Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's 3DS were tops in the US gaming business in August. However, although total sales were up in August, hardware sales in the U.S. plummeted in anticipation of the next-generation consoles in November.
During August, total US-based spending on discs, hardware, and accessories reached $521 million, representing a slight 1 percent declined compared to the $516.3 million gamers spent during the same period last year, according to data released by NPD. Software sales were up 23 percent year-over-year to $293.4 million. On the other hand, hardware sales were down 40 percent to $90.8 million as gamers are expecting the holiday launch of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Microsoft's Xbox 360 was the top-selling console for the 32nd month straight with 96,000 units sold. Neither Sony nor Nintendo announced unit sales on the PlayStation 3 and Wii U, respectively. Nintendo just said that its 3DS was top on the portable space and was actually the bestselling hardware in the U.S. last month. The Japanese company added that software sales on its portable are up 30 percent year-over-year to 6.5 million units sold so far in 2013 in the US.