NEW YORK, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Movement, not graphics, seems to be driving video game sales as U.S. observers note Nintendo's Wii's physical interaction fueled its lead in sales and buzz.
The Wii, which uses a wireless controller to translate the players' motions onto a television screen, leads the Sony PlayStation 3, which offers superior processing power and graphics, in sales, The New York Times said Wednesday.
Sony reported less-than-stellar profits industry analysts attributed to the expensive and troubled PlayStation 3 rollout and lukewarm demand. In contrast, Nintendo said Wii sales helped lift its sales by 40 percent over a year earlier.
Industry observers said Wii, by allowing players to gyrate in front of a TV screen, created a three-way fight for the video game industry's $12 billion in sales. The Wii and the PlayStation 3 compete against the Microsoft Xbox 360.
"Nintendo came at things sideways -- they made stuff that's silly and fun," said Jeff Gerstmann, senior editor of GameSpot, a Web site of video game news and reviews. "It has created a new style of gaming."
Wii's $249 pricetag helps, compared with $499 or $599 for the PlayStation 3, depending on the model, and $299 or $399 for the Xbox.
