Nintendo Dethrones Microsoft

[Oddball]

Nintendo Dethrones Microsoft
Sales place GCN in second for 2003.

January 15, 2004 - Today, Nintendo announced that it has succeeded in seizing Microsoft's seat in the 2003 console wars, which places the GameCube as the second best selling console for 2003 (deferring to Sony's Playstation 2). According to Nintendo, recent global sales over the holidays increased by 70 percent over 2002s numbers. Nintendo believes that it will still be able to reach its target of six million global holiday sales for the GameCube this fiscal year.


Nintendo's latest estimates for 2003 state that GameCube sales in the United States increased by 35 percent over 2002, while the PlayStation 2's sales dropped 25 percent and Xbox showed no signs of market growth. December's sales of the GameCube (thanks to the price drop) increased by 69 percent compared to December 2002. Meanwhile, Nintendo claims that the PlayStation 2's sales dropped by 30 percent and that Xbox's sales have remained unchanged.

This sales boost in the U.S. is a result of the GameCube's September 25 price drop to $99. GameCube has almost sold 6.8 million units in the U.S. since its 2001 launch. Mario Kart: Double Dash!!! is currently the fastest-selling GCN game in the U.S. -- selling over one million units in seven weeks.

"With the price drop for Nintendo GameCube and strong games across the board, we expected to have a good holiday season, but these numbers surpassed even our best projections," explains George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance have become the engines powering the video game industry this year."

IGN was unable to obtain official hardware sales figures to confirm or deny Nintendo's claims. However, IGN did seek an official comment from Microsoft on Nintendo's alleged ascension into second place. "According to the latest figures, Xbox maintained its No. 2 install base overall in the U.S. and Europe. Xbox had a great holiday. Holiday momentum was driven by our strong games line-up, superior online gaming service and offers at retail. We will be updating more specific figures next week when Microsoft earnings are released," stated an Xbox spokesperson.

Sony was also contacted for a statement regarding Nintendo's recent announcement. A spokesperson said, "It's difficult to comment on Nintendo's announcement this morning, especially regarding holiday sales, specifically because Nintendo didn't list any sales figures." At the time of publication, IGN was unable to verify with Sony whether the Playstation 2 suffered a 25 percent decrease in sales in 2003.

IGN will update with more information regarding Sony's, Nintendo's, and Microsoft's 2003 market shares when sales figures are released.

[[N]eto]

Sounds good. And with the upcoming games, they are sure to raise even more.

[Oddball]

Nintendo will still live on people, dont lose hope. :tup:

[cHilli]

Nooooot a hope..^_^

[Oddball]

Even if GCN falls, there will still be GBA so Nintendo will live on.

[[N]eto]

The NGC (yes, that's the order) will never fall.

Na GC AND GBA ALL ROCK!

[Oddball]

is Xbox still in second place?

[cHilli]

I would think so, according to magazines [non XBox/GC], and TV shows, it is.

[Nick Hyral]

Nintendo rocks :p They should put the GC online already.. if games like Super Smash bros and Mario Party were put online like PSO imagine how much it would increase? Mario Party and Super Smash are only fun 1 player for awhile.. but being able to play with others would up the play value so much more.