Does Wii have a chance to be #1 this generation?

[veronica_marsfan]

Where #1 = most sold. Previous winners: Atari 2600, NES, Super NES, PS1, PS2.



PS3 is obviously flopped.
Waaaaay too expensive.

Xbox360 is still plagued with problems.
(Just read about another lawsuit against Microsoft.)

Wii was the "must have" toy this past Christmas.
Does it have a chance of rising to #1 and winning?

Please share.
:bday:

[Anthony1]

negatory

[Atari 5200]

PS3 is obviously flopped.
Waaaaay too expensive.

Xbox360 is still plagued with problems.
(Just read about another lawsuit against Microsoft.)

Wii was the "must have" toy this past Christmas.
Does it have a chance of rising to #1 and winning?

Please share.
:bday:

Yeah, i agree with you. Yeah sure all you heard during launch of the new systems was about the ps3. now all you hear about is the wii. so yeah, for now it has a chance of "winning." but who knows, tables may turn again...



ps... GO WII!!!

[j_factor]

Yes.

Will it? I don't know. But it certainly has a chance.

Gamecube sales were kind of discouraging from the beginning. Things are looking up for Nintendo.

[RCM]

It's very likely that Wii will take Japan. Once Microsoft drops the 360 to $300 (the real version), the race will surely tighten up in the states and Europe. As for the PS3, don't count Sony out.

[FaSCoRP]

Perhaps WII will win by quantity. But I really doubt playing a wii game for long hours. Too tired

[Nintendo Gamer]

.....

[mailman187666]

I think wii will have the most sold worldwide, but its too early to tell what the PS3 is going to do. They could easily get back on thier feet once more software comes out. The price of the wii will make people buy it on impulse. The PS3 price, you have to actually put thought into the purchase. The 360 is an untrustworthy piece of machinery that has quality software and services. Its too early to say anyone will win.

[jajaja]

PS3 is obviously flopped.
Waaaaay too expensive.

Yep, a system thats been out for 2 months has obviously flopped just because it hasnt sold millions.. not! :P

I wish people could make posts like this with a more neutral way instead of the fanboy way. And yes, the Wii has a chance to be #1, so does 360 and PS3 too.

[Kejoriv]

Perhaps WII will win by quantity. But I really doubt playing a wii game for long hours. Too tired


Huh? You dont have to jump up and down every sec of the game.

[bangtango]

Not if they have to depend primarily on Nintendo's own first party titles or late (and inferior) ports of third party titles. It seems like they are actually doing a good job of getting units into homes, so they shouldn't have a problem getting people to make games for the system. I just find it hard to believe they will have a lot of "good" third party exclusives because people making a killer game won't be able to resist the temptation of putting said game on a more powerful system.

[le geek]

Way too early to tell!!!

[Lady Jaye]

let's discuss this in 5 years, shall we?

[Habeeb Hamusta]

Wii and XBox 360 will definately be the two systems. Because microsoft has such a huge fan basis and xbox live players...they will stay at the top. The price of the PS3 will definately scare most common people away....

PS3 didn't necessairly flop...give it a year. It's going to take some time for developers to figure out complexity of the PS3's cell processor...but once they do, you can expect some really amazing stuff. PS3 will definately be for hardcore gamers only.

But since the Wii is selling so much, many developers will turn to nintendo just because of the massive amount of sales on the systems.

[udisi]

yes and no.

PS3 is definitly off to a slow start, and the Wii has been more than what people thought it would.

Now a big key here is, Wii is not in competition with the PS3 or 360 in the field of graphics, so people who enjoy Gears of War, and Resistance are gonna go with PS3 or 360. The Wii is still not gonna have Grand Theft auto or anything of that like, so if you like more mature titles, you're gonna go with a PS3 or 360. The Wii is a fresh Idea now, but with it stand the test of time? we'll see. I suspect the the next generation will go something like this

1)Xbox 360--Cheaper than a PS3, More Quality Titles, better online intergration. Will become the dominant console for the 18-24 yr old gamer.

