The video game industry continued its downward spiral in May. According to research firm NPD Group, retail sales of hardware, software and gaming accessories in the U.S. fell 25% to $386.3 million last month, their lowest level thus far in 2013. Hardware and software sales fell 31% year-over-year to $96 million and $175.1 million, respectively, while sales of gaming accessories declined 6% year-over-year to $115.3 million. Including sales of used games, rental and digitally delivered content, micro-transactions, subscriptions, mobile apps and social network games, consumers spent a total of $787 million on video games in May.
Nintendo’s 3DS was the top-selling platform across hardware and portables, edging out the Xbox 360. The 3DS console had its best year-over-year performance with software sales increasing 60% from last May.
Nintendo continues to struggle outside of the portable market, however. The Xbox 360 was the top-selling hardware platform for the 29th consecutive month, beating the PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and the newer Wii U system.
Games such as Grand Theft Auto V and Call of Duty: Ghost will likely help bolster sales this fall, and then vendors will look for huge boosts once the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 launch.
