Analysts describe October retail as a "mixed bag," with software outperforming expectations to 6 percent growth -- but a severe 26 percent hardware revenue plunge weighing on the results overall. Now more details on individual title and console performance is emerging from analysts, who've received new numbers from the NPD Group.
According to Wedbush's Michael Pachter, it was the contraction in handheld unit sales, down 34 percent, that helped created a significant drain on the hardware market, although unit sales of Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii were together down 25 percent year over year.
"We believe the iPod Touch is cannibalizing dedicated game handheld hardware sales, and expect weakness in handhelds to persist until the 2011 introduction of the Nintendo 3DS," suggests Pachter.
...of choice because it fits in my pocket and has just a little bit of everything I need on it. However I'd qualify my statement by saying I got my Touch for free. I haven't purchased a handheld since the first Gameboy Color :) the clear purple plastic one :)
"25% decreased sales" is pretty reasonable considering that current-gen consoles are already on the 6th year of their life-cycle and as a result less and less people will buy them from now on.
People actually listen to Patcher?
That's like saying Honda is biting into Ferrari sales.
Ever since I started gaming with my iTouch, I completely stopped using my PsP and DS.
But I think it has to do because of 3 other important factors.
1. Very easy to conceal
2. Surf the web ... (I'm using it rt now)
3. The APP store .... with tons of other stuff to keep me interested and busy