Japan: Famitsu opinion poll favors Nintendo's Wii
by Blake Snow 
{ May 26th 2006 at 4:25PM }
Japan's popular gaming mag Famitsu has posted results of a recent opinion poll asking what gamers are most looking forward to after this year's E3. Nintendo's Wii garnered 68.8% of the vote, followed by Sony's PS3 with 21%, Xbox 360 with 7.2%, and the DS at 3.0% interest. 88.4% of voters believed the price of the PS3 to be "too high," also citing the price as the biggest news announcement at this year's E3.We know we've beaten the PS3 launch price to death, but in all honesty, do you think Wii would score this high had the PS3 been announced at a lower price?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
crono141 @ May 26th 2006 4:29PM
Does it matter?
All indications are that the Wii will be the most popular home console next generation, at least in Japan. I don't think it would matter if the PS3 was the same price as Xbox, it seems everyone is fed up with Sony.
Except Sony fanboys.
Paul P. @ May 26th 2006 4:30PM
Maybe. The Wii is essentially a console DS, in function and philosophy. It would be kind of like DS vs. PSP, with Wii as DS and PS3 as PSP.
Louis S. @ May 26th 2006 4:30PM
Woo for Wii!
...Whoo!
But yeah, the PS3 price had alot to do with it. Japan is crazy for the Playstation (minus the PSP).
Jouten Za @ May 26th 2006 4:34PM
That is a good analogy, PS3=PSP and Wii=DS. I think this time around it will be the same in the home console dept as it is in the handheld dept. $ony is now the greedy evil empire this time. And $ony's fanboys have now become just as rabid if not more rabid than the Nintendo fanboys. At least with the Nintendo fanboys, they get the benefit of the doubt of some truth being told to what they say since Nintendo doesn't BS it's fanbase as much or as hard as $ony does. I believe it's going to be a definite Wii 360 dominant market this time around. No 3peat for the $ony Proprietory Empire.
Canadian Geese @ May 26th 2006 4:36PM
I'm actually surprised that the 360 was more popular than the DS in Japan. IMO, this is a step in the right direction for MS.
The Wii's popularity came at no surprise, though.
Does anyone else find it odd that the PSP was no where to be seen? I know that the DS is killing it, but that's still an eyebrow-raiser.
Maestro @ May 26th 2006 4:41PM
21% for the PS3? I'm actually surprised it's that high. I guess 7.2% for the 360 isn't that bad considering the preconceived image MS has to deal with over there. Still, I really can't imagine payin $599 for a PS3 when there's a 360 sitting right next to it for $399. The Wii results are a no brainer...
jabbertrack @ May 26th 2006 4:45PM
If you look at the kinds of games that are all over the arcades in Japan it's no shocker that the Wii is what they are exited about.
But look at some of the other things Japan likes...
drifting
anime porn
singing broken english to classic american songs
... the list goes on
yay for America! land of Halo, Gears of War, Football and actual racing
JRepo @ May 26th 2006 4:47PM
It seems that the more weird the gadget the better it will sell in Japan, PS3 and X360 are not weird at all as they present the next logical step from second gen systems.
Nintendo chose to take another route and it works well on markets where people are looking for more ways to have fun instead of just upgrading, as that will most likely work well in Japan I still have my doubts concerning Europen and American markets - areas where DS is not selling as well as Nintendo had hoped.
And yes it's great news for Microsoft to have X360 on that list - perhaps the price issues are working also in Japan for the good of the gamers...
We can only hope that the production of PS3 and Wii will run smoothly and that there will be consoles available this Christmas to get more competition - now Microsoft has done only minor actions as they haven't had to do anything radical to get people to buy X360.
Andir @ May 26th 2006 4:48PM
I'm actually glad for Nintendo this time around...then again as long as it isn't Microsoft, I'm pretty happy.
canebi @ May 26th 2006 4:55PM
America is also the land of:
Racism
Oppression
Obesity
Firearms
Nascar (lol Actual racing LOL!)
... the list goes on
Do I get a star too?
Momus @ May 26th 2006 4:57PM
You have to remember that at the time the DS entered the handheld market Nintendo was already dominating it. In the console market, however, the opposite is true.
cringer8 @ May 26th 2006 4:58PM
Playstation has always faired well in Japan. I think the price is the ONLY factor that keeps it down in the poll.
