Numbers tabulated, Wii predicted to overtake Xbox 360 in 2008

So analysts at research firm iSuppli are projecting that the Wii will overtake the 360 as the dominant current-gen console this year, as projected sales would put Nintendo at over 30m units, compared to Microsoft's expected 26m. The PS3 is also mentioned as having the greatest growth potential if it hits projections of 25.7m total units sold this year, but that seems a little optimistic if you ask us. Sony fans might have the last laugh though, as ultimately iSuppli sees the PS3 as the market leader as we enter the next decade. Hey, who knows, Sony might just catch up and recapture that crown -- anything's possible.

[Gremlin @ Feb 18th 2008 7:15AM]

Oh, you better believe it baby! PS3 is gonna be number one by Q3 '09.

[Josh* @ Feb 18th 2008 7:37AM]

Yeah, I can believe the PS3 will take off this year. The amount of confirmed (or inevitable) titles for 2008-9 like GT, Tekken, Final Fantasy, Resistance 2, Soul Calibur, MGS4, GTA4, Resi 5, God of War 3 etc... I haven't bought one yet but I will be sure to once a few of these start showing.

[shaliron @ Feb 18th 2008 7:50AM]

Well, don't forget, you shouldn't underestimate the power of Super Smash Bros. Brawl ;)

[James @ Feb 18th 2008 8:17AM]

I'm a PS3 user and think it is awesome, but I don't think it will ever catch the Wii. But neither do I think it is in direct competition with the Wii so it doesn't matter. (Just like the Audi RS4 isn't up against the Mini.) The PS3 will, however, overtake the 360 in 08 and leave it in its wake into 09.

BTW, as for comments that MS stole a march on Sony by releasing the 360 earlier, one could easily say that Sony have stolen a march on MS by releasing the Blu-ray and CELL-equipped PS3 before the 720.

;o)

Let the flamewar ensue....

[Josh* @ Feb 18th 2008 7:32AM]

Who didn't see this coming a mile off?

Nintendo played it safe and really got their act together this gen, now with the Wii 2 (Wii+? WiiHD?) in a few years I hope they aren't afraid to pull out all the stops

[Josef @ Feb 18th 2008 9:06AM]

Yoo?

[george @ Feb 22nd 2008 11:19PM]

email me

[Leo @ Feb 18th 2008 7:40AM]

FIRST!.....oh wait




/retards

[Scarpad @ Feb 18th 2008 8:53AM]

It Might the games are fun at about the level of a Pub arcade machine, but you grow tired of them quickly, it's a fad as the soccar Moms run out to get them, but I Look at the graphics and to me Nintendo has duped America into Buying a Repackaged Gamecube with a different control scheme, and I just have to shake my head.

[Leo @ Feb 18th 2008 9:00AM]

did somebody click "reply" to my comment instead of "reply" to the thread?

[Scott @ Feb 18th 2008 11:00AM]

@Scarpad

The Wii has been sold out the entire 15 months it's been on the market. Definitely just a passing fad!

[Leo @ Feb 18th 2008 11:21AM]

how the hell can i be low ranked for posting an ironic comment? idiots.

[RC @ Feb 18th 2008 7:59AM]

I don't have a dog in this fight as I like both MS and Sony, but I always thought even if they started slow, the PS3 would eventually catch up. They have a bigger international presence and their console is really solid and extensible, IMO.

[Sean @ Feb 18th 2008 9:55AM]

I’m sick of the whole "who is going to win" bs. All three of these companies are going to be winners because all three are going to make tons of cash.

Who really cares if one sells two million more or less in a decade? Even if your machine that you chose sells well, some fanboy is going point out the inherent superiority of their console anyway. Ford vs. Chevy, Coke vs. Pepsi…. Do you really think these companies care at all about you and your devotion?

They want your money, nothing more, nothing less.

Disclaimer… I own a Xbox 360, the Wii gets delivered Tuesday and I’ll buy a PS3 when it hits $200.00 (actually I cave in at $300.00).

Love the amazing and unique games. That’s where the real work and creativity is. We all win because this competionm makes these companies innovate and strive to get better.

[skulldriveshaft @ Feb 18th 2008 9:14PM]

@Sean +1

Divide and conquer is valid in pretty much any situation :]

When are we gonna get VR augmented games?

I'm clunking together some code to use Johnny Lee's C# techniques in Visual C++ Express, because it's free, and is linked up with the DarkGDK from http://www.thegamecreators.com - what a blast.