2)Wii--smaller amount of titles, but exclusive inventive titles, cheap price point on console and games. Will be the most popular system among soccer mom's with younger children

3)PS3--the 2000's form of BETA, the PS3's price point combined with a lack of exclusive or must have games for the first year of release allows 360 and wii to grab more market share, developers decide to jump ship to 360 and wii, for better exposure and cheaper developmet costs. A-B senerio, A)Sony could choose to drop the PS3 60 and 20 gb $200 to 400/300 to compete with the 360, Although short on games the price would be competitive and more people would be willing to purchase the unit based on the pre-launch hype. Sony treads water for a year before slowly getting a few exclusive must have titles to the market, at which point the Japanese publishing machine could save the PS3 since the 360 is not as popular in Japan nor are americans or microsoft. Senerio B) Sony Maintains their 600/500 price point. Fanboys and Blu-Ray fans make up most of the PS3 ownership year one, Christmas 2008 rols around with PS3 in dead Last with few new excusive titles available for the holiday shopping period. Meanwhile, 360 Continues to have good releases throughout the year, and Halo 3 Launches, pulling in more of those people who were waiting to uprgrade to the next generation. The Wii in short supply to about march, but when they become readily availabe, Zelda, wario ware, Mario Party, are also, available. The Nintendo Fans will be happy and other first party titles will be set to release in the second half of the year.
Overall, Sony loses Chritmas 2008 , developers begin to jump ship to 360 like they did with the game cube, 360 becomes this generations PS2, the Wii does whatever nintendo systems always do(Make money without being the most popular and with little 3rd party support) The PS3 fails miserably adn costs the company crazy amounts of cash. Sony has to begin on PS4 to be first to market, and hope to learn from PS3 Mistakes. Or they decide to go the way of sega and become just a game publisher again<--(Not Likely)

[WiseSalesman]

I don't know if Nintendo can win ... it's way too early to tell, and their current release line-up is none too promising.

I will say this, though - I want Nintendo to win. Not because I'm a Nintendo fanboy (i'm not, really), and not because I think everything Miyamoto does is gold (I actually hated Pikmin) but for three reasons.

1. It will knock Sony off its high horse. The Sony execs are too goddamn arrogant for their own good right now, as the PS2's success has gone to their collective heads. Claiming that the broken buttons and dead pixels on the PSP were design features ("we created the most beautiful thing in the world") and that people want to pay $600 for a console are clear hallmarks of this. Ken Kutaragi is almost trying to make people hate him, and its working ... at least on me.

2. Nintendo is keeping it affordable. If one of the other two systems clearly wins this generation, it will prove that the only way to make a successful game console is to chock it full of the latest technology and make it a premium item. If Nintendo wins, it will show that consumer price point is also important, and maybe we'll see fewer $600 systems in the future.

3. Maybe it will teach casuals that graphics aren't that important. Every time I meet a casual gamer who judges game purely at face value it makes me want to cry. If Nintendo wins, people will wonder why. The next logical step will be because the software available for the system offered the most fun. Of course, they need to actually have some software for this fun to exist ... and an online plan wouldn't hurt either.

Can Nintendo win? At this point, it seems quite possible. A few years from now, who knows? But I'm hoping, for the consumers' sake, that they at least give the competition a run for their money.


Perhaps WII will win by quantity. But I really doubt playing a wii game for long hours. Too tired

WTF? Man up, Nancy! What are you made of, Playdough?

Jesus, I'm not the most in-shape dude, but these ridiculous reports of people complaining of "wii elbow" and getting fatigued from playing the system ... what do you people usually do? Sit around and eat Cheetos all day? Good god, join a racquetball club or something. It should not be possible for the human body to be that weak.

[PSerge]

Well, I for one believe the Wii is Nintendo's best chance to regain alot of what they have lost in the past 10 years or so.

Will it be number 1? Only time will tell..

I hope it does.

I mean, MS and Sony both put all their "chips" into HD gaming systems when the majority of people, in America at least, don't have HD TV's yet.

Why pay for something that doesn't look much better than my PS2 on my regular Standard Defination TV? I won't.. I have been debating about buying a Wii, it would be the first time I bought a system even one year from launch. It looks fun.. My wife is interested in how the games play on the Wii, and she won't even let me talk about buying a PS3 or Xbox360 because of the price. So for me, I believe the Wii will for now, hold it's own and bring back some of Nintendo's old customers.

[neuropolitique]

It will knock Sony off its high horse. The Sony execs are too goddamn arrogant for their own good right now, as the PS2's success has gone to their collective heads. Claiming that the broken buttons and dead pixels on the PSP were design features ("we created the most beautiful thing in the world") and that people want to pay $600 for a console are clear hallmarks of this. Ken Kutaragi is almost trying to make people hate him, and its working ... at least on me.

You do realize that if Sony doesn't come in first, Ken will claim that was their strategy. It will give them the underdog status for launching the PS4.

[Trebuken]

It seems likely that the Nintendo may see the greatest profit because of lower developement costs and a more cost effective system, but they need to get their big titles on the shelves. We see too many delays from Nintendo on their big titles; whay wasn't there a Mario game on launch???

