New York - U.S. video game sales rose 46% in August compared with the same period a year ago, led again by Nintendo's Wii console, and bolstered by the release of Electronic Arts' "NFL Madden 08," Reuters reported, citing sales data from market research firm NPD Group.

The Wii sold 404,000 units, down 5% from July, while Microsoft's Xbox 360 sold 277,000 units — a $50 price cut helping grow sales 63% from July.

Sales of Sony's PlayStation 3 fell 18% in August from last month, to 131,000 units; the console was again outsold by the older PlayStation 2, which sold 200,000 units.

The top selling game software title in August was EA's "Madden NFL 08," which sold 897,000 units and took the #1 (Xbox 360), #2 (PlayStation 2) and #4 (PlayStation 3) spots.

Take-Two Interactive's "BioShock" was #3 (Xbox 360); while Nintendo nabbed four of the remaining spots in the top 10, with titles including "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption" and "Mario Strikers: Charged."

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/25dupj (Reuters)

http://www.npd.com