NPD Numbers Show PS3 Massive Sales Decay, PS2 Sales Higher

[brandonjclark]

Matt Mathews over @ Gamasutra is reporting NPD April numbers that show Sony sold only 127,000 PS3 units in all of April, bringing in the lowest total since right before the 40GB model debut and price drop. Sadly, the PS2, with it's price recent price cut and despite it being a nine year-old platform, even racked up more sales than the PS3 @

Not surprisingly, it needs a price cut, and Matt think it might happen in June.

Click here for the full story. (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4029/npd_behind_the_numbers_april_2009.php?page=3)

That makes fifth place in April. FIFTH.

[brandonjclark]

...price recent price cut...

What an ass!

[Earth Djinn]

If they announce a price cut and a BC model I would buy it within a week of it hitting retail.

And it would be my first Sony console. Ever.

[LilAbner]

That makes fifth place in April. FIFTH.

No tears shed here. I was the biggest fan of PS1 and it was really downhill from there.

I revel when arrogance gets rewarded with loss.

[brandonjclark]

If they announce a price cut and a BC model I would buy it within a week of it hitting retail.

And it would be my first Sony console. Ever.

Yeah, I think that BC is important, but only in the beginning of the consoles launch. After awhile, the games are too far apart in terms of technology that they don't intrigue me any longer.

I've yet to buy into this gen {I don't count my Wii, that was always for the kids} but if they announced a large price drop, I'd buy one too. Aren't you able to connect ANY USB keyboard and mouse to it?

[Jadbalja]

If they announce a price cut and a BC model I would buy it within a week of it hitting retail.

And it would be my first Sony console. Ever.

I'm with you on the BC -- I still have plenty of PS2 games and would love to play them with some decent upscaling. They're already offering multiple SKUs, so why not one with BC?

[Hydroeric]

This is the realization I came to one evening about BC. I only have so many hours per day/week to play games. I have a fairly large (100+)collection of GC, PS1, PS2, and XBox1 games.

However most of my time is spent play new games such as Valkyria Chronicles, Killzone 2, Rock Band 2, PixelJunk Monsters, etc.

I simply don't have time to go back and play older games with so many great games out now and soon to be coming out (May 26th can't get here quick enough!)

While BC would be nice, for me it is not a driving factor. Mainly because I still have all my previous systems (sans PS1).

[bean19]

And it would be my first Sony console. Ever.
You really should get a PS2 and check out the tons of games you have been missing (or a price-dropped BC PS3. . . but I don't think they'll add features back to the PS3 when price is such a barrier for them).

[BalekFekete]

This is the realization I came to one evening about BC. I only have so many hours per day/week to play games. I have a fairly large (100+)collection of GC, PS1, PS2, and XBox1 games.

However most of my time is spent play new games such as Valkyria Chronicles, Killzone 2, Rock Band 2, PixelJunk Monsters, etc.

I simply don't have time to go back and play older games with so many great games out now and soon to be coming out (May 26th can't get here quick enough!)

While BC would be nice, for me it is not a driving factor. Mainly because I still have all my previous systems (sans PS1).

Agree 100% - I'm in the exact same boat.

[Froggy]

Awaiting response from Teecakes. This is gonna be my favorite thread today.

[DarkDaY]

BC means very little to men, Its a bonus but I have no time to play the games I have now.
If it is a a healthy price cut then Im on it, I have meant to get one but just havent been able to justify the price and another console with all the games I already have unplayed.

[modeps]

The only reason I want BC to work on my PS3 is for Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3, and God of War 1 and 2.... oh, and maybe Shadow of the Colossus because I never played that before.

[Zander]

I have too many PS2 games and too many broken-ass PS2 systems to not care about BC. I need a big price drop and BC to be remotely interested.

[TeeCakes]

Awaiting response from Teecakes. This is gonna be my favorite thread today.

I don't understand what you're expecting me to say about this, the PS3's hardware sales have always been sluggish in North America. This isn't exactly late-breaking news.

If it hastens a PS3 price-drop, I'd even say this is awesome news. Either way it's crystal clear that the PS3 has gone as far as it can with it's premium price tag in NA.

Sorry that I had to disappoint your sad expectation for a blind fanboy rant, though! :rolleyes:

[drakkarim]

i have the early 60gb hardware BC unit since I skipped the ps2. got to enjoy god of war 1/2 and some others, after that though, i have little use for it, other than perhaps an extra $5 in resale some day.

anyway, sad to see the ps3 getting dragged down with sony, the machine is good, its just being controlled by an endless gauntlet of idiots.

