Poll: PS3 more popular than Wii in Japan [update1]
by Blake Snow 
{ Jul 18th 2006 at 11:00AM }
In an act of poll balance and contrary to a recent Famitsu poll, the PS3 is more popular than Wii according to a recent Amazon Japan poll. PunchJump writes: "The overseas retail division of Amazon.com has published a graph that represents customer interest in each platform, with the 60GB PS3 edging out the Wii. The 20GB PS3 was the least popular among customers."Add the two PS3 editions together, and sales-wise, the PS3 should outsell Wii by about 33% if the Amazon Japan pollsters are correct. Does a lack of a 360 option mean that Microsoft's console isn't even on the radar anymore?
[Update 1: changed "desirous" to "popular" in post title]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Moimopoi @ Jul 18th 2006 11:05AM
Yes,360 is good as dead in japan that why they don't even bother to show them in the polls.! Easy Answer...
Bye Bye Xbox360...
Probot @ Jul 18th 2006 11:06AM
If you ask a question the right way, you'll always get the answer you want.
Fan @ Jul 18th 2006 11:07AM
No thanks for me?
Moimopoi @ Jul 18th 2006 11:08AM
The 360 is as good as dead in japan,that why they don't even bother to included it in the poll...
Bye bye Xuckbox 1.5,Ooop's my bad, i meant Xbox360...
BIGGEN @ Jul 18th 2006 11:09AM
I think that's affirmative. Lack of games = lack of interest. I love my 360, but I don't blame Japanese gamers for "boycotting" the system. If you have uninteresting games to play, why buy the system? What, FFXI? Give me a break. Lesson learned. They just need to focus on the US and other countries besides Japan at this point.
J B Cougar @ Jul 18th 2006 11:13AM
Number of respondents? Poll taken? Questions asked in poll? For all I know, this could have been asked of "People Currently Logged Into Amazon who have a pre-ordered PS3." At least Famitsu was a poll of actual gamers. This might as well have been a bunch of people in their underwear ordering a recipe book.
CheapyD @ Jul 18th 2006 11:13AM
Actually, that graph just shows how many customers have asked for email notification about "reservation news".
I think it's safe to say that the PS3 will be the most difficult console to find in-store during its launch window. Then again, if the DS's current success in Japan is any indication, the Wii may disappear from store shelves too.
I don't think this shows anything other than people are most interested in PS3 pre-order news, and that does not equate, "Sony's Playstation 3 is more popular than Wii (in Japan)".
My $0.02.
Clint @ Jul 18th 2006 11:14AM
Poor poor pitiful XBox 1.5 ooops I meant 360!
KR @ Jul 18th 2006 11:15AM
Congrats to Moimopoi for coming up with the weakest, most idiotic name for an XBox yet.
OMGZ!!!1 XBOX ISN'T SELING IN TEH JAPAN, HOME OF ALL GAMEZ! XBOX FAILZ AND MS WILL GO OU TOF BUISNES!
btboy500 @ Jul 18th 2006 11:15AM
This is pretty interesting, as it seems that every other poll confirmed that Japanese interest was primarily with the Wii, for the new gameplay, and definitely lower price tag.
KR @ Jul 18th 2006 11:17AM
By the way, Moimopoi/Clint, posting repeatedly doesn't reenforce that anyone agrees with you. Nice try.
Razer @ Jul 18th 2006 11:21AM
Another day, another lame poll reported by Joystiq and and another group of misplaced Sony suckers talking up their fictional console.. Or maybe it's the arm flapping Wii users?? LOL @ both
Lucas @ Jul 18th 2006 11:22AM
"Interest" does not equal sales, at least not at first. I'm interested in the PS3, but there is no way in hell I'm going to pay $600 for it. I'll probably have one someday, but it'll probably be two years or more after it has been introduced and the price drops to something that isn't quite so insane. I've got a feeling that difference in price alone will sell many more Wii consoles than PS3s for the first few years after introduction.
martin @ Jul 18th 2006 11:22AM
The interest is probably based on how many people look at the site. The fact that 1, there isn't much Wii information out as there is PS3 information; 2, The PS3 has a price so can be listed for preorder; and 3, the average person doesn't even know what Nintendo's next system is called, means that this poll is a little bias to the fact that Sony can't come up with unique names.
Just because something is more recognized doesn't mean it sells more.
CheapyD @ Jul 18th 2006 11:27AM
Oh, and I forgot to mention (although it's obvious if you read my above comment) that the Xbox 360 is not mentioned because this poll deals with pre-order news only.
Tiago @ Jul 18th 2006 11:28AM
I don't see the reason for such expectation for a GameCube part 2. Yeah.. graphics aren't everything but.. I already have a current generation console...
I guess Microsoft could pull the plug on XBox in Japan. They like games that aren't just 1st person shooters there.