Zelda was a Gamecube game. Warioware is a filler. Nintendo is waiting until the end of their fiscal year in march to do anything while we sit here and wait for...nothing really, there is nothing coming up really is there? rumors of a Paper Mario?

360 is clearly going to win from a gamers perspective, if not profit. They have all the kinks ironed out; and lawsuits are par for the course, besides Nintendos probably facing worse lawsuits over people throwing their controllers at their TV's.

PS3 vs. 360 will start in November and will kick into gear next year for real. Wii will be the 'other' console for the kids in most homes.

[tom]

Well, you can only tell when the PS3 is released, and it hasn't been in Europe yet (maybe March maybe later in the year). Wii and 360 are already selling in Europe, so of course they sold more worldwide.\

Mind you, the bestselling console of 2006 was PS2, so Sony have nothing to worry about.

[dcescott]

underdog that's funny...
That price tag killed it for me (said enough around here). They could have tweaked a few things in the system to make it competitive keeping the price down 200 less than today's prices. At 400, folks are buying a premium 360...some are even bundled with games depending on where you shop.

Ya know, when Ken gets interviewed, he sorta shoots his mouth off.

[Golden Bear]

Sure. About as much chance as a snowball in hell!:ass:

[njiska]

We seriously need to stop these stupid threads. But if you want a logical opinion here's how it stands now.

Ps3 appears to not be selling well and is getting bad press. Remember though it's a far more expensive system so the odds of people buying it on a whim are much lower and there have only really been the usual assortment of launch titles so far. Check back in a year.

Xbox 360 IS NOT PLAUGED WITH PROBLEMS. this is a stupid beleive going around and needs to stop. Most systems work just fine but some break. same with any system, even the Wii. It has a solid lineup and even better titles coming. Clear leader at the moment. again check back in a year.

Wii has sold lots on hype and low cost, but as some users like myself have found there isn't really a lot there right now. The interface needs work and technologically it's held back. Again we'll only know in a year.

In short save this shit for Jan. 2008. everyone in the industry agrees that's when the winner will be clear.

[DreamTR]

veronicamarsfan: Why did you even start this thread? It's WAY too early to tell.

Microsoft knew they were not going to take Sony when they revealed the XBOX, they wanted to create a base for their next system, the 360 and set it up from there.

Most system launches do not have many games to begin with. 360's launch looked just as horrific as PS3s, but much better than the 2-8 games that were are used to seeing. Anyone recall Saturn, Jaguar, PS2, PS1, launches, etc?

I want Nintendo to win as well, BUT, remember this fanboys on both Sony and Nintendo's end. Don't mistake Nintendo for being "the underdog" or "win one for the little guy" mentality. They were VERY monopolizing, and VERY difficult to work with when it was only there systems VS Sega. They made it difficult for publishers, developers, everyone and anyone. Only consumers are blinded by this, so no one sees that Nintendo was in Sony's shoes at one point, and now can take their hand back with the DS Lite and Wii being the way "creative" gaming is supposed to morph into.

I dislike SOny heavily, but quaility titles will come out for it, as they did for the 360. The Wii is after a gimmick, which albeit is very fun, it's for NEW and OLD gamers alike that want to play something different, not for massive straight up adventure/RPGS (sans Zelda).

[AMG]

Anything can happen.

But like many have already said, it is far too early to tell what will happen this generation.

[WiseSalesman]

I want Nintendo to win as well, BUT, remember this fanboys on both Sony and Nintendo's end. Don't mistake Nintendo for being "the underdog" or "win one for the little guy" mentality. They were VERY monopolizing, and VERY difficult to work with when it was only there systems VS Sega. They made it difficult for publishers, developers, everyone and anyone. Only consumers are blinded by this, so no one sees that Nintendo was in Sony's shoes at one point

I'm well aware of this. I remember paying $80 for an SNES cart, and the complaints from developers. The gist of my point was that I like Sony even less, and that I don't want systems to be winning wars based on tech alone.

[Eteric Rice]

In all honesty, the Playstation 3 and 360 have yet to impress me so far. Aside from more enemies on screen, better AI, and better physics, it all just seems like a small jump up from where we were before.

I think the Wii definately has a good shot at winning. Especially if Nintendo releases "Wii Health Pack," in the USA. With all of the dieting in the US, and the dieting industry being HUGE, they could definately get a lot of attention with that.

Hopefully they get their own Gutar Hero, also.

I'm not worried about the graphics, really. I've always been a guy who likes more stylized stuff over the games that try to be realistic. I actually believe that stylized can make a game more immersive than the realistic approach.