[Capn Crunch]

That makes fifth place in April. FIFTH.

Actually, I think the PS3 is in 6th place this month, according to the chart at the linked story.

DSi, Wii, DS Lite, 360, PS2, then PS3

Just a shame that sony could let themselves slip so far when so many people, myself included, would have loved for the PS3 to do great.

As for BC, I think it is important, especially when you already know how to do it and could offer consumers more choice by having a premium priced BC PS3 on the market for those that want. You can still have other systems that cost less for those that don't care about BC.

I would rather pay Sony 600 bucks for a BC PS3 than pay some schmuck on ebay 700.

[Zaro]

They sold more PS2 than PS3 last month, so people must like old game too.
That make me think that BC is more important than we think.

[brandonjclark]

They sold more PS2 than PS3 last month, so people must like old game too.
That make me think that BC is more important than we think.

I disagree, I think it means that PRICE is more important than we think, not BC.

[Hydroeric]

I would rather pay Sony 600 bucks for a BC PS3 than pay some schmuck on ebay 700.

I think you would be the schmuck if you paid for it. The seller would be a shyster.

Carry on...

[TeeCakes]

Console April 2009 April 2008
Wii 340,000 714,200
Nintendo DS 1,040,000 414,800
PSP 116,000 192,700
Xbox 360 175,000 188,000
PlayStation 3 127,000 187,000
PlayStation 2 172,200 124,400

Okay, if any one of these consoles qualifies for a "massive sales decay" descriptor, it HAS to be the Wii. They've sold less than half of what they did last year at this same time, at this same price.

And for the record, BOTH the PS2 and 360 had price-cuts, but ONLY ONE of those systems outdid their sales from last year. Guess which one?

Unfortunately it's easy and typical that the focus has to ONLY be on how the expensive $400 PS3's performance is lacking when anything that's not called "DS" are struggling through hard economic times and anemic sales.

(Just for you, Froggy)

[brandonjclark]

Console April 2009 April 2008
Wii 340,000 714,200
Nintendo DS 1,040,000 414,800
PSP 116,000 192,700
Xbox 360 175,000 188,000
PlayStation 3 127,000 187,000
PlayStation 2 172,200 124,400

Okay, if any one of these consoles qualifies for a "massive sales decay" descriptor, it HAS to be the Wii. They've sold less than half of what they did last year at this same time, at this same price.

And for the record, BOTH the PS2 and 360 had price-cuts, but ONLY ONE of those systems outdid their sales from last year. Guess which one?

Unfortunately it's easy and typical that the focus has to ONLY be on how the expensive $400 PS3's performance is lacking when anything that's not called "DS" are struggling through hard economic times and anemic sales.

(Just for you, Froggy)

Nice mini-chart. That helps put things into perspective, like how much better-selling Nintendo products are. Again, thanks!

[Samstag]

Console April 2009 April 2008
Wii 340,000 714,200
Nintendo DS 1,040,000 414,800
PSP 116,000 192,700
Xbox 360 175,000 188,000
PlayStation 3 127,000 187,000
PlayStation 2 172,200 124,400

Okay, if any one of these consoles qualifies for a "massive sales decay" descriptor, it HAS to be the Wii. They've sold less than half of what they did last year at this same time, at this same price.
I think the numbers show a problem across the board. Take away the PS2 price drop and the introduction of the DSi and April looks pretty bad for everybody. May will porbably reflect that more clearly.

And for the record, BOTH the PS2 and 360 had price-cuts, but ONLY ONE of those systems outdid their sales from last year. Guess which one?
The 360 had a price cut in April? Try comparing the two the month of the 360's cut. Every console sees a big spike in the first few weeks after a price cut. And I don't see any game releases in April 2009 that could have generated console sales like GTA 4 did in April 2008, which will show up as a negative effect on both the 360 and PS3 year over year.

[Demo_Boy]

Well silly me! and I thought PS3 hardware sales would have dropped through the floor in January without a price drop, but look at that they actually held on to sales count for two whole extra months...

[Demo_Boy]

The X360 sales drop is minimal - MS has to be super happy about that.

[TeeCakes]

Nice mini-chart. That helps put things into perspective, like how much better-selling Nintendo products are. Again, thanks!