Anyways... polls are just polls. We'll see the real results when the time comes.
Bloo @ Jul 18th 2006 11:30AM
"Does a lack of a 360 option mean that Microsoft's console isn't even on the radar anymore?"
Are you retarded? The poll is for consoles that are NOT OUT YET. The 360 is already out. I'm just guessing, but maybe that's why it's not on the poll. But thanks for stirring up Clint again. It's always fun to read the same comments in every post. Perhaps one day he'll realize that alligning yourself with any one console make you look pathetic and unable to attain any average monetary sum.
Azrael @ Jul 18th 2006 11:32AM
Actually the latest Famitsu polls show exactly the same results, I have no idea why (I have several theories) but the Wii is no longer "that hot" in Japan.
You also have to realize they do want the Bluray Player over there, they also want Final Fantasy XIII and the upcoming PS2 games which are 100% Ps3 compatible.
What has the xbox have to do with it? the xbox is popular around the globe except in Japan, everyone knows that. Thats beating a dead horse. I do expect the xbox360 to do a little better, but xbox360 beating the Wii in Japan? not a chance.
Casey Weston @ Jul 18th 2006 11:33AM
So, basically, all this says is that a slim majority of Amazon Japan customers who took part in this poll prefer PS3....
Worthless
student @ Jul 18th 2006 11:37AM
I like the name Wii now after seeing that poll. I couldn't tell you which poll item is the playstation 3 from that figure, but the Wii is the same as the english. Yay
Clint @ Jul 18th 2006 11:44AM
The high price just makes people want it more...example: The iPod is outrageous but nobody wants the cheaper knockoffs. Same thing is going to happen here. People associate a high price with quality and style.
CakeOrDeath @ Jul 18th 2006 11:44AM
They want info on the PS3 launch as they don't even know what the top SKU is gonna cost. Probably trying to establish if Amazon is going to sell it for less than the highstreet.
It could also include people who apon recieving there pre order news find out for the first time that its so expensive.
Baboon @ Jul 18th 2006 11:46AM
I was going to remark about how this isn't actually a poll, just the pre-order interest statistics, but I see that has already been done for me. I thought I would reiterate so that maybe we could get the article updated to reflect the actual information it is talking about. I know it never expressly says it is a poll (except in… the title), but it does imply it.
pixelate @ Jul 18th 2006 11:50AM
"desirable". you could say that the Japanese are more desirous of having one console than the other, the PS3 itself cannot be "desirous". (unless it desires to cost less or something)
james f. @ Jul 18th 2006 11:52AM
I think Sony is really in for a home turf battle. In Japan regardless of what this poll says.
Sure its important since all the good, different, "japanese" games are going to to go to the winner. MGS and FF have become anachronistic jokes of themselves. And somehow I dont think whatever the next gen Katamari or Shadow of the Colossus turns out to be, will end up on the loser console. It feels like the mid nineties to me and sony and nintendo have just switched spots.
Note how the sony fanboys are all over a shred of any good PS3 news here...
Baboon @ Jul 18th 2006 11:57AM
I stand corrected, looking at it more closely. It is a "poll"... but an internet interest poll. They have no way to make sure people don’t answer more than once. That might be important to mention.
Andrew @ Jul 18th 2006 12:01PM
Why even involve the xbox 360 in this conversation at this point. Everybody knows its not popular in Japan... discuss the whole PS3 vs Wii thing. Please
Anonymous Rep @ Jul 18th 2006 12:03PM
Just a quick comment - I bet I could write a poll that would get a huge positive response to blowing up the world - if I phrased it correctly.
My son did a re-vamp of the piece showing the dangers of Hydrogen Monoxide, including a poll where nearly everyone who answered the poll agreed that it should be banned due to the danger.
Of course, we'd get awfully thirsty with no water...
And no, the lack of a 360 option means that the console has already been released and is available for sale right now. Does the fact that Blake Snow has the last name as Tony Snow mean that he's a Conservative Republican? Come on, guys - use that thing inside your head as more than jello that keeps wind from whistling in one ear and out the other. Or grow up and become mature - whichever is easier.
Ethan @ Jul 18th 2006 12:10PM
OMG! PS3 scored higher than wii in a poll, now I have to go write about how the poll was unfair on every comment. PAIN! PAIN IN THE GLAVIN!
Staticneuron @ Jul 18th 2006 12:15PM
Otona Fami does not equal the entire readership of famitsu. Knowing that it was a targeted poll it is just as reliable as this targeted poll that amazon put up.
The only strong statement that will be made is after both systems are released into market.
pokemogu @ Jul 18th 2006 12:17PM
As a Japanese, I really doubt who is polling this.
As far as I know, almost all Japanese gamers on the Internet are blaming PS3.