Too bad there's absolutely no wiggle room in Sony's pricing. That thing is just too damn expensive to build. It's like trying to sell a concept car to middle-class America. Bad business, Sony. You focused too much on outdoing MS and have shot yourself in the foot in the process. I know I've already posted this quote from Mr. Moore, but it's a fun one:
"We have built up a certain brand equity over time since the launch of PlayStation in 1995 and PS2 in 2000 that the first five million are going to buy it, whatever it is, even if it didn't have games."
Looks like Sony is cashing in ALL of that equity in one shot. Good move.
Dave @ May 26th 2006 5:01PM
Canebi, I seem to recall a few other countries having problems with Racism, Opression, Obesity, and Firearms. Gee, it can't be that many others, can it?
Of course, NASCAR is a pretty big problem that seems to be US centric, though racing is very popular in Europe and Japan. I swear to God, some people think America's the worst place in the world... they have no idea.
Momus @ May 26th 2006 5:02PM
7. jabbertrack
"yay for America! land of Halo, Gears of War, Football and actual racism"
I'm sure that's what you really meant. Give me your star; it's only fair.
spoo @ May 26th 2006 5:04PM
@ canebi
@#$%^&*&@$^*#%&!!!
Paul P. @ May 26th 2006 5:07PM
I don't really see why he got a star for stereotyping the nation of Japan. Anybody can do that.
Anime and broken engrish, lol. LoL? Mor like RoR, am I lite?
Momus @ May 26th 2006 5:09PM
lofrmao@Paul P.
striderhayasa @ May 26th 2006 5:09PM
America is rasicts?
josh @ May 26th 2006 5:12PM
"Firearms"
What's wrong with firearms? I quite enjoy an afternoon of skeet shooting. It's more fun than Duck Hunt, that is for sure.
Also - how do you guys know that guy bashing Japan got his star for that comment? The stars appear on every comment a particular poster makes (as long as they give the same email address). I think his Japan comments were stupid, too, though.
first time guy @ May 26th 2006 5:14PM
It's kind of funny how some people think America's the worst place in the world. If anything, thanks to the fact that America has so many races, religions, and cultures all together, they'll most likely end up the most tolerance of difference.
In my own country, there is too much hate, and hardly any diversity...
Gamer Jay @ May 26th 2006 5:16PM
Wow, I never realized that characterizing the culture of a whole nation of 127 million people in a short list could be so easy.
Stereotyping is such an ugly practice.
dsub @ May 26th 2006 5:21PM
do you think Wii would score this high had the PS3 been announced at a lower price?
Honestly, no. I remember less than, the average poll in japan said something like 70-80% of gamers over there were looking forward to PS3 the most. Sony should be worried. This is Japan, the country they are supposed to have a lockdown on. They've gone from 70-80% in polls to 20% in less than a years time. 88% of those questioned said the PS3 price was too high...the Japanese are supposed to be the ones that buy a PS3 no matter what. That doesn't appear to be the case now. At this point, I'd say NOTHING is certain for sony any longer.
Deuce @ May 26th 2006 5:25PM
I'm actually surprised that Microsoft got a non-negligable percentage. The PS3's price might be the in they were looking for, if they can capitalize on it. They're going to need to get some decent games over there though, that appeal to that market, and do some smarter advertising. As much as I like the Xbox franchise, I remember visiting Japan in December, shortly after the 360 came out. The available selection was pretty terrible, and there were almost no playable kiosks anywhere, just TVs showing demos and 360 advertising, and even these showed very little game footage, if any - just a bunch of people talking about the 360.
Dork @ May 26th 2006 5:29PM
Pretty much everyone knew Nintendo dominated this years E3 on every level. It doesn't surprise me that Japan favor the Wii over the PS3. The PS3 is absolutely huge and expensive. The 360 doesn't have the gaming library the Japanese demand, so they have only one system to look to this next round. The Wii.
This wont mean the Wii will "win" the next generation, but I think Nintendo has finally removed itself from competing with Sony and Microsoft entirely like they have with the DS. You either have a Nintendo or you dont. You wont be seeing these games, or playstyle anywhere else.
Marc @ May 26th 2006 5:29PM
"but in all honesty, do you think Wii would score this high had the PS3 been announced at a lower price?"
Nope, not one bit. I'm not against Nintendo, i love them. But prior to the $600 price tag announcement, i was actually concidering buying the PS3 (i feel so, unclean).
