RSSNPD: PS3, Xbox 360 sales still lag behind PS2
By Tim Conneally | Published March 19, 2008, 2:34 PM
Market research group NPD released video game console sales figures for the month of February, and the units with the fastest processors look to be selling the slowest.
Video game console sales in February 2008, according to research group NPD, showed a 19% increase in units sold year-over-year, with Microsoft's Xbox 360 selling the fewest among what is still, more than two years after its introduction, called the "next gen" console market.
This distinction is necessary because the sixth-generation PlayStation 2 console is not only still selling, but is actually selling better than its successors. The eight-year old system was reported by NPD to have sold 351,800 units last month. The PS3 sold 280,800 units, and the 360 sold 254,600.
The only next-gen console which beat the PS2 in sales was Nintendo's Wii, which moved a reported 432,000 units. Some argue that the Wii is barely a "next gen" console itself. The recently released Super Smash Brothers Brawl, a fighting game featuring Nintendo's licensed characters, illustrates this perspective. The highly anticipated game has none of the Wii's trademark gestural control features, and relies heavily on the last-generation Gamecube controller.
Sony's PlayStation 2 retails for around $130, and Nintendo's Wii sells for around $250. A 40 GB PS3 typically retails for around $400, and the xbox 360 console usually goes for $350.
NPD's report that video game sales were up for the month, paired with the distant leads held by lower-priced consoles, raise the question of whether price, more so than any of a console's other qualities, dictates its ultimate stature in the market.
The PS1 is too weak.
The PS3 is too powerful.
The PS2 is perfect- perfect balance of graphics and price.
thats all there is to it.
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|Sorry but I don't believe this report. Does anyone know someone who has recently bought a new PS2 in the last 2 years? I don't. I just know people who have bought Wii's, 360's, and PS3's.
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|My neighbors just bought one used PS2 and one new PS2 a month ago for their 4 sons (ages 3, 4, 6, 8) to share. When it came down to spending $300.00 (that was for consoles, extra controllers, and one game for each of the boys) to keep them happy versus all the fighting, arguing and other issues that come about when trying to share one console and a price point nearly double that of 2 PS2 units, it makes perfect sense.
Add to that the fact that you can get PS2 games for $5.00~$10.00, if you are on a budget, it works out perfectly...
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|Yes. Several. PPL who just want the best and largest of any game libraries at very reasonable prices. PS2 is on par with Wii re graphics at a fraction of the cost.
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|it mostly people replacing old broken ps2's.
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|I just bought Obscure 2: aftermath on the playstation 2 on april 1st 2008. admittedly i would have got it on PS3 if it was avilable. My wife(40) and myself(36) are enjoying the hell out of it. Playstation 2 had way more games than XBox and are still supporting it. Microsoft just gave up on xbox. At gamestop xbox games now share a small shelf with gamecube games. If PS3 would stop focusing on first person shooters so much and put out more variety of games, and multiplayer(not just online) they would sell more games and be able to compete with playstation 2. and whoever is buying those non backward compatability 40 gigs is getting robbed. your PS2 games are now pretty coasters. I got the sixty gig and even my eight yearold duaghter is starting to get in on it(burnout paradise showtime mode)
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|It amazes me that the PS2 is outselling the next generation systems. The graphics in the XBOX 360 are amazing and the online play is second to none!
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|second to none?
its second 2 the ps3
360 online play laggy laggy and more lag
i dont understand how people pay $50 a year
for crap
360 sucks
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|whatever you say Dave
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|Right you aren't Dave.
Second to the PS3 network now that is a good one.
Laggy yet an other lie.
If anyone fits the description of your last statement it would be you.
Like I have stated before I am amazed the amount of people that get on an insult soap box. Both systems are good but I guess you can't understand such a concept.
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|"i dont understand how people pay $50 a year"
I don't understand people paying over $50 for a PS3.
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|I can't go back to my PS2 after playing on the 360 for the last six months. Too bad I bought a PS3 at launch and only use it for BD, I think it's a great console but I have thousands invested into my 360.
I know there are a lot of PS2's out there but the graphics and gameplay aren't even close to next gen consoles.
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|What amazes me is the number of people gullible enough to put up with lackluster games to desperately justify the prettier graphics (which are only prettier in the eye of the believer).
And WTF do pretty graphics have to do with gameplay anyway?
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|"And WTF do pretty graphics have to do with gameplay anyway?"
Ask the people that are obsessed with the PS3. Are you their Dave?
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|If the game is good the gfx are 2ndary. Your statement just means the next gen games are not up to par.
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|but the 360 do have great games.
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|I don't know why anyone would pay full price for a Wii.
There are a million of them on eBay.
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|Umm because on ebay they sell for WAY WAY more then 250.00
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|I'm surprised, but I probably shouldn't be. With the way gas costs are rising in the US (as well as the cost of other neccesities, because of this), people are looking for the more 'modestly' priced forms of entertainment.
Sure there are about 1000 other reasons for this, as well, but this has to be playing a role in this...
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|It looks like Sony Game Division is not losing after all.
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|Hmm, go figure... the majority of people actually still seem to prefer to simply play games on a game console. :)
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