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PSP sees sales resurgence in Japan, but Wii again dominates PS3

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

April 4, 2008, 1:08 PM

While the Wii continues to dominate the Japanese market, Enterbrain reports that the PSP has once again begun to outsell the Nintendo DS.

The new sales tally for March ends a strong six-month run for the DS, where it was for the most part far outselling its competitors. The resurgence of the PSP could be explained by a refocus by Sony on the product, of which the dividends are now beginning to pay off.

A new model of the portable gaming device was released in Japan last fall, which was cheaper and slimmer than its predecessor. The PSP sells for 19,800 yen ($195 USD), compared to 16,800 yen ($165 USD) for the DS Lite.

Sony said upon releasing the new PSP that it intended for the device to compete with Nintendo's portable juggernaut, and the move appears successful from the latest numbers.

415,415 PSP's were sold during March, compared with 255,124 DS's. The two handheld consoles are the only two major players in the market, as Microsoft has no portable Xbox. Monster Hunter Freedom 2G for the PSP became the #1 selling game during the month.

In the set-top console market, the situation was almost exactly the opposite in March. 265,542 units of the Wii sold, compared with only 81,572 for the Sony PS3. The Xbox 360, which long has lagged behind in Japan, recorded sales of 13,172 units.

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By kswiss200

edited Apr 4, 2008 - 9:59 PM

the only reason why the 360 sold more units is because it came out 1 1/2 years before the ps3. duh! the poor douche bags that got it couldnt afford the ps3 so they stuck with 360.

during this Christmas the ps3 gets a price cut so it will sell WAAAAAAAYYY more units.

Score: 0

By ladylust

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 6:05 PM

I sold my Wii and got an Xbox 360... The Wii to me was never a game system it was a fun system. I just started getting sick of the remote already. Its great for sports and such, but to drive and fight with it was never my fav.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 6, 2008 - 9:40 PM

You just made Pit$ingo cry.

Score: 0

By gregmlr

posted Apr 4, 2008 - 5:53 PM

They still make the PSP?

All the Japanese probably own a DS by now, so they're probably buying the only other option available...

Score: 0

By bsf

posted Apr 4, 2008 - 8:32 PM

a lot of people still thinks DS as kiddy games.
and PSP for the adults.
monster hunter is selling pretty well (PSP game) here.

DS got really beyond expected popularity because of all the brain-stuff games.

Score: 0

By reptile168

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 1:21 AM

in Japan, there's no such thinking that DS is for kiddy games. You're just being uninformed.

Monster Hunter is the main driver for PSP in Japan and it has boosted PSP sales every time capcom released a MH.

A lot of people in Japan has a DS and probably most household has at least one DS. In comparison, the DS passed PS2 as the best selling console in Japan (i think it's behind gameboy though)

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 1:57 PM

Ironically you see plenty of kids in Japan on trains going to school playing a psp standing up.
And sitting down, yep you guessed it - Adults playing DS's
But yeah you are right, there is zero view of 'kiddy game DS'. That's generally only something people who are jealous of its success spew outside Japan.

Score: 0

By vatossan

posted Apr 4, 2008 - 3:53 PM

uhhhh mr idiot "hellcat-m"
to buy games u need a system,and about the games ps3 has more games in the long run than 360...do a research and stop giveing false crap in the net.

Score: 0

By reptile168

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 1:25 AM

you're the mr idiot who needs to do research.

PS3 in America will probably never have as much game as the Xbox 360. For every exclusive PS3 games like Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, and Gran Turismo (and that 40$ demo GT5 prologue), there's a Splinter Cell Conviction, blue dragon, lost Odyssey and Forza for the 360.

Unless companies think that 4 Millions of PS3 users (for which probably 1/3 of it is adults and retired people buying for blue-ray) is a huge number to release crappy games like they did in mass for the PS1 and PS2, then I don't see PS3 passing 360 in sheer number of games.