Very true. Nintendo brands are the only thing that's selling, especially looking at the software:

1. Wii Fit w/ Balance Board, Nintendo, 471K
2. DS Pokemon Platinum, Nintendo, 433K
3. Wii Mario Kart Wii w/ Wheel, Nintendo, 210K
4. Wii Play w/ Remote, Nintendo, 170K
5. 360 The Godfather II, EA, 155K
6. 360 Resident Evil 5, Capcom, 122K
7. DS New Super Mario Bros. , Nintendo, 119K
8. DS Mario Kart DS, Nintendo, 112K
9. 360 Guitar Hero Aerosmith, Activision, 110K
10. PS3 The Godfather II, EA, 91K

[QUOTE=Capn Crunch;1751179]Actually, I think the PS3 is in 6th place this month, according to the chart at the linked story.

DSi, Wii, DS Lite, 360, PS2, then PS3[quote]

No. PSP sold the least amount. PS3 is in fifth.

I can see why you'd be so eager to make that error, considering the HORRIBLE name of this thread. The PS3's "sales decay" is not the worst this month. Check it:

DS(i): 250.7% of sales from last year (w/ new console revision)
PS2: 138.4% of sales from last year (w/ price-cut)
360: 93.1% of sales from last year (w/ price-cut)
PS3: 68.0% of sales from last year
PSP: 60.0% of sales from last year
Wii: 47.6% of sales from last year

There are TWO consoles here that had more "massive sales decays" than the PS3, so why does the OP only reflect the PS3's numbers? Especially when the title of the actual article that's linked (http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/05/april-2009-npd/) ("April NPD: DSi Sells Big, Everything Else Plummets") mentions nothing about singling out the PS3's sales at all?

I sense some good old-fashioned EvAv user bias at play! Last month in North America was horrible for everyone involved with gaming hardware sales, not just Sony; let's not cherry pick facts shall we?

[TeeCakes]

The 360 had a price cut in April? Try comparing the two the month of the 360's cut. Every console sees a big spike in the first few weeks after a price cut. And I don't see any game releases in April 2009 that could have generated console sales like GTA 4 did in April 2008, which will show up as a negative effect on both the 360 and PS3 year over year.

No, the 360 had a price cut between April 2008 and April 2009, unlike the other systems. Try to keep up.

[Infinity]

Aren't you able to connect ANY USB keyboard and mouse to it?

You can use a USB keyboard, USB mouse, bluetooth keyboard, bluetooth mouse, and a bluetooth headset with it. You can stream music and video to it from DLNA-compatible software like Windows Media on an XP or Vista machine as well. The hard drive inside it is a 2.5-inch SATA laptop drive as well so you can back it up (to a fat32 formatted USB drive) and then upgrade it to a larger standard laptop drive. It's very consumer friendly in all those ways.

[Samstag]

No, the 360 had a price cut between April 2008 and April 2009, unlike the other systems. Try to keep up.

My point was that you're comparing the short-term effect of a price cut with the long term effect. I thought I made that clear, actually. Try to imagine that I understood you just fine and my point stands.

[Froggy]

Sorry that I had to disappoint your sad expectation for a blind fanboy rant, though! :rolleyes:

Aw, no I wasn't trying to be insulting. I just wanted to see how the opposition weighed in on this somewhat slanted story.

[brandonjclark]

....so why does the OP only reflect the PS3's numbers? Especially when the title of the actual article that's linked (http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/05/april-2009-npd/) ("April NPD: DSi Sells Big, Everything Else Plummets") mentions nothing about singling out the PS3's sales at all? .....

Actually, if you click the link I posted, you will see, in fact, a link to a specific article written by a Matt-dude who talks about the doom and gloom of Sony.

That said, "massive sales decay" still stands, especially when you have such little to work with in the first place.

[brandonjclark]

Aw, no I wasn't trying to be insulting. I just wanted to see how the opposition weighed in on this somewhat slanted story.

Somewhat!?!?!?!?

I thought I was being quite obvious:p

[ElfShotTheFood]

It could be worse: the PS3 could be getting outsold by the Wonderswan.

[TeeCakes]

Actually, if you click the link I posted, you will see, in fact, a link to a specific article written by a Matt-dude who talks about the doom and gloom of Sony.

That said, "massive sales decay" still stands, especially when you have such little to work with in the first place.

