US hardware sales in May: PS2 on the rise, 360 takes a dip [update 1]

How's about you stretch out them readin' eyes, Jon?

This is the percentage difference FROM April until the present... As you can see, the chart actually shows change, which means it has to take place over TIME.

And the only time specified is APRIL.

So, unless you can magically make another start date to appear on that article, don't be an ass.

Wether people like it or not it is a huge advantage for Sony to have so many PS2 in homes around the world, many times more than Microsoft or Nintendo's last gen consoles. This exsisting user base will automatically look to see what Sony is offering first with their PS3 before any other console. While it may take some longer based on price or availabilty to make the switch over to the PS3 from the PS2, it will eventually happen as long as the PS3 has the variety and size of a game libray that made the PS2 so sucessful. There are many so called sony fans who once held Nintendo to be the best console maker out there (I know I did) but Nintendo fell off when they refused to offer more games that cattered to the adult gamers that have become a much larger segement of the current market if they had they would probably still be number 1. This market willnot be begging their parents to buy the PS3 for them they will simply buy it for themselves when they are able to. This no attack on NIntendo,they have positioned themselves so they donot have to compete directly with Sony and can be hugely sucessful if the Wii catches on fire as many think it will. But Microsoft has decided to stand in direct competion with Sony with a desire to try and dominate the console market much in the same way Windows dominates operating systems. I think it is foolish to believe Microsoft can over take Sony in just 4 years of being in the console market. It will take them more time to build up their brandname and user base worldwide and Sony willnot make ths task easy buy any stretch of the imagination.

#94,

I don't think that can be seeing as 360 was not around last April.

From what developers are saying the PS3 will not have the huge libraby the PS2 does no matter the user base. Especially since the PS3 has turned off a lot of the game developers that made the PS2 real popular in Japan.

Several developers have commented each PS3 game will cost three times or more to develop for then a PS2 game.

Quite a number of developers cannot afford that.

Lack of rumble and disappointing performance from PS3 dev kits as well as how Sony is responding to comments have made other developers wary as well.

Developers are enthustic about the wii. Developers have also said any PS3 game can be put on the 360 without any downgrades. Also those so called exclusive series on the PS2 those developers have admitted they aren't exclusive to the PS2.

Metal Gear Solid Four can easily appear on the 360 or the Wii.

The PS2 still has one of the best line-ups to come. Rogue Galaxy, Final Fantasy XII, Rule of Rose, Yakuza, Okami, Valkyrie Profile 2, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner, Phantasy Star Universe, Guitar Hero 2. It doesn't surprise me that it's still on top.

As for the dip in DS sales, could it possibly be people waiting on the DS Lite? Yeah, I think it definitely could.

"As for the dip in DS sales, could it possibly be people waiting on the DS Lite? Yeah, I think it definitely could."

It could be possible. The same thing happened in Japan earlier this year, if you recall, when the DSLite was set to launch. PSP took a lead, only to get trashed the following week (or sales period) by the Nintendo DS. I do believe the PSP is more formattable in the US solely because of the more "hip" appeal of it, not so much for the software. If you look at game sales, not a single PSP game is on there. Most probably use the PSP for looks and of course emulation. But that's an expensive system to use for that reason. Overall, I see the DSLite doing well, but not spectacular, because it's just not marketed enough to the same audience that seems to be eating Sony's PSPie. However, if the DSlite does manage to be June's numero uno seller, and the trend with Sony's software games and "videos" continue to sag, we could just see a re-evaluation of Sony's strategy come late this year (maybe a new hard drive version just in time for a PS3 release?) Simu-Launch would be nearly impossible for the company to manage, but the profits they would amass come the holiday would blow any more surprises the Wii or DSLite have to offer.

Of course, I'm a huge Nintendo fan, so I don't see that happening. I just see little metroid's floating around all the time in the happy "gamecube is number one and nintendo is perfect" world that all nintendo fanboys are caged-I mean, reside in.

I own a 360 already, and I'll admit that I bought a PS2 in the month of May to play Kingdom Hearts and Guitar Hero. At the price of $129 it's kind of hard NOT to buy one if you don't already have one. The game selection for it is great, and with the release of titles (like kingdom hearts) of course people will still buy it.

The 360 is still on the "hardcore" level of expensive, and we are entering the slowest part of the season. The 360 also had no real big releases in May. Games drive console sales. There weren't any E3 announcements that made me think people would just run out and buy a 360 now, but maybe they will in the fall. I know there was one announcement in particular that made alot of people want to buy a 360...it went something to the tune of...

