GBA still a player as handheld sales boom at THQ

Last week, we pondered the fact that 20 per cent of EA's revenues were earned from a combination of DS, PSP, mobile and GBA game sales. Now comes the news that proportionally THQ is even more pocket gaming-friendly than its larger US competitor, with 32 per cent of total sales coming from handheld.

Of course, in terms of total sales, the $540 million of what EA calls 'Mobility' sales is larger than the $327 million of what THQ more logically calls 'Handheld' sales. Yet because EA's total sales are around three times the size of THQ's ($3.1 billion compared to THQ's $1 billion), THQ's Handheld sales make up a much large percentage of its overall console breakdown (32 per cent compared to EA's 20 per cent).

Looking at the figures (which cover from April 2006 to the end of March 2007) in more detail, sales of DS games are up a massive 245 per cent to $114 million, thanks to the success of games based on licences such as Cars and Spongebob Squarepants. Kids games like that mean that amazingly enough, Game Boy Advance remains THQ's biggest single handheld, with sales of $120 million, although this figure is down 30 per cent, year-on-year.

The growing power of PSP is also highlighted with sales up 128 per cent to $66 million, thanks to titles such as WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2007.

Perhaps most significant though is the performance of THQ's wireless division. Last financial year it had sales of $36 million. This year however it dropped 25 per cent to $27 million. In comparison, EA Mobile did $139 million of mobile sales while Gameloft did $92 million. Looks like THQ Wireless needs to make a few smart calls in the coming 12 months.