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Price drop helps Sony to move more PS3 consoles -- but not enough to unseat Microsoft's Xbox 360

Research firm NPD group has released its console hardware sales numbers for the month of July. Unsurprisingly, Nintendo continued its domination at the top of the charts, capturing both the first and second spots.

The Wii reclaimed the top spot by selling 425,000 units – up considerably from the 381,800 sold during June. The DS fell back to second place, moving 405,000 units – down from June’s amazing 561,900 units.

Sony took third and fourth spots – but not with the PlayStation 3. Rather, it was the old PS2 at third with 222,000 units and the PSP at fourth with 214,000.

Microsoft placed fifth with its Xbox 360 selling 170,000 units. Contrary to some analyst predictions, the PlayStation 3 could not out-sell the Xbox 360 even with the recent $100 price drop from Sony. It will be interesting to see what effect the Xbox 360 price drop has on sales.

The PlayStation 3 did see strong gains, however, going from selling under 100,000 units a month to 159,000 sold in July.

In addition to occupying the upper echelon of the sales list, Nintendo also had a system at the very bottom. In seventh place was the Game Boy Advance, which managed to sell another 87,000 units. For the very casual gamer, the single-screed Nintendo handheld still has its place.

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Same Old
By mdogs444 on 8/28/2007 9:50:44 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Microsoft placed fifth with its Xbox 360 selling 170,000 units. Contrary to some analyst predictions, the PlayStation 3 could not out-sell the Xbox 360 even with the recent $100 price drop from Sony. It will be interesting to see what effect the Xbox 360 price drop has on sales.


Same story, different day. I dont own any of the consoles anymore, used to have 360 but now solely PC gamer. I, for one, think that Microsofts sales are going to increase about 25-30% following their price drop, and the PS3 will probably drop back to about 110,000 units now that the initial $500 rush is gone.




RE: Same Old
By mdogs444 on 8/28/2007 9:51:26 AM , Rating: 1
And just for the record, im referring to next months sales figures - not beyond that.


RE: Same Old
By therealnickdanger on 8/28/2007 10:13:31 AM , Rating: 2
By "next month", I assume you mean numbers revealed next month, which will be for August? In which case I agree. Price-drop plus Bioshock and Madden '08 will more than likely propel Microsoft into the top spot for a short time (not including the DS, that is).


RE: Same Old
By mdogs444 on 8/28/2007 10:37:55 AM , Rating: 2
Yes, i am referring to August's numbers released in September.


RE: Same Old
By Samus on 8/28/07, Rating: 0
RE: Same Old
By Murst on 8/28/2007 10:34:36 AM , Rating: 4
Or maybe they were excited about today's Metroid release?


RE: Same Old
By Flunk on 8/28/2007 10:55:56 AM , Rating: 4
In that case, I'll offer you $150 for it.


RE: Same Old
By acer905 on 8/28/2007 11:25:56 AM , Rating: 5
I gotta ask... have you ever played an 8-bit game before? seriously, look at the original Super Mario Bros, which by the way is the greatest selling game of all time, the game that made nintendo... the game that saved the world from the video game crash of 83. Graphics are almost non existant... And the gameplay is probably repeatative in your opinion... but it would seem that people weren't bothered by it


RE: Same Old
By GreenyMP on 8/28/2007 12:08:16 PM , Rating: 2
Samus may be exaggerating, but he makes a valid point. Of the consoles, the Wii may be outselling the rest, but it also sees the least use. According to Nielsen Media Research the Wii is played for the shortest interval AND less frequently than any other modern console (the GameCube is worse).

http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/portal/site/Public/...

It may be the perfect console for you if you find yourself spending too much time gaming and are looking to kick the habit.


RE: Same Old
By Murst on 8/28/2007 12:22:36 PM , Rating: 4
quote:
It may be the perfect console for you if you find yourself spending too much time gaming and are looking to kick the habit.


Another point of view would be that people don't want to spend a lot of time gaming, but they want something that can satisfy them for 10-30 minutes.


RE: Same Old
By zinfamous on 8/28/2007 12:39:25 PM , Rating: 5
The way I see it is that the Wii is not being supported by gamers so much, as it is by everyone else--which is a significant achievment. gamers will tatter on about how this game sucks or that console is inferior, yet fail to realize the much larger, and far more significant market that nintendo has successfully tapped into.

Gamers will find it boring b/c they define games in different ways than the rest of the population. the reason people don't play it as much is because many of these owners aren't gamers. "Gaming" isn't their hobby--they go outside, socialize etc. they buy a Wii b/c it's a fun thing to have in the background at a party or to kick back for an hour or so. It is not something they devote income towards or consider their primary hobby.

I'm sure there are plenty of gamers that own and enjoy the Wii as well, but Nintendo succeeded in going out of this market. There is no way that a 360 or PS3 will appeal to casual gamers.

you can complain about their success, but Nintendo will keep smirking their way to the bank.