Score: 0

By theviceroy

posted Apr 6, 2008 - 2:11 AM

I really don't know what the future will hold as far as the number of games out there for PS3 vs. XBox 360. Personally, I hope that the PS3 will have a larger selection. It may just because it probably will have a longer life cycle. However, having said that, a number of my friends who have an XBox have found their machine to have problems. Whether it be the 3 Rings or another type of hardware problem, most of them have experienced down time or complete system toast. However, my friends who have the PS3 have not *knocks on wood* had that issue. Take that as you wish. Now, whether my friends have just had a bad rash of luck with the XBox 360 console or if that's a sign of the system, I can't say for certain.

However, having played the games between the two consoles, I will look forward to and most likely be impressed by Final Fantasy (I am an avid fan) and Gran Turismo. While Sony does compete with itself (PS2 vs PS3), XBox does not. There are certain games that are not released for PS3, but PS2.

As far as the games you mentioned for the 360, I was unimpressed with the Blue Dragon Demo. Unless this game was completely rewritten from the ground up, it's not a game I would pick up. The camera angles, cheesy fighting, etc just make me disinterested. Lost Odyssey was at least had good graphics, but it's insistent use of "Text" dreams make you feel like you either have to read a book or skip a lot of character development. Why in this modern day and age would you do that? The systems can handle a beautiful visual representation. Was it to keep costs down? Maybe... but it was also a good way to make me say I'm very disappointed in HIM (and if you don't know why, see my comments about me being an avid FF fan).

With that said, I have concluded that the two systems have two different genre's as their "core". If you want RPG's, come on over to PS3. If you want Shooters, come on over to XBox360. I'm sure there will be people who disagree, but that's my $1 worth.

Score: 0

By Hellcat_M

posted Apr 4, 2008 - 3:44 PM

The Wii has the Wiimote which is cool, and has a few good games. Xbox 360 has tons of good games and probably makes more money on games than both the Wii and PS3. PS3 only has a couple good games so the only reason to buy it is because of the blu-ray player. So even though the Wii and PS3 sell more units in Japan, the Xbox 360 sells more games in the U.S. which is more important anyway.

In the end the Wii is probably making the most money because they make money per Wii sold. The PS3 and Xbox 360 are still not in the black in sales because it still costs both companies more money to make than what their selling htem for. So I think Xbox 360 is probably making the second most money because they sell more games and PS3 is last because they only have 5-6 games worth buying. A lot of people are probably buying the PS3 for the cheap blu ray anyway.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 4, 2008 - 5:28 PM

Too bad the Wii sells more software world-wide than the brick box 360 week after week after week.

world > USA. you fail.

Score: 0

By SGD

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 10:19 AM

Unless the games are made by Nintendo they pretty much suck. Tons of cheap games does not make them good, just cheap.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 7:39 PM

whatever you need to tell yourself at night to make you sleep...

The Wii continues to outsell and pull away from the BrickBox 360. If there are no good games to play, why is the Wii still sold out everywhere?

Score: 0

By SGD

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 10:01 PM

Nice job at dodging the point like you always do. The good games are made by Nintendo and that is it. You and your BrickBox360 statements are your usual troll postings. I have a Wii and it has been sitting not being used since Christmas. Say what you want many people simply do not use the thing anymore. I could give a crap if you can not find them or not the reality remains that many are just no longer being used. What Wii games have the depth to want to play for a long period of time? Many of those games can be played on systems that make tehm look good not the crap display of the Wii. Except for Nintendo made games there is just nothing worth playing for more than a day or two. Look at the wii game reviews and see that many of the games just suck. There are some that are really good but as I mentioned before by Nintendo. Oh and I saw some Wiis at BB the other day so they are not sold out every where. You really are clueless Pit$ingo.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 6, 2008 - 4:39 PM

whatever you got to tell yourself to sleep at night.

Score: 0

By SGD

posted Apr 6, 2008 - 7:20 PM

Wow, the troll has nothing to say.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 7, 2008 - 6:01 AM

what is the point? Your replies are just M$ drone speak. The Wii outsells the failure box 360 every week. The M$ marketing department here on BetaNews says the same thing over and over again.

