Microsoft is making some noise today about the Xbox 360's sales numbers -- it's the first of this generation of consoles to top 10M sales in the US. That's well ahead of the Wii, which stands at 8.8M, and the PS3, which has under half the 360's installed base at 4.1M units sold. Worldwide, the 360 is also doing quite well: Microsoft says it's moved 19M consoles total, and that 12 million people are signed up for Xbox Live. That's behind the Wii's global sales of 25M units, but Microsoft isn't exactly content with second place -- it's making a point to say that the 360 has the " largest global install base of any current gen, high definition gaming console." Take
that, Mario. Meanwhile, the PS3s doing quite nicely for itself as well: in addition to
outselling the 360 in both the
US and
Europe, Sony says worldwide sales were up an astounding 156 percent last year with a total of 9.2M units coming off shelves, and that it expects to sell another 10M consoles by March 2009. Looks like the console race is hitting the next level -- any bets on how things will shake out in a year?
[Via
Joystiq]
Read - 360 sales
Read - PS3 sales
posted May 14th 2008 8:33PM
Look in your rear-view mirror Microsoft...
The Wii-Train is comin'!
Screw the rearview mirror, drive your car off the train tracks already!
Technically, MS needs to keep it's eyes ahead, because the Wii is way ahead of it in WORLDWIDE sales.
Typical MS to try and spin it so it looks like they are ahead when they are getting the pants beat off them by an "inferior" system. Kind of embarrassing eh Microsoft?
The Nintendo Wii is an underpowered piece of hardware with lackluster title after lackluster title. The only thing holding it afloat is the demand for a kid-friendly game, the demand from older adults and the demand from tech savy in-betweens.
Nintendo Wii's only good titles are FIRST PARTY...a string of Mario_____ and Zelda ______ or Metroid ______. The vast pile of other games rotting in bargin bins such as Nina Reflex, Red Steel, etc only prove that this system is inferior - even in a comparison to older Nintendo consoles.
Wii Fit is a failure waiting to happen. Any weight that was lost on Wii sports has been thoroughly gained back.
Not helping the Wii is Japan's refusal to push the console in America since the weakened dollar gives them no incentive to do so. Sure this drives up demand, but, the supply isn't meeting it here and over time people are finding other things to do with their $250.
THE PS3 has the brightest future of all 3 consoles wherin the 360 (my favorite) has already shown its hand.
The safest gaming system to be on is the PC.
wii has dominated - i love how engadget spins it so the xbox and ps3 look good.
Replace those words in there with CRUSH
the wii has CRUSHED the ps3 and CRUSHED the xbox!
WOOT!
wii fit is def not a train wreck. IT'S SOLD OUT EVERYWHERE!!
pre-orders that is.. amazon, gamestop, target, etc, u can't pre-order no more
I THINK COMPARING WII TO PS3 and XBOX360 is RIDICULOUS.
That's like comparing a $25,000 Honda Accord to a $45,000 SRt8 and a $60,000 BMW.
IT IS CHEAPER BY OVER $150
Wii costs $250
XBOX360 = $399
PS3 = $500 (im using older prices)
THEREFORE, ITS OBVIOUS WII WILL SELL MORE UNITS.
I THINK YOU SHOULD DIVIDE THE WII SOLD NUMBER BY 2 since its about half the price.
Yes I'll be low ranked on this but ever since Endgadget took away HIGHEST RANKED - I stopped caring. So suck this comment down and love it.
Yeah because there's not a $279 version of the 360 or anything.
What makes you think Wii Fit is a failure? You can even pre-order the dang thing. I for one am really excited to lose weight with it...
Why does everyone need to rag on the Wii? I've had a bunch of fun with it, but I don't play FPSs... So to each his own. I have a PS3 and a Wii, I use the PS3 for Rockband/Gh and Ratchet and clank and a Blu-Ray player, and the WIi I play all the Nintendo Games and (currently) boom blox... EACH console has its strong points. The only reason I don't have a 360 is I personally don't like FPSs...
People should put their Fanboisms aside and see the good in ALL consoles...
@Flashpoint
What's wrong with the Wii being "kid friendly"?
Kids are a primary audience for video games, they always have been, and despite all the hoopla over "mature" games like GTA IV, kids and casual gamers combined continue to make up the majority of gamers! There are just as many kids playing video games today as there where back in the day's of the NES, and Microsoft and Sony have handed all those millions of kids to Nintendo!
I ranked you up flashpoint :D
Congrats, Flashpoint: that was ignorance at its finest.