Hopefully, Smash Bros, Galaxy, and Metroid don't get pushed back much. From what I understand, Metroid is finished, they're just polishing it up right now.

[ubersaurus]

It's off to a good start, but it's too early to tell. Dreamcast got off to a good start too, and we saw how that went.

If nothing else it stands a very good chance of taking Japan, and Zelda has shown me that it can do lengthy games very well. It's just a matter of getting the 3rd party support that has eluded nintendo consoles for a decade, and if the wii continues to sell well, they'll get that too.

[Eteric Rice]

It's off to a good start, but it's too early to tell. Dreamcast got off to a good start too, and we saw how that went.

If nothing else it stands a very good chance of taking Japan, and Zelda has shown me that it can do lengthy games very well. It's just a matter of getting the 3rd party support that has eluded nintendo consoles for a decade, and if the wii continues to sell well, they'll get that too.

Yeah, it seems to be similar to the DS so far. I await the explosion that will be "Dragon Quest: Swords." D:

[djbeatmongrel]

I really am not predicting jack squat but if the DS showed us anything when it comes to innovation and sales, i think the Wii will follow suit. it may not be the top in sales due to microsoft's current installed userbase but i think it may end up being neck and neck with the 360. PS3 may still be able to pull an upset if they can get some more solid exclusives out soon due to Sony's loyal userbase. its just the price that has driven many away for now but i am sure a few killer apps my draw them in.

lets give it a year or atleast until the summer to make these predictions. its too early and theres a number of factors that can quickly change the tide. hell lets see what the sales are like after people get their tax returns hehe.

[lendelin]

PS3 is obviously flopped.
Waaaaay too expensive.

Xbox360 is still plagued with problems.
(Just read about another lawsuit against Microsoft.)

Wii was the "must have" toy this past Christmas.
Does it have a chance of rising to #1 and winning?

Please share.
:bday:

OH Lordie...these statements are a joke? I hope so...

The Wii is Nintendos acceptance that they cannot win the race. If one thing is for sure in uncertain business times, it is that the Wii will be a distant third.

The PS3 launch a flop? That is a lala-land statement.
The 360 plagued with serious probs which would give the Wii even a remote chance? I think you live on another planet.

[MrRoboto19XX]

The one disadvantage to this truly unique console war scenario, and the preliminary phases are the horserace coverage that goes with it.

Im going to go play Zelda now, or maybe Bomberman '93.

[scooterb23]

I'd say it has a 1 in 3 chance of being "first"

I'll let that one sink in for a minute, I don't think a couple of y'all got the joke there...

[swlovinist]

All three have a chance of being #1, only software sales and game library will show who is on top in the next couple of years. I do think that price does play a part as well. I expect all three companies to "bring out the software guns" this next holiday. Alot of the market share will be determined this next holiday by who delivers the goods(I mean games). It is too early to tell, but The PS3 is a good system, but needs to deliver on software and online service to be a factor. Its main competition is alot cheaper, and I think that is a huge advantage that has been the factor in the past(saturn vs playstation) I see the number one and two spots for the next year going to the 360 and the Wii, both being neck and neck. Both systems cater to a totally different market. Both systems have strong points, both systems play different games. Halo 3, Mario Galaxy, Smash Bros Melee, Metroid 3, Mass Effect, among many more to come out this next year(hopefully). Both systems have been getting more positive publicity, and positive word of mouth. Word of mouth is very underrated. I had a 65 year old man in the store ask me about my Nintendo Wii hat saying "I hear that those things are good". My final verdict is that IF the 360 can have any system price drop before the holdiay this next year, and release Halo 3 among two other A+ titles I give it the edge(at least a $50 price drop). If the Nintendo Wii is going to be a contender for #1, they are going to have to deliver some first party goodness this next year, and have their online services working(multiplayer games). Price matters. Games matter. The company who can deliver on both wins. Whatever system you own, this next year will be very competitive and I expect to see a great sophmore software lineup.

[Cryomancer]

All these responses could have just been "Sure".

[eric nintendo]

The PS3 launch a flop? That is a lala-land statement.


You kidding me? Seriously, I think the PS3 has potential to be a good system, but to call it's launch anything but a flop means you must be wearing three blindfolds at once right now.

It seriously had the worst launch since the Atari Jaguar. You think Sony are happy with only having sold 1.5 million units at this point?

[Zap!]