[JHomer51 @ Feb 18th 2008 8:21AM]

How is this possible? Every time I try to buy a damn Wii they are always sold out, EVERYWHERE! Yet in the charts they seem to sell like hotcakes.

[aschmack @ Feb 18th 2008 8:39AM]

They do sell like hotcakes, which is why they are sold out. You're just not so lucky as to find one.

[sinjinn @ Feb 18th 2008 8:40AM]

i dont understand your logic

[tcc3 @ Feb 18th 2008 9:12AM]

No one goes to Disneyland...its too crowded.

No one can find a wii on store shelves...its always sold out.

Im starting to think the wii is a myth. A clever marketing ploy. Never mind that i've seen and played one. Its all part of the conspiracy.

[JHomer51 @ Feb 19th 2008 4:50AM]

Thing is that when I ask the cashier they always tell me that they receive very few boxes compared to the PS3 or 360.

[David Lerner @ Feb 18th 2008 8:23AM]

I am going to stay of the PS3 until not only there are better titles, but there is a improved live service.

www.talkprice.net

[shanoboy @ Feb 18th 2008 8:36AM]

I may buy a PS3 soon, but only for the Blu-Ray and I heard you can stream your video files to it from another PC. No point in buying a Blu-Ray player when I can get one and so much more in a PS3.

I probably won't be buying too many games though.

[sinjinn @ Feb 18th 2008 8:45AM]

its difficult to call. i think ps3 will definately overtake the 360 in 2009 and from then on it will just totally leave it behind. but the wii one is a bit of a mystery. who knows how many of these casual gamers are out there and at what price point they are willing to get on the wii train.

wii needsome better games from third parties though.

[CKMBA @ Mar 10th 2008 6:05PM]

That's true. How many price cuts and feature add-ons have 360 and PS3 had to make to get these sales numbers? It's been 15mos and the Wii is still at the same rice that it was released.

[Tom Oliveri @ Feb 18th 2008 8:47AM]

why is everyone predicting the fall of the xbox 360 this year?

[Forest @ Feb 18th 2008 1:40PM]

Because the XBox 360 crowd has actual games to play, and the PS3 fans do not, so they sit around the Internet all day talking about "what's coming." That's about it.....

[Rich @ Feb 18th 2008 10:03AM]

Because Halo 3 is out and the PS3 still has a lot of its big hitters to come out?

[Technex @ Feb 18th 2008 2:56PM]

Tom, you said a smart thing? *Votes up*.

[JET @ Feb 18th 2008 9:28AM]

Waitaminit - I thought Wii overtook 360 months ago? Or are we only talking US sales again? Looks like the report uses US and worldwide numbers interchangably, which is kinda goofy.

30m Wiis sound like a good number, but I don't see how 360 reaches 26m unless sales pick up strongly overseas. PS3 reaching 25.7m systems this year sounds a bit optomistic but a strong Christmas could bring that number within reach.

My contention has been, and remains, that Microsoft's long-term market dominance is hampered by two things: 1) poor worldwide sales, and 2) lack of a handheld counterpart. DS and PSP are the clear market leaders this generation, and Microsoft will not be positioned well until they have a competing product. J. Allard's initial vision for Zune was that it would be that product, but I haven't heard any news from that front in a long time.

JET

[badqat @ Feb 18th 2008 10:15AM]

I honestly don't think a portable has crap to do with console sales, but that's just me.

The only place where Microsoft can't seem to sell is Japan - US and EU sales are good, but the Japanese don't want the 360.

[DogEars @ Feb 18th 2008 9:41AM]

As long as they keep making awesome games for the 360...I can't be bothered to care.

[Sam @ Feb 18th 2008 9:55AM]

Why is some analyst talking about the wii 'overtaking' another console when it is the current sales leader? I don't think i trust their analysis very much.

vgchartz.com

[Matt B @ Feb 18th 2008 10:13AM]

I still wonder how a console that can't do HD and is the cheapest is still considered a competitor with HD consoles. The only thing it has in common with the PS3 is a launch date.

[badqat @ Feb 18th 2008 10:16AM]

Because all three of them are game consoles...and they're all competing for the public's money.

[pc @ Feb 18th 2008 10:23AM]

big surprise the cheapest console sells the most the most expensive sells the least

if the 360 was 250 it would outsell the gamecube i mean wii with revolutionary controller

wii is not next gen is last gen sorry

[Magallanes @ Feb 18th 2008 10:58AM]

Wii can be a "previous generation console" but wii controller is next gen, far over any xbox360 and ps3 controller.

[Mel @ Feb 18th 2008 12:26PM]

Wait, that's it? All MS needs to do is drop the price of the 360 $30 more and it'll be victorious? someone get bill on the phone, Nintendo is going down!

