Variety:
The videogame biz remained a beacon of double digital growth during the recession in 2008, but slowing holiday sales indicate that it’s quickly coming down to Earth. Market research firm NPD released its 2008 sales data on Thursday, revealing that total vidgame industry revenue soared 19% to $21.3 billion. Though impressive during such a tough year, it’s down significantly from 2007’s 28% growth, which brought in almost $18 billion. While Sony struggled, Redmond-based Nintendo continued to almost single handedly prop up the biz, proving that its focus on low-cost, family-friendly gaming is paying off big in the current climate. Defying all economic trends, Nintendo saw sales for its Wii and DS consoles surge 59% and 23%, respectively, in December, and 62% and 17% for all of 2008. Nintendo’s hardware strength was mirrored on the game sales charts, where titles for its consoles took six of the top 10 spots in December and five of the top 10 for all of 2008.