The Wii is a year and a half old, and has already had a new Zelda, Metroid, Mario, Smash Bros. and Mario Kart title, all of which have ranked quite highly. It's also had some worthwhile third party titles like No More Heroes and Zack & Wiki.
Keep in mind that most other consoles have had next to nothing worthwhile during their entire first year. The 360 didn't have much to wow anybody until Gears of War came out a year after release. The PS2's first blockbuster was GTAIII, also a full year after release; its only real hit before that was Gran Turismo 3. The PS3 won't even have its first real exclusive hit until MGS4 comes out this summer.
So let's stop with the ignorant comments about a lack of software. The Wii has offered plenty for only being out a year and a half. And every other #1-selling console has taken as long, if not longer, to get its library really rolling.
@ flashpoint, just cuz the wii is cheaper doesnt mean it'll sell more. i don't see kia outselling toyota or honda or ford do it? either way, the wii is a money train for nintendo. it actually profits on system sales unlike xbox and ps3. (once again, i have all 3 systems)
Sure Flashpoint, you are correct, you saying that until you feel better...
@philly
actually it does...or at least thats what every economics class has taught. If price doesn't affect sales then economics is a complete failure and should go down in history right next to alchemy.
@Flashpoint
stop being such a fanboy... the wii is awesome... it's innovative, unique... M$ has to go so low as to specify it as being the top selling "high def" gaming console in the world (since Wii is only 480p), and you've matched their tactics by discounting wii sales based on the cost of the unit... it's not Hi Def like 360, so of course it's going to cost less...
and you know what, 25M people around the world couldn't give a fucking shit about lame ass high def games where you sit on yoru fat ass and punch your thumbs on some controller...
get over it! the end!
I consider the Xbox360 and PS3 direct competitors, the Wii is not but that's not to say it's not as good - it's just different.
Sure the Wii plays games but its almost a completely different gaming experience, I would buy a Wii and for (better) online multiplayer play a Xbox360 or PS3.
In a way I think that's the secret of the Wii's success, Sony and Microsoft battle for #1 meanwhile Nintendo is happy at #3 (wherever it is now I don't know if it is #3 that's just an example).
@greg
actually, that only applies to substitute goods. the wii is not the same good as the ps3 and 360, therefore, its price does not have an effect on it. the wii is aimed at a different user base than the other 2. go back to economics yourself and u'll realize that. the price of pencils does not effect the demand for pens b/c although they r similar, they are not exactly substitutes. and the 360 goes for 280 anyways which is not a far cry from 250 for the wii.
@greg again
and don't forget the concept of elasticity, inferior/superior/normal goods, etc.
some goods r just inelastic. like toothpicks, a price change will not effect demand.
so next time, make sure u review all ur notes b4 u try to make an argument.
@Evan
Actually, IIRC the average age for a video gamer is 33 right now.
Sure, kids play games, but there's a reason why mature games sell big, and that's because there's more people over the age of 18 playing games than there are kids under 18. Children are not the targets of the video game industry; they have no purchasing power.
@flashpoint-
So the wii is only popular among kids, older adults, and "in-betweens"?
No wonder it's such a failure.
Insert microsoft fanboy comment here
Insert Sony fanboy comment here.
Sit back and enjoy the fireworks.
Flashpoint;
In Europe the Xbox360 costs 199EUR (arcade) and the Wii is 260EUR. Yet I still don't see the masses moving to the Xbox360.
@zerosozha
I said kids AND CASUAL gamers.
Those same stats that put the average age at 33, include the 39% of gamers who are women (which accounts for the 70 MILLION copies of The Sims and its expansion packs that have been sold).
Only 26% of gamers are both over 18 and male, the target demographic for GTA IV.
i don't understand the hype for wii sports, if you sit in front of your tv soooo much that the only way you'll exercise is by playing a video game then you have problems. Running is FREE, stop being lazy and get up and work out.
@Luigi193,
you could lose a lot more weight while you're waiting for a "game" to come out...by exercising. pushups/situps/HIIT ftw.
Nice Sony! You're actually doing something right for once!
Go PS3!
Sony has 2008 LOCKED. UP.
And while us poor Sony guys are being low ranked to all hell...
The Wii is boring, cheaply made, and obnoxious after a few weeks.
The 360 is a poorly designed, overheating piece of garbage and Xbox live is nothing more than an outlet for 12 year old homophobes and morons.
EAT IT.
