Well, I hope they all make money and succeed. It would suck for gamers in the long run if only one ended up dominating everything.

I going to predict that the Wii will be the best for shooters.

I have Red Steel and in a sense when using the controls it feel like your using a mouse like you gaming on a PC.

Can't wait till Tiger woods '07 comes out in a couple weeks for the Wii. finally a real golf game for this.

ugh... I thought the same thing as you. I thought the controls would be awesome and easy to use. But after buying Red Steel, I can't stand the controls for it. Makes me wish I had rented it first.

So in summary, Sony outsold all the other consoles with 548,000 consoles sold...

Sony are smart, they are competing at both ends. At the low end, aginst the WII with the cheap PS2, and the high end, against the 360 with the PS3..

And they havn't even launched in PAL regions yet..

Sony fanboys will always find a way to spin negative sony news into postive news. :)

No kidding. Congrats on winning the arse-end of the market. Way to go. Future looks bright.

It's actually very good news. People buying a PS2 today, as doing so because it's cheap, they would not have been PS3 owners today. They may however have been WII owners.

So the PS2 is competing at the low end, with the WII
The PS3 is competing at the high end with the 260
PS2 owners today are likely to be PS3 owners in a couple of years time.

How can that possibly be bad news for Sony?

Wii should really start selling in a month, now that a confirmed modchip (Cyclowhiz) is out for it. Allowing you to play backups muchlike what the hacked firmware for the XBOX360 has done for it with playing backups. Free or pirated software always sells more hardware.

As for hurting the software development companies... I have yet to read about a major console game developer going out of business for piracy... All the software developers seem to be getting paid much more than what I get at my IT job.. They all drive better cars than I do and live in larger homes... so software piracy doesn't appear to be hurting their wallets any...

"All the software developers seem to be getting paid much more than what I get at my IT job"

That's because software development is a skill, rebooting servers and installing windows, is a job for monkeys....

I agree that software development is a skill, but come on, the monkey comment's a bit harsh isn't it. :P

Cough Splutter *#@!

Have you TRIED writing a game, my friend?

We've come a long way from the days of three moving squares being passed off as a tennis game. Good game developers don't come cheap. Their comparative wealth is not necessarily a result of beating pirates.

Free or pirated software always sells more hardware.

The only problem with that is that every console maker loses money on the sale of hardware. They count on licensing income from software sales to counter that loss. You sir, are a lazy, cheap bas****.

I have yet to read about a major console game developer going out of business for piracy...

You're also a little, umm... ...uneducated (that's the nicest possible way to put it).

They all drive better cars than I do and live in larger homes...

You've met all of them?

What did you say your job was again? Please don't tell me you work for the government.

*shudders*

I don't think so. Not one bit.

"The only problem with that is that every console maker loses money on the sale of hardware."

Actually...Nintendo is the only manufacturer to actually MAKE money on console sales...

"I have yet to read about a major console game developer going out of business for piracy"

Wow...

Sega, while they didn't go out of business, piracy ruined the Dreamcast.

I believe it. The last server room I was in was full of well-paid monkeys.

You're right. I failed to qualify with "most console makers lose..."

My mistake. Even still, they're not making a lot.

both the xbox 360 and the ps3 are more than most people want to pay for a console with such a limited warranty. Most of the sales of the Wii are from parents - not die hard gamers. That makes the people who buy the 360 and ps3 die hard gamers. the sales will get better, Especially when they are shown on Pimp My Ride and showcased in MTVs Cribs. Sad, but true. Who cares what wins though. they are all different.

I hate to rain on your parade, folks, but a quick look at Amazon here in the UK reveals that the PS3 is the top selling thing in gaming, with Wii number 3, PS2 number 26, and Xbox 360 strolling in at number 54 (it's beaten by a cheesy horsy title for tweeny girls - go UbiSoft!)

Yeah, the NPD data is for US sales, not UK, but US figures should not be confused with what's happening elsewhere in the world.

The US is so introverted, they can't actually see what's happening globally.

