Japan's best seller list, as usual, paints an interesting picture
by Ben Zackheim 
{ Mar 26th 2005 at 5:04PM }
We live with the marketing hype every day. The big consoles have millions of dollars behind them; money that's
dedicated to forcing the things into your hands. So it's always interesting to see how well that money is being spent.
GameGossip has the latest Top 10 list of consoles sold in Japan.
PlayStation Portable: 43,644 (Annual: 580,120)
PlayStation 2: 40,270 (Annual: 602,316)
Nintendo DS: 22,446 (Annual: 429,545)
Game Boy Advance SP: 11,013 (Annual: 197,776)
GameCube: 3,357 (Annual: 70,016)
Game Boy Advance: 477 (Annual: 6,253)
Xbox: 345 (Annual: 4,606)
PSP is kicking some major butt right now, besting its bigger brother, the DS, the GBA, everything. The Xbox numbers
always make me cringe a little.
Head on over to GG for their analysis.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JaXs @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
i find that very hard to belive
Me @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
This is a load of crap, theres no way it can be right. And also why are you guys constantly talking about how great the PSP is, and how it can do this and that, when it actually SUCKS. Also stop putting the DS down it's a much better, original, console than sony could ever make. I really hope the PSP fails miserably in the US and Europe, I couldn't stand Sony taking over the handheld market and ruining that as well.
Me @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
This is a load of crap, theres no way it can be right. And also why are you guys constantly talking about how great the PSP is, and how it can do this and that, when it actually SUCKS. Also stop putting the DS down it's a much better, original, console than sony could ever make. I really hope the PSP fails miserably in the US and Europe, I couldn't stand Sony taking over the handheld market and ruining that as well.
Edward Zieba @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Not really. Most people in japan who want a PS2 already own the original. Why buy a slimline when you already HAVE the console?
Fred @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
I got my PSP and i love it, i bought a 1gb memory stick and i loaded it with some music and a bootleg of Life Aquatic. i've had every portable gamesystem at launch since the original gameboy, and nothing in my mind comes remotely close to the PSP, it kinda makes me forget about my ipod, and it for sure makes me forget about nintendo as a whole. If you have the means i highly suggest it, if you don't, then it sucks to be you!
SetupWeasel @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
It's not a load of crap, but it IS important to note that the DS is nearing 2 million total sales in Japan, while the PSP is still below 1.1 million.
sammo @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
At my local wal-mart, there were so many untouched PSP's. I would estimate about 30-40. I don't understand the supply problem that so many websites are reporting. Must be a hype-up scheme.
I actually overheard a kid (maybe 16 years old) with their mother talking about what he wanted to get for his birthday. He compared the PSP and DS, and ultimately decided on the DS because he liked the games more. Interesting stuff from an outsider's point of view.
garby @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Although DS has apparently sold a lot more than PSP in Japan to date, it must be remembered that it was nearly impossible to find PSP on shelves anywhere up until about a month ago, whereas the DS was available in abundance.
It's hard to say how the sales figures would have been if both had been sitting on the shelves side by side.
I'm not sure why the opinion of one 16 year old who prefers DS games is of much relevance.. different people like different games, but one kid is hardly representative of an entire country.
From my own experience, the PSP has impressed everyone I know that has seen it, whether they like games or not. 6 of the 20 people I sit with at work currently own PSPs, 2 own DS's. Doesn't prove anything, of course... (I'm the only one that owns both)
And while I'm writing about PSP - I live in Tokyo, and after a couple of months of being unable to find the PSP in stores, I ended up paying over $250 for the basic pack from someone on Amazon Marketplace. Even now, the only PSPs I've seen in stock are value packs, for about $250, so it's a little bewildering to see so many comments on Joystiq from people who complain about how America gets screwed over by only getting the Value Pack, unlike Japan. Might be true in theory, but in practice we also only have the value pack nowadays, for about the same price, but without the Spiderman 2 UMD...
Bootes @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Where do you live Sammo. Here in New York (not the city) It isn't available anywhere. There's no Wal Marts either.
Iced_Eagle @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Wow I never thought the xbox was doing that bad... Wow...