(and yes, I do really think these things)
amen brother
I actually own both a 360 and a PS3 and I must say I play my 360 far more that I play my PS3 and that has to do with the great online experiance, yes there are alot of 12 year olds and morons but that doesn't really effect alot of users since we have friends lists and dedicated people that we play with which is one thing the PS3 lacks at this moment, all that may change if HOME ever gets released and Sony actually creates an online community of gamers. It also may be due to the lack of exclusive games that the PS3 has I would rather purchase mutli-platform games of the 360 because of the online support such as downloadable content and things of that nature. I guess what I'm saying is quit being such a fanboy and try being a real gamer, its alot more fun that way. Plus you get more games to play if you use all the platforms and not blindly follow one.
@Teetdogs
That gave me a headache.
@Teetdogs
PS: I don't want to be a "GAMER" if that means I need to be into the pre-teen Xbox community (aka: Live) or pay a bunch of shit to download extra levels for my games.
I play it. I beat it. I move on with my life. You be a "GAMER," I'll try something else.
Hey Pochi, at least we get extra levels to play.
I hate to be a fanboy, but... GO GO PS3 WOOHOO I LOVE YOOOOOUUUUU!
Yes, we do hate it when you're a fanboy.
if you hated being a fanboy, you wouldn't post stupid comments that made all PS3 fanboys look like idiots.
Sarcasm. Understand it.
yeah way to go PS3!!! this year is your year!!!
PS3 fan boys sure have a lot of time on there hands maybe next year they will have games to play.
Exactly. I have a PS3.... it plays Blu Rays. Where's all the exclusive games that are GOOD?! I'm waiting!
hah people paying for movies.
i scoff - i scoff at u gents
anyways i gave all the ps3 fanboys a negative.
and maybe next year, Xbox 360 fanboys will have a working system to their games on and Wii fanboys will have new non-Gamecube-rehashed games to play.
That's nice Gabe.
I work in the industry. You're fucking me buy stealing movies I work on. You shit eater.
But Charlie, you have to understand. People who steal things are bad asses! Haven't you seen all the old movies with the cool guy with the nice car and a bunch of girls stealing things?
The difference is, now days, little nerds in their parents' basements can THINK they are bad asses too by stealing! And there's almost no risk! Man, what a deal!
CharlieX, you work in the movie industry? Certainly not as a writer. Or as a adult. I suspect you work at a movie theater, and bittorrent can't yet distribute $5 soda, so you should be safe for now.
@CharlieX
heres to fucking you.... make movies worth paying for
wait are you unemployed .... oh yeah thats right .... now go fuck off
Looks like the PS3 is gunning for pole position, after all the mocking and moaning people did when it came out.
Gunning and succeeding are two completely different things.
B-but, but it has teh potentials!~
:P
Pole position? its less than half the 360 sales in the US.
"its less than half the 360 sales in the US"
When did the two release again?
Oh, right. Thought so.
Release date isn't an excuse though, you either are in front or you aren't
I guess you agree that Sony's still the winner, then. Since the PS2 is ahead of the 360. Oh, it matter now which generation we're talking about?
Every single day, more people on this planet buy a new PS3 than get a 360. More 360 owners send their broken system in than PS3 owners. A higher proportion of PS3 owners buy a game than 360 owners.
The 360 is being replaced because it failed to effectively knock out the PS3. It's a badass system that really cut into the PS3 sales, but MS already fired ALL of its guns. The PS3 has released none of its primary core games yet, and is already outselling the 360. By the end of the year, it won't even be funny, and in two years, the PS3 will be dominating the next XBOX.
I could care less about numbers unless it is the price of the PS3 coming down. I have the Wii, but go PS3!
Then why don't you?
"any bets on how things will shake out in a year?"
Nothing great, unless Apple jumps in.
Also can someone build a decent handheld fusion of a gaming device/phone?
It ought to be DS style form factor with a touchscreen on the outside and the inside bottom's touchscreen should allow you to snap on/overlay a thin keyboard or game controller pad layout right on TOP of the display .. and it should be thin enough so you can close the thing without the
Yeah I know nearly everyone else doesn't want such a device .. but i hate carrying multiple gadgets.
Um, buddy, Apple is not even mentioned in this here article. And, no, they won't go into the video game market. Look here: http://www.cnet.com/8301-13506_1-9940041-17.html?tag=blog.1
now...how does apple come into picture here???
there has to be apple everywhere???
I really dont care anymore. What ever happened to just enjoying the games and not wining about the hardware your using? The 360 has faults, the ps3 has faults lets all shut up and go play GTA4(sorry wii)
Right on.. but i must admit, i've spent 10x more hours playing mario kart wii than gta4 right now...
yeah...GTA is crashing in PS3...so its normal...
One thing is certain... the WII and the Xbox 360 will go through hardware revisions into a new console before the PS3 does.