Whoops, my bad. I don't know where I got that other link from, but I retract my "HORRIBLE title" claims. The fault lies with the guy who tries to use this chart to pass of the PS3's 'failure':

http://www.gamasutra.com/db_area/images/feature/4029/ps-family-sales.gif

If you actually look at the chart, the PS3's sales for 2009-to-date aren't that much lower than the 2008-to-date figure, but when you add PSP and PS2's lackluster performance this year and arrange them vertically, PS3's on it's death bed, man! :eek:


@Samstag-- I hope you understood that the point I was making was a year-against-year comparison of sales. From one year to the next, the 360 had different prices which certainly gives it a sales advantage last more than a single month. Especially when the competition (Wii/PS3) haven't reduced their prices in the meantime.

[grognard66]

Actually, if you click the link I posted, you will see, in fact, a link to a specific article written by a Matt-dude who talks about the doom and gloom of Sony.

That said, "massive sales decay" still stands, especially when you have such little to work with in the first place.

That "Matt-dude" is actually a highly respected journalist in the industry who has offered clinical analysis of hardware/software sales for Edge and Gamasutra. If his article comes across as doom and gloom that's because it accurately reflects the current state of the Playstation brand.

No one needs to spin the numbers to make Sony's performance this generation look bad. It is rare in any industry to witness such a precipitous loss of market share from one product release to another and the situation just keeps deteriorating further for Sony.

While a price cut (and bringing back BC could help) would certainly improve their showing, it is far too late in this generation to change the dynamics very much. Sony has plummeted to third place both in NA and the EU, and only avoided that fate in Japan due to xenophobic attitudes towards American consumer electronics.

[TeeCakes]

I wonder what you're basing your claims of EU market under-performance on, grognard? Wild guess or groundless opinion?

[brandonjclark]

..."Matt-dude" is actually a highly respected journalist in the industry who has offered clinical analysis of hardware/software sales..blah blah blah...

Sorry, I'll make sure to use your girlfriends full name next time, like I did in the OP.

[addik]

Sorry, I'll make sure to use your girlfriends full name next time, like I did in the OP.

This made me chuckle.

If there is a PS3 price drop, I might decide to pick one up. I've wanted to play Valkyria Chronicles ever since trying the demo at a friend's. That, and God of War 3 when it hits.

[bean19]

Very true. Nintendo brands are the only thing that's selling, especially looking at the software:

1. Wii Fit w/ Balance Board, Nintendo, 471K
2. DS Pokemon Platinum, Nintendo, 433K
3. Wii Mario Kart Wii w/ Wheel, Nintendo, 210K
4. Wii Play w/ Remote, Nintendo, 170K
5. 360 The Godfather II, EA, 155K
6. 360 Resident Evil 5, Capcom, 122K
7. DS New Super Mario Bros. , Nintendo, 119K
8. DS Mario Kart DS, Nintendo, 112K
9. 360 Guitar Hero Aerosmith, Activision, 110K
10. PS3 The Godfather II, EA, 91K

However, this is for April. The PS3 and particularly the Xbox 360 devastate the software sales charts in the Fall. In the spring/summer, the consoles with the largest install bases tend to win because they have more sales of titles that aren't really selling that well. For example, Gears of War 2, MGS 4, and Halo 3 sold more than ALL of the titles listed above for April's Top 10 in the first day.

If you are trying to gauge software sale's strength of various consoles then focusing on April is like trying to determine the most athletic states in the U.S. by the results of the Special Olympics.

DS(i): 250.7% of sales from last year (w/ new console revision)
PS2: 138.4% of sales from last year (w/ price-cut)
360: 93.1% of sales from last year (w/ price-cut)
PS3: 68.0% of sales from last year
PSP: 60.0% of sales from last year
Wii: 47.6% of sales from last year

Good chart and good commentary. The only thing a bit disingenuous is that the Xbox 360 had a price cut nearly a year ago (July 2008). The PS3 has gone longer than that as it has not had a price cut since late 2007 (right? It's been so long that I forget and that seems WAY too long ago). Certainly the lower 360 price still helps 360 sales, but a year is long enough for any surges from the price cut to have dissipated (unlike the very recent price cut of the PS2).

[bean19]

This made me chuckle.

If there is a PS3 price drop, I might decide to pick one up. I've wanted to play Valkyria Chronicles ever since trying the demo at a friend's. That, and God of War 3 when it hits.
Absolutely. I'd also like to pick up some used games on the system (or as platinum titles): Ninja Gaiden Sigma, R&C, and MGS 4 are all worth owning if I can get them on the cheap. MGS 4 is worth owning at full price if you are a fan or haven't beat it yet.