In the UK, PS3 is the fastest selling console pre-order EVER.

http://www.gamesindustry...tent_page.php?aid=22810

http://www.pro-g.co.uk/news/25-01-2007-4599.html

The picture is the same across Europe. The 1,000,000 launch consoles will be snapped up very quickly indeed.

It's predictable that the Americans will back Microsoft with the 360, despite it's shoddy manufacturing and horrendous reliability issues and despite it not actually being manufacturerd on American soil (Mexico, Asia and Eastern Europe).

The reality, is outside the US, 360 sales have sucked pretty badly since day one.

Most pre-ordered does not equal most sold. Get back to us when there are some actual sales figures. A monkey can take preorders (you seem to like monkeys judging by some of your other posts so I thought I'd throw that in there for you).

In Europe, we have to PAY to pre-order. Nobody in their right mind would pay to pre-order and not collect, as it's non-refundable.

So, as much as you find lame excuses, they are invalid. Pre-orders = sales...

oops... replied to wrong comment.

The US is so introverted, they can't actually see what's happening globally.

This is hilarious. You're commenting on a U.S. hosted site and wondering why it reports on data specific to the U.S.

Yeah, we know there's a great big world out there. Thanks for the news flash. Next, you'll be telling me the world is round.

Betanews does a good job (in my opinion) of reporting on global issues. A lot of the stories are U.S. specific, but "...well duh"

If you're so anal about making sure the UK is included in everything, go read a UK news site.

This guy, aside from being a huge sony fanboy, is apparently new to game console releases.

You think all your pre-orders mean the console will do great? Guess what...US preorders and first month sales were amazing...we even had a murder or two on release day. You know what 90% of those people did with their PS3's? Yup you guessed it, sold it for two to three times what they bought it for, to people that think this console is the next best thing to sliced bread, people like you. What happened a few months later? There's spiderwebs in the PS3 section of our electronic stores...spiders webs with dozens of unsold units in each store.

And i believe you made some comment about 360 reliability...it's kind of funny that you're comparing it to a product you don't even have yet. Everybody I know that has a 360 is loving it...the one guy I know that has a PS3 is pissed off he spent $1k on it.

Oh but I'm sorry...in Europe it will be different, because Europe consumers are better, I forgot.

I hope you weren't flaming ME.

I'm not a Sony fanboy, I'm actually an Xbox and 360 owner. I accept that my point about PS3 being way ahead of Xbox360 was a bit weak, given that the UK PS3 figures are for pre-orders, but it is interesting that the Xbox console is so far down the rankings on Amazon.

just say it, Sony and its PS3 console sucks!!!!

Isn't it an insult knowing your old console is spanking your new one?

Let's be clear here... PS2's are selling because they're dirt cheap, and people are buying them because when their PS2 breaks, they'd rather get a PS2 than the thing 5+years newer. PS2s are $100. It's cheaper to buy new than repair. The game catalog is HUGE.

PS2 is everything PS3 isn't. Wii is the new PS2. Wii-Sixty is the way this is going. The Euros are going to keep buying PS2s, and the US market is going buy Microsoft and Nintendo.

BTW, does this mean Sony *actually* hit the million mark with PS3, or are they still short?

Over 2 million globally, I think you will find. With the Euro launch in less than a month, that should bring the numbers up to a tidy and optomitic 4.5 million, as presales are VERY strong.

The PS3 EU launch lineup is pretty solid, so may bolster more US sales. Whilst Sony's 6m by the end of March is pie in the sky, 5m is doable.

"Isn't it an insult knowing your old console is spanking your new one?" Not really, both different ends of the spectrum. Infact it's great, as Sony are competing at both ends (and the ONYL manufactuer to be doing so), with PS2 owners today will be PS3 owners ina couple of years time, who don't want to replace their back catalog..

Forgive me, but I think on balance, you're being Sony-happy a bit. Where do you get 2m globally, and then proceed to hob-nob about a Euro release? The US numbers were in the 700k range of actual sold, so if indeed another 250k went out in January, my math says 950k...

You do know there are plenty of regions you are forgetting. Canada, much of asia.

The sales numbers mentioned here, as for US only..

And I was talking about US numbers... no million yet.

