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 Nintendo:
"GameCube is Fastest-Selling Video Game Console Ever"
"Ignoring strong economic headwinds, Nintendo GameCube has soared to
record retail heights, becoming the fastest-selling home video game
console of this generation," reports Nintendo's press release. During
the first week of GameCube's availability in North America, over 500,000
systems were sold to consumers - at a rate nearly twice that of
Microsoft's Xbox and at least 25% faster than Sony's PS2 launch.
$100 million worth of GameCubes and related
Nintendo merchandise was sold on the first day of sales alone. The company
boasted
that weekend revenues surpassed that of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers
Stone which grossed $93.5 million.
Further breaking records, Luigi's Mansion has "quickly become the
most popular console launch game ever, with sales rates even eclipsing
those of the unanimously acclaimed Super Mario 64, which launched with the
Nintendo 64 console in 1996."
"To have outpaced any other video game console launch ever would be
notable in its own right," says Peter Main, executive vice president
for sales and marketing, Nintendo of America. "But to accomplish this
under the current economic conditions is truly remarkable. There is a
seemingly endless appetite for high quality, stay-at-home entertainment at
an affordable price."
Of initial North American shipments of some 740,000 hardware units,
approximately 100,000 systems went to Canada and Latin America and another
75,000 to U.S. rental and other distribution channels. Of the
approximately 80 percent destined for U.S. retail locations, virtually all
are now sold out. However, the first of weekly replenishments of
approximately 125,000 units are already arriving at stores.
With Luigi's Mansion and Lucas Arts' Star Wars Rogue Squadron II: Rogue
Leader leading the way, consumers are buying about two games for every
GameCube purchased. In addition, two of the industry's most anticipated
titles for the holidays, Nintendo exclusives Pikmin and Super Smash Bros.
Melee, will be introduced next week. In all, a total of 22 GameCube titles
will be available by year-end, growing to some 35 by the end of March.
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