"PS3 will be $600"

of course there's gears of war, Lost Planet, Mass Effect, and the inevitable Halo 3 as well.

I've said it before on this site and I'll say it again, nothing, no matter how lackluster the games look, no matter how expensive the PS3 is, can stop Sony. Microsoft threw out a great system, great games and is reasonably priced AND it's a year ahead of Sony's new system.

Doesn't matter. At all.

Yes the PS2 has been around longer and it's way cheaper, but if that were it shouldn't the original xbox be posting up huge numbers as well? Playstation is just THE brand for people into video games, just like Ipod is for music. It's too bad because MS is doing some really fun, creative stuff this time around but since most people only buy one console per generation (my opinion) they are waiting for the PS3.

Although this might not be the appropriate place for such comments, I have to ask what the expected lure of the PS3 is supposed to be? If you take the median expected price of US$550.00 and then add two US$60.00 games and US sales tax, your looking at a potential upfront cost of US$700.00. I know they're not even close, but at US$700.00 the PS3 starts to remind me more and more of the 3DO of yesteryear. For that price I could buy a Nintendo Wii and an XBOX 360 Core system, or a Nintendo Wii, a PS2, and an XBOX. Why do commentators and analyst keep predicting that the four million PS3 units expected to be available at launch will sell so quickly?

Pedro are you a DR? a dick rider? because u seem to be handling sony's penis pretty well.

Thy only reason more people are buying PS2s is because their old PS2s are breaking, so they buy another one. Though their Xboxes still work fine. I seriously do know a lot of friends who've bought new PS2s because their old ones have broken.

Shouldn't Pedro be banned for his comment?

The DS is gaining more and more ground due to new releases. New releases will drive the DS sales up further.

Wow, it is amazing to me that a mere 11,000 units difference in sales numbers can explode a post into nothing more than mindless bickering between retarded fanboys. Don't get me wrong, there have been some intelligent posts on here, but most are just blind, idiotic loyalty. Some are actually kind of funny though. Ipodfanboy, that was hilarious. But, I think the best thing said so far was by a different poster (forget the name, too lazy to check) and that is, "They will still claim the graphics are better and will gladly sell their sole to Microsoft." Well, I bought a 360 and I didn't have to sell my shoes for it. I didn't have to sell my SOUL either. Man, what a way to end a braindead post.

With that in mind, I think there have been three different types of people posting on this topic. One, Sony Fanboys. Two, XBox Fanboys. And three, people with a BRAIN. And, I have decided to write three seperate posts to each of these people.

To Sony Fanbays: I am so totaly wit yous guys! YEAH, Playstashun so totally pwns everything with its awesomeness emotion graphics card, extansive game libarary, and endless exclusive titles that will SO make the transnition to PS3! The numbers show it, clear as day rain, PS2 TRUMPS X360 with its awesome games and MS fanboys are left with nothin to do but cry as their worthless threesixteees freeze up and explode wit der thumbs up der butts cuz MS can't even make windows work! I can't wait until the PS3! That cell processor will be like thousands times more horsepower than all computer stuff ever made! You'll be flying to mars on this thing! LITERALLY! And when you're there, you'll be stayin theres forever yo! Wit dat BluRay stuff you'll be still be playing Final Fantasy XIII GENERATIONS later man! I LOVE SONY! I wish Sony were an actual person so I could suck his penis and shove it up my butt! Im not gay or nuttin but I love Sony so much Id' so turn bi just for them! LONG LIVE SONY EMPIRE!

To XBox Fanboys: What? That piece of garbage PS2 stil be sellin units!? Sheeeiiit, dat ain't no joke yo! That sheeet must be made up straight from Kenny Krazie, cuz dun nobody wan dat worthless excuse for a dvd playah no mo yo. An all dem fools dat bought dem peee esss tooos will be sorry when dat shiit bust up and dey hav to buy another one like two dayz later. Deyz also gonna be sorries when 360 destroys the PS3 with da HALO! Halo is da bomb diggitty gees. An dat ain't no joke. If XBOX had a sex hole, I would so tap dat azz while playing HALO and vibrating my shaft with the bulky old XBOX controller! Loserz be whinin bout how it was too big. Well I got a huge penis, which means I gots huge hands which be perfect fo the bigness! But da 360 pad is the best yo! So much better than the PS3 boomerwang or da 'redesigned' dual shakeless. Just u sonyfanbois wait when FF and MGS are on 360 as exclusives! Then yu'll be cryin! Not that it needs it, Halo 3 will sell more copies than PS3 and Wii combined! WOOOOOO! HAAAAAALLOOOO RRUUUULLLEEEZZ! MASTER CHEIF, I'LL SUCK YO PENIS ANYTIME! CALL ME MAN, WE'LL HANG OUT!

