Home Gaming Top selling games of 2010 according to kalahari.net – Sony is dominating

Top selling games of 2010 according to kalahari.net – Sony is dominating

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So let’s preface this with the obvious fact that this list is only made up of titles bought through kalahari.net and doesn’t take into consideration all the other retailers, however with kalahari.net being one of the biggest, if not the biggest, online retailer in South Africa it is fair to say this list represents a fair portion of the gaming market.

So lets get straight to the list and then we can discuss the oddities around it.

Rank Title Platform
1 Starcraft 2 – Wings of Liberty PC
2 FIFA 11 PS3
3 God of War 3 PS3
4 Call of Duty: Black Ops PC
5 Red Dead Redemption PS3
6 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa PS3
7 The Sims 3: Ambitions PC
8 Call of Duty: Black Ops PS3
9 Battlefield Bad Company 2 – Limited Edition PC
10 God of War Collectors Edition PS3
11 Sports Champions (Move) PS3
12 Age of Empires Collectors Edition PC
13 FIFA 11 Xbox 360
14 Medal of Honour (Limited Edition) PS3
15 Singstar: ABBA PS2
16 Super Mario Galaxy 2 Wii
17 Medal of Honour (Limited Edition) PC
18 Wii Fit Plus (including Balance Board) Wii
19 Final Fantasy XIII PS3
20 Heavy Rain PS3

As you can see there is an obvious pattern forming here with a full 50% of the charts being held by Sony’s PS3 followed by the PC market with 6 titles, the Wii with 2 titles and a solitary single title for the PS2 and Xbox-360.

The big question is obviously now why is the 360 fairing so badly in the local market even though its console install base is comparable to the PS3?

In a word, Piracy, and in a few more words the 360 has suffered quite hard locally with the terribly delayed and mismanaged launch of Xbox Live coupled with its reliability problems early in its life cycle.

Whether the Kinect is going to help Microsoft get back into this fight locally is still to be seen but unless they can somehow stem the impact of piracy they aren’t going to be in this fight for very much longer.

On a happier note it’s great to see Sports Champions up to 11th on the list already just a few weeks after launch which shows the Move has been well accepted locally which is a testament to its abilities as well as some good pricing from SterKinekor.

And I am very happy to see Red Dead Redemption holding a lofty position in the charts as that is possibly still my top game from 2010.

But there are a fair few titles that really should be there that just aren’t, where is Mass Effect 2? Heavy Rain will drop off the charts as soon as GT5 is released and how can any chart of 2010 not have New Super Mario Bros Wii?

So does this list reflect what you expected or are you just as shocked as I was at the serious lack of Xbox 360 titles on the list and that the PS3 is outselling the PC (ignoring digital sales).

Last Updated: November 23, 2010

59 Comments

  1. fighthall

    November 23, 2010 at 10:13

    who knows how things will balance out when the ps3 piracy starts becoming more dangerous…

    Reply

  2. Syth

    November 23, 2010 at 10:14

    Really surprised by the lack of 360 sales! Microsoft should really spend less money on marketing and more money on trying to stop pirate games.

    I’m very happy about the PC games selling well.

    Reply

  3. Uberutang

    November 23, 2010 at 10:15

    @ 21 gig download for GT5 and no online play… Sony can rest easy for now.

    The one thing almost 99% of people ask me if they should buy a ps3 or a xbox 360 is which one can be ‘chipped’.

    I tell them you can chip both if you drop them at an angle.

    Reply

  4. C Le Grange

    November 23, 2010 at 10:19

    its embarrassing to see so few 360 titles.MS will have to do something…if this trend reflects more or less the same for Take2 and BT…
    People pirate PC games as well, but somehow you do see couple of titles being sold, 75% of them are ‘multiplayer’ titles…but still, it just shows you how many 360 titles do get pirated in the midst of PC pirating.

    Reply

  5. Sarelseemonster

    November 23, 2010 at 10:20

    Could also be that the PS3 is just the better choice for gaming in SA much to the dismay and denial of Xbots?

    No…can’t be that…. :angel:

    Does it mean most Xbots are EEK! PIRATES!!?? :pirate: NO!! :shocked:

    Reply

  6. Fox1

    November 23, 2010 at 10:26

    Kalahari’s prices aren’t great on 360 games anyway. Retailers like IC, Game, BT, Musica are way cheaper than Kalahari. But if you look at the converse it is Kalahari who is cheaper than those retailers when it comes to PS3 games.

    Reply

  7. Gavin Mannion

    November 23, 2010 at 10:27

    The PS3 is possibly the better choice now but that’s not the point. The point is there are a lot of Xbox 360 consoles in homes in SA and they are not buying games for them… even though they are all playing games

    Reply

  8. Dooza

    November 23, 2010 at 10:29

    That is shocking but if I think about it I have a xbox 360 and about 20 games (all originals) and none of them I bought at kalahari

    Reply

  9. Gavin Mannion

    November 23, 2010 at 10:33

    I have never noticed that.. got any examples?