PSP, rock on ;)
Brian @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Aww, Nintendo fanatics get so defensive so easily.
Jake @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
HA, the X-Box is hated in japan.....and they love the PSP, Its out selling the DS and they relesed a new gimm...no wait shades of DS's black&white.Note to self do not try to sell X-Box in japan.
All Music Site @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Americans don't buy the PS anymore. Buy American: buy XBOX
?s better also!
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Xbox sucks. The funny thing is how everyone is pushing innovative game titles over raw power when it comes to the handheld market(seems to be the only defense the DS has), yet when it comes to the PS2 vs. Xbox talks... Some reason that rule is thrown out. I love my PS2, the variety of games and genres is great. It does suck when a game is hampered by it's hardware, but when a system is a year older(a fifth of the average 'hot' system life) it's amazing that it's still a contender.
Personally the only upside I've ever seen to Xbox is Live. It's a great idea and every system should do it. I'm not much of a FPS junkie on the controlloer though, so 98% of Xbox's titles don't appeal to me. If you think about it, Japan isn't too hot on the FPS's either. That's probably why they don't care much for the Xbox. Since ya know, music/rythm games and RPGs/Strats are their dominating game market. How many of those are on Xbox? When was the last Nippon Ichi or Squaresoft title you saw on the Xbox?
Personally I wish Microsoft would leave the gaming market. They make it *WAY* too trendy to be a gamer. I know a 42 year old women at my work that claims she's a gamer because she owns an Xbox. Also when the PS2 came out there wasn't a huge global epidemic of hype. Since the Xbox came out, it seems there isn't one thing released that isn't covered in mass ammounts everyere. From paper to TV broadcast to radio. A ton of games, the DS, the PSP. Gaming is now way too mainstream for my liking. I honestly do blame it on the Xbox and their 'push the image, push the hype' attitude.
Max @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
It's hilarious watching the Nintendo fanboys refusing to believe this :D
san @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
You know, I used to think the old Mac/PC rivalry was too much.
SetupWeasel @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Refuse to believe what? That the DS still has a more than 800,000 unit lead thanks to 2004 sales? No, I believe that.
Chris Norman @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
What will be interesting (in a few months time - right now anyone can skew the numbers however they see fit. As in "The DS is outselling the PSP in the UK by 100%!") is to compare the software sales for each portable system.
Don't forget, the PS2 sold tons of units because when it launched, it was the cheapest DVD player on the market. I wonder if the PSP will see a similar halo effect from the fact that it is being sold as a multimedia device, or if when UMDs fail too sell well and movie studios stop supporting the format, or if another device comes out that performs the multimedia functions better (i.e. a video ipod), if it will hurt sales of the system/software.
Nintendo has demonstrated their long-range plans at the GDC. Did Sony blow their load for a strong launch line-up?
tpp @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Nice post #13.
"XBox sucks, because, um, erm, because I have a PS2".
Fanboyism defined.
bob23 @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
"This is a load of crap, theres no way it can be right. And also why are you guys constantly talking about how great the PSP is, and how it can do this and that, when it actually SUCKS. Also stop putting the DS down it's a much better, original, console than sony could ever make. I really hope the PSP fails miserably in the US and Europe, I couldn't stand Sony taking over the handheld market and ruining that as well."
#3 you are 100% rigth! I feel the same way
grant @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
@19
Maybe because they have a ds and a psp and the psp is better.
What is funny about the nintendo fanboys is they do not have a psp,but they always want to put it down.
anjiro @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
aww, the Nintendo loyalists are at it again. they're feeling the impending ordain the PSP might bring...just like how the PS2 did the GC...
Scott @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
So Xbox isnt' doing well in Japan? And some of the commentators here think that Xbox sucks?
Who cares? It's their loss. Xbox isn't dying off anytime soon, no matter how much the PS2 fanboys want it to.
PSP is a great handheld console. It's too expensive for some, but I don't think Sony is going to lose money on this, which is all that matters for game companies.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Hey TPP (#18),
Is it just me to think it's common sense that I'm going to like the system I own, hence the reason for buying it? I don't like a PS2 because I have one. I own my PS2 because I liked the games for it. It's a common practice ya know, owning things that you like.