/sarcasm

[CKMBA @ Mar 10th 2008 7:00PM]

Watch this on PBS if you can or buy the DVD:

http://www.shoppbs.org/sm-pbs-buffett-and-gates-go-back-to-school-dvd--pi-2477747.html

A student asks Bill what he envisions will be in the next "next gen" Xbox 720 console and Bill replies:

"It will be a completely interactive experience for the gamer where you will be completely immersed! You will have to move your body as if you're actually in the game!"

So, you're right, the Wii isn't a next gen console, it's a next "next gen" console. Seriously, watch the documentary, it's like Bill's describing the Wii to a T.

[dean @ Feb 18th 2008 10:56AM]

Um, worldwide, the Wii is far ahead of the 360 (blame it on Japan). Yet in Americas, its estimated that the 360 is slightly ahead.

With a pricepoint that is finally right, and a slew of new games, PS3 should really take off this year. Plus Blu-Ray winning helps. Really is the break Sony needed. Will be interesting to see how MS adjusts to compete.

[Allen @ Feb 18th 2008 11:30AM]

I highly doubt Microsoft will even be making 360's in 3rd quarter 09, as by then they will just want to liquidate stock so they can sell the next-gen for Christmas '10.

Thats something I've always wondered, how do you say "'10"? Like in 2020, we can say "twenty," and then in the 2030's we will have "thirty," and plenty of other easy to roll off the tongue decades afterwards. But "ten?" What the hell were the people who made the Greco-Roman calendar thinking when they came up with that shit?

[m @ Feb 18th 2008 1:59PM]

if not to you, perhaps "ten" is familiar to the children in your neighborhood as the number of those little things on our hands and feet.

[DarCowAlways @ Feb 18th 2008 2:35PM]

"...projecting that the Wii will overtake the 360 as the dominant current-gen console this year..."

Now all Nintendo needs is to actually put a few Wii's in stores, so that people who want them don't have to spend their money on PC games!

[RemzVkru @ Feb 18th 2008 2:54PM]

I wouldn't consider the Wii a next gen console, all nintendo did was make a slightly better GC gave it a stupid motion sensing wand and a different name and that turned into the Wii. The smart thing about it was that it's so last gen technically that it can be sold cheap and that's what attracted people. Honestly what is there to play on the Wii........one mario game and one zelda game and one metroid game wooooopeeeeee. Kudos to nintendo on playing it safe with a modified GC cause the gimmick worked for them.

[CKMBA @ Mar 10th 2008 8:40PM]

Watch this on PBS if you can or buy the DVD:

http://www.shoppbs.org/sm-pbs-buffett-and-gates-go-back-to-school-dvd--pi-2477747.html

A student asks Bill what he envisions will be in the next "next gen" Xbox 720 console and Bill replies:

"It will be a completely interactive experience for the gamer where you will be completely immersed! You will have to move your body as if you're actually in the game!"

So, you're right, the Wii isn't a next gen console, it's a next "next gen" console. Seriously, watch the documentary, it's like Bill's describing the Wii to a T.

It's near the end of the documentary.

[Adam Zey @ Feb 18th 2008 4:08PM]

Huh? Didn't the Wii overtake the 360 last year? Current estimates put the Wii at 44% marketshare at roughly 22m sold, and the 360 at 35% with roughly 17m sold.

Or did you mean overtaking in the North American market, where the 360 still holds a slim lead of about 1.5m unist?

[deslock @ Feb 18th 2008 4:46PM]

Engadget, WTF?! No where in the linked-to article does it say that the Wii is predicted to overtake XBox360. It says "the Wii is in line to become the industry leader with a total global installed base of 30.2 million units."

It doesn't say who today's industry leader is (though right now it's the Wii with sales of 22M vs 17M Xboxes and 10M PS3s). It's possible that the article is wrong. Or maybe it meant that the numbers are currently too close to declare one console the *clear* industry leader.

In any case, sensationalizing stories may increase engadget's count, but it also diminishes credibility.

[psychofire1 @ Feb 18th 2008 6:35PM]

please stop calling the wii a current generation system.


for me?

[tekdemon @ Feb 18th 2008 7:32PM]

Well, let's see. The Xbox came out in 2001, and the Xbox 360 came out in 2005. So if Microsoft keeps up their refreshes there should be an Xbox...uhh...9000 out by 2009, lol.

[hothotdisco @ Feb 18th 2008 10:55PM]

Newsflash: The Wii has already overtaken the 360........