    Reply

  10. Syth

    November 23, 2010 at 10:45

    hahahahahaha! Well done!

    Reply

  11. Syth

    November 23, 2010 at 10:46

    :wassat:

    Reply

  12. Aussious

    November 23, 2010 at 10:48

    This doesn’t surprise me at all,Xbox games are abundant at every corner of every mall in the greater Gauteng region. I mean most stores stock more Xbox game than PS3. From your mainstream stores(except for Reggies) such as Look & Listen and Musica to your more niche stores such as Zaps, Animax and gameXchange to add to that they are dirt cheap not to mention games on re sale.Its more of a preference thing than a reflection of actual sales demographic of the country.Can someone provide us will actual SA game sales to date of all consoles locally rather than just Kalahari.

    Reply

  13. Jonni

    November 23, 2010 at 10:51

    I think its because kalahari has a very strong presence on the ps3.co.za forums, whereas the xbox360 forums are a bit dead and there is not as much support for kalahari. I don’t think this is representative of the whole countries sales, but piracy is definitely also a factor.

    Reply

  14. NinjasCreed22

    November 23, 2010 at 10:57

    Same here,I dont really buy from Kalahari.I have played 52 games so far on my XBOX360,Tiger woods 10 being the only game I bought online with my Credit card way back in June (I think)from Kalahari.net.

    I usually buy most of my games instore anyway.Or second hand from other players?Usually you gotta wait for a game when purchasing online at Kalahari like 3-8 days unless its a 24 hour delivery. And I mean If I want Black Ops now Ill just go instore and buy it instead of waiting that long.

    Buying at a store is still the most convienent way for most peeps in RSA as many dont have credit cards and dont want the hassle of EFT’s and such?:ninja:

    Reply

  15. batman

    November 23, 2010 at 10:58

    Take 2 also posted their total year sales and PS3 beat Xbox360 comfortably so I think we can assume it is representative.

    Reply

  16. FiveStarRich

    November 23, 2010 at 11:02

    Dissagree! It’s most often cheaper to buy from kalahari in my experience?

    Reply

  17. Aussious

    November 23, 2010 at 11:04

    All that says is that Xbox gamers don’t buy online, please attach a link to these figures if you may.

    Reply

  18. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    November 23, 2010 at 11:09

    Piracy on the box is killing the xbox 360, or maybe…

    I know that almost all the guys on my xbox live list have migrated over to PS3 (over the last few months), and a buddy at BT Games told me that they get guys who bring in “bags of xbox 360 games” for trade (Personal Communication… so take with a grain of salt).

    However, in all seriousness, I think a lot of South Africa gamers still have their xbox 360s (for older games) but we generally only buy new for PS3, maybe that’s what kalahari and take2 are reflecting.

    Reply

  19. Uberutang

    November 23, 2010 at 11:11

    I took 42 xbox games into BT when I moved over to the PS3. And it was in a bag…

    Reply

  20. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    November 23, 2010 at 11:14

    Fox that’s a terrible spin, because the online prices for both console games are identical.

    Reply

  21. Dawie

    November 23, 2010 at 11:15

    For Pete’s sake!!! This doesn’t prove anything, jeez. It’s only one online retailer. If the trend was the same for say, about 5 retailers, then yeah, Xbox has a problem.

    At best, the only thing that their silly list indicates, is that more PS3 owners buy their games at Kalahari.net.

    You guys are reading way too much into their stats :ninja:

    Reply

  22. Aussious

    November 23, 2010 at 11:16

    Conclusion to this matter – If that was the case then how come most retailers around Gauteng still stock more Xbox than PS3 and how are Xbox games not in decline across the country and accentually seize ala GameCube. Bottom line is as long as I can go to my local Zaps and pickup a copy of Fable III or Red Dead who gives a crap what Kalahari says.

    Reply

  23. batman

    November 23, 2010 at 11:17

  24. Fox1

    November 23, 2010 at 11:19

    FIfa WCup 2010 R299 @Game/ R433 @Kalahari
    GoW/PGR4 R99 @Most retailers/ R299 @Kalahari
    Assassins Creed 2 R299 @Dion Wired/ R510 @Kalahari

    Also do a comparison with Zaps and Kalahari and you would notice Zaps games are cheaper even after delivery fee.

    Reply

  25. Fox1

    November 23, 2010 at 11:20

    Dirt 2 R199 @Musica / R274.50 @Kalahari

    Reply

  26. Dawie

    November 23, 2010 at 11:22

    Besides, “list represents a fair portion of the gaming market” By who’s standards? It’s ONE friggen shop. It just means that PS3 gamers are lazy gits who order online instead of walking to the shop.