First it was the Wii was not powerful enough, now it is there are no games. The Wii has won this generation...it is so far ahead no one is ever going to catch up, not even M$.

There is no standards body to stack and bribe in this race. The Wii simply has the best hardware and software....much better than the 30%+ failure rate on the 360.

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Apr 7, 2008 - 9:18 AM

To say teh Wii is the best hardware is truly a joke. The console can't even play a DVD how is than advancement in technology! What a joke. You are the one taking hate and is out of touch with reality. It may sell more but that does not mean it is better, just cheaper. After all that is what the consumer wants, cheap.

And for the record the Wii is still not powerful enough look at the crap graphics and see for yourself.

You make it seem that the Wii is the only system to own and there you are wrong. Instead you act as the troll of trolls.

You go on and on about the failures rates but continue to ignore the fact that they are fixing the problems for free. This is where you spin it into directions that you can not prove but say crap anyway. I admit that there was a problem but MS (fixed that for ya) has gone out of their way to help the customer.

The break box the failure box you are really pathetic. Maybe some day you will grow up.

Score: 0

By SlapShot

posted Apr 7, 2008 - 6:08 AM

as opposed to your replies which are just troll hate

Score: 0

By bmj2006

posted Apr 6, 2008 - 4:21 PM

Our WII is only used when the niece comes over.

Score: 0

By vatossan

posted Apr 4, 2008 - 3:54 PM

uhhhh mr idiot "hellcat-m"
to buy games u need a system,and about the games ps3 has more games in the long run than 360...do a research and stop giveing false crap in the net.

Score: 0

By reptile168

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 1:25 AM

you're the mr idiot who needs to do research.

PS3 in America will probably never have as much game as the Xbox 360. For every exclusive PS3 games like Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, and Gran Turismo (and that 40$ demo GT5 prologue), there's a Splinter Cell Conviction, blue dragon, lost Odyssey and Forza for the 360.

Unless companies think that 4 Millions of PS3 users (for which probably 1/3 of it is adults and retired people buying for blue-ray) is a huge number to release crappy games like they did in mass for the PS1 and PS2, then I don't see PS3 passing 360 in sheer number of games.

Score: 0

By Hellcat_M

edited Apr 4, 2008 - 7:23 PM

Hey moron vatossan I know 5 people who have the PS3 and each of them have between 1-5 games for it. They mainly have it because of the blu-ray player and 3 of them have 360's with 10+ games and another has a Wii with 15 games. So I'm guessing more people are like my friends, than you think. Most of my friends just have 360's or and/or Wiis or play games just on their PC's.

Score: 0

By Danno

posted Apr 4, 2008 - 2:20 PM

POS3 still makes no headway on the WII in Japan BIG Surprise.

Score: 0

By BrokenHALO

posted Apr 4, 2008 - 2:37 PM

XBRICK 360° still nonexistent in Japan, BIG Surprise.

Score: 0

By SlapShot

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 11:26 AM

no that's not a surprise, but $ony getting it's azz handed to it by nintendo in the set top console (wars) is a surprise Dave

Score: 0

By reptile168

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 1:27 AM

13 172 units sold is 13172 more owners they can potentially sell games to. Like it or not.

Score: 0

By Skyfrog

posted Apr 4, 2008 - 11:08 PM

"but, but Microsoft!!1"

We're talking about the PS3 and Wii.

Score: 0

By adento

posted Apr 4, 2008 - 9:33 PM

"XBRICK 360° still nonexistent in Japan, BIG Surprise."

No, that's not a surprise at all. Nice try though. What *IS* a surprise, Sony getting their asses handed to them by Nintendo on their HOME TURF. Sony dominated the Japanese console market for years with the PS2, but Nintendo came back in a big way and there's no end in sight!