Sony and their employees are astroturfing the media so often
so this could be one of that.
marcin @ Jul 18th 2006 12:18PM
heres some things that come to mind when i think PS3:
10 to 20 percent yields.
one core goes, the system goes.
$599.99, $599.99, $599.99.
supports a format not proven a success.
extremely difficult to manufacture and develop for.
With that said, I still believe the Japanese are fools for supporting the Playstation brand.
The Wii is a joke. Casuals wont care about gameplay if the graphics look like Gamecube. And its yet to be proven that the controllers functionality works well with all games.
IslandLife @ Jul 18th 2006 12:20PM
Wow you gotta love Nintendo fanboys. They try to explain away anything that might suggest that the Wii is not on top.
B-b-but that poll could be about anything.
People probably voted more than once.
That poll is only gauging interest.
If I phrased it correctly even I could get that response.
PATHETIC
Get over it. Nintendo pays enough for marketing. They don't need you!
Jonn @ Jul 18th 2006 12:23PM
"Do you support National Service?"
-from "Yes, Minister"
The context of that was that it was possible to easily guide the answer by controlling the preceding questions, but only reporting the final question. Sir appleby managed to get Bernard to answer both "yes" and "no" to that same question by the method described above. We need more info about the poll.
Omega697 @ Jul 18th 2006 12:28PM
They should have included "Ferrari" on the list. I bet lots of people are interested in a Ferrari! That means Ferrari sales will edge out both consoles!
Hello! Wake up! Just because something is "desirous" does not mean that someone will buy or can afford it!
Will @ Jul 18th 2006 12:29PM
Not that big of a suprise really... I doubt the "Halobox 180" (funniest nickname for it I've heard yet.) will have anything that really drives the Japanese to buy it. It'll probably end up just like the original Xbox over there, which is sad... Playstation3 gives them the games they love (MGS4, FFXIII, Tekken, GranTurismo, etc.) from the people they love...the japanese. =/ It's just how it is... Eh, I should go find a place to pre-order my Wii and PS3.
( By the way, I'm not a fanboy... I plan on owning all 3 consoles and I just speak my mind on how I feel about all of them. )
Maxwell Ash @ Jul 18th 2006 12:30PM
Also, this poll was probably mostly taken by hardcore gamers, which is not the Wii's target market. How many people who are not gamers are going to fill in a gaming questionaire?
You're kidding right !!! @ Jul 18th 2006 12:37PM
There is a huge difference between desire and purchasing. I desire a Ferarri ...
jp @ Jul 18th 2006 12:39PM
mmm who to trust? famitsu or amazon? .... who is more credible famitsu or amazon? ....
Devwar @ Jul 18th 2006 12:42PM
What also must be taken into account is that most casual gamers don't tend to put reservations down on consoles, they go to a store and try to buy them. Thus, casual gamers probably wouldn't be requesting reservation information from amazon.com.
Dave @ Jul 18th 2006 12:48PM
Anonymous rep - I'm not sure if I would get thirsty with a lack of hydrogen monoxide.... It's a basic fact (oh chemisty pun) that i don't tend to drink a lot of (OH). I'm more of a fan of di-hydrogen monoxide, which would be H2O.
LaughingTarget @ Jul 18th 2006 12:48PM
Much like every other poll ever posted in regards to which system is going to be tops, this one can be disregarded as non-representative.
To qualify as a statistically decent poll, the entire market must have an equal chance of being selected. Selection must be random. This means any time a poll is conducted where you have to call a number, text message a vote, send in a card, or log onto the internet, it ceases being accurate and can be safely ignored.
The perfect poll would read as such and would be conducted by random telephone calling of roughly 2,000 participants:
-------------------------------
Which console system(s) have you purchased or plan on buying in the next two years (aside - two years is a good indicator given development cycles)?
1. PS3
2. Wii
3. 360
4. Wii and 360
5. Wii and PS3
6. PS3 and 360
7. Wii, PS3, 360
8. None
-------------------------------------
Wording it as such and conducting the survey via telephone would not only garner highly accurate results but even give a good indication of just how many units are going to be on the market by the end of 2008. Very valuable information for developers to have. Conduct this same survey in each major market (2,000 per segmented nation in Europe), and you have gold.
But, as far as I know, this survey doesn't exist. Also, such a survey would ruin chances of any down and out system from gaining any real support. If it turned out (fanboys just shut up about this example, please, it is only an example) that the 360 would hold the market lead by the end of 2008, then PS3 and Wii development would all but dry up. Even major 3rd party exclusives like Metal Gear Solid 4 would switch camps if such a survey gave the lead to the 360, regardless if the lead designer "just has to do it on the PS3".
So, I guess it is a good thing that no one has done a legitimate survey and all we have to work off of are bogus ones like these.