    Lazygamer is usually slightly diplomatic, but this is a willful act of inciting fanboys. Look at the whole picture please, instead of jumping to conclusions based on one shop. :ninja:

    Reply

  27. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    November 23, 2010 at 11:24

    Reggies and Toys R Us took the wise decision to not stock xbox 360 at all. 😀

    The high amount of re-sale games means that people are discarding their xbox 360 games in droves, it’s awesome if you’re looking for a bargain, but not so great for the 360 brand. It’s rare to find a PS3 title in the re-sale bargain bin, and 9/10 it’s a green box.

    It could mean one of two things: (a) local gamers are discarding their older 360 titles to buy newer 360 titles

    Or:

    (b) Local gamers are migrating from one console to another and selling off their older xbox 360 games to buy newer PS3 titles.

    Reply

  28. Fox1

    November 23, 2010 at 11:33

    The local TRU’s are a joke. It’s tumbleweed paradise. Back in the US Kinect had a super launch wih TRU while scenes at the local TRU was…. :sleeping:

    I believe local retailers can Kinect…er I mean connect better with the Xbox 360 brand. Look at the Holiday Bundles floating around already a@R2999 or a Kinect+Elite @R4299.

    Reply

  29. easy

    November 23, 2010 at 11:35

    those are relatively “old” titles… all new titles are priced identically on both the 360 & ps3. fifa 11 would have been a better comparison btw 😉
    i have yet to find a retailer that beats kalahari on price, with the exception of a couple rand here and there.

    Reply

  30. Fox1

    November 23, 2010 at 11:39

    +1. I was at and IC early bird sale where games where going @R150. A good example at the sale was that IC had about 50 copies of BF:BC2 for Xbox 360 but only about 15 of the same game for PS3.

    Reply

  31. Dark

    November 23, 2010 at 11:39

    seems like a pretty accurate chart.

    Reply

  32. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    November 23, 2010 at 11:39

    I bought some PS3 games from TRU’s a few days ago, they were actually cheaper than look and listen and BT Games.

    Just saying 😀

    Reply

  33. Syth

    November 23, 2010 at 11:39

    You dumb fuck. Kalahari didn’t say anything. It’s their results, not their opinion. The article was not supposed to turn into another fanboy rage.

    Reply

  34. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    November 23, 2010 at 11:40

    Wow, the xbros are testy and defensive this fine Tuesday morning. LOL!

    Reply

  35. Aussious

    November 23, 2010 at 11:40

    Thats you i bought 22 games for Xbox over the last 5 months so that doesn’t prove or disprove anything…

    Reply

  36. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    November 23, 2010 at 11:42

    Dude, you’re making a mountain out of an anthill, even if there are only 3 xbros left in South Africa, you’ll still be representing.

    😀 :za:

    Reply

  37. talk2jad

    November 23, 2010 at 11:43

    I must admit that I am a 2nd hand game whore –> I blame BTGames for this

    Reply

  38. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    November 23, 2010 at 11:47

    Same here, I got about R4800 for my xbox 360 games, enough credit to get a few worthy PS3 titles for the next good couple of months. I should have about R3000 or so left.

    Hello GT5 😀

    (PS: I still have gears, mass effect and Eternal Sonata at home, but there’s no way I’m selling those)

    Reply

  39. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    November 23, 2010 at 12:13

    Because… they mostly pirate? mmmm…

    Reply

  40. al360

    November 23, 2010 at 12:20

    i second that hahahahahha
    ya tru i get some deals from kalahari but i’m a second hand whore so most of my deals are on the forum or from zaps or IC for early bird specials
    but kalahari wins hands down when it comes to service
    so i would punt them anytime for as long as they keep it up!

    Reply

  41. RSA-Ace

    November 23, 2010 at 12:35

    Link to the take2 sales?

    Reply

  42. Steve Hofmeyr

    November 23, 2010 at 13:12

    Nice, kalahari is selling more PS3 titles than anything else. I’m not sure what this proves but Bobby seems to be celebrating like there’s no tomorrow.
    We need at least some sales numbers to validate the weight this list carries otherwise the xbots and PSdroids are fighting over nothing.

    Reply

  43. Sarelseemonster

    November 23, 2010 at 14:15

    It’s because they are not selling as many of those games. If something is on special it is meant to boost sales. You put up the price for something selling very well. Supply vs Demand economics 101.

    Reply

  44. Sarelseemonster

    November 23, 2010 at 14:21

    I will be interested to see what Gran Turismo 5 results would be… I bet it boosts PS3 hardware sales as well.