I think this is a great example that it's also important to focus on the "fun" aspect when it comes to game consoles.

Nothing against Microsoft or Sony and their respective systems, but Nintendo has a console here that, while not the powerhouses the other two are, is a great diversion that anyone of almost any age can enjoy by themselves or with their friends and family without requiring too much effort in terms of learning how to pick it up quickly and play.

Yea, but the price tag certainly has something to do with that as well. Granted, the wireless remote that senses movement is really pimp, but the fact that it is only $250 is pretty damn sweet as well. Its a new concept in gaming that may produce the same style of gameplay in higher end models (e.g. next gen XBox and the next PS whenever they come out)

I really don't want Wii to be #1 since it's like going back to 5 years ago graphics wise. yeah yeah, the controller is wicked, but at least give me some current generation graphics that is not 5 years old.

xbox is a boring console for people who doesn't like shooters. I am one of them and I have yet to see an exclusive title that got top ranked and is not a shooter game.

The Wii doesn't have 5 year old graphics. The graphics engine and processor are powerhouses and it will take developers a few years to make games that meet its potential. If you're basing your opinion on Zelda, that game was made for the gamecube and was just ported over. You'll see in the near future that the graphics quality will be excellent and gameplay will be second to none.

By the way, who has a 1080p television anyway? And who will soon? I read an article in business week that you can't see the difference between 1080p and 720 unless your standing right in front of the television. It's wasted technology especially for this generation of video game systems.

I don't think its distance from the TV, but size of the screen. Something like anything under 52" is not detectable by the human eye between 720 and 1080p. Point duely noted though.

I would have to disagree with you. The Wii is just an overclocked gamecube. There is almost no advancement in graphic technology. It does take years to master the potential of a system but you are talking about 80% vs 100%. We are already seeing 80% of what Wii can do and I am not impressed. I would say, PS2 can do better than the Wii graphics wise.

It also doesn't take 720p to see the graphics is dated, just look at the shading of the 3d models and you can see it's just old graphics. May be a bit better than dreamcast (cuz it does have better water shades ) but that's it.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see how the whole thing turns out. But on your PS2 vs Wii graphics view, I would have to say the graphics on the Gamecube were much better than the PS2 and comparable to the XBox even though the processor speed, memory size, etc. were much more impressive on the XBox.

"I would say, PS2 can do better than the Wii graphics wise."

I don’t know, have you even played any exclusive GC games? Some of them actually look pretty good; I’d say even as good as the original Xbox. Games like Metroid Prime, Starfox Adventures, or even Resident Evil 4 I think had better graphics than what the PS2 could deliver.

Disregard, reply bug strikes again.

So to summerise.

WII is still selling, until the novelty wears off

PS2 is outselling all the rest of the new consoles, and lining up a 2nd wave of PS3 adopters, with the PS3 backwards compatability.

PS3 whilst so much more expensive that the 360 is keeping pace with it, until the cost cutting brings to close to the 360 price.

"WII is still selling, until the novelty wears off"

Before the Wii was released the Sony fanboys were saying it wouldn't sell because it was just a novelty. Now you poor souls are trying to convince yourself that it will eventually stop selling, still claiming it's a novelty. LOL, whatever makes you feel better.

http://games.slashdot.or....pl?sid=07/02/19/185211

Nice opinions, but not facts. Who care's anyway, the Wii is fun regardless if it's last-gen graphics or not. PS2 owners were like it's not about graphics, it's all about the games. Now there like graphics are everything. What hypocrites.

Ha...so some guy on slashdot writes something negative about the Wii and suddenly it's the article that dictates the future of the Wii and Sony...that is some great logic you got going there.

You can guaran-damn-tee that when the PS3 drops in price, XBox will match. There is no way MS is going to let price dictate sales if Sony tries to compete on price. Plus the 360 has been out for a long time and is due for a price cut. At which point I will be getting one. I would look to Christmas 07 for some price droppage...sweet.

I agree.
Sony PS3 would've been a lot better if they had prepared more games for it. XBox got great graphics, but it also got great games. PS3... uh.

