Nintendo's Wii continues to beat Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

After attaining the top position in January, Nintendo has again emerged as the numero uno among the trio of next generation gaming consoles in sales after selling 355,000 Wii video game consoles in February, outshining both its rivals Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3 in the US video game consoles market.

According to the fresh sales results provided by market research firm NPD, Nintendo Co. Ltd.'s Wii was the best-selling video game console in the United States in February, selling as many units as both its main competitors put together.

“We’re gratified that the explosive appeal of Wii, in terms of both new players and new ways to play, has created unprecedented demand, substantially beyond supply,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America.

Sony is still doing very well with its 7-year-old PlayStation 2, which sold 295,000 units, the second best-selling console in February that outsold Xbox 360 with 67,000 units and Sony's newer but more expensive PS3 with 168,000 units.

US gamers bought 335,000 Wii consoles and 127,000 of Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 consoles in February, while Microsoft's Xbox 360 managed 228,000 units.

In January, Xbox 360 sold 294,000 units, while Sony's PlayStation 3 sold 244,000 units. Nintendo sold 436,000 Wii video game consoles in January, while Sony’s PlayStation 2, moved 299,000 units.

Compared to January month sales data, Sony's PlayStation 3 did not do well in February, it sold 117,000 less unit this month. Similarly, Microsoft's Xbox 360 showed decline in sales, selling 66,000 less units. Even Nintendo has sold 101,000 less units compared to January.

After observing the fresh sales data, it seems that consumers reacting well to lower cost consoles. Launched in November, Nintendo’s Wii console retails for $US250, while PS2 costs only $129. The high-end versions of Xbox 360 and PS3 machines are priced at $US400 and $US600, respectively.

Despite having significant graphics and processing power, the PS3 and Xbox 360 are apparently not succeeded in alluring consumers in the United States. Nintendo’s Wii console though has less powerful processors than its rivals but it features an innovative motion-sensing controller that has helped build buzz for the machine. Its motion-sensing control system allows users to play games with their body movement.

In spite of comparatively laggard sales in recent months, Microsoft has overall sold 5.1 million of its consoles, while both Nintendo and Sony have yet to reach the 2-million mark for either of their latest gaming machines. However, its Xbox 360 console hit the market more than a year ahead of those of Nintendo and Sony.

"If the Xbox 360 and the games that work on it continue to gain share, Sony is in real trouble," said Douglas McIntyre, an analyst at 24/7 Wall Street. "The Wii caters to a different, lower price point in the market, and should continue to roll up big numbers. Not so the PlayStation 3."

The three companies are locked in a fierce battle for dominance in the $13 billion U.S. video game market.