At least Max Payne was relatively pleased with the results

Let’s get straight to the point: May was not a good month for video game sales in North America. Hardware sales were down 39% year-over-year, bringing in just $138.9 million compared to $228.8 million in 2011. Software sales also saw a decline of 16%, though the NPD puts that decrease down to fewer releases.

Unsurprisingly, PC exclusive Diablo III topped the software charts, while Max Payne 3 settled for second. Ghost Recon: Future Soldier sprinted into third, pushing last month’s winner Prototype 2 into fourth. Both Sniper Elite V2 and Dragon’s Dogma managed to make an appearance in the top ten, but there was no room for Starhawk.

Nevertheless, Sony decided to focus on the performance of PS3 exclusives in its post-NPD statement. Despite neither game charting, it pointed to “strong results” for MLB 12: The Show and the aforementioned Starhawk. It also noted “digital sales growth” across both PS3 and Vita.

Feel free to peruse the software top-ten below.

1. Diablo III (PC)
2. Max Payne 3 (360, PS3, PC)
3. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (360, PS3)
4. Prototype 2 (360, PS3)
5. NBA 2K12 (360, PS3, Wii, PSP, PS2, PC)
6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (360, PS3, Wii, PC)
7. Sniper Elite V2 (360, PS3)
8. Battlefield 3 (360, PS3, PC)
9. Dragon's Dogma (360, PS3)
10. Just Dance 3 (Wii, 360, PS3)