The latest figures are in for US retail video game sales, and in a surprising result April 2015 (at $595.7 million) actually improved on April 2014 (at $579.5 million), albeit by only 3 percent overall. “Overall sales across hardware, new physical software, and accessories in April 2015 grew by 3 percent over April 2014 due to the strength of new physical software sales, which offset losses from hardware and accessories,” said NPD’s Liam Callahan.

Hardware was not having a particularly good month, particularly in last-generation consoles. ” April 2015 hardware sales decreased by 4 percent due to the 55 percent decline in sales of seventh-generation console hardware. Eighth-generation console hardware sales were stable, and portable hardware increased by 36 percent,” said Callahan. “On a unit basis, hardware sales grew by 12 percent. Declines in hardware dollar sales were due to a decrease in average price of 4 percent, due to a drop in console hardware pricing.”

The change in pricing is helping Microsoft’s Xbox One, which led in sales for April in the US retail stores. “As the best-selling console in the U.S. in April, fans set record April sales and engagement for Xbox One last month. Xbox One console sales in the U.S. increased 63 percent in April 2015 compared to April 2014 and Xbox Live comparisons showed the number of active global users (Xbox One and Xbox 360) grew 24 percent. We are grateful to our fans for their passion and support and are looking forward to sharing more on the best game lineup in Xbox history at E3,” said Mike Nichols, Corporate Vice President, Xbox Marketing, Microsoft.

For its part, Sony reminded everyone that PS4 of course still has the cumulative sales lead. “We would like to thank fans around the world for their continued support of the PS4. According to NPD, PlayStation continues to lead software sales for April 2015 and PS4 remains the cumulative sales leader in the US. We are looking forward to an amazing E3,” an SCEA representative noted.

There was no comment from Nintendo, but it’s a good bet that the increased portable hardware sales are due to the New 3DS XL hardware.

Meanwhile, software had an excellent month. “For new physical console software, eighth-generation consoles sales grew by 200 percent in revenue, which offset declines from seventh-generation consoles of 62 percent, and portable declines of 32 percent,” Callahan said. “Overall, console software increased by 20 percent, leading to overall video game software growth of 13 percent.” The leading title for the month was Mortal Kombat X, followed by the release of Grand Theft Auto V (the PC version no doubt drove a lot of those sales).

April 2015 Top 10 Games (USA new physical retail only)

1. Mortal Kombat X (PS4, XBO)** Warner Bros. Interactive
2. Grand Theft Auto V (PS4, XBO, PC, 360, PS3)** Take 2 Interactive
3. Battlefield Hardline (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)** Electronic Arts
4. MLB 15: The Show (PS4, PS3)** Sony
5. Minecraft (360, PS3, XBO, PS4) Microsoft / Sony
6. NBA 2K15 (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3, PC) Take 2 Interactive
7. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (XBO, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)** Activision Blizzard
8. Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin (PS4, XBO, 360, PS3) Bandai Namco Games
9. Super Smash Bros. (3DS, NWU)** Nintendo
10. Borderlands: The Handsome Collection (PS4, XBO)** Take 2 Interactive
**(includes CE, GOTY editions, bundles, etc. but not those bundled with hardware)