Music game sales down 46%, still third best-selling genre

According to NPD, and as reported by Edge Online, the music game genre has taken quite a tumble in 2009. Thus far, year-to-date sales have declined by a whopping 46%. And yet, despite the sales slump, the music genre remains the third best-selling genre overall. The discrepancy, according to NPD's Anita Frazier, is the result of lower prices on music titles. Thus, individual unit sales remain high even though overall sales (i.e. money earned) are down.

Of course, it's worth noting that -- apart from Guitar Hero: Metallica and Smash Hits -- the first half of 2009 was somewhat devoid of major music genre releases. With both Guitar Hero 5 and The Beatles: Rock Band both just released, the music genre is likely due for a significant boost. Still, it's hard to imagine sales climbing as high as they once were. With so many homes filled with plastic instruments as it is, we're sure it's getting harder to sell those full band kits -- and their higher prices.

Then again, we're sure everyone still has room for a turntable.