How is that fanboyism? I didn't say Xbox sucked for no apparent reason. I said their game variety is thin. They have a strong focus on FPS titles. I also listed that I hate what MS has done to the gaming industry. I hate their approach of buying out every company that interests them(like Bungie). I don't like EA for the same reason. The industry has always been an industry, I know. It was also about fun and the art form. Now it's steadily going the route of 'money first, money second, money third'. Don't believe me? Look at MS's thoughts for microtransactions... Or even the Halo2 expansion levels. They could of let it be free content. They're obviously rolling in money. Why not milk it though? Xbox supporters are too blind to realize that they're being milked.
Dee Too @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
I'll say it again for the umpteen millionth time: hating Xbox and/or Microsoft is thinly-veiled anti-Americanism. If this boils your blood as it does mine--buy American. It just so happens that Xbox is also a better product than the PS2. It has become cool to hate everything and anything American. Everybody hates us until they need our money.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Hmm. American huh? *flips over his Xbox controller*. Says made in China. It's not buying american when everything IN the system is outsourced.
tpp @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Christopher,
There's an amazing variety of games for XBox, just like for PS2. To claim otherwise is either dishonest or ignorant.
There are excellent games for every genre imaginable. The online multiplayer capabilities of XBox Live! are beyond anything seen on any other system, PCs included. You seem to be blinded by the media's fascination of Halo 2. You might want to look a bit deeper into what's available and what's not.
As for microtransactions, there are none for XBox. XBox 2 is not out yet, nor is the new XBox Live! system where the microtransactions would be introduced. Furthermore you, as I plan on doing, are completely free to not pay for any extra content. I'm not particularly excited to pay $.05 for a red colored helmet in my favorite racing game. Well, guess what, I don't have to!
In any case, the major video gaming platforms are all good. The technology on each manufacturer has matured years ago above the "suckage" point. Some are better for certain people, but none of them suck.
As a hardcore gamer for the past 20 years, I wish I had time and the energy to own more than one system, so that I could enjoy the best games on each platform, but unfortunately the 24-hour day just doesn't allow me enough time to enjoy both Halo 2 and GT4. Now, THAT truly sucks.
Dan Dickinson @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
As for microtransactions, there are none for XBox.
Isn't the song pack purchasing in DDR Ultramix 1/2 and the previously-pay for maps in Pandora Tomorrow considered microtransactions?
tpp @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Microtransactions, as I understand them, are priced significantly less than $5.99, maybe even as little as a few cents, and could also include transactions between players.
Zadoc Paet @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
"Also when the PS2 came out there wasn't a huge global epidemic of hype."
WTF? Did you not go outside or turn on the internet? You couldn't even find a PS2 in a store until Feb 2002. The hype on the PS2 was amazing; it's the most hype that ever been generated in this industry except for the possibility of Halo 2.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
TPP...
There is a lack of GENRE on Xbox. There are a million FPS's on Xbox. So basically I'm just picking the setting that I choose to kill people on. Same game, different skin. So while there is Call of Duty, Medal of Honor, Halo2, Return to Castle Wolfeinstein, etc... If you played one, generally the experience is the same from game to game. I could very easily jump from playing Medal of Honor to Rainbow Six 3 and have very little I have to learn. Sure, each game has differences, but not enough to consider a new experience IMO. As for "There are excellent games for every genre imaginable.", that's a complete lie. Xbox has a severe lack of RPGs. There's KotOR(2), Morrowind, Shenmue. Fable is an action game with RPG elements, so don't even try and list that. KotOR is the only one of the list that is remotely considered enjoyable. Fable's frames per second sucks, Morrowind is too empty and boring. Shenmue is pretty good too actually. Definitely not a *HUGE* selection of that genre. What about puzzle? Can I get super puzzle fighter 2 turbo on Xbox? How about Puyo Pop, or Super Bust a Move? Polarium? Luminies? Mojo? Mercury? Oh yeah, I forgot, Xbox is american, so they don't bother making games that aren't action/violence based. What about sims or strategy games? What was the last RTS you played on Xbox? How about Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Or Robin Hood? Where's the La Pucelle, or Disgaea, or Front Mission 4? Sorry, no strategy RPGs either!
