Analysts talk up PS3 over Xbox 360 – Race for second place behind Wii
With the E3 Expo taking place in Los Angeles this week, some of the attention has rightly been taken away from the ongoing hardware sales battle between the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii. Games, and new peripherals have instead taken precedence. But the analysts are still arguing amongst themselves over which console is doing the best, and which is likely to do better in the future.
The official US hardware figures from NPD are due later this week, but as is usual, Wedbush Morgan’s analyst Michael Pachter has blessed us with his predictions a couple of days early. Xbox 360 fans should look away now.
Pachter predicts that the PS3 will have seen a massive increase in console sales thanks mainly to the release of Metal Gear Solid 4 helping through the course of June. However, the Wii is still beating both by a huge margin, outselling its two rivals combined. According to Gamasutra, here is how he sees it shaking out:
Wii – 750,000
DS – 625,000
PS3 – 375,000
Xbox 360 – 235,000
PSP – 235,000
PS2 – 160,000
Meanwhile, further putting the boot in to the Xbox 360, is that other celebrity analyst, Signal Hill analyst Todd Greenwald. He now thinks there’s “more reason” to buy a PS3 than an Xbox 360. According to PSX Extreme, who I’m sure are totally unbiased, Greenwald said:
“For the first time since the console launched, I really think there’s more reason to buy a PS3 than the 360,”
But then he left it at that, and didn’t explain why this was the case all of a sudden. We can make our own assumptions though, with more, bigger, and better exclusives on the PS3 than Xbox 360, though Final Fantasy XIII is no longer part of that list. There’s also the fact that you get a Blu-ray player thrown in for free, with Sony soaking up the extra cost, and the lack of a massively high failure rate such as was experienced with the Red Ring of Death.
The Xbox 360 also has its good points though, with a brilliant online service, which does actually deliver on its promises, along with the now cheaper price point, and more variety of price points making the Xbox a viable option for people on all budgets. Amongst others. What is becoming increasingly clear though, is the fact that this is the race for second place.
Sony’s press conference at E3 is currently under way, and if the company can pull some big surprises, and previously unseen games, out of their hat during it, then the PS3 is sure to continue to catch up with the Xbox 360.
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34 Responses to “Analysts talk up PS3 over Xbox 360 – Race for second place behind Wii”
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July 15th, 2008
A big game release will always cause a surge in sales. The PS3 SHOULD beat the 360, but only for one month. Then we should see the sames settling back to normal.
As for which one is more attractive for the anmerican consumer, being someone that has neither console, and doesn’t plan to get either console for quite a while yet, if I had $800 thrown at me to buy one of the consoles and a few games, I would spend it on the 360.
The PS3 might look more attractive in many ways, but the simple fact of the matter is that at this point, MS is trying to win second place, while Sony is trying to profit. I think Sony’s plan is better for their games division, but that leaves MS pleasing the consumer with their massive losses to get the 360 in people’s homes.
The 360 seems to actually have a better JRPG lineup out and comming, now, though, and I do love my RPGs. The big down side to the 360 to me is that it has a lot of shooters, which don’t interest me in the least. It doesn’t hurt that I could get a cheap 360 and live until the next gen is out for the same price I could get a PS3, either.
Both look to be aiming for a casual demographic for the future, though. I’m sure one of them will be able to balance casual and hardcore games better than the other, so given some time, we may see a big change in what gamers and the general public prefer.
But for right now, I have to say that if one can avoid looking though the fanboy glasses and not generalize what each console is for, the average american would prefer the 360. Of coure, people on here can’t do the first, and the general population can’t do the second.
July 15th, 2008
I agree with the analyst that at $399 for a 80Gb system (vs $349 for a 60Gb 360), the PS3 is now much more appealing than the Xbox.
Free Wifi, Free Blu Ray player, Free Online (even if a little less sophisticated, it now also has movie DLs, Trophies and soon apps like Home and Life – November is the date)…
The lineup of 1st party exclusives is also staggering, even if we only consider what we know is coming at the end of 2008/early 2009:
MGS4 (had to include it, it’s huge), SOCOM, WipEout HD, Little Big Planet, Resistance 2, The Agency, DC Universe, Killzone2, Motorstorm2.
