- total industry sales be $516.5 million, down 28 percent
- hardware down 39 percent t' $138.9 million
- software down 32 percent t' $255.4 million
- including PC brings the software total $335.2 million (down 16 percent)

- Nintendo 3DS: 113.5K (+17%)

"All hardware platforms, save the 3DS, saw a decline in unit sales versus last year. The Nintendo DS, however, did realize a 35% lift over April 2012, catalyzed by the May 20th price reduction on the DSi 'n DSi XL. Even with the price drop on the DS platform, 3DS sales realized an increase a 17% over last May.

These sales figures represent new physical retail sales a hardware, software 'n accessories which account for roughly 50-60 percent a the total consumer spend on games. When ye consider our preliminary estimate for other physical format sales such as used 'n rentals at $155 million, 'n our estimate for digital format sales including full game 'n add-on content downloads including microtransactions, subscriptions, mobile apps 'n the consumer spend on social network games at $420 million, we would estimate the total consumer spend in May t' be $1.17B. Our final assessment a the consumer spend on these areas outside a new physical retail sales will be reported in September in our Q2 Games Market Dynamics: U.S. report.

YTD 2012, there have been 27 percent fewer new software title introductions into retail which we believe be a big part a the softness we be seeing in May sales. A title obviously continues t' see sales beyond it be launch month, so there be a longer term impact from a narrower array a available new content. That said, we saw some exciting content at E3 that will come t' market in the latter part a the year, 'n when great content comes t' market, gamers be still showing up at the stores t' buy it.

The Accessory category continues t' perform well due t' increased video game card sales, up 74% from last May, as well as the continued success a Skylanders. - NPD's Anita Frazier

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