*********LISTEN HERE*********
(now that i have your attention)
Oh and to this statement,
"yay for America! land of Halo, Gears of War, Football and actual racing"
I think it's a little biased, but i gotta agree on the racing aspect (and by racing i mean drag/street racing. and i know it's illegal, kids don't do this!)
jabbertrack @ May 26th 2006 5:29PM
wow
it was a light-hearted jab folks, lighten the eff up
my star is from one of the joystiq bloggers one day saying "good jerb!" on a comment of mine... it's not for that specfic comment though I don't expect you intelligent people to understand such a complex system as the joystiq.com star ratings
America and Japan are completely different cultures. The people of those cultures enjoy different things.
I can't expect you morons to understand what the difference between race and culture is, so I should have known better than to point out characteristics of entertainment preferences.
Japan has tons of great F1 racing. I am no moron. I was merely making a funny point. But the internets is a place where kids come to stretch their brains after school... I forgot...
"someone on the internets said Japan likes drifting! I learned about racism in school today and that sure sounds like RACISM to me!"
no you can't have my fucking star
L @ May 26th 2006 5:30PM
Amazing!! Halo 3, an American made FPS, made a japanese top 10 list. That should be a story on its own.
benjamin @ May 26th 2006 5:32PM
With regards to the question posed in the post, the proof that the PS3 would have been ranked higher were it not for the price is right there in the numbers.
The PS3 ranked second behind the Wii, most all thought the PS3's price was too high, and that price was the biggest news, in their opinion.
If the PS3's price weren't the factor that put the Wii into first place, something regarding Nintendo would have been the biggest news- not the PS3's price.
This is proof positive that, regardless of what it buys you, the PS3's price is putting Sony fans off and converting people to thier competitors.
BPM? @ May 26th 2006 5:32PM
As a long-time (over 16 years) Nintendo fan (fanboy? Maybe... maybe not.), I can honestly say that...
Yes, if PS3's price wasn't so high, a lot more interest would circle it.
Sony, brand name alone cannot carry a product. If you think people will buy PS3 just because it's PlayStation...
Then you're just like Nintendo who thought people would buy the N64 just because it was the next Nintendo.
(Don't get me wrong. I have an N64, and I love it, but it was the time when Nintendo's control of the market diminished)
Sony, you can't tell people they should accept things as they are. To quote Joe Dirt, "It isn't about what YOU want, it's the CONSUMER."
Crosswayboy @ May 26th 2006 5:33PM
I would love to meet the people in the 7.2% who favored the Xbox 360 just to see what kinds of games they like to play. There's just something about a group of Japanese school girls who are chomping at the bit to saw people in half in Gears of War that turns me on...
BPM? @ May 26th 2006 5:38PM
Whoops. I think worded that last post wrong...
I meant to say that if PS3's price was lower, Wii would not have scored so high. Instead, PS3 would have.
Marc @ May 26th 2006 5:40PM
^and to the guy i was quoting,
So what if he's biased, racist, whatever! He's probably only making a joke. And, last i checked, he DOES have freedom of speech here, and that WAS his opinion.
I'm not saying he's right, and i'm not saying he's wrong, all i'm saying is that he's making a harmless (well maybe not so much) joke, while showing some pride in his country (and, with the "popularity" that America has now since Bush was in office, we need all the national pride we can find). (GOD I HATE BUSH!!!!!)
(BUSH GO TO HELL!!!!!)
And i'm not really sure if he should apologize. If you want to go back 60 years, America DID bomb Japan. But, Japan bombed us first. But we caused (much) more damage. What i'm trying to say is that America and Japan are allies now, so why is there so much tenison over one little joke?
Paul P. @ May 26th 2006 5:44PM
Personally, I had been waiting to use my "ROR, am i lite" joke for a while and saw a perfect opportunity.
Fat Sony Fanboy @ May 26th 2006 5:47PM
Ha you nintendo fanboys are so stupid. I heard this argument in 1995. Then in 1999. And each time Sony has destroyed Nintendo in the home console market. Today Sony is #1. This Xmas will see another victory for Sony PS3.
You people apparently never heard of the $800 PSX which sold out in Japan for both versions because it was such a hot commodity. It was just a PS2 + media hub.
Sony wins again.
benjamin @ May 26th 2006 5:58PM
A coworker and I used to think it was fun to go log onto different message boards and start flame wars, too. It's funny how passionately people will respond to being called stupid by some unknown poster who's identity is absolutely anonymous. For some reason, readers of videogame blogs seem particularly passionate. Inevitably, however, most who responded would eventually realize that they'd been played for fools.
You won't so easily play me for a fool, however, Fat Sony Fanboy.
Raikage @ May 26th 2006 6:16PM
You people apparently never heard of the $800 PSX which sold out in Japan for both versions because it was such a hot commodity. It was just a PS2 + media hub.
