Bloomberg: Wii/PS3 gap continues to widen in Japan
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jun 4th 2007 at 12:31PM }
If you are a loyal follower of our weekly Japanese sales numbers then this will come as no shock to you, but for the rest of you ... well, it probably won't come as much of a shock either. Bloomberg.com put the Japanese sales data together for the month of May (expect the North American NPD data in a couple weeks) and found the Wii outsold the PS3 4:1. That's according to Bloomberg. NextGen reports a 5:1 gap and it's 6:1 if we add up our Japanese sales data. Typically the devil is in the details, but in this case the margin is wide no matter how it's spun.For the Sony fanboys, there is a silver lining, at least the "true hardware competitor" Xbox 360 only sold 11K, so the PS3 beat that 4:1 or 5:1, depending on who's counting at the time. Of course, the Nintendo DS destroyed everyone with sales of 620,000 units. The PSP sold 123,673. If the Japanese figures foreshadow what NPD is going to tell us in a couple weeks, expect for more calls of a PS3 price-drop along with the requisite gloom and doom. At least HMV thinks the PS3 is selling properly.
[Via NextGen]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Walking Contradiction @ Jun 4th 2007 12:39PM
Well of course. You don't compare sells between a Honda Civic and a Dodge Viper. They are in different categories. The same goes for the PS3 and Wii.
Wii is $250. For the casuals. They are the majority.
PS3 is $600. For the hardcore. They are the minority.
You cannot compare them.
Kye @ Jun 4th 2007 12:42PM
*His eyes widen in disbelief at the same time as his mouth drops as he sees whats in-coming on the radar. He lits the bed red button on the wall*
NDF ASSEMBLE! INCOMING FANBOY ATTACKS.
Type: Angry Sony fanboys. Disgruntled MS fanboys not far behind.
EARTH!
Walking Contradiction @ Jun 4th 2007 12:42PM
That pic made me hungry.
DarthDavid @ Jun 4th 2007 12:43PM
"Selling like hotcakes" should now be changed to "selling like Wiis" I mean the Wii just keeps on selling and selling and selling.....and now with Sony's Blu-Ray player selling for cheaper than the PS3....Sony may have no choice.....there're really getting left behind. =(
Kye @ Jun 4th 2007 12:44PM
Nooo... too late, we've suffered an early sneak attack!
Where's the damned Nintentron Force?
p.s. If I had to spend my own money, I'd get the Civic Type R. And have you never heard of "majority rules?"
Grog @ Jun 4th 2007 12:44PM
It was perfectly legitimate to compare them up until the Wii started outselling the PS3... If I recall, Sony set the same sales goals as Nintendo, and the Sony fanboys all thought they'd have another 100 million seller.
So is that no longer true?
The VF @ Jun 4th 2007 12:45PM
@1 - QUOTE: "Well of course. You don't compare sells between a Honda Civic and a Dodge Viper. They are in different categories. The same goes for the PS3 and Wii."
Actually, you analogy makes no sense - since when people buy a car - that is end of their purchase - the company makes money off the car. In the case with consoles you need the game makers to make games for your system. More games will be made for the system with more units out in the market.
So in this case - sales do matter.
Walking Contradiction @ Jun 4th 2007 12:50PM
The VF
The systems are meant for different consumers. These big business types knew that when they put a Bluray player in the PS3 a made it $600. Same for Nintendo. $250 for old technology.
If would be fair to compare the Wii to those $2 games that come with a Happy Meal. They sell more because they are cheap.
Aex @ Jun 4th 2007 12:52PM
My comment now comes with added engrish frare!
Oh Noez!!! Doom and Groom for Sony, Doom and Groom.
Seriously though, Nintendo's best idea ever, not selling thier console for $600.
vidGuy @ Jun 4th 2007 12:53PM
Walking Contradiction, last I knew Halo 2 outsold Burger King's games, so...
