The NPD numbers for North American sales in the month of February are out and there are some clear surprises for anyone following the numbers. Overall, the videogame industry sales, accounting for both hardware and software sales, have grown by about 34% when compared to February 2007. Value wise sales are over 1.3 billion dollars.

NPD analyst Anita Frazier declared that: "Even following a red-hot 2007, the video games industry shows no sign of letting up as year-to-date sales through February are up 12% over last year. Taking the extra week of sales included in the 2007 figures, on a comparable weeks basis, 2008 is up approximately 26% over last year (through February)." So, if you have some money on hand, invest in a nicely listed videogame-producing company because it's an industry that continues to grow even as a recession looms.

On the hardware side, the Nintendo DS more than doubled its sales numbers to reach number one and beat back contender Wii into second place. The PlayStation2 took third place and the PlayStation3 took fourth. The Xbox barely managed to scrape better sales numbers than the PSP. Of course, Microsoft again provided the old explanation regarding the limited supply numbers for the Xbox. A more sensible explanation is that the console is just seen as being inferior to its direct next-gen competitors.

On the software side, Call of Duty 4 for the Xbox continues to top sales, barely edging out close competitor and new-launched Devil May Cry 4. Wii Play is a strong contender for number three. Meanwhile, combined sales of Devil May Cry for the PS3 and the Xbox are more than double those of Call of Duty 4. Rock Band and Guitar Hero are also continuing to see strong sales.

Is the second month of PS3 beating the Xbox a sign of decline for the Microsoft-designed console? Will slashed prices for the Xbox mean we'll see a March rebound? Time will tell and we'll tell you what time tells us (it's pretty confusing I know, but we'll do it).