LOL If it was sooooo great (like frosted flakes)then why wasn't it released in the U.S., Canadia land, or Europe? Yeah thats right you can't answer that because it bombed big time. Plus you can't really trust sony anymore with all their pre-renderd PS3 stuff, and that program-thing that was on their cd's...and their products known for being frigile and breaking alot (I myself have bought two PS2's (the second one just for MGS 3:D it was worth it)) So yeah why should I or anyone trust sony anymore? Whatever floats your boat.
P.S...stands for Play Station?
The Raikage
soco @ May 26th 2006 6:17PM
yup as L said, that's really quite amazing that the single Western game on the top 10 list was Halo 3. it was up even above Blue Dragon, which is a huge surprise.
Darren Tilley @ May 26th 2006 6:29PM
I think it's gonna be hilarious when the Wii finally comes out and people realise that it's not actually that fun at all. Most of the games at E3 didn't use anything near 6 degrees of freedom. The "tennis" game was simplified to the point where you only had to flick the controller at the right time, it didn't matter what side or in what direction it was swung.
It appears that Nintendo may get off to a good start, but I certainly hope that they don't take the majority share of the market. As a games artist, I'd much prefer to be free of limitations imposed by low-powered machines like the Wii. For me, the industry would take a step backwards if the Wii dominated this generation.
I understand completely that many people are not into the graphics, and are intrigued by the control scheme offered by the Wii, but just like any other innovation, it could take some time before the companies actually make it work. The first batch of games could be nothing more than an overused gimmick. Anybody who played the games at E3 would realise that the controls are really not there.
Sure, my mum might like playing tennis where she needs no skill whatsoever, but for any experienced gamers, the Wii could end up being patronizing, and leave you wanting more.
canebi @ May 26th 2006 6:40PM
#26
WELL DUH
What did you think I was doing =P
Now where's my star?
Fat Sony Fanboy @ May 26th 2006 7:26PM
#36 -- 100 million PS2s and its still outselling every other console. Oops! You're wrong again. Sony for the win.
Everyone loves Sony and you all have one just admit it. Thanks for helping Sony out.
Marc @ May 26th 2006 7:34PM
Fat Sony Fanboy,
SHUT THE HELL UP YOU FAT BASTARD!!!!
Jesus! You just don't know when to shut that ego of yours up do you? Try this, since pretty much EVERY nintendo fan has, a one time or another, played a Playstation game, why don't you just TRY Nintendo before you bad mouth it.
LOSE SOME WEIGHT (by "some" i mean a lot), PLAY NINTENDO ONCE, GET A GIRLFRIEND, AND TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER YA FAT SON OF A BITCH!!!!
cringer8 @ May 26th 2006 7:50PM
@Darren Tilley
You're so wrong it's almost funny (but far from it at the same time). The developers have spoken and the verdict is in. They want to develop for the Wii, badly. Why? Because it's business. The Wii titles will be easier (faster) to develop and cheaper (1/4 the price). The controller offers them more than just the 6 degrees of motion. You forgot the IR sensor and the optional control setups. Have you seen the "zapper?"
Nintendo has repaired many burned bridges with the DS and the upcoming Wii. Square Enix and Capcom being the most notable. Also, small development companies have dedicated full support to the Wii alone. Developers that left the console world to develop casual games for portable devices have come back to work on the DS and Wii.
And I was at E3 and played the Wii on day one. The only issues I saw where poorly trained booth staffers and third party glitches (Red Steel needs some work). Also, the sensors at E3 were calibrated at the default setting. When you take it out of the box, you'll have full control over the sensitivity and cursor placement. Even with all of this taken into account, Metroid Prime 3 still played beautifully as did Mario Galaxy and Elebits to name a few.
This console won't win any "wars" simply because it's the Belgium or Canada of the console world; neutral. Nintendo doesn't have to war with anyone. Their customer base appreciates everything they've seen.
Nintendo will sell more units. Will that make them your winner? Probably not. Do we care? Nope. We just want the facts portrayed correctly.
Louis S. @ May 26th 2006 7:52PM
Whoa! Marc, calm down.
Also, Fat Sony Fanboy, um, PSX was a failure, BTW.
No one's denying that the PS2 was the overall winner (by quite alot) this generation, but saying it can't fail because it's so big isn't the case.
Time is repeating it's self.
Nintendo was king with the NES, much like the PS1.
Sega stole alot from SNES, like Xbox from PS2.
Nintendo lost with stupid aroggent desisions with the N64, much like Sony's doing with it's PS3.