Slvrgun @ Jun 4th 2007 12:53PM
I could care less how well the Wii sales: it doesn't appeal to me Hardware or Software wise. And I'm not making any money everytime a Wii sales. For my casual-hardcore fix, I'll just stick to 360DS. The DS and 360 are much more fun than the Wii, and they have better games. I just picked up Kirby Canvas Curse with Space Invaders for $16 off of Ebay. Good deal!
The VF @ Jun 4th 2007 12:55PM
@8- QUOTE: "The systems are meant for different consumers. These big business types knew that when they put a Bluray player in the PS3 a made it $600. Same for Nintendo. $250 for old technology."
A better analogy than the car one that you gave would be the Gameboy versus the GameGear and other hi-tech hand helds that came out around that time. The Gameboy was old technology and the more expensive "hardcore" units sold more......
oh wait, that's not what happened.
Kye @ Jun 4th 2007 12:56PM
When talking about price, you must look at percieved value for money, more than bottom line price.
Consumers obviously think they are getting better value for money with the Wii.
I would go so far as to say the Wii would still outsell the PS3 even if the PS3 had a huge price drop.
Ofcourse if you limited funds then bottom line does come into play. So Nintendo still wins by being overall less expensive.
JodyAnthony @ Jun 4th 2007 12:57PM
mmm, hotcakes
cartman80 @ Jun 4th 2007 12:58PM
I've become numb to all these DS sales figures. It's like road bombs in Iraq.
600K? nope, not impressive, not for Japan, not anymore
Wake me up when Nintendo sells 250 Million DS's in ONE WEEK (2 for every single Japanese citizen, including babies and retirees). THAT will be news.
jay @ Jun 4th 2007 12:59PM
LOL at PS3.
So Sony fans. We were told to wait until Xmas before the PS3 would overtake the Wii, then told to wait 3 months, then told to wait for Virtual Fighter and that F1 game... When should we wait for now? Just I've got iCal open.
Back to my DS...
sheppy @ Jun 4th 2007 12:59PM
So... ummm, anyone have any clue my MS didn't sell the CE of Forza 2 in the states but yet it's in Canada? Should I just buy Canadian? Will it work on my system? If I wire a hamster to a small electric chair,w ill he catch fire? Which came first? Chloesteral or Drew Carry? Why do monkeys always seem to throw their feces and yet tinkle wars are a taboo in primate society? How many chucks could a woodchuck devour if that woodchunk was an undead beast?
rahnyc4 @ Jun 4th 2007 1:02PM
"11. I could care less how well the Wii sales: it doesn't appeal to me Hardware or Software wise. And I'm not making any money everytime a Wii sales. For my casual-hardcore fix, I'll just stick to 360DS. The DS and 360 are much more fun than the Wii, and they have better games. I just picked up Kirby Canvas Curse with Space Invaders for $16 off of Ebay. Good deal!
Posted at 12:53PM on Jun 4th 2007 by Slvrgun"
so what are you gonna do when the wii start getting special games like the DS? are you gonna cave in and finally get a wii? cause, thats whats going to happen. the wii is going to get games, thats only for the system, thats going to be most wanted. its going to be hard to pass it up. you can pass it up right now, thats understandable, but later on.....
The VF @ Jun 4th 2007 1:00PM
I think Walking Contradiction is going to use the failure of the Edsel to make more references to video games - watch him/her go!
jay @ Jun 4th 2007 1:01PM
I'm sorry. I'll buy a PS3 as soon as theres a VGA option or until I update my TV. But it still isn't going to be the greatest machine in the 4D universe.
paralipsis @ Jun 4th 2007 1:02PM
Extending these car analogies a bit further. If Sony considered the PS3 to be the 'performance model', where is their 'mainstream model'? The idea that they would only want to sell to hardcore gamers is ludicrous. It would be like one of the major motor vehicles choosing to sell only high-performance cars. It would kill their market share and ruin the company.
