May NPD: Nintendo still on top, industry sales up 49%

The latest US video game sales data, as compiled by the NPD group, indicates that the popularity of Nintendo's delightful money-printing machines shows no sign of, well, change. The DS and its host of pocket monsters dominated hardware and software sales in May, a month marked by a 49% increase in overall industry sales to $815.5 million. GameDaily BIZ reports that the considerable rise was due in part to console hardware sales climbing 79% to $221.4 million.

The NPD has not yet provided a complete breakdown of hardware sales per platform, but the initial sales ranking gives more than enough food for thought. Sony's PSP grabs the number three spot behind the DS and Wii, trumping the PS2, the Xbox 360 and the PS3. Perhaps that early April price drop is paying off.

We'll add the exact sales numbers into the ranking below as soon as they become available. As always, you'll find the software's top ten after the break.

• Nintendo DS: 423K

• Nintendo Wii: 338K

• Sony PSP: 221K

• Sony PlayStation 2: 187K

• Microsoft Xbox 360: 155K

• Sony PlayStation 3: 81K

[Update: additional numbers added from a Bloomberg report.]

Despite being released late in the month, Forza 2 debuts in sixth spot in May's software sales and joins three other Xbox 360 titles. Aside from a lone and decidedly non-conquering EA entry, the chart otherwise belongs to Nintendo and Activision.

• Pokémon Diamond (DS)

• Mario Party 8 (Wii)

• Spider-Man 3 (PS2)

• Pokémon Pearl (DS)

• Wii Play w/remote (Wii)

• Forza Motorsport 2 (Xbox 360)

• Guitar Hero II w/guitar (Xbox 360)

• Spider-Man 3 (Xbox 360)

• Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (Xbox 360)

• Guitar Hero II w/guitar (PS2)