I remember you hardcore Sony zealots trying to brush it off, saying the Wii was just a fad that would soon pass. Well look you sorry bunch now, the Wii is STILL owning the PS3 month after month after month. I know your only defense is to change the subject and point at the Xbox360, but the fact remains that the Wii is KILLING the PS3 at home. Oh and since you kids like to point fingers so much, the Xbox360 STILL has more units sold world wide than the PS3, and STILL has more games available. How do you like them apples?

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 6:58 AM

true, however, the BrickBox 360 was rushed to market due to the total failure of the first XBox. It came out over a year earlier than the Wii and PS3.

Even with a full year+ headstart the Wii came from behind and is totally dominating the FailureBox360. The PS3 is not all that far behind the 360 either.

M$ has already recognized another failure and is hurriedly working on the XBox 720. They will abandon 360 owners just like they did with the original XBox.

Score: 0

By Hollywood__

posted Apr 6, 2008 - 2:26 AM

The non funny, childish name calling of the 360 makes you the new biggest fag on this site.

By the way, Rock Band has sold more 360's than Halo. The Wii isnt even in the same class as the 360 or PS3. You just need to feel better about the fact that your only gaming system is a glorified N64.

You are such a homo it makes me laugh.

If MS comes out with a 720, I'll buy two of them.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 6, 2008 - 4:44 PM

"The Wii isnt even in the same class as the 360 or PS3"

You are right there. The Wii is so far ahead in sales of both hardware and software every week, it is in its own class.

"If MS comes out with a 720, I'll buy two of them."

Most people have bought at least two M$ 360's since there is a 30%+ failure rate, so that is probably going to be true.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

edited Apr 6, 2008 - 7:36 PM

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Apr 6, 2008 - 7:28 PM

Once again you prove just how stupid you are. There is no reason to buy another 360 IF it fails since MS will fix it for free. They even pay for all the shipping. What a complete douche you are well all the time. Oh, and by the way it's MS not M$ clueless one.

You keep thinking that about the Wii if it helps you sleep as you would say. Many Wiis are selling I will give you that. They in a couple of months never gets turned on. The Wii is good for parties and that is about it. Software may be selling well but that fails to say the games are good. I see tons to new $20 games I wonder if that is because they suck. People will buy anything if it is cheap. Many of the games for the Wii fits that moniker to a tee.

In a case of tis own does not make it superior just cheaper.

I wonder how long it will take until we see pit$dingo3 as a poster.

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

edited Apr 7, 2008 - 10:40 AM

'I wonder how long it will take until we see pit$dingo3 as a poster"

After his posting in this article i am suprised that is not the case now. You could not possibly make yourself look like a s*** talking troll more than him if you tried. He really put himself to shame this time.
I suspect he is really good at RPG's. Dodge, troll, dodge, dodge, parry, troll, troll, dodge.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

edited Apr 7, 2008 - 6:07 AM

sorry to let reality get in your want M$ drone, but the Wii has many highly rated games which are not made by Nintendo.

http://wii.gamespy.com/index/reviews.html

take this one site for example. Sort the games by 5 star reviews. there are many 3rd party games with 4+ out of 5 stars.

It is not Nintendo's fault M$ has no creative software talent and has to rely on outside developers for every game. Perhaps M$ should have let Intel do their hardware again so they would not have 30%+ failure rates? So you see what you get when M$ does something for themselves.

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Apr 7, 2008 - 7:52 AM

Funny how many of the good games can be played with a better experience on truly better consoles like the 360 and teh PS3. Oh wait I can't mention the PS3 since I am a MS troll. What ever you say there clueless one.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 7, 2008 - 9:21 AM

When consumers have a choice, the better experience is clearly on the Wii. Look at the sales. Nuff said.

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Apr 7, 2008 - 12:20 PM

Yawn, you are getting dumber and dumber as this goes on. What if you want to play say Halo or MLB the show? As I stated before there are other system that appeal to other people you have your Nintendo religion while others enjoy fun games on the 360 and PS3. Many PS3 owners have not had tons of great games but at least the system could be used to play a movie or better yet a blu ray. What does the Wii do? You got it none of the above, what a joke.