My interest in buying a (cheaper) PS3 lies in Valkyria Chronicles, God of War 3, and White Knight Chronicles (or story or crescendo or whatever the hell name it has now).

[SacredWeasel]

I wonder what you're basing your claims of EU market under-performance on, grognard? Wild guess or groundless opinion?

How about vgchartz?http://vgchartz.com/ehweekly.php

[Froggy]

I love that therm, gloom and doom. Always makes me think of Little Shop of Horrors. Anyone?

[Froggy]

Therm? Oh god, I'm losing it. Term. Term. Must be grading season.

[brandonjclark]

I love that therm, gloom and doom. Always makes me think of Little Shop of Horrors. Anyone?

Steve Martin just kills me, every time! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOtMizMQ6oM):D


pssst, how do you embed youtube?

[Froggy]

Steve Martin just kills me, every time! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOtMizMQ6oM):D


pssst, how do you embed youtube?

Here he is, boys, the leader of the plaque!

[Ebon Deth]

The sad thing is, Sony DESERVES this. This is the third time they arrogantly launched a console with barely any worthwhile software. The third time they out and out LIED about their systems capabilities. And the second time they out and out LIED about the launch date of their system to get gamers to hold off on buying a competitor's system (the Dreamcast and then the XBOX360).

Nevermind the completely stupid (and unnecessary) forcing-down-the-throat addition of blu-ray which jacked up the price (should've been an add-on).

So, I feel absolutely ZERO pity for Sony or their blind fanboys (I think PS3-only owners are borderline psychotic).

[Samstag]

@Samstag-- I hope you understood that the point I was making was a year-against-year comparison of sales. From one year to the next, the 360 had different prices which certainly gives it a sales advantage last more than a single month. Especially when the competition (Wii/PS3) haven't reduced their prices in the meantime.

Oh I understand the point you're making, and there's certainly a little validity in it, but I disagree that it's comparable to the PS2 which is seeing a temporary surge because of the cut. And the larger point I was making was that looking at single month performance is silly. Just look at Sept 2007 vs 2008 for the 360. In Sept 2008 they sold 347,200 consoles right after a price cut, which looks pretty good (twice as many as April 2009). But that was completely dwarfed by Sept 2007 and 527,800 (it beat the Wii!). That's due mainly due to the Halo release. But if you didn't know that, comparing the single month and noting that the "poor" sales were immediately following a price cut, it makes the cut look like a desperation move.

Lies, damn likes, and NPD comparisons, or something like that. I don't think the numbers are bad enough to convince Sony to drop the price just yet, unfortunately.

[Silverbaine]

bring it down! Bring it down! then maybe ill buy a new one. For some odd reason my PS3 only plays Blu-ray movies now. Whenver i try to put in a game the whole console freezes. I refuse to send it in for the 150.00 repair cost. not until its complely broken that is.

[Zeal]

i'm seriously not even trolling when i say this...

no shit. there's NO games.

[shadow763]

i'm seriously not even trolling when i say this...

no shit. there's NO games.

How is this not trolling MR play Halo or play nothing? Probably one of the dumbest and most ignorant statements of the day. Its hard to comprehend the stupidity.


The sad thing is, Sony DESERVES this. This is the third time they arrogantly launched a console with barely any worthwhile software. The third time they out and out LIED about their systems capabilities. And the second time they out and out LIED about the launch date of their system to get gamers to hold off on buying a competitor's system (the Dreamcast and then the XBOX360).

Nevermind the completely stupid (and unnecessary) forcing-down-the-throat addition of blu-ray which jacked up the price (should've been an add-on).

The PS3 when it launched was still about HALF the price of a standalone Blu Ray player at the time, so how were they raping you? Plus it included a PS2 inside, wireless, an actual HDMI port, multiple SD ports, once again for half the price of a blu ray player and it gives games upwards of 50 gigs of space on a disc. Compare that to the measly abilities of a standard 360 disc.

The PS3 had better launch software then the 360 which arguably went almost 6 months without anything that was considered HD quality graphics. It also shipped with component only which is not a true digital HD signal, that requires HDMI.