I think it could be #1, but it's too soon to tell. I'll tell you one thing though. I think every hardcore longtime gamer (people who have been playing video games for 20-30 years) is rooting for Nintendo. Nintendo is a real video game company, with roots in gaming since the 70's. Sony and Microsoft aren't gaming companies, and have no business in the industry. Sony also killed Sega, a real gaming company. Sony is the root of all evil, and must be stopped. Their PSP is already getting trounced by the DS. Even the GB Advance is outselling it. The next thing to do is to make sure HD-DVD wins over Sony's Blu-Ray. This will criple Sony, who has invested billions in Blu-Ray. If HD-DVD wins, and the PS3 comes in last, there will be no PS4, that's for sure.

[jajaja]

You kidding me? Seriously, I think the PS3 has potential to be a good system, but to call it's launch anything but a flop means you must be wearing three blindfolds at once right now.

It seriously had the worst launch since the Atari Jaguar. You think Sony are happy with only having sold 1.5 million units at this point?

The word "flop" means complete failure. Now, how can the PS3 launch be a flop when they sold out every single console and people stood for days in line just to get one? How can people say thats a complete failure? It couldnt have gone better under the circumstances that was. The sales might be slower right now than it was hoped for, but the launch itself was definitly not a flop.

I dont think they sold 1.5 million consoles yet, but its probly about 800k, over a million consoles are shipped tho. It was released about 2 months ago so that would be around 13.000 consoles sold everyday. Considering the price and the rather crappy games i'd say thats pretty good. And dont forget its not out in Europe yet.

[tom]

as i said before, the PS3 hasn't been released yet. Let's see how the 2007 sales are gonna be.

[MasterChief78]

everyone seems to agree its a tad early to declare a clear winner, but we gamers LOVE to speculate, dont we?

i give it a year for the wii gimmick to wear off, and for those kids that BEGGED for one on christmas to start trading them in. what it boils down to is its only a controller. THAT is what identifies the system. so all sony and ms have to do is say "well nintendo... you win.. now heres our wiimote!".

im hoping people will finally snap back at nintendo, and get tired or these repackaged, rehashed systems that they keep pushing on us. when you ignore the jazzy controller, all the wii is is a slender, white game cube with SLIGHT enhancements.

and for what the ps3 is, its a great package. a $600 bluray player is a damn fine deal at this point. and all of these problems that people are crying about (slow load times, no rumble ect.) will be addressed or fade over time.

the main thing i appreciate about the 360 is that its a modular system. all you want to do is play madden and nba 2k every year?

-here you go, 400 + the price of a mem card.

all you want to do is play games, and could care less about high def media?

-bam, heres the premium package. 500 please.

want a living room centerpiece that you can play hdvdvs and download movie trailers?

-500 + 200 for the hddvd drive.

the 360s main strength imo is its a year ahead of ps3. so until it reaches its hardware limits, 360 games will look and play a year better. and by that time the xbox 720 will be upon us.

ill give the win to the ps3 by a SLIGHT margin, the 360 gaining enough steam for ms to dominate the next gen, and the wii failing.

all in all, you all have to agree its going to be a very interesting generation. snes vs. genesis all over again.

bring it on.

[veronica_marsfan]

It's only been about 2 months since the PS3 was released and people are already calling it a flop. I thought people were smarter than that here.

PS3's aren't selling on Ebay.
People can't get rid of them.
No demand == flop from my point-of-view.

Maybe Christmas 2007 will be better for the PS3, but I think it's just another 3DO. Too high a price for people to pay.

[Icarus Moonsight]

The word "flop" means complete failure. Now, how can the PS3 launch be a flop when they sold out every single console and people stood for days in line just to get one?

Tack on "to sell on eBay" after "one" and before the "?" at the end there and your closer to the reality of the PS3 launch me thinks.

All three have a shot at #1 - I belive the main difference between them is their perceived odds of selling the most consoles. 360 got a head start, though bumpy, they pulled it off and are doing well. The demand for Wii honestly shocked me. I wanted to buy a Wii pretty close to launch but didn't preorder as I was confident that I could just stroll in and grab one anytime after launch. How wrong I was. That leaves PS3. Things have not been going well for PS3 since E3. It was a psychological defeat for Sony, hours long Wii lines compared to the meager draw they were pulling. Last years battery snafu just added fuel to the fire. I'm sure the brass at Sony thought they were clear of their misfortune when they launched the PS3 to a literal stampede of eager buyers. That hasn't proved to be the case however. I've seen about 100 PS3's in stores now slightly less 360's (mostly Core units) but I haven't seen a single Wii yet. Should this worry Sony? Yes. Does it? Not at all. And that is where they are screwin' up bigtime. They should put Harrison in charge and kick Kaz in the grapes. At least Harrison has attributed the perceived failiure of the PSP to none other then themselves. They need someone in touch with reality to turn it around and as long as Kaz has the wheel it's nearly hopeless.

