SAN FRANCISCO — Sales of Nintendo Co. Ltd.’s Wii game console have slipped in recent months, prompting speculation that the once-difficult- to-find console is in line for a price cut.
After debuting in late 2006, the Wii continued to sell well. Its unique motion controller and casual games gobbled up market share and posted industry-leading sales gains even during traditionally slow stretches of the year, such as April through June.
Now, that appears to have changed. On Thursday, NPD Group Inc. reported that Wii sales posted a 57 percent year-over-year drop in May, the third straight month of significant declines. The falling sales came despite ample supplies of the once-hard-to-find videogame system in retail stores.
Analysts say the slipping sales suggest pent-up demand for the device has finally ebbed, which could put even more pressure on Nintendo to consider cutting the machine’s $250 price to be more in line with Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360, which retails starting at $199. A Nintendo spokesman had no immediate comment.
For now, the Wii remains the only next-generation console not to have cut its price tag.