Wii just got lots of fun and easy games that a lot of light users can play

How convient people have forgotten the horrible Xbox360 launch titles, with no much as a B rated game for launch.

The PS3 launch title line up was considerably better...

Here's the difference:

xbox360 launch: first next generation system. Graphics are good, games are half way decent, it's exiting because it's next generation. Sales were good but not great, and they picked up as games came out. xbox live improvements huge selling point.

PS3 launch: 3rd next generation system. Graphics are good but so are the other systems with many more games. 360 has a 1 year head start with many great games and improving graphics, wii is fun...PS3 is more of the 360 with less of the games, and now much less "good" exclusive titles.

The sony marketing machine used to say..."next gen doesn't start till we say"...what are those guys saying now?? I was at best buy yesterday, no Wii's, not even a wii controller, a few 360's, and about a dozen or so PS3 boxes. This close to launch, that's not a good sign, this time last year you were lucky to find a 360.

"this time last year you were lucky to find a 360."

That's because supply was so dire. PS3 manufacturing is in full swing. Don't believe for one moment, PS3 sales are slowing, the are not. As soon as Amazon get them in, they sell out.

Personally, there are MANY reasons why I have resisted temptation to buy a 360:

1/ The biggest, I felt 360 was not next-gen enough, more incremental update to the original Xbox. The lack of HDMI connection, the lack of Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive for games, the tiny 20GB (or none) HDD.

2/ The poor relibility, and the brush off attitude of Microsoft.

3/ Microsoft's backing of HD-DVD rather than Blu-Ray (I still firmly believe, there is no way on this planet than HD-DVD can survive).

4/ My back catalog of PS2 games, which can all play in a PS3.

5/ I firmly believe that Microsoft don't understand the gaming market, and only Sony and Nintendo do. Recent examples of console spec upgrades a mere 1 year after launch, and confused HD-DVD not for games stories further strenghten my belief of this.

1. That's what I'm talking about. Tic-Tac-Toe doesn't look pretty enough on the Xbox or Wii so I'd rather buy it on the $600 PS3 instead. I need HDMI because the game won't fit on a DVD. /Sarcasm

2. At first, but that's fixed now. I don’t know what your talking about brush off attitude of Microsoft. I was one of the first few early adapters of the 360 and it was having freezing problems. Guess what Microsoft did? They sent me a pre-paid box to ship my 360 back to them and sent me a new one, totally free of charge. Now that’s service! I haven’t had a problem since and it’s been about a year now with the new one.

3. So don't buy the HD-DVD.

4. So just keep your PS2, it can also play your PS2 games just as well as the PS3... maybe even better. It’s not like it upscales it to HD or anything.

5. Microsoft them self doesn’t really need know about gaming, they just pay people that do. I think they learned a lot on the Xbox 1. And also it's the game developers that make the games like Rare, Ubisoft or Midway and whatnot. I think it was a good idea that Microsoft chose not to use an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray for there disc drive. It would have also drove the price up to the same as the PS3, when I think DVD can also get the same job done.

That's a matter of opinion though. The only game I see that looks like it might be good on the PS3 is Residence (which right now isn't enough to warrent a $600 purchase, for me anyway). Pretty much everything else I can get on other two systems (which I own).

360 reliability issues are NOT fixed. The only people saying so, are Microsoft, customers are not..

http://www.avforums.com/...showthread.php?t=476052

Over 50% of 360 owners have suffered a failed 360 console..

Sorry, but forums aren't always accurate. Here are some things that could offset the poll:
- Some people were replacing them with ones at the store, not with Microsoft.
- That could also include anybody, including early adapters like me, not necessarily one's that are currently out now.
- Anybody could vote on that too, aka Sony Fanboy's.
- It doesn’t include multiple working 360’s.
- There are probably other things too to offset the correct amount that I haven’t looked at either.

Come back with accurate facts about the Current Xbox 360's on the store shelves now, not anything that's posted on a forum.

Plus I assure you that if you went and bought an Xbox 360 right now, you wouldn’t have any problems with it. I dare you to buy one, or are you too obsessed with Sony.