On the RPG level, we have Disgaea3 coming, along with Valkyria Chronicles, White Knight Chronicles, and Square will also bring us (eventually) FFXIII and Star Ocean 4, as well as an exclusive “Tales of” for PS3. Not counting that FFXIII versus is still exclusive to the PS3
2009 will be better for the PS3 on the RPG level, 2008 was the year where it had to fight back on the NA market (sport/FPS/action). I’d have to say mission accomplished on that level, now let’s get those RPGs out
July 15th, 2008
Sorry, I must have missed the part where Star Ocean 4 is coming to the ps3.
July 15th, 2008
DAVE, DAVE, DAVE…..This little article will cause a stir my friend….lol
Mr Patcher has not been all that reliable in the past, so I may wait and see the “official” stats before passing judgment.
July 16th, 2008
Patcher is 0 for 500! What a clown that guy is.
July 16th, 2008
patchers hasn’t been right yet… add this “analysis” to his big steaming pile of wrong. he has not basis for any of this thoughts.
“massively high rate” of rrod? can i get some specific data from a reputtable source on how many that is? fanboy…
i wonder why you keep bringing this up without data….
July 16th, 2008
Kev- you want reliable data on RROD than call M$ and ask them. Oh yeah, I forgot, they refuse to say how many consoles it affected. You want the guessing to stop, get M$ to offer up the numbers!
July 16th, 2008
“The PS3 SHOULD beat the 360, but only for one month. Then we should see the sames settling back to normal.”
Matt, you do realize that “normal” means the PS3 beating the 360 all year long right? They’ve outsold it almost 6 months straight with no end in sight for MS.
July 16th, 2008
wylie – i’m glad you admitted you don’t have the data. i’ll remind you next time you bring it up. thanks.
July 16th, 2008
Netflix!!
BOOOOHH YEAAAH!!!!
July 16th, 2008
FF13!!!!
BOOOOHH YEAAAAH!!!
July 16th, 2008
PS2 with Lego Batman!
BOoo oooh . . . crap.
July 16th, 2008
Kev- the experts say 33%, M$ isn’t saying this is wrong. That tells me either its right or the % is way higher. With their love for their customers shouldn’t M$ open their big fat mouths? You go on living the lie that this was never and issue Kev, you probably don’t believe the holocaust happened either. Your ignorance and arrogance are unbelievable!
July 16th, 2008
Experts? Like patcher??? HAHA you p$3 fanboys make me laugh. You are still probably hurting from the whooping that Microsoft gave $ony.
See? I can put dollar signs instead of letters too! Only problem is that if things keep up, Sony won’t have many dollars left.
July 16th, 2008
Harry, the Xbox lost something like 6 billion, so keep on bragging. I think the 33% is a little more wide spread than just Patcher. I’m still looking for this whooping that M$ gave to $ony!
July 16th, 2008
“However, the Wii is still beating both by a huge margin, outselling its two rivals combined.”
Oh DAVE PARRACK, when are you gonna get it through your head that such comments mean NOTHING to the readers here. NOBODY in their right mind considers the Wii to be a console in competition with EITHER X360 or PS3. It’s a totally different thing. You keep bushing this stupid concept, akin to comparing Ford GT and Chevy Corvette to a Toyota Prius. Sure, all 3 are cars, but nobody would ever argue the similarity doesn’t end there. Yes, we know they are all three game consoles, but the similarity ends there.
July 16th, 2008
wylie – the xbox “lost” 6 billion in 4 YEARS. sony has lost 3 billion in 6 months. do the math sport. sony is taking a pounding like ms has never seen.
don’t post about 33% anymore. you admitted it’s not factual data. sorry.
oh and the “whooping” ms gave sony was the loss of FF as an exclusive title. while i don’t agree, many ps3 fanboys stated the name FF would sell ps3. now? i have to wonder how their logic has changed.
July 16th, 2008
Kev- I agree with you, I don’t think FF was a console mover. It was a slap in the face to Sony, but its doesn’t put an ass whooping on anything at E3. I’m sure there are plenty of pissed off fanboys, just not me. As far as the 33% goes, give me something that disproves it and I’ll stop posting it, the ball is in your court.
I think Sony’s losses were more like a year, year and a half, but that still gives them time to make that back or at least some of it. The Xbox won’t be able to make that back, its done.