So if by '"There are excellent games for every genre imaginable." you mean "you have plenty of selection in FPS, Action, or Sports games", I agree, but Xbox definitely does not support a huge variety of genres. Sure, they have Tetris Worlds, but I wouldn't exactly consider that an 'excellent games'. That's one game, that was made about 15 years ago, rehashed in a half-assed sense.
"The online multiplayer capabilities of XBox Live! are beyond anything seen on any other system, PCs included."
=That statement is completely ludicrous. Xbox live is functional and conveinent for the average american, I agree. Most americans are dumb and lazy, too much for their own good even. To think that Xbox Live even touches PC gaming's multiplayer is the most laughable statement I've ever heard. Live is based off a combonations of tools that gamers use. Roger Wilco! was the first big voice messenger program used during gaming. Plenty of gamers used ICQ for a long while to setup matches back in the TCP/IP days, direct connecting to opponents. Then there was the matchmaking systems like Gamespy and Battle.net. Let's not overlook that little tiny bitty fact. The PC created and defined what online multiplayer gaming should be, and it stills stands well over Live. Again, Live is great and all for dumb, lazy americans. It's definitely not more functional than PC games though.
"You seem to be blinded by the media's fascination of Halo 2. You might want to look a bit deeper into what's available and what's not." - Dude, I've been gaming since I was 4. I'm not someone that just casually came to it recently. I know what the Xbox offers. I'm not saying that Halo2 is the only game for the system. I'm saying the systems focus/strongpoint/mass ammounts of games are FPS's. Chronicles of Riddick, Splinter Cell, Doom, Unreal, Counter-Strike, Red Faction, Rainbow Six 3, Brothers In Arms(or whatever). There are seriously atleast 75 FPS's on the Xbox. I can't name them right now because I really don't care for the genre. I'm not ignoring titles on the Xbox. I desperately wish there were games I was into on the Xbox so I could play online games without having to sit at a workstation setting. I want to sit on my couch, drink my lap, controller at hand, six feet from my TV, squashing people I don't know online in Super Puzzle Fighter2 or Katamari Damacy, swearing at them over the headset. The truth is the games just aren't there. Xbox has no titles like Guitaroo Man, Mr. Misquito, Pikmin, Animal Crossing, Katamari Damacy, Legend of Zelda, .hack or even Final Fantasy.
--------
Post #30(Zadoc Paet)
- I picked up my Playstation the first November it was released with no problems. The first store I went to had it. I purchased it for $300. I went home, I played it. No one talked about it. Hell, Final Fantasy X came out and nobody talked about it still. I've always been heavy on my internet use, and I've always been active in gaming communities / websites. There was no hype that I saw, no commercials, no newspapers that I picked up with articles about the PS2. There might of been talk amoungst gamers. That happens. But i'm saying, i saw a report about halo2 on the fucking 6 o'clock news. I have a newspaper from the Detroit Free Press with the cover being a picture of a giant PSP. The head article of a the newspaper of the murder capitol of the US has a video game system on the cover. We have mayor issues with him stealing money, we're hosting the superbowl, there have been school shootings repeadily... And all this was drowned out by a new system being released. That's what I mean by video games are hyped beyond all reason now. I don't remember Carson Daly hosting a party for the PS2. I don't remember lines wrapped around blocks on the news for people buying PS2's. Halo2 and GTA:SA there was tons of coverage.
That's what I mean by too much hype, too much coverage. I want things to be back to the way it used to be. You were a nerd if you played RPGs, you were laughed at for going home and playing SNES instead of playing football. It was taboo to think a video game female was attractive. now G4 hosts specials on 'top hotties of video gaming'. THERE'S A FUCKING VIDEO GAME CHANNEL. That should be enough proof right there.
Jess @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Personaly i think all consoles have something to offer.