I do agree that choice is the key. In saying that choice has allowed consumers to buy the system of their choice. Nintendo is selling more system great for them. As I have stated along with others here and many other places my-others Wiis are in the closet, sold, or just not being used.

For God sake you make it sound line Nintendo has the only system that is any good. sorry but that is a flat out LIE. You are as bad if not worse than some of the Sony trolls here.

All people expect from you anymore is troll comments or flat out crap which says a lot about you. Maybe some day you will stop drinking the kool-aide and get a clue.

Score: 0

By SlapShot

edited Apr 5, 2008 - 11:24 AM

"total failure of the first XBox."

maybe nVidia had something to do with that since it was nVidia that stopped making the GPU

"hurriedly working on the XBox 720."

i wouldn't be surprised is MS was working on the next x-box, just as nintendo is working on the next wii and $ony working on the next Playstation. Troll

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 7:45 PM

nVidia stopped making the GPU's because the XBox was not selling. Why make GPU's for a system that is not selling? Nvidia does not want to loose money.

Point is, M$ abandoned the first XBox when it was clear it was a failure, and there is no reason to think they are going to do different this generation. The Wii is dominating the M$ 360 and the PS3 is gaining on the 360 rapidly even with the M$ 360's year+ start.

I bet M$ will not even put their name on the next version of the XBox just like they do with the Zune. In fact, i bet they will not even call it a "XBox" since that name is associated with two failures.

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Apr 7, 2008 - 10:45 AM

"nVidia stopped making the GPU's because the XBox was not selling. Why make GPU's for a system that is not selling? Nvidia does not want to loose money."

Oh you really just did yourself then. Are you suggesting nvidia were making those GPU's for free and simply getting a cut in on the profit? That is a really desperate attempt to play down the xbox and quite honestly you wouldnt even see such a stupid claim from a ps3 fan.

Score: 0

By bobthegoat2001

posted Apr 6, 2008 - 9:31 PM

By the time you get to my post, it's probably to late to save the three minutes of your life it takes to read Pit$ utterly crap that you'll never get back. Thanks Pit!

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Apr 6, 2008 - 7:28 PM

Wow what a blantant lie. I suppose you could proof that claim. Just as I thought you can't.

You really are an idiot. And there he is looking into his crystal ball again or talking out his a$s. I bet more the later.

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

posted Apr 7, 2008 - 9:24 AM

So what you are saying is the massively successful first XBox was selling like hot cakes and Nvidia suddenly decided to stop making the chips.

ROFLMAO. yeah that makes a whole lot of sense. Everyone knows the first XBox was a total failure and barely sold. So M$ rushed out the 360 a year early and had 30%+ failures because of it.

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Apr 7, 2008 - 12:25 PM

Ok that can be spun an other way which you are so good at. The game cube has been seen by many as a total failure but you will over look that part.

Your hate of anything MS can be seen in many threads here and we all know it.

I see you respond to me about Nvidia when I didn't bring it up, NICE.

Oh well, you are a twit and we all know it, so I am going to stop feeding the troll.

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Apr 7, 2008 - 10:46 AM

"ROFLMAO. yeah that makes a whole lot of sense"

Just like your claim that they stopped making the GPU because they didnt want to loose money.

Score: 0

By SlapShot

posted Apr 5, 2008 - 7:53 PM

heh your to funny troll

Score: 0

By pitdingo2

edited Apr 5, 2008 - 7:45 PM

double post

Score: 0

By SGD

edited Apr 5, 2008 - 10:41 AM

Nice try there. Don't consoles last something like 5 years so of course they would be looking into something new since it has already been out two years. In case you don't know new hardware is nto made over night. I bet Sony is also working on something new. Neith can be proven so STFU. You can bet your A$$ that even Nintendo is working on something new. Keep trolling.

Score: 0

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