RE: Same Old
By herrdoktor330 on 8/28/2007 11:25:43 PM , Rating: 2
I concur to a certain extent with what your saying, but the main limitation the Wii has to conquer in the hard core audience is having killer software titles.

The interesting thing that I think may shake things up a bit is Manhunt 2 for Wii. I've played the first one, and aside from the video sequences you couldn't skip, it was an interesting romp as a survival horror / stealth game. The reason I bring it up is if this game ends up being good with compelling gameplay and makes use of the Wii's functionality, it could really drive more 3rd party developers to make titles for Wii. I think the fact that Take 2 / Rockstar is even making a game for Nintendo should be taken seriously. If more companies start taking Wii seriously, play time invested in the system will go up. All it will take is that one game that really sucks the hard core gamers in. Once someone develops a good RPG (or, dare I say an MMORPG), people will really start to flock to Wii.

And god forbid if Rockstar makes a GTA Universe game for Wii.

As far as the power of the console goes, it is irrelevant when compared to what you play on it. Case in point: NES vs SMS. The Sega Master System was capable of more colors and had a faster processor, but didn't have the titles to compete with Nintendo's corral of developers. Another case in point: Intellivision vs Atari 2600. Intellivision had more RAM (albeit a slower processor) and better graphics capabilities, but didn't have access to hot arcade titles like "Missle Command", "Asteroids", "Space Invaders" and... "Pac Man". (And please... no E.T. jokes here.)

The point I'm getting at here is that Nintendo is building a strong installed base. Once (or if) they start releasing blockbuster titles, those games are going to sell like crazy making Nintendo and the developers lots of money. If those titles never come, then the Wii will be the coolest WiFi paperweight money can buy.


RE: Same Old
By Verran on 8/28/2007 1:23:34 PM , Rating: 4
Actually, I find that people who are interested in the Wii are generally the type that occupy vast portions of their waking time with things like "jobs" and "social lives". Your studies show less usage because these are not the type of people to sit in front of a console for 6 hours at a time.

If you live in your parents' basement, are unemployed, and lack any other way of filling your free time, the Wii is not a good choice.


RE: Same Old
By SilthDraeth on 8/28/2007 4:36:02 PM , Rating: 2
This old man who lived behind where I grew up, he bought an original Nintendo, during the SNES days, a little before N64, because he got tired, and could no longer go out fishing, shooting etc, so he got a Nintendo, just for Duck Hunt.


RE: Same Old
By Aerius on 8/28/2007 8:15:25 PM , Rating: 3
Yeah, because Nintendo has never catered to KIDS, and all kids have jobs and a hopping social life when they go cruising in their cars.

I don't know why everybody jumps on anybody that has a negative opinion at all. You like your Wii, great, other people have the right to not like theirs, it's their right. Using personal attacks is not necessary; try using facts.


RE: Same Old
By herrdoktor330 on 8/28/2007 11:28:52 PM , Rating: 2
One more interesting personal fact about my Wii experience. There's a bar in my neighborhood that has one of these things hooked up to a projector so the patrons can play Wii Sports on a very huge screen. It's the coolest thing ever. It makes me want to get my own controller and drink there more.

... anyway... continue.


RE: Same Old
By psyph3r on 8/28/2007 7:12:03 PM , Rating: 2
have you thought about buying a game? man you must not be trying too hard. I have 12 games for my wii. I play them all the time. not to mention my 25 gamecube games that also work...not to mention the endless old console games. Granted, I have to play a bloody mindless fps on the on a real PC(not 360), but the wii is fun and relaxing. Makes you smile at the end of a hard days work, and girls loOove to play. I guess I see why your's doesn't get turned on.

What's amazing is they are just now getting major developer support. Let the games flow!:)


RE: Same Old
By Micronite on 8/28/2007 10:17:04 AM , Rating: 2
Also consider that Halo3 will be released soon.
My colleagues and I have a setup of 3 360's and 2 XBox1's for Halo2 right now. When Halo3 is released, we're buying 2 more 360's to replace the old XBox1's. I assume several Halo faithfuls are in the same boat.


surprising PS3 numbers
By irev210 on 8/28/2007 9:59:46 AM , Rating: 2
Rather suprising to say the least.

At 499, the PS3 is an excellent value... esp once you pile in all the bluray movies, etc that they are offering for free.

The free online gameplay is worth 60 bucks a year compared to microsoft. I own both, and am very happy with the PS3. Only advantage x360 has is the media center extender support.




RE: surprising PS3 numbers
By Micronite on 8/28/2007 10:12:20 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
Only advantage x360 has is the media center extender support.

While your comment about this being the only advantage is certainly disputable, I'd say the Media Center Extender is a huge benefit to the XBox360. Both my parents and my in-laws have approached me recently about getting all their DVDs, music, etc... on a PC and easily accessible to their multiple TV's. Since the XBox360 is relatively cheap, requires very little maintainance, is difficult to mess up, and is simple to setup, it will be hard to do anything else.