Overall U.S. video game sales rose 18 percent to $13.5 billion in 2006, boosted by new consoles from Sony Corp. and Nintendo Co. Ltd. and titles like “Madden NFL 07” and “World of Warcraft,” market research firm NPD said on Thursday.
Sales of video games and accessories for consoles and portable devices grew to $12.5 billion from $10.5 billion in 2005. Revenue from PC games rose 1 percent to top $970 million in 2006.
Sony and Nintendo released their PlayStation 3 and Wii consoles in November and were sold out at launch.
“Madden NFL 2007” from Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) was the top-selling video game for consoles and hand-held devices, based on unit sales, while “World of Warcraft” was the top PC game.
Lists of the best-selling console/hand-held and PC games follow:
Top 10 console/handheld video games 2006
1. “Madden NFL 07,” EA
2. “Cars,” THQ Inc.
3. “Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy,” LucasArts
4. “NCAA Football 07,” EA
5. “New Super Mario Bros.,” Nintendo
6. “Need for Speed: Most Wanted,” EA
7. “Gears of War,” Microsoft Corp.
8. “Call of Duty 3,” Activision Inc.
9. “Lego Star Wars,” LucasArts
10. “Fight Night Round 3,” EA
Top 10 PC games 2006
1. “World Of Warcraft,” Vivendi
2. “The Sims 2,” EA
3. “The Sims 2: Open For Business Expansion Pack,” EA
4. “Star Wars: Empire At War,” LucasArts
5. “The Sims 2 Pets Expansion Pack,” EA
6. “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion,” Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.
7. “Age Of Empires III,” Microsoft
8. “The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff Expansion Pack,” EA
9. “Civilization IV,” Take-Two
10. “The Sims 2 Nightlife Expansion Pack,” EA
Source: The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service