I have a xbox, ps2, gamecube, PSP, DS, and a fully loaded gaming computer.
I got an xbox in 2003, game cube in 2004 and ps2(slim one) in 2005.
Almost all my games are from pawn shops where i got them for 1/2 price or less. There are exceptions like halo 2, Kotor 1/2, Re4, metrioud 1/2, god of war, star ocean, xenosega 1/2 ect.
but i have:
38 xbox games
23 ps2 games
12 gamecube games
2 ds games(i would like there to be more)
2 psp games(lum and ridge were sold outor would be 4 :) )
15 gba games.
and Countless pc games.
I got a TON of these like i said from pawn shops and second hand shops. I normaly replace the game cases with dvd cases i buy because some people realy mis treat there things.
But i play what i find enjoyable, and i payed 1/2 of what most people payed for there games and enjoyment :)
The one exception is i did get a psp 2 days ago and two games with it. However i did return my last one because of dead pixels the screen was riddled with them, and got a new one.
Somebody @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
You may like it how it was but as a professional in the industry then games becoming main stream is what's known as a "Good Thing". I personally enjoy being as main stream as possible. Old grandmas buying Xboxes and thinking that they are gamers can only be positive. If you want to be a nerd in your parent's basement playing Final Fantasy for your entire life, so be it. I'd rather feed my family.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Just because you go mainstream doesn't mean you have to sell out though. It's like when Rage Against the Machine was popular in high school. Everyone blared it, no one cared about the message. If games fall to that point of being something the masses blindly take in because 'Xbox is Awesome!', the quality of games will drop(as they have for Xbox... not much in the lines of innovation). There are too many shitty games out there because the companies pump them out merely to make money. If you don't believe me, play Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. HORRIBLE game.
christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Oh, sorry, I forgot to add. While you may work for the industry, and you simply see it as a job to put food on the table, I scoff at that rationale. Sure it's a great way to make money, but it's an artform. You're raping that medium and turning into what Hollywood did with film. Removing any value of creation by simply viewing it as a job. No passion, no art. I'm sure as all situations, you can't speak for EVERYONE that is involved in creating video games. I'm sure there are plenty of companies out there that have developers or coders that want their game to be appreciated instead of just consumed for the bucks, and would rather not have some redneck hick purchase their game simply because it's the cool thing to do. It's insulting to pride. I'm positive there are some individuals out there in the industry that value the art over the business aspects of gaming. You just seem to not be one of them. If you want to provide for you family, why not be involved with anything else? Why video games?
Sasquatch @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
>
So, Christopher. Not anti-American huh? The above are your words. Your bias is showing. Let alone your misunderstanding of the incredibly generous country called USA.
Jenome @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
i don't care if anybody reads this post anymore. Anti-Americanism has its basis in fact: AMERICANS: don't go flocking to the defense of your country, every time its attacked, you sound like the nintendo fanboys. Personally, i am both an american and a nintendo fanboy. FACT: the psp looks crazy crazy good and personally has me hooked as a looker factor, though the games will drive the stake. [ nintendo kids, admit it, the thing is sexy ] and with regard to the xbox, microsoft obviously doesn't know what sells well in japan, so just frikkin deal with it. love nintendo, here's hopin.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Sasquatch(#35)
You seem to of forgotten to quote me. I'm assuming you're just refering to me saying that American life revolves around money. You must not live in the same America if you disagree. America is refered to as an industrial nation for a reason. America is home of the megacorporations. That's why we can destroy land for the sake of putting up a mall, or kill off wildlife for the sake of oil. Let's not forget about companies like Walmart that destroy little towns and business through sheer force. Just the other day I asked a coworker to do me a favor and she responded with 'how much you gonna pay me? C'mon, money talks.'
I really don't see how you can deny that the main focus of american life is money. Everyone wants the newer cars, plasma TVs, big houses, and the prettiest clothes.
Somebody @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Programming and specifically Games programming is my skill and my best chance to earn a good wage. I'd be an idiot to move into another industry just because you think I'm doing it for the money and not what you perceive (as a GAME PLAYER) as to produce ART. This is basically the same as me telling Michael Jordan how often to practice basketball.