The VF @ Jun 4th 2007 1:04PM
But paralipsis, all you have to do is look at the history of the Gremlin to see where this video game market is headed. It's so black and white.
Kye @ Jun 4th 2007 1:04PM
Quick, Sheppy, JodyAnthony, use your rings and shout "FIRE & WATER" respectively!
We need Rubang for Wiind and someone else for HEART.
Matt B @ Jun 4th 2007 1:04PM
Cheaper doesn't always mean better.
As far as perceived value goes, who thinks that paying more for something worth a lot less is value?
Slvrgun @ Jun 4th 2007 1:06PM
"More games will be made for the system with more units out in the market." - The VF
But how many of those games will be actual quality titles? Developers may decide to throw something together, and cash in on the casual audiences love of the Wiimote. Hell, I'd do it to. If it cost $1000 to make my game, in this case, Stick and Ballz, and it didn't take much work or effort, and I add some decent controls that make you feel like you're doing something special, then sell it to the casuals for $35. If I sell over 30 then I'll see profit, but I'm guarenteed to sell at least 200 copies. Then when I'm done with that me and my staff will attend to our love, Southern Cross, which utilizes the lastest hardware, and pushes sound and graphics and gameplay to the max, and my ability to create an artistic representation of my ideas without being bogged down by old ass hardware.
Sticks and Ballz would be my guarenteed money maker. But Southern Cross would be my *Baby*, it would be a risk worth taking in order to convey what I always dreamed of but was limited to achieving because of technology.
Of course this is all example.
Aex @ Jun 4th 2007 1:10PM
@Slvrgun
Developers using the Wii to make money to spend making a game on the Xbox360/PS3 just doesn't seem like a likely situation for some reason. I could see it happening in a case or two, but I think more often than not the developers will just pocket the profit tho.
JodyAnthony @ Jun 4th 2007 1:10PM
video games suck.
vidGuy @ Jun 4th 2007 1:11PM
"how many of those games will be actual quality titles"
We could easily ask that of the PS2.
Honestly, I'm glad that the Wii is selling like crazy only because that means more support. Even if only 10% of the games released for the console are worth purchasing, 10% of a bigger library is still more games worth purchasing.
Also, I'm glad that the PS3 is doing poorly because 1) It's from Sony and 2) Less support for the PS3 means it loses exclusives to the other consoles, both of which I own. Therefore, the worse the PS3 does, the more likely I will be able to play the franchises I bought my PS2 for: Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, and Guitar Hero. GH is already being moved and seriously, FF and MGS can't be far away.
Jonathan Tran @ Jun 4th 2007 1:12PM
took me a while to figure out the picture
"The Wii is selling like hotcakes"?
Kye @ Jun 4th 2007 1:15PM
Here here @ vidguy...
I can't wait for ridge racer and grand tourismo to slip and fall.
*rubs hands together evily*
cc123 @ Jun 4th 2007 1:19PM
More of an eggs and bacon man myself.
Pancakes don't do it for me.
sheppy @ Jun 4th 2007 1:23PM
"Also, I'm glad that the PS3 is doing poorly because 1) It's from Sony and 2) Less support for the PS3 means it loses exclusives to the other consoles, both of which I own."
Okay, before I tell you to just die, keep this in mind. I'm tired of buying console games with the attitude of "who cares if it's broken, we'll patch it." And seriously, I have 28 360 games. 28. ALL 28 HAVE NEEDED PATCHING! Meanwhile, I have 8 PS3 games. Non have had patches that fix issues, merely add features. When the only thing I could do on Emergence Day was download a wallpaper because of the connection bug, that's a goddam tragedy. And frankly, defend it however you think you can. A broken game is a broken game. And if Wii with it's gimmicky controls shoehorned into games that don't need it (rented Mortal Kombat, and I was reminded of the scene in Venture Brothers where Brock says "You don't know what that means, do you? You're just having fun with your hands") and every game release getting huge game crashing bugs or worse yet, console killing bugs, then you'll forgive me as I root for the underdog.
