The NPD numbers are out for December, and while there are plenty of caveats that we can point out, the reality is that Xbox One beat the PS4 in December sales. However, there was an even bigger winner – not just for December but for all of 2013.
The NPD measures new physical retail sales – this is important because used game and console sales don’t count towards these numbers. Additionally, when looking at game sales figures, they also only include individual units sold – not those included in bundles.
In the December sales period, Xbox One beat the PS4; however, if you combine November and December, PS4 is the best-selling next new generation console. That said, while both consoles have had fantastic launches, the 3DS still beat them – not just for December, but for 2013 in general. The Wii U also saw positive sales in December with the highest month for unit sales so far. Well done Nintendo!
So, we know the consoles people were buying, but what were they playing? Here are the top 10 games in December. Keep in mind these are new physical retail sales only.
- Call Of Duty: Ghosts (360, PS3, PS4, XBO, PC, NWU)
- Battlefield 4 (360, PS3, PS4, XBO, PC)
Just Dance 2014 (WII, 360, NWU, XBO, PS3, PS4)
- Madden NFL 25 (360, PS3, PS4, XBO)
- NBA 2K14 (360, PS4, PS3, XBO, PC)
- Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (360, PS4, PS3, XBO, PC, NWU)
- Grand Theft Auto V (360, PS3)
- Lego Marvel Super Heroes (360, PS3, 3DS, XBO, PS4, NWU, PSV, PC)
- FIFA 14 (360, PS3, PS4, XBO, PSV)
- Skylanders SWAP Force (WII, 360, PS3, NWU, 3DS, XBO, PS4)
But wait, there’s more! Using the same parameters, here are the best-selling games of 2013 as a whole:
- Grand Theft Auto V (360, PS3)
- Call Of Duty: Ghosts (360, PS3, PS4, XBO, PC, NWU)
- Madden NFL 25 (360, PS3, PS4, XBO)
- Battlefield 4 (360, PS3, PS4, XBO, PC)
- Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (360, PS4, PS3, XBO, PC, NWU)
- NBA 2K14 (360, PS4, PS3, XBO, PC)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II (360, PS3, NWU, PC)
- Just Dance 2014 (WII, 360, NWU, XBO, PS3, PS4)
- Minecraft (360)
- Disney Infinity (360, WII, PS3, NWU, 3DS)
Can you believe it – two Call of Duty games were best-sellers in 2013. Say what you will about COD, people still buy it in droves. Meanwhile, I’m impressed with the Minecraft sales – that’s just the people buying it on Xbox 360 – think of their sales across PC, console and mobile versions. Insanity! Finally, it seems that Disney Infinity beat out Skylanders in 2013 – will it become the new leader in action-figure-comes-alive-video-gaming?
Last Updated: January 17, 2014
Umar digs KOS-MOS
January 17, 2014 at 09:23
Hahaha, yeah, 3DS son! 3DS alone convinced to be a WiiU, while the WiiU is struggling…..This is a damn fine console. Really reminds me of the good ol days
Azure
January 17, 2014 at 09:40
I think you forgot the part about the XBOX 1 only beating the PS4 by 5000 sales… And the fact that PS4 has been sold out most of December while Xbox 1 is still on the shelves everywhere through the USA…
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 10:02
Since Sony hasn’t released any numbers, and tend to skip the NPDs these days (because of the Xbox 360 and PS3 days), we honestly don’t know if it’s that close. There is a pie chart on Neogaf but that’s littered with gross assumptions and shaky estimates drawn from the 4.2 million world wide figure. So unless, Sony reveals the numbers it’s all a little shaky.
What is interesting though is that even with Microsoft flooding the US with stock, they still struggled to beat a million in December. That’s interesting for me though. However, things might change once Titanfall is released. I’m not convinced that it’s going to be as big of a gamechanger but then folks do love their guns and online crapfests.
PS: Jim Banana-Pachter at your service!
Ricardo Harvey
January 17, 2014 at 09:47
Yea sony made some good money off me over the silly season, Got Ps4 and Ps Vita…now ps plus has to feed me games for the rest of the year as I has no monies 🙁
Rikus
January 17, 2014 at 10:58
We row that boat together, brother
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 09:56
Not really that surprising given that the PS4 wasn’t in stock for much of December (although apparently even with severe shortages, it still managed to sell reasonably close to the bone – which makes Major Boner’s Nelson Mathematics a little flaccid). I won’t be surprised if the bone takes the US in January and February as well. After all, Sony’s eyes are set on Asia (particularly their upcoming launch in Japan and the possibility of launching in China).
