony, meanwhile, kept a cheery exterior and concentrated on heralding the 10th consecutive month of PS3 year-on-year growth. But from here, the focus will be "this fall's most anticipated launch", PlayStation Move.

"While tight inventory had an impact on sales numbers in recent months, we are now beginning to experience greater availability of product and are looking forward to this fall’s most anticipated launch, PlayStation Move," commented Patrick Seybold for Sony.

"When PlayStation Move launches consumers will have access to a compelling line-up of motion-control titles that will appeal to casual and core gamers and, in the months that follow, a new line-up of AAA hardware sellers previewed at E3 will arrive on PS3 including Gran Turismo 5, Killzone 3, Twisted Metal and inFamous 2."

Seybold also noted that PS3 was "the only console" providing you lot with a way to watch films and play games in 3D.

The NPD sales results for May can be found elsewhere on the site.