Best-Selling Video Game Systems in Spring 2009

Once thought to be recession-proof, the video games industry has fallen into rough times in 2009. In general, both hardware and software sales are down in comparison to a record-setting 2008. So which video game system managed to strive the most in the spring of 2009? Here are the current rankings in terms of worldwide hardware sales in the spring for all six video game systems currently on the market.

6. Playstation 3
The troubles for the Playstation 3 have been well-documented. Being the most expensive video game system on the market by a wide margin during a recession is bad for hardware sales. As a result, the Playstation 3 is down big compared to the same period last year. Unless Sony decided to drop the price, you can expect the declining trend of worldwide hardware sales to continue in the future.

5. Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is one of the two video game systems to be increasing in hardware sales in 2009 as opposed to 2008. Unfortunately for Microsoft, they are still barely outselling the struggling Playstation 3. Aside from North America and the United Kingdom, the Xbox 360 has a hard time selling in other regions. Unless, Microsoft improves their worldwide image, don't expect the Xbox 360 to be selling as high as it should be.

4. PSP
The PSP saw the sharpest decline for hardware sales this spring. The main reason for the massive decline in 2009 is the lack of killer video games released compared to the spring of 2008. Sony plans to boost hardware sales, not by enforcing a price drop, but by introducing a new more expensive model called the PSP Go this fall. It should be interesting if this much scrutinized strategy works for Sony.

3. Playstation 2
The Playstation 2 saw the slightest of increase in hardware sales this spring compared to 2008. Sony kept their best-selling system moving briskly thanks to the new price tag to $99.99. Even when it is closing in on its ninth year anniversary, the Playstation 2 is still regularly outselling newer video game systems. That shouldn't be a surprise since it is the best-selling video game system ever after all.

2. Nintendo Wii
The Nintendo Wii is certainly a curious case. While hardware sales have dropped significantly from last spring, it is still on pace to be the fastest-selling video game ever. Even so, Nintendo should be growing a bit wary due to the constant negative press their video game system has been getting. Don't be surprised if we see a price drop for the Nintendo Wii by the same time next year.

1. Nintendo DS
Nintendo doesn't really have anything to worry about with the Nintendo DS. Despite the recession, the handheld system is doing better than ever in the spring of 2009. This is due in large part to the Nintendo DSi, which adds plenty of new features in addition to hardware sales to the Nintendo DS. Needless to say, many consumers can't live without the popular handheld system even during the tough economic times.