Can we put the handheld rumors to rest? [Archive]

View Full Version : Can we put the handheld rumors to rest?

petewhitley

01-24-2006, 03:23 PM

HERE (http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2118&Itemid=2) is an interesting link detailing a report by financial analyst group SIG, which predicts the long-term success of the DS and the PSP. I'm not linking to this because I agree with their predictions, rather I'm linking to it because of the following quote:

"It points out that in its first year both PSP and DS managed around 13 million units each, with DS slightly ahead."

Many of us prefer one handheld to another (have a gander at a current thread discussing handheld favorites). But can we finally cease and desist with the absurd comments such as "The DS is SPANKING the PSP in sales!!!"? The sales numbers simply do not bear this out. Does the DS have a larger market share at the present? Sure, but it had a healthy head-start on the PSP with a much earlier launch. But clearly, first-year sales for both systems have been outstanding, with very little difference in overall sales.

pacmanhat

01-24-2006, 03:28 PM

petewhitley

01-24-2006, 03:31 PM

While I agree that the determination of which system sells better is extremely irrelevant, I definitely don't agree with this analyst's views on the way things will go out. It seems as though he's expecting neither systems hardware sales to EVER slow down, which I don't think makes a whole lot of sense. I hope both systems continue to do well, so that great games continue to be made for both.

Me too. The market can clearly support two successful handheld platforms, and we're all winners with that. Having said that, I'm skeptical of those claims as well. Handhelds have traditionally been popular with both kids and adults, and the PSP isn't nearly as kid-friendly as the DS, both in design and software support.

RevQuixo

01-24-2006, 04:23 PM

But can we finally cease and desist with the absurd comments such as "The DS is SPANKING the PSP in sales!!!"?

Can we still say that the DS is spanking the PSP in terms of quality of games?

LiquidPolicenaut

01-24-2006, 04:28 PM

Can we still say that the DS is spanking the PSP in terms of quality of games?

I would say yes. I do agree, though, that there is definitely room out there for two successful handhelds. I happen to also own both and love them equally. True, the DS has a good amount of better titles so far, but it looks like finally the PSP will be getting much stronger titles this year.....as will the DS :)

hezeuschrist

01-24-2006, 05:16 PM

But can we finally cease and desist with the absurd comments such as "The DS is SPANKING the PSP in sales!!!"?

Can we still say that the DS is spanking the PSP in terms of quality of games?

It certainly is spanking the PSP in terms of software sales.

petewhitley

01-24-2006, 06:09 PM

It certainly is spanking the PSP in terms of software sales.

Source?

Griking

01-24-2006, 08:41 PM

It certainly is spanking the PSP in terms of software sales.

Source?

Despite what you may believe, there isn't always a friendly convienant link to provide to prove every statement made. Otherwise why don't you provide a link showing us that he's wrong and that the PSP is actually winning the software sales war.

I know that it's only a very small sampling but I've heard from an awful lot of PSP owners on these very forums who have said that their PSP is gathering dust while they buy games for and play their DS. And most of the others that I hear from here say that they primarily use their PSP and an emulation device which obviously doesn't sell games for Sony. And keep in mind, there are people who paid a buttload for a PSP so you really can't just dismiss them as biased Nintendo fanboys.

hezeuschrist

01-24-2006, 08:51 PM

The individual numbers of software sales per title. Apparently there is still yet to be a game to break half a million units (including GTA, post Xmas), but it's complete hearsay. If I find any links I'll let you have them, I'm just going off what I've heard around the net.

I'm certainly not on any quest to bastardize the PSP, but from my personal experience in my time at Gamerush, we sold next to zero new PSP software unless it was a new release, and even then (GTA) it hardly ever sold out. The only time software was ever in demand since launch was right after Christmas.

petewhitley

01-24-2006, 09:09 PM

Despite what you may believe, there isn't always a friendly convienant link to provide to prove every statement made. Otherwise why don't you provide a link showing us that he's wrong and that the PSP is actually winning the software sales war.

Man, think about what you wrote there for a minute ... Do you see how asinine that is? The burden of proof in any field (news, science, law) lies in the claim.

I know that it's only a very small sampling but I've heard from an awful lot of PSP owners on these very forums who have said that their PSP is gathering dust while they buy games for and play their DS. And most of the others that I hear from here say that they primarily use their PSP and an emulation device which obviously doesn't sell games for Sony. And keep in mind, there are people who paid a buttload for a PSP so you really can't just dismiss them as biased Nintendo fanboys.

I hear these same stories, but it's that same anectdotal evidence that has perpetuated this false rumor that the DS has handidly outsold the PSP in a similar amount of time.

classicb

01-25-2006, 03:16 AM

here this article should make both people happy in terms of hardware sales being even and software sales being in the DS favor.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14191

tom

01-25-2006, 05:02 AM

Can we include the Gizmondo, a top selling handheld, pooing on the likes of PSP, DS, even the Gamate.
Last I hear it sold a whole 5 units....

JJNova

01-25-2006, 05:22 AM

Wow. That article was already torn apart on /.

By the way, Sony announces it's numbers by "units shipped" and Nintendo announces theirs as units "sold".

Samsung got a request from Sony to produce enough parts to ship another 20 million PSP's this year. Just because they ship that many, doesn't mean there will be that many in peoples homes.

Ed Oscuro

01-25-2006, 06:44 AM

While we're at it, what happened to the DS redesign unveiling on Monday...this last Monday?

Captain Wrong

01-25-2006, 09:22 AM

Wow. That article was already torn apart on /.

Which article? There have only been three or four linked to in this thread. Link please?
:D

Griking

01-26-2006, 10:14 AM

petewhitley

01-26-2006, 10:18 AM

here this article should make both people happy in terms of hardware sales being even and software sales being in the DS favor.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14191

Thank You

Petey?

Yes, happy. It's refreshing to have actual sales data for once to support the claims thrown about this board. Though the linked article does not support a claim that the DS is "spanking" the PSP in software sales over the life of both systems, it clearly shows that the DS is currently "spanking" the PSP in software sales.