Probably and nothing wrong with that. Life-cycles of consoles are getting shorter anyway. You think SONY would still support the PS2 if they wouldn't need some cash income, from all the losses of the PS3?
Wait, does that mean the 360 outsold the PS3 in Japan? Since the PS3 outsold the 360 in UK/US... that's interesting.
no it didn't. it just mentioned the US/UK b/c those r the areas where MS can actually beat sony. in japan, MS has no chance.
this is stupid... um yeah MS has 10 mil in the US, WHO CARES?!? IT WAS RELEASED A YEAR IN ADVANCE! THE WII IS ONLY 1.2 MIL BEHIND AND WAS RELEASED A YEAR LATER!
The PS3 will do great this year too. I love how MS is trying to look like it's on top about the largest HD system base. That doesn't matter. If the PS3 had 4 units sold and MS had 5, then it'd still be #1 but it's pointless. They omit the Wii b/c they got nothing of substance to say.
BTW I have all 3 systems...
Err, no offence but the installed base is EVERYTHING. If your a game developer all you care about is how many people have the console to run your game. NOT how many people might in the future have a console to play your game... See my point? It doesn't matter that the 360 had a year headstart it still has more consoles sold! The numbers speak for themselves.
@adam
Actually, game publishers DO look at how many people might in the future have a console. Most games take 1 to 2 years to develop, so right now publishers are predicting future sales to decide what console they want to be releasing on 1 to 2 years into the future.
um adam, developers do look at install base current and future. the wii can slow down it's selling pace in the US by 80% and it'll have the same base as the 360 this time next year. but with wii fit coming along it'll just push more product and continue the trend. the wii will have total US sales in excess of 16 or 17 mil and the xbox will only be around 14 mil since it's pace has slowed waaay down
so, evan and philly, you're both game developers, no?
The Wii may not be a true next-gen HD gaming console like the 360 & PS3, but for me that doesn't take anything away from Nintendo's accomplishment. Nintendo was responsible for resurrecting console gaming in the late 1980s and now they're responsible for resurrecting themselves. 1st place everywhere, very impressive.
If MS is lucky their 360 will end up in 2nd place (with the PS3 close behind), if they're not, they'll end up in 3rd place behind the PS3. Outside the US, it's 3rd place all the way. Not so impressive.
All these stats miss one important piece of information. A LOT of people have more than one system. I own a 360 and a Wii. These stories make it sound like once someone buys a system, they are tied to that forever. I'm willing to bet a lot of folks who read this site own all three systems. I'd really like to see one of these stories deal with the overlap.
"own all three consoles."
that's ya boy right hurrr.
i would like to end by saying the following:
Games - X360
Media - PS3
Fun/Friends/Party/Toy - Wii
this is true with the gaming industry now hitting older markets. im 19 but i grew up with sega genesis, n64 etc. when i get older i can still have fun with video games. back then sega vs snes was a real battle because parents were the ones buying the systems and damned if they're buying two.
this is still true however, there are plenty of 12 year olds whose working class parents can afford one system. a key difference is that the parents are likely playing too and you bet your ass the people at ms,sony,nintendo all consider this stuff.
I do not yet own a current gen console. im in college and way too broke right now. if that changes im getting a PS3 so i can have a BD player
If only I could low rank everyone...
You can, just delete your "votes" cookie every time you want to rank someone twice...
I'm getting tired of clicking "vote up" and refreshing the page, so I can't really say that it will work. (I probably did that about 500 times, and I doubt it did anything...)
Oh well... Low rank me!
Well you could, but who cares what your comment rating is as long as you believe in it. Also it wasn't mentioned, I don't know if it's because the numbers aren't there, but the PS3 is defiantly in 2nd behind the Wii in Japan as well. Also PSP sells are doing well, again referring to Japan that Monster 2nd Gen game is selling like crazy, although Nintendo is owning the world in the handheld and console market.
That being said, I do prefer the PS3 over the Wii, which I see more as a toy than a console. I know the system can support more quality games, but most of those seem to come from first party dev Nintendo. As far as handhelds, the DS library is huge and has plenty of great titles, but I also like what the PSP has to offer (I need to get myself a PSP-2000), as I haven't touched my DS since FFTT came out =p.
Microsoft needs to get a Blu-ray in the 360 ASAP; throw some type of legitimate headline out there to distract the uninitiated mob until Gears2 comes out, mho. It would also take a major ps3 talking point away.
Sony has Metal Gear, Gran Turismo 5, and Zillzone (??) on deck--it may be a long year for the 360.
if MS added a built in blu-ray player to the 360 now, i predict that the price would shoot up, not to mention there would be outraged 360 owners.