Canadian Geese @ Jul 18th 2006 12:53PM
Japan has completely different tastes than the rest of the world. Microsoft has never tried that hard to make Japanese-oriented games in the past, hence the unpopular xbox in Japan. The 360 is trying hard to come out with games that are made for Japan (such as Nintely Nine Nights and Blue Dragon) but it would take more than just two games to get people to switch over. Developers won't make games on the 360 if they aren't selling, and it will take Japanese development to make a game that Japan actually likes.
It may end up being last in Japan, but the 360 is primed to take over as the #1 console everywhere else. The Wii will be the #2 console as that's what it's being marketed as. So the PS3 would have to come out with games that match or beat Gears of War, Halo 3, Mass Effect, Bioshock, Dead Rising, Lost Planet, etc, and I don't see Sony coming close (as of right now). Keep an eye on TGS to see if Sony announces any revolutionary AAA games...
RevJonathan @ Jul 18th 2006 12:56PM
As a student of statistics, let me try and clear some things up.
This poll gauges interest of consoles not yet released, thus why the 360 wasn't included.
It also asks desirabily of the console, rather than will you buy this console.
Finally, it is an internet interest poll, asking people who would be using an internet connection what they think, seeing as how that's amazon's niche market. Since Nintendo is not seeking out internet-savvy people or people who buy online specifically, I would expect that this poll is not entirely accurate of everyone in Japan, but a certain group.
Even though this poll doesn't really mean that people in Japan like the PS3 more, it does NOT bode well for WiiConnect24.
*This comment posted by the give Jonathan Cleary the Joystiq blogger job campaign*
Pal @ Jul 18th 2006 1:03PM
CheapyD's right. This only applies to reservation notifications, not customer interest. Since 360 has already launched, it can't be on the list; unless Microsoft decides to launch the 360 for the third time, of course.
B1gC72 @ Jul 18th 2006 1:05PM
yea im with Bloo on this one. Xbox 360 not being mentioned more-than-likely means that this poll is only including unreleased consoles. no matter how bad the 360 is doing in Japan (and how much i hate it...), its still a major console and wouldnt be left off the list without a catch.
but seeing this poll makes me wonder what the rankings are in the US now because if i remember correctly, they were pretty close before. now that people have soaked in the pricing, dual shake, etc. on the PS3, may be the ratings have changed. i remember when i first heard the PS3 price, i was seriously thinking about not getting one at launch and waiting for a price drop, but now ive accepted the cost and will have my PS3 come November 17.
(oh and just to let you guys know, no matter how big of a Playstation fanboy i am, Wii will win the marketshare battle in this generation)
Omega2k3 @ Jul 18th 2006 1:05PM
Every person who actually knows about the technology being put into the PS3 knows that the $500 or $600 tag is pretty fucking cheap for what you get.
That being said, I find it funny how that when Joystiq does it's normal PS3 daily bashing, people complain and complain, and then when they post something that is actually some good news, they STILL COMPLAIN.
Don't call me a Sony fanboy. I'm more like a game fanboy, or a technology fanboy. I like everything.
...I even had a small curiosity for N-Gage...
Exo @ Jul 18th 2006 1:13PM
"Wow you gotta love Nintendo fanboys. They try to explain away anything that might suggest that the Wii is not on top.
B-b-but that poll could be about anything.
People probably voted more than once.
That poll is only gauging interest.
If I phrased it correctly even I could get that response.
PATHETIC
Get over it. Nintendo pays enough for marketing. They don't need you!"
You mean like how PS3 fanboys cry everytime joystiq postrs more bad news about sony's decisions? Cause you really have no room to talk here
and the fact is, this is desired console. not what will actually be bought. Everyoen wants a plasma screen, but does that mean everyone is going to buy one?
Bub @ Jul 18th 2006 1:21PM
'More Desirous'? That is grammatically retarded. That would mean that the Wii possessed the ability to desire, and that it was more desirous of things than the PS3. What you MEANT to write was 'More Desired'. But that would have required you to be a writer. If you're posting publically, at least have the decency to know how to write a sentence.
J B Cougar @ Jul 18th 2006 1:21PM
"B-b-but that poll could be about anything.
People probably voted more than once.
That poll is only gauging interest.
If I phrased it correctly even I could get that response."
When all else fails and you crave attention, just make shit up, right? Who in this thread said they supported the survey, and not Nintendo? Who said they supported Nintendo, and not the survey? Again, just make shit up and throw in a "fanboy" reference whenever you feel like it!
And Clint... poor misguided Clint. Price is equated to popularity? iPod is popular, because it is expensive? Are you your own grandpa?
Did the 3DO become a riveting success then? Did CD-i take hold of gamers' balls and not let go until every penny was spent on its groundbreaking software? No, things are expensive because of high demand, not the other way around. That's how it has ALWAYS worked. Things that are expensive with no demand fail, period. Sony is coming in backwards, demanding that we pay a high price BEFORE the real demand has materialized. It's arrogance.