I see a problem with the PS3. Other than stuff people usually talk about. I see the PS3 as lacking an identity. To me, it has no character of it's own. No soul if you will. I see it as a personality-type found in people that I like to call "The Topper". Whatever you've done, they've done it better, faster, stronger, harder and longer. Any story you share they have a better one... you get the idea. I feel Sony fell into the trap of 1up-ing everything their competition does and in doing so sacrificed what made PlayStation a PlayStation. Kinda like a mid-life crisis perhaps?

That's alot deeper than I intended on getting so I'm just gonna break it off here...

[Habeeb Hamusta]

PS3's aren't selling on Ebay.
People can't get rid of them.
No demand == flop from my point-of-view.

Maybe Christmas 2007 will be better for the PS3, but I think it's just another 3DO. Too high a price for people to pay.

Ha. it isn't a flop. Like he said...it's been out for 2 months. And..another 3DO...that's ridiculous. The PS3 does have buyers and plenty of advertisment...it's just not cheap. Really...did you expect everyone to just go shoe out 600 bucks in just 2 months. Give it some time...it's not a bad system...it's just a little to ahead of it's time and some time will have to pass before people catch up to the technology. I mean most shmoes don't even know what a blue-ray player is.

A year from now i do not doubt the PS3 will be doing some incredible things, and like i said...PS3 will be ideal for hardcore gamers.

[swlovinist]

With the power of ebay, console launches cannot determine demand. During the launch, most people were buying the systems to make a profit on ebay(and hoarding the systems for everyone else) A true determination of how the PS3 is doing should be evaluated after the first year. Even by now, the consoles are starting to be seen everywhere, and from what I hear sitting on the shelves. I think the PS3 is a powerful system, I just dont think they are marketing their system good at all. Right now, there just is not enough substance to justify the $600 machine to many gamers.

[jajaja]

Tack on "to sell on eBay" after "one" and before the "?" at the end there and your closer to the reality of the PS3 launch me thinks.

The reality is that they sold out all, no matter what the reason was that people were buying them, a sale is a sale. Anything else would be fiction and speculation. Did you check how many that was for sale on Ebay btw? At most i saw was around 30k - 35k consoles. I've seen people saying/predicted it was as much as 80% of all PS3 that was sold at launch lol.

Also, i guess that like 95% or more (seriously) of all the winning bids around $2000 was done by "fake people". I checked alot of the auctions and found out that alot of them had been bidding on tons of PS3 auctions. So there was alot of relisting going on too. Still.. even if they were sold on Ebay they were sold to people, so it doesnt really make a difference if they bought it in a store or on Ebay. Again, a sale is a sale.

[veronica_marsfan]

I mean most shmoes don't even know what a blue-ray player is.

Or how to spell it. (Blu-ray) (wink). I see that Sony sold a lot of PS3's, true, but those people didn't want the PS3. Their only goal was to get rich quick.


Guess this debate won't be resolved until Christmas 2007, when we see the PS3 trailing 10 million units behind the Wii and X360.
:hail:

[Anthony1]

I honestly think that all 3 systems will have their victories in this current gaming battle. 20 years from now, when we look back at this era and try to think who really won, it's going to be similar to the Genesis and Super Nintendo. Some claim the Genesis won, others claim the Super Nintendo. The truth of the matter is that Genesis was leading during the most important years, but left the 16-bit market prematurely and then Super Nintendo cleaned up while Sega was busy with Sega CD and 32X and Saturn, etc, etc.

I think we are going to have a very similar thing with these 3 systems. Each one will rule the roost at different times, and each one will be able to claim victory, but I think ultimately, none of them will have dominated like the PS2 or PS1 or NES did. If I had to predict an overall winner, I would have to say the Xbox 360. I think they are positioned in the best spot at the moment. They have the right combination of price, power, online capabilites and flexibility. They have a great lineup of games coming, and that isn't going to change any time soon. So I would have to say 20 years from now, most will think that the Xbox 360 won this battle. However, I also believe that later in this cycle, Sony will take over, much like Nintendo did with the Super Nintendo late in the 16-bit cycle. Sega had already kinda abandoned 16-bit, and Nintendo kept on pushing all their 16-bit releases and made alot of money while Sega was pursuing the next thing. I can see that happeneing again.