PS3 deserves to be number 1. It's a product not born out of arrogance. Unlike the one that has a horrible reliability record and supporting a failed initiative. The PS3 is a better product.
Um. Everything about the unveiling of the PS3 screamed arrogance, from the bloated hardware claims to the price tag, and especially all the rhetoric of nitwits like Ken Kutaragi. They've made improvements since, but when the PS3 first came out, Sony's constant attitude seemed to be, "You will buy this because it has the name PlayStation on it."
I believe this one went right over your head. Not arrogance in advertising or promotional talk.
I'm not totally sure what you mean by the PS3 not being "born out of arrogance". I think it's a wonderful system that has only continued to improve (with the only major fault being the back library not supported in more current systems... heh thankfully I have a launch system), but I believe both Microsoft and Sony showed plenty of arrogance in launching and promoting their systems and continue to do so to this day.
If you mean Microsoft rushed the 360 to be first in the marketplace, then yes, I can understand that statement, but I don't equate that to arrogance, just a marketing move that has both helped and hurt them.
I want to get a ps3. I've heard a lot of great reviews about it from friends. PS3 FTW!!!! 360 EPIC FAILURE!!!
I wouldn't say the 360 is a failure. RRoD aside, it's a great console.
All that aside, PS3 FTMFW!
I'll buy a PS3 before the end of the year. I've already bought several Wiis as gifts. I'll never own an Xbox. Ever.
Though this is only US sales. Wii's worldwide sales are tops at over 24.5 million sold as of March 31st, Xbox creeping at 19 million.
Well duh, Engadget. I'd hope its sold more than the Wii in the US since it was released AN ENTIRE YEAR before the Wii was. I guess you guys forgot to include that little tidbit, huh. No matter, lets check the sales this time next year. Oh, and how are those worldwide sales again??
yeah. Xbox 360 sales are at the top. Coz your hardware breaks and makes you buy another one again. I've bought 3 xbox already. Where as majority of the PS3 owners have only bought one.
I didn't think about that. that's a good point. I knew a person who had to buy and xbox 4 times because of it breaking. eventually he got a ps3 and he has had no problems. now I just want apple to join the party and I'll be set. =)
Wow... You bought 3 Xbox 360s rather than just getting it fixed? Well... Not mine or anyone else's problem that you were a retard... Seriously, if something is broken due to defect, who the fuck buys another one? If you do buy another one, and it breaks, why the fuck would you do it again?! Fool me once, shame on you- fool me again, shame on me... I believe that's how the saying goes.
Anyway, still on my launch console. So sad to hear you waste your money.
Are you really that narrow minded that all people that have Xbox's only live in USA? I have US consoles that arent in the US, so guess what? I'm not paying for shipping out of the country just to get a console fixed. Good for you that you have your launch console, but do you really think that that is your original console? Look it up buddy, they switch your console with someone elses when you have it repaired to save "repair time".
@sixt33n: your either a complete liar or an absolute moron for buying 3 XBOX's when they can get them repaired for free.
@engadgetier: Your either a complete liar or hang out with absolute morons, who buy 4 consoles when they can get them repaired for free.
Its just a shame that if the latter is the case, you have just wasted precious money that you could have spent on condoms or some sort of birth control to keep this planet from housing more morons.
Have you ever considered other people who have tried to repair their consoles but get broken again anyway after a while that they get pissed over it and just buy a new one for lesser of a hassle? Eitherway, Thats not the point. Who cares about how much money other people are willing to spend. The point is that one of the reasons why Xbox have more sales is because of constant hardware failure. If you think about it, if Xbox didnt have that much hardware failures, their sales would be lower.
i myself have all three systems i bought a extra xbox 360 as a backup for the infamous RROD and most of my friends have done the same
These X-Box comments are absurd.
You bought a back-up just in case your console went down? Why would you do that? How about waiting until it breaks and then buying a new one (assuming for some silly reason that you don't want to send it in for a free repair).
You make it sound like there is a shortage of X-Boxes and you had to stock up in case of emergency. What total bull.
at least 2 million of those are replacement consoles for out of warranty RROD... but that doesn't count. not to mention I'm doing a low estimate since people say 3 out of 10 will be replaced before one year. At least there a whole bunch of good consoles that haven't burn, lucky guys...
I own a Gamebox 360 and its pretty gnarly. Ive played with Wii's and they are pretty intense. PS3's cost a lot of money, but in my opinion are the best over all systems, partly because of the free online capabilities. If (base) price wasnt an issue, which would you choose?