Also, I have owned every system ever launched since the NES 8 bit days, so I know the strengths and weaknesses of all the sytems, and from using both my 360 and my PS3, the PS3 is better made, more flexible as far as being able to use any product I want with it, and just does more. The 360 cant even touch it. If you try to even contend that to be inaccurate you are a fool. The 360 is so wrapped up in proprietary BS its hard to get passed the anal rape Microsoft is trying to pull over on everyone.

But people still kiss its ass as they buy their third 360 and throw another 50 bucks for P2P gaming.

[Ebon Deth]

How is this not trolling MR play Halo or play nothing? Probably one of the dumbest and most ignorant statements of the day. Its hard to comprehend the stupidity.




The PS3 when it launched was still about HALF the price of a standalone Blu Ray player at the time, so how were they raping you? Plus it included a PS2 inside, wireless, an actual HDMI port, multiple SD ports, once again for half the price of a blu ray player and it gives games upwards of 50 gigs of space on a disc. Compare that to the measly abilities of a standard 360 disc.

The PS3 had better launch software then the 360 which arguably went almost 6 months without anything that was considered HD quality graphics. It also shipped with component only which is not a true digital HD signal, that requires HDMI.

Also, I have owned every system ever launched since the NES 8 bit days, so I know the strengths and weaknesses of all the sytems, and from using both my 360 and my PS3, the PS3 is better made, more flexible as far as being able to use any product I want with it, and just does more. The 360 cant even touch it. If you try to even contend that to be inaccurate you are a fool. The 360 is so wrapped up in proprietary BS its hard to get passed the anal rape Microsoft is trying to pull over on everyone.

But people still kiss its ass as they buy their third 360 and throw another 50 bucks for P2P gaming.

I can't believe you posted this tripe. And you actually tried the "look at all the things INCLUDED!! Nonsense.

The PS3 should've been a videogame system. Not some videogame/movie hybrid. By forcing people who had NO INTEREST in hi-def movies to buy a hi-def player, they basically handicapped BOTH.

But this common-sense argument will not be accepted by blind fanboys so I digress.

[Zeal]

How is this not trolling MR play Halo or play nothing? Probably one of the dumbest and most ignorant statements of the day. Its hard to comprehend the stupidity.




The PS3 when it launched was still about HALF the price of a standalone Blu Ray player at the time, so how were they raping you? Plus it included a PS2 inside, wireless, an actual HDMI port, multiple SD ports, once again for half the price of a blu ray player and it gives games upwards of 50 gigs of space on a disc. Compare that to the measly abilities of a standard 360 disc.

The PS3 had better launch software then the 360 which arguably went almost 6 months without anything that was considered HD quality graphics. It also shipped with component only which is not a true digital HD signal, that requires HDMI.

Also, I have owned every system ever launched since the NES 8 bit days, so I know the strengths and weaknesses of all the sytems, and from using both my 360 and my PS3, the PS3 is better made, more flexible as far as being able to use any product I want with it, and just does more. The 360 cant even touch it. If you try to even contend that to be inaccurate you are a fool. The 360 is so wrapped up in proprietary BS its hard to get passed the anal rape Microsoft is trying to pull over on everyone.

But people still kiss its ass as they buy their third 360 and throw another 50 bucks for P2P gaming.

http://www.sonydefenseforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/sdf.jpg

[oldjadedgamer]

The PS3 when it launched was still about HALF the price of a standalone Blu Ray player at the time, so how were they raping you? Plus it included a PS2 inside, wireless, an actual HDMI port, multiple SD ports, once again for half the price of a blu ray player and it gives games upwards of 50 gigs of space on a disc. Compare that to the measly abilities of a standard 360 disc.

Not all PS3 units had wireless and multiple SD ports. Don't use a blanket statement please. If you are going to complain about the lack of HDMI on the earlier 360 units, you can't group in wifi and SD cards for the PS3.

And I think it's pretty well, been proven this generation by sales and review scores of games that Blu-ray isn't a *requirement* and that the system could have gotten along just fine without it. For people like me who didn't want a Blu-ray player (I still don't even though I have one in my house) it was "forced" onto people who simply just wanted to play games. Games like Halo3, Gears of War, Call of Duty 4, Guitar Hero, Call of Duty WaW, all these games have sold way more then 5 million copies and gotten great review scores... all on DVD. Shit, COD4 even sold 10 million without even blinking an eye at space beyond 7 gigs.

This gen has been proven time and time again that Blu-ray isn't needed and was forced on gamers to push a movie selling agenda.