The PS3 is extremely expensive right now, regardless of it's Blu Ray capabilities and that is going to hurt it during 2007 and 2008. By the time we get into 2009 though, the PS3's price will have dropped considerably, and the quality of the gaming experiences should be off the charts considering all the untapped potential of that machine. Developers will just be scratching the surface of the PS3 in 2009, while with the Xbox 360 in 2009, we will have pretty much seen all that the 360 is truly capable of. Microsoft will be talking about their next system, maybe even releasing it during Xmas 2010, or Xmas 2011, but Sony will be rolling strong with the PS3 at that time.

How does the Nintendo Wii fit into all this? Well, I don't think the Wii will ever grab the No.1 spot in Market Share, but I think Nintendo will make a good deal of money on the Wii during 2007 and 2008. I think it will really start to taper off in 2009 because the graphics are just going to look so laughable in comparison with the other two systems, and then in 2010, the Wii will be essentially dead, but I think that's fine, cause Nintendo should have a real follow up to the GameCube by then anyways. Nintendo will likely make the most profit during 2006 - 2009, so they can claim victory based on that.

[jajaja]

Or how to spell it. (Blu-ray) (wink). I see that Sony sold a lot of PS3's, true, but those people didn't want the PS3. Their only goal was to get rich quick.

Thats true, but most of these did actually sell the consoles to other people. And as i mentioned earlier, it doesnt matter how or where the sale is going on as long as its being sold :)

[NE146]

Xbox360 is still plagued with problems.
(Just read about another lawsuit against Microsoft.)


Plagued with problems? Seems like it's moving along fine to me.. heck, I just bought my 3rd one last Sunday :P

[tom]

Actually, the PC is the winner, wipes the floor of Wiis and 360s and PS3s

[Captain Wrong]

The plug n' play Dance Dance Revolution Strawberry Shortcake edition will be #1 console followed by cell phones and a surpize monochrome LCD based console from Tiger.

[7th lutz]

This is to soon for having this as a topic.

All I know is the wii is going to win Japan. The Japanese appear to be after games are different from the norm and they didn't care about graphics like America is known for.

I don't know about Europe or America yet. It will be up to what exclusive games are on what system not graphics. I know that the ps 3 doesn't seem to have many 3rd party exclusives. The ps 3 price will be factor, but the it is up if the consumer wants the blu-ray format. I don't see the price going down much do to sony taking a loss due to blu-ray. If you don't want blu-ray movies, then as a game system, it is a waste of money.

If the wii continues to sell well, it is up to the exclusive games it has along with how strong the virtual game console is for games. The virtual game console appears to be great for the tg-16 and to the sega Genesis to point. The n64 games on the virtual game console are a concern. The snes does have at least most have snes game on the virtual game console. The only issue is nintendo's own games on the virtual game consoles. I think it will be fixed in time.

[calthaer]

The PC is not the winner, sadly. There are more of them out there, for sure, but people only make games for the top 5% of them (and that number shrinks every year, it seems) - so you can only count very few of them. I really wish the glory days of PC gaming would return - that early- to mid-90s golden age when PC games filled up the majority of EB's shelves.

As for the topic at hand: sure, the Wii has a shot. A good one this time, even. But they really need to get some third-party support, which they have been lacking ever since the N64 days.

Even the DS - there are a lot fewer "must-have" games for that system nowadays, and we're starting to see the Mary-Kate & Ashley crap come out for the system. Nothing like the really innovative early days when you had all sorts of stuff from 3rd parties, even - like Trauma Center, Lost in Blue, Phoenix Wright, etc. Have they had any two-player cooperative games besides the latest Castlevania game? This just seems sort of ridiculous, given the online capabilities of the DS.

They'll have to do better than that with the Wii. But yeah, I think they have a shot.

[jajaja]

The PC is not the winner, sadly. There are more of them out there, for sure, but people only make games for the top 5% of them (and that number shrinks every year, it seems) - so you can only count very few of them. I really wish the glory days of PC gaming would return - that early- to mid-90s golden age when PC games filled up the majority of EB's shelves.

PC games were better before indeed, but they still make alot of them. There were hundres of games released in 2006 :) With the "top 5%", do you mean that only 5% of all the PCs have the power to run them?

[DreamTR]

jajaja: they sold out because everyone thought they were going to make money off of them. Most people returned the things after a month when they realized the XMAS selling rush was not there online, and now an abundance of systems are in stores. In fact, there was a pallet at Fry's last time I checked.

That's not a successful launch, just a marketing ploy by Sony with the limited "run".

[jajaja]

jajaja: they sold out because everyone thought they were going to make money off of them. Most people returned the things after a month when they realized the XMAS selling rush was not there online, and now an abundance of systems are in stores. In fact, there was a pallet at Fry's last time I checked.