But the 3DS is the real winner here. Congrats Nintendo! Just a shame about the WiiU though, but they’re still the unsung heroes of the last generation. Funny that Major Boner never acknowledges what a beast Nintendo is/was.
As for the cancer that is Call of Duty… Seriously ‘merica! Seriously!
RinceThis2014
January 17, 2014 at 10:11
Because GUNS! http://9gag.com/gag/aBKLgZz
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 10:16
This is my mantra as I play Killzone, Warframe and Battlefield 4.
RinceThis2014
January 17, 2014 at 10:19
I love this movie on so many levels!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 10:22
There are a couple of war movies that I constantly rewatch. “Full metal jacket”, “Letters from Iwo Jima”, Apocalypse Now, Thin Red Line, Dirty Dozen and Inglorious Basterds… heheheh! Come to think of it, I need to get my war on for 2014.
RinceThis2014
January 17, 2014 at 10:24
Not sure how many times OVG and I have watched FMJ, he loves the training scenes because he actually trained at the camp used in the movie.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 10:25
Seriously? How’d he manage that? Wait forget I asked that, just in case he’s a secret agent, a rogue mercernary ronin or something? 😛
RinceThis2014
January 17, 2014 at 10:26
The set in the movie is actually a base in England.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 10:28
I did not know that. One thing I actually want to do is travel to random TV and movie sets. One in particular is Vasquez Rocks where Captain Kirk battled the gorn in the most epic fight scene ever captured on film.
RinceThis2014
January 17, 2014 at 10:30
That scene will go down in history as the fastest, most choreographed and dangerous fights ever put to film. I hear they practised with 10 stunt men that lost limbs before the Shatner was finally allowed to give it a go.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 10:33
hahaha, I wonder how many Shatner put into the hospital? I sometimes cringe when he unleashed “Shatner’s judo”. There’s no control in the throws, he literally just dumps the guys and they fall so awkwardly. #shudder
RinceThis2014
January 17, 2014 at 10:36
Lol. Yeah, I think they must have had like 1 1/2 mins of film left and said ‘have at it!’
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 10:20
Or alternatively some geek humour…. #geekhumor ? This is Ubuntu, This is Windows! This is for coding, this is for fun. (via some dude on Google +)
RinceThis2014
January 17, 2014 at 10:20
Oh Nana, if only you could do stand up for the lads next meet up… BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 10:24
You want a nana to stand up for the lads? Isn’t that a little phallic and suggestive?
RinceThis2014
January 17, 2014 at 10:24
Why, are you a floppy nana? Would make sense, being digital and all BWAHA
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 10:26
HAHAHAHA a floppy nana! Rocking it like it’s 1989 (prior to the 3.5 inch stiffies)
Rikus
January 17, 2014 at 10:56
But Mr. Banana sir, if CoD starts rotting, how will 10 year old ‘merican boys insult the rest of the world’s mothers?
…I think I’ve got it! CoD should be replaced by Mother Insult shooty-simulator – The Game
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 17, 2014 at 11:06
Foul-mouthed 10 year olds are very resourceful. I believe they will find a way. In fact, I look forward to being insulted in Farming Simulator 2016 😛
Umar digs KOS-MOS
January 17, 2014 at 10:57
When are you getting your WiiU…C’mon nananananananana
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 17, 2014 at 12:47
CoD should stay. It keeps the 10-year olds away from the other games. As long as it doesn’t influence other games/publishers, let it stay.
ElimiNathan
January 17, 2014 at 10:33
Speaking of minecraft, anyone got a decent survival server I can join ?
David
January 17, 2014 at 10:50
NWU = North West University
Rikus
January 17, 2014 at 10:53
That made me lol!
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
January 17, 2014 at 12:44
Just Dance?? SERIOUSLY???
Johnny
January 17, 2014 at 15:49
Sales stay the same as last cycle. Sorry fanboys but xbox one is here to stay.