    Reply

  45. Kerrrang!

    November 23, 2010 at 18:49

    GT5’s going to be a monster. But it’s pretty evident that it’s piracy killing the 360 sales. With both leading online SA retailers (kalahari and Take2) posting sales greatly in favour of the PS3, there really is no other explanation. The idiot who said that 360 owners don’t buy online is, well, an idiot.

    Reply

  46. Fred

    November 23, 2010 at 19:08

    Ps3 gamers are older and have credit cards to buy online. Xbox players are younger and buy mostly in shops , that is my bet , but piracy is part of it too.

    Reply

  47. xdvd

    November 23, 2010 at 21:03

    Piracy is clearly to blame for the fact that Kalahari sells more ps3 games than anything else. Besides the low xbox 360 sales has anyone noticed the low wii sales. It’s no surprise that wii fit is on the list as it comes with the balance board, but where are the other big wii titles? (wii sports resort, new super mario bros, etc). I’ll tell you where it is is – in the hands of pirates. In my gaming store we trade xbox 360, wii and ps3 games and I can tell you that we sell more ps3 games than any of the other 2 formats which tends to get traded more. Everyday someone will come into the store asking where they can get their wii / xbox 360 moddded, never mind the moronic ps3 jailbreak enquiries. The only reason some pc games are on that list is because they require some form of piracy preventing on-line activation or if it is an older pc title that is cheap. Piracy kills sales – end of story.

    Reply

  48. Twinduct

    November 23, 2010 at 21:17

    Well, in all honesty though, buying the game second hand is hardly helping the brand.

    Reply

  49. Aussious

    November 23, 2010 at 22:43

    Wow personally I am baffled not at that list by the way by the fact that most retailers still stock a wider selection of 360 as opposed to PS3, including Kalahari aswell. If the 360 is suffering its only logical to deduce that it would get less shelf space than the PS3 and the Wii but evidence suggest that this is not so… On Kalahari’s own pages there are 17 pages of 360 games and 16 pages of PS3 games! Please explain this to me, at Rage MS occupied the most floor space and recently MS launched kinect and xbox live locally in grandeur fashion usually only reserved for EU and The Americas why all this effort if the brand is dying in SA? Its either MS and local retailers like losing money or this those figures are unrepresentative of the actual demographics.

    Reply

  50. Gavin Mannion

    November 24, 2010 at 02:33

    There are more 360 titles as it has been out longer.

    The Xbox 360 isn’t dying locally it is just suffering from other external factors and Microsoft are trying to rectify that

    Reply

  51. Neil

    November 24, 2010 at 08:50

    I posted the Take 2 sale figures on PS3ZA. I will post an updated list again on our site once 2010 is complete, as GT5 PS3 has only just been released, and we will have to see the release of WoW: Cataclysm.

    But in all fairness it is safe to say the sales of Xbox 360 is atrocious in SA. All the major suppliers from EA, SK, Nu Metro and Megarom, only bring in about half the amount of Xbox 360 games compared to what they bring in for PS3 for the same release.

    So this isn’t just an online trend, but a wider one which covers all of the retail outlets in SA.

    Reply

  52. Bobby Kotick for Dummies

    November 24, 2010 at 10:32

    Thanks Neil 😀

    Reply

  53. Fred

    November 24, 2010 at 11:30

    If they can steal it , why should they pay for it.

    Reply

  54. Mitas

    November 24, 2010 at 11:55

    i think , and this is My thought , that people in sa feel cheats by xbox , live support 5 years later , the time it takes to fix the crapbox , and well then getting live 0.5 and over charging on ms points …. these factors all way up , and well wen u take the pro’s and con’s of the crap box and ps3 , in SA , the ps3 undoubtly kicks the living shit out of the crap box , hence a decline in sales ….. just my 5c , and no malema its not taxable u fking baboon :alien: :alien: :alien:

    Reply

  55. Hitman47

    December 23, 2010 at 05:23

    Simple logic…..

    Africans love PS3 more than 360.

    Simple…

    Reply

  56. Hitman47

    December 23, 2010 at 05:25

    LOL xbots.

    Man. you’re trying it too hard, just let it go.
    The list are there, that’s all a fact

    Reply

  57. Hitman47

    December 23, 2010 at 05:27

    So true.

    + No surprise that africans love Playstation brand like before.

    Reply

  58. Hitman47

    December 23, 2010 at 05:30

    @ Aussious & Fox1

    Just let it go guys!.
    PS3 crap days are over.

    They are doing great this last years so Fuvk off!
    You can’t do something about this, the list above are legitimate, you can’t change it. LOL

    Reply

  59. Hitman47

    December 23, 2010 at 05:34

    Wha.wha.whaaatttt?!! PS3 gamers=older Xbots=younger ??

    Then grow up!.. you’re too young for this most probably.
    I rather choose to be mature than to be a kid. Seriously

    PS3 fan here.

    Reply

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