That's not a successful launch, just a marketing ploy by Sony with the limited "run".

If Sony had problems selling out the 200k they had, why have they shipped out a million? Yes, many people bought it to resell it (many successfully did) and some returned it too since they didnt get the price they wanted. But i would like to know on what facts you base "most people returned" on. The pallet might be from a newer batch, not returned ones.

[calthaer]

PC games were better before indeed, but they still make alot of them. There were hundres of games released in 2006 :) With the "top 5%", do you mean that only 5% of all the PCs have the power to run them?

They do indeed make a lot of PC games, but many of them are flat-out crappy. Like Mary Kate & Ashley crappy.

The ones that are generally worth playing all require the latest and greatest computer, with oodles of RAM and hard drive space and a great video card - yes, 5% of all computers. Most stock Dells or whatever moms & pops get just don't cut the mustard - they put the el-cheapo crap in there. I just don't bother any more, because DOSBox has most of the games I want to play. There are still tons of classics I never finished.

And besides - consoles don't have any of those problems. So they are ascendant and they are accessible. So the Wii has a shot.

[veronica_marsfan]

In the 80s computer games looked better. I was playing 16-bit quality graphics in 1987 (amiga), while everyone else was playing inferior 8-bit nintendos. That made the computer games more attractive.

BUT NOW, the computer games do not look any better than Consoles, therefore I see no reason to choose the PC versions. Hence the decline in sales to almost nothing.


If Sony had problems selling out the 200k they had, why have they shipped out a million?
To keep their blue-collar Japanese workers happy.
Don't be surprised if, mid-summer, you hear Sony announce layoffs at the PS3 plant.
:sob:

[jajaja]

To keep their blue-collar Japanese workers happy.

Hehe, well.. the business marked in Japan is probly one of the strictest in the world. They dont waste money shipping out hundres of thousands extra consoles if not needed.

[jcalder8]

Does it have a chance of rising to #1 and winning?

I can't believe how many people are discussing this when it isn't even clear what we are talking about.

veronica_marsfan what do you mean #1? Do you mean in total consoles sold? Best games? total profit made after sales? or something else?

[veronica_marsfan]

# sold. Any other measure would be subjective. Only # sold is objective/factual.



Sony built 1.5 million more PS3s after christmas, to keep blue-collar japanese workers employed. Hehe, well.. the business marked in Japan is probly one of the strictest in the world. They dont waste money shipping out hundres of thousands extra consoles if not needed.

Disagree. Sony would do that. As did Sega before them (built too many dreamcasts; thereby inducing huge loses when the DC was marked-down to only $50 to get rid of excess stock). Another example: Honda built 10,000 insight hybrids which failed to sell. They were forced to mark them down $9-10,000 below sticker price. HUGE losses.

Japanese businessmen are good, but even they make mistakes of over-estimating the market & producing too many units.

I think Sony made too many PS3s and that's why they're collecting dust in store stockrooms.

[jajaja]

Disagree. Sony would do that. As did Sega before them (built too many dreamcasts; thereby inducing huge loses when the DC was marked-down to only $50 to get rid of excess stock). Another example: Honda built 10,000 insight hybrids which failed to sell. They were forced to mark them down $9-10,000 below sticker price. HUGE losses.

Japanese businessmen are good, but even they make mistakes of over-estimating the market & producing too many units.

I think Sony made too many PS3s and that's why they're collecting dust in store stockrooms.

Producing and shipping are 2 different things. Sony have shipped out 1 million consoles, but they have most likely produced more than this. People are buying them, its just slower than expected. If they didnt move at all it wouldnt be needed to send any more units. They could just be stored at the factory or in a nearby warehouse until things happend. You wont ship out new wares if you know the previous shipped arent moving at all.

EDIT: I see now that you quoted some stuff about 1.5 million units produced after x-mas If this is true, which it probly is, it means theres probly around 2 million produced consoles. But how many are shipped? According to Sony its alittle over a million. So you see my point? :) They dont ship out consoles if its not needed. That would be a total waste of money. Besides, the Europe launch is comming soon. They need to have alot of consoles for it.

[jcalder8]

# sold. Any other measure would be subjective. Only # sold is objective/factual.
You've got to be kidding me right?

# sold is factual? Maybe if all the consoles were the same price this might be a practical way to judge which console is #1 but just the price point of the Wii will make people buy it. I normally only buy 1 system a generation but at about 300 Canadian I'm thinking about buying it in addition to my 360 now if I could only own 1 I would pick the 360. But according to your logic my vote would technically be counted twice despite the fact that my number 1 console is the 360.