[TeeCakes]

How about vgchartz?http://vgchartz.com/ehweekly.php

1) VGChartz is far from the most accurate source, especially for EU numbers since the region doesn't get data from groups like NPD who's business is to study the market and provide an official tally.

2) Only the UK and Scandinavia place the 360 over PS3, slightly. The entirety of the EU is generally DS > Wii > PSP > PS3 > 360 if you check the charts region-by-region.

For example, in Germany the PS3 is over 1M units sold, and the 360 has yet to reach that benchmark. The EU is a region I'd say is "too close to call" as far as who's in first, what's on second, and I don't know's on third.

[bean19]

1) VGChartz is far from the most accurate source, especially for EU numbers since the region doesn't get data from groups like NPD who's business is to study the market and provide an official tally.
Except when you use it? ;)

Seriously, while their information isn't absolute, it has proven over and over to be close enough to show trends which is good enough for our bull sessions.

2) Only the UK and Scandinavia place the 360 over PS3, slightly.
You mention a lot of information, but the important fact for publishers and game developers is that the Xbox 360 has 1.5 million more sales in Europe.

Actually, the important fact if is that they have an almost even market share in Europe. If you have a game that appeals to Europeans (like Fifa, shooters, or racers), then you are going to take a big hit in sales in the EU if you choose to take money to make your game an exclusive.

[Emabulator]

The simple solution would be for all developers and publishers to abandon everything but the PS2 and PC... because that's what I own. :p

[Froggy]

Also, I have owned every system ever launched since the NES 8 bit days, so I know the strengths and weaknesses of all the sytems...

Mr. Period sez: "When lying about how impartial you are, try not to immediately follow your lie with a volley of baseless aggression."

Source (http://penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/4/27/). Sorry, but your post draws some real parallels.

[grognard66]

I wonder what you're basing your claims of EU market under-performance on, grognard? Wild guess or groundless opinion?

I base my EU numbers on GFK-ChartTrack reports as well as Sony and MS statements for that region. Then again, Sony claimed they had 2 million KZ2 pre-orders and now say they only sold 1 million worldwide, so I probably shouldn't believe their own numbers.

360 is dominating PS3 in the UK, which comprises well over half of the console market for the entire EU. Sony is winning in countries like France and Spain but those markets are insignificant from a global perspective.

[blackzc]

Very true. Nintendo brands are the only thing that's selling, especially looking at the software:

1. Wii Fit w/ Balance Board, Nintendo, 471K
2. DS Pokemon Platinum, Nintendo, 433K
3. Wii Mario Kart Wii w/ Wheel, Nintendo, 210K
4. Wii Play w/ Remote, Nintendo, 170K
5. 360 The Godfather II, EA, 155K
6. 360 Resident Evil 5, Capcom, 122K
7. DS New Super Mario Bros. , Nintendo, 119K
8. DS Mario Kart DS, Nintendo, 112K
9. 360 Guitar Hero Aerosmith, Activision, 110K
10. PS3 The Godfather II, EA, 91K

[QUOTE=Capn Crunch;1751179]Actually, I think the PS3 is in 6th place this month, according to the chart at the linked story.

DSi, Wii, DS Lite, 360, PS2, then PS3[quote]

No. PSP sold the least amount. PS3 is in fifth.

I can see why you'd be so eager to make that error, considering the HORRIBLE name of this thread. The PS3's "sales decay" is not the worst this month. Check it:

DS(i): 250.7% of sales from last year (w/ new console revision)
PS2: 138.4% of sales from last year (w/ price-cut)
360: 93.1% of sales from last year (w/ price-cut)
PS3: 68.0% of sales from last year
PSP: 60.0% of sales from last year
Wii: 47.6% of sales from last year

There are TWO consoles here that had more "massive sales decays" than the PS3, so why does the OP only reflect the PS3's numbers? Especially when the title of the actual article that's linked (http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/05/april-2009-npd/) ("April NPD: DSi Sells Big, Everything Else Plummets") mentions nothing about singling out the PS3's sales at all?

I sense some good old-fashioned EvAv user bias at play! Last month in North America was horrible for everyone involved with gaming hardware sales, not just Sony; let's not cherry pick facts shall we?

In 20 years this will even out and PS3 will take the lead!!!!

[blackzc]

No one needs to spin the numbers to make Sony's performance this generation look bad. It is rare in any industry to witness such a precipitous loss of market share from one product release to another

No, this happens all the time in the console world.