July 16th, 2008
Wylie – I actually think MS is thinking long term here. So it doesn’t matter if the original xbox never returns the $$$ to cover its losses.
I figure they’ll keep buying up exclusives trying to ‘push’ people over to their machines to try to gain the kind of domination Windows has in the software world. And if that means taking hits now, so be it.
When that happens, I’m done with consoles.
So ill give MS two things they have done great this gen.
1 : Buying exclusives. Phil Harrison was an idiot to not want to pay for them. Arrogant sob.
2 : Creating a machine based on existing hardware – yes they fucked it up, but I am sure its cheaper than the PS3/Cell cost to design and build even with the extra warranty stuffs.
Sony should have just created the machine based on an Intel cpu(s) and Nvidia or ATi GPU and paid EA like 1.5 billion (random figure pulled from my ass) for a years exclusivity on their big titles.
(YES its a dream world scenario, but it would’ve crippled the 360
Now you know why I do NOT work in big business! .)
July 16th, 2008
Oh yes, it’s a whooping they’re handing out indeed! And just in case you have had your head in the sand for the past 6 months, Xbox has been turning a profit. Same can’t be said about the P$3!
July 16th, 2008
The Wii is Evil, I tell you, EEEEEEVVVVVIIIIIIIIILLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 16th, 2008
Hi there harry, mind explaining to me how that puts money in your pocket?
seems to me that no gamer would bring profit up, how comfortable is your cubicle?
July 16th, 2008
Sk8Man, i was responding to Wylie’s uninformed comment! 360 rules!
July 16th, 2008
Harry Quote: “Sk8Man, i was responding to Wylie’s uninformed comment! 360 rules!”
Wow, I think we have a found an even bigger fanboy than Kevin and CAD.
July 17th, 2008
Yeah i’m a fanboy, so what? I love the 360 and everything about it.
July 17th, 2008
Too bad that “love” harry also makes you blind to reality, and blind to what you’re missing if only you had an open mind.
July 17th, 2008
Dosen’t the Blue Ray reader have to be replace every 2 years on the PS3.
July 17th, 2008
I am not blind to reality. I saw what’s on the other side and the grass is definitely greener here in 360 land. Maybe you should join?
July 17th, 2008
spidey – i love it when you call me fanboy when all i do is use facts of what’s happening now and history. when the facts make your ps3 look so bad that you have to call others fanboys for addressing facts, you KNOW the ps3 in trouble.. lol.
July 17th, 2008
wylie – wait.. you post a number with ZERO facts or data then challenge others to disprove it? are you brain damaged? first PROVE your data then challenge. gawd…
for instance; sony WAS sued for shoddy workmanship on the ps2. i posted links and articles. you? nothing…
using your logic i can make up any stupid thing i want and then challenge someone to disprove it. are you really that pathetic?
July 17th, 2008
kev, I believe he really is that pathetic.
July 17th, 2008
Kev- I have posted articles on this before, not my fault you ignore them. Do you know what google is? I didn’t just make that number up, it’s been out there for quite awhile.
SW- I know where your coming from, and your probly right, but it still lost money.
Harry- The orignal Xbox lost $6 Billion. Now if you want to talk 360, yes they have turned a profit, but not enough to make up for the losses of the original!
July 17th, 2008
Kev-
using your logic i can make up any stupid thing i want and then challenge someone to disprove it. are you really that pathetic?
Isn’t this what you already do in your posts? Sounds like Kev logic to me!
July 17th, 2008
Kev, you use facts do you ….. You couldn’y argue your way out of a wet paper bag. You twist arguments to favour your opinion, use information from 360 fanboy land to try and validate your points and when you have no “data” to go from, you make up crap and resort to telling everyone they know nothing of the industry.
Anybody can troll the net and pull up “data”. But if it makes you feel better go right ahead and pull out your mystical “data”
Still haven’t heard one positive PS3 thing come from you Kev….go on validate my point that you are a true 360 fanboy and come back with “thats because ps3 has no positives”
We come up with constructive points for and against each system and the only dribble we get from you is : the ps2 120 mil user base, ps2 failure rate and sony lies, lies lies.
PS3 is in trouble is it…wake up idiot Begone little troll boy, twin brother of harry ballsack.