US video game sales grow 38% in September

The NPD Group (which tracks US game sales) announced yesterday that video game sales for the month of September grew 38% over last year to $777M, this despite "dreaded console transition" concerns and being 18% higher than predicted. One NPD analyst believes 2006 will set an all-new record in video games sales by way of 20% or greater growth for all categories including hardware, software, and accessories, man boob style. Here's a quick rundown:

TOP SELLING HARDWARE (units sold)

1. NDS - 403,435
2. PS2 - 306,517
3. 360 - 259,458
4. GBA - 177,145
5. PSP - 153,353
6. NGC - 42,286
7. XBX - 6,495

TOP SELLING SOFTWARE (units sold)

1. PS2 - Madden NFL 07 ~ 507,000
2. 360 - Saints Row ~ 455,000
3. PS2 - Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy ~ 349,000
4. NDS - Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team ~ 285,000
5. GBA - Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team ~ 219,000
6. 360 - Madden NFL 07 ~ 218,000
7. GCN - Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy ~ 170,000
8. XBX - Madden NFL 07 ~ 166,000
9. NDS - Star Fox Command ~ 137,000
10. NDS - New Super Mario Bros. ~ 134,000

[Listings courtesy Games Are Fun; Thanks O_o]