I'm going to guess Xbox 360 will be the leader this time around. I'm a Nintendo "Fanboy" by the way, I just won't blind myself with dreams and fantasies by my favorite to actually see the facts.
David D @ May 26th 2006 7:57PM
I think something that is getting ignored is the exact question asked in the poll. The question was what system "at E3" were people most interested in. In that regard, Japan is absolutely no different than anyone else in the world. The Wii had 4 hour long lines to try its product compared to Sony's 1/2 hour. When it comes to sheer curiosity, Wii has every console beat hands down.
The question did NOT ask whether or not they would buy the system, just what they were curious about. That explains why the DS is way down there at the bottom. The japanese gamers for the most part know what the system can do. Same for why the PSP is non-existent. They've had it, played it, and are more interested in the home consoles. You'll notice in the coverage on say, Joystiq and IGN, the vast majority focused on the new consoles as well, even though the DS had some fairly major game announcements.
I'm all for Nintendo here, and I think this is a large step for them regardless, but let's not pretend that they're going to dominate the market share 68% to 21%. Just like everyone else they want to know if the Wiimote is going to work. Another poll about purchase intentions is what I am looking forward to.
My1stBorn4aPS3 @ May 26th 2006 8:48PM
the reason why the DS is lower in the poll is because almost everyone in Japan already has one. Kinda like how PS2 isnt on the poll. They aren't really interested in something they already own.
Sony needs to come out with some killer apps or they are screwed =(
Fat Sony Fanboy @ May 26th 2006 9:18PM
LOL @ Marc. Hey Marc, put down that dual shock for a second and go rub one out or something. Just because my logic is infallible and based on facts doesnt mean you have to cry about it. I was right all along, just like everyone here you own a PS2. Don't worry, so do most families in the world. The best console is the best selling one. This generation PS3 and BluRay will conquer once more.
2007 wins the HD wars for Sony. Thanks for playing!
Tha_Rock!! @ May 26th 2006 10:14PM
Ha you nintendo fanboys are so stupid. I heard this argument in 1995. Then in 1999. And each time Sony has destroyed Nintendo in the home console market. Today Sony is #1. This Xmas will see another victory for Sony PS3.
You people apparently never heard of the $800 PSX which sold out in Japan for both versions because it was such a hot commodity. It was just a PS2 + media hub.
Hey Fat Sony Fanboy if you don't know what you are talking about don't post any B/S. It just makes you look like an A**!! here is the link to your "hot commodity PSX" you were talking about.
http://www.engadget.com/2004/09/07/sonys-psx-tanks-in-japan
Lets get your facts straight!!!!
n3rrd @ May 26th 2006 10:46PM
Darren, I find your claim to be a video game artist to be ridiculous after claiming that you NEED feature "x" to work your magic. Video game artists didn't need the PS3/360/Wii to make art, such as:
Yoshi's Island
Shadow of the Colossus
Resident Evil 4
We Love Katamari
Jet Grind Radio
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (my personal favourite, sue me)
etc. etc.
The art is only as good as the artist, not necessarily the tools.
cringer8 @ May 26th 2006 11:53PM
If Sony were to have announced at E3 that, "this will be the last Playstation ever," people probably wouldn't be upset about the price point. But we all know that this system will be obsolete in four years when the PS4 comes out. You have to put things into perspective.
At its very roots, this is a video game system. Everything else it does is merely accessories. It is being sold for nearly double what people expect to pay for a video game system. Apply that to any other product. Most intelligent people won't buy a refrigerator for $1,300 (even if they can afford it) simply because it uses a new method for keeping food cold. Cold is cold. And games are games.
I think the reason Sony has been seeing such outrage is because intelligent gamers feel like they're being insulted. We're not stupid. The technology is too far ahead of itself. By the time we need what the PS3 offers, we'll be arguing about the price of the PS5.
The Xbox is exactly where things need to be for the next four years. Even if the Wii's graphics don't improve a tremendous amount by October, at least the price will reflect the shorter economic lifespan.
Smart shoppers don't get fooled into spending more on needless bells and whistles. "Keeping up with the Jones'" is an American affliction and a poor reason to support a company's bad choices.
Vince @ May 27th 2006 1:00AM
I think it's extraordinary that people speak of the dominance of the Wii and the death of the PS brand so regularly.
We are talking about PlayStation here, you know, the brand that did for gaming what nothing else has come close to in recent years, yet they get so little respect now.
It seems it's all about sentiment now, and a lot of crossed fingers.
The PS3 isn't a gamble, it's what 50 million people have been waiting for.