Now, to those of you with BRAINS: I think it is clear why PS2 outsold 360, and that is because Summer is coming and every gamer with a brain knows that very few good games come out during the summer. So, instead of buying a new console at a high price for no other reason than to wait until good games come out months later, gamers instead buy an old console with great games at bargain prices. I mean, just look at 360, MS is holding all its big cards until the holiday season, so they have some strong titles to fight the new competition. Also, why would anyone buy a 360 now? Since PS3 and Wii are going to be launching fairly soon now, gamers might as well wait a few months during the dry season until PS3 and Wii comes out, so they can see how those consoles do and finally decide which one they want to get.

This holiday season will be the real time to judge. MS has a lot to prove still, because they have to prove that their 1 year old system is worth more than brandspankin new machines from Sony and Nintendo. If Gears of War and Mass Effect are as good as the hype, they just might do that. In my mind, however, Sony has even more to prove. They have to prove that their launch titles are worth more than 360's entire library thus far (including all the games that are released for it by then). Sony obviously also has to convince people the extra cash is worth the price of admission. Hideo Kojima might do all the work for them with the Metal Gear series, but MGS4 will have to be pretty spectacular to convince people the extra money is worth it. And finally, the Wii. I don't think Nintendo has anything left to prove. They proved it at E3, now they just have to live up to the expectations. But, even if Wii launch titles are disappointing, Nintendo still has the Virtual Console to rely on. Also, at a much lower price, even if Wii has a weaker launch than PS3 launch or 360's next wave of titles (which I don't think will happen, but just in case it does...) the lower price will help move consoles.

And about the DS vs. PSP data. Yeah, it is no doubt because everyone is waiting on the DS Lite. Theres not much point in buying an old DS when the new one is right around the corner. After DS Lite comes out, which will make the DS an actual competitor to the PSP as far as style is conscerned, I think the DS will outsell PSP by a healthy margin.

My prediction: Nintendo will become the new console leader with Wii by a healthy margin (judging by the current gamer excitement and the fact that it is sure to attract some nongamers the way DS did), followed by MS and Sony fighting for the number two position in a very close race. And finally, DS will continue to sell higher as gamers' interest in PSP fades away. And, I believe the PS2 will continue to have good sales, but will be trumped when Wii comes out, as it will likely be the clear choice for casual gamers this holiday season.

@Andir, if you click on the link I posted earlier it says hardware -and- software sales. According to that article, it says...

April's Hardware and Software figures for the US have been released ad it reads very well for Microsoft. The Xbox 360 was the top selling hardware for the month, selling 295,000 units. The PS2 sold just 205,000 units.

I don't understand the conflicting April reports. One saying Microsoft sold more consoles, and a different one saying Sony sold more consoles.

Am I the only one that recalls this news? It may have also appeared on Joystiq or Engadget. I know I read it at multiple sites.

I honestly think Joystiq posts these stories for self entertainment. This is actually funny...

ZeroCorpse,
I couldn't help but to notice your innocent comment regarding how X360 is the #1 seller of new consoles. I'm sure you realized right after posting that you made an obvious statement. ;)

I hope all 3 consoles do well and endlessly compete with each other for market dominance. The winner will be us, the customers.

"I think what is happening is people are realizing they will not be buying the PS3 so they are just picking up a PS2 now."

That's just stupid. People just now buying a PS2 don't even realize the PS3 exists yet. Some people, for whatever reason, are always a generation behind. These people won't be buying a 360, PS3, or Wii anytime soon. It'll be interesting to see if these same type of consumers (not the exact same people, they won't be buying another console for a while) go into a store in November and see the Wii for only $200 if that's a low enough price point for them.

The complete lack of logic in any of these anti-Sony arguments is laughable.

"Reduce this by the number of them that are just replacing busted units, though, and the Xbox 360 is the #1 seller in NEW consoles in the home."

Wow.