I love my Wii and I love my 360. But certain things do need to be fixed and having Sony in the market is pushing that issue. Wishing them death is like saying "Absolutely, I love monopolies and the industry never moving forward because, seriously, what choice do I even have?" So now I'll tell you, you can just die.
Oh yes... and FIRE!
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 4th 2007 1:24PM
The history is repeating... is exactly the same, like the PSP vs the DS at the begining.
Sorry PS3 Fanboys... you have to learn to be good losers. Sooner or later, you guys will have a Wii.
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 4th 2007 1:24PM
@Kye
I want to be Earth!
Slvrgun @ Jun 4th 2007 1:24PM
@ Aex
I never said they were using the money from the Wii to make PS3 and Xbox 360 games (by the way I truly hate the PS3). I am saying this from an artistic perspective. If I were a developer I'd just "throw something together" for the Wii just because I know it would sell like hotcakes. But my true love wouldn't be a Wii game. It would be the console that gives me the greatest ability to express myself. Example: highly artistic and stylized games like Nights couldn't have been done on the Sega Genesis, nor could Shadow of the Colossus been done on the Playstation, nor could Mario 64 be done on the SNES, Jetgrind Radio on the Saturn, Okami on PSone. Do you see what I am getting at.
Prof_Chaos @ Jun 4th 2007 1:25PM
"But how many of those games will be actual quality titles? Developers may decide to throw something together, and cash in on the casual audiences love of the Wiimote...."
Doesn't matter. Every generation the one constant has been that the system with the most games sells best. There will be bad games, there will be terrible games (likely licensed ones) but there will also be quite a few gems. The thing is the reason those crappy licensed games and cheap, short usually bad games are made is because they sell just enough to make a profit. The more variety a system has the more it will sell. It's a lot to ask a company to invest the kind of money it takes to build a PS3 game that isn't a proven license or variation of a proven theme. Games that are a gamble (Eternal Darkness, Rabbids, etc..) are not going to see release on PS3. Certainly not until the have a userbase big enough that they can still turn a profit if they can only reach 10% of it.
megaStryke @ Jun 4th 2007 1:28PM
@Slvrgun
It is not feasible to fund a massive multimillion project that you have described with cheap-ass throwaway titles that cost less to make than the TV set you play them on. Even less feasible is trying to push the latest hardware because, lo and behold, technology is constantly changing and what is cutting-edge today is obsolete trash tomorrow. Wanna know more about that? Ask those folks down at 3D Realms about whether or not Duke Nukem Forever has escaped development hell yet. That project has been around so long that they've literally had to scrap it and start anew because better engines had appeared. Guess what? The PS3 and the 360 are no longer cutting edge. Ask the folks at Crytek about the kind of stuff that DirectX 10 allows them to do. By the time Crysis hits the market, another project will have already been begun that will put it too shame.
If you continue to let the allure of "Ooooh! Add that! Oooooh! And that! That looks fantastic! Is that new? Throw that in there!" get to you, you're going to find that your labor will snowball out of control. If it happens to fail, the fall will be exponentially brutal. Even if you did pull it off, your claim to utilizing the latest and greatest technology will be extremely short-lived.
That being said, it's not that you should completely ignore new advances in hardware. If you can, go for it. But while YOUR vision may require the latest CURRENT hardware, some people's vision may only require LAST year's hardware, or the hardware from the year before. Don't discredit those people.
vidGuy @ Jun 4th 2007 1:29PM
Kye, what's the deal with Ridge Racer? RR6 is on the 360, but RR7 is exclusive to the PS3? Although I guess without exclusivity we wouldn't have had all that RIDGE RACER! nonsense.
I'm not much for the series myself, I'd prefer Gran Turismo... although I'm not much interested in the "gouge-my-pocketbook-again" formula they look to be focused on.
I'm trying to think what other PS2 exclusives would be desirable on the Wii and 360 but I can't