Fact is not every game studio is a mom and pop operation that creates the most innovative titles because they dont have people hovering over them with demands. THIS IS THE MINORITY. The fact is that these game studios are HUNDRED MILLION and sometimes BILLION dollar companies that did not make all that money by accident. If every game we tried to produce pushed limits and innovated the entire industry you'd probably have 3 or 4 games a year and all the other studios would be out of business.
Sometimes you need to bite the bullet and realize that if you don't ship this piece of crap that you sure don't care about and your bosses, bosses, boss doesn't care about either they are going to fire you and not think twice about it.
Christopher7xii @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
So basically it's alright to sell shit in a box, as long as it pays the bills? My AIM name is Christopher7xii, my email is christopher7xii@gmail.com. E-mail me. I don't *QUITE* understand how you can monopolize on an industry that exists from emerging artists. You're basically using the fanbase they created to make money. So video games because a watered down form of bland entertainment. I'm sorry you've got bills to pay and you're willing to ruin something greater than yourself for the sake of money. So you're kind of like a church then, eh?
orange @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Ugh, I'll buy amerikan, when
they stop putting out (for the
most part)
poor quality goods.
I own a chevy crapalier and they
sure is the last american car that
I'll ever buy. I'll probably buy
a Honda Accord (made in Maryland)as
my next car.
I do own Apple products-which rock-
and a Motorola Razr. They are fine
examples of excellent quality.
PrettyObvious @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
I bought an Xbox because its the best system of this gerneration. Not because its American, though its nice that an american system can finally succeed in the video game industry for once. Christopher7xii def sounds like hes anti-american with those dumb ass comments. Americans are lazy, they want is easy- blah blah blah. Please stop hating on us, we are a money driven country, and? Whats the problem? I like my WalMarts because I can go there get everything in one place and for alot cheaper than a mom and pops store. For every WalMart that goes up more jobs are available for a community than a small store can offer.
As far as you saying the PC is more capable than Xbox Live, you need to realize something. The PC started online gaming and to get to the level where the Xbox is you will have to dl spearate programs such as Roger Wilco to get voice chat and run these programs in conjuction with the game itself. So were lazy because we want to have everything running in one package integrated smoothly? Your either jealous or one cheap ass European, probably both. Get real.
Rocketboy @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
Don't like WalMart? Don't freakin go there go to the mythical 'Ma and Pop' stores that have not existed in any amount since the 60's. Just shut the hell up about it. Don't like X-Box/PS2/GC/PSP/GBA/GBASP/DS? Don't freakin buy one. Just make sure to shut the hell up about it also, if you expect anyone to take you as anything but a freakin idiot.
Oh, and about Rage Against The Machine? Real counter culture when you're playing on freakin MTV award shows sponsered by Chip and Soda companies. Rage was as pointless then as they are as pointless now. 'Wow, they made enough noise that people had to close the doors for the day.' Ya.. real freakin cool. Lemme guess, No War also? Love and understand Terrorists, don't hate them? Is Ward Churchhill reading this blog?
Sonic_Extreme @ Dec 18th 2005 8:46PM
The ? I have to most of you is how old are you.??? I am 29 and i've been playing video games since i was 5 that was 1980.... The years of me playing final fantasy, street fighters, and all those so call non-genres that are not in the xbox are way over for me. I think since like over 10 years ago. I for one like to see things like Fable, Halo2, and Splinter Cell. Call me old but for me I dont care about Pikmin, supper fighter puzzle or what ever the name is. WHO CARES. We are older people who will throw down easy 50$ to buy a AAA game why? Cause I can. Thats why. Bottom line is I think the xbox crowed is much older than any other console. We have the power to buy any game and give out cents. Why do you think that Xbox has the largest attached ratio of software per hardware sold.?? Xbox fans love their Fps. You may call it mindless. But for me Mindless is looking at a 2d crap game who not even my 5 year old plays. The world turns and moves on. One cant be stuck playing street fighterXXXXX for ever. I moved in life and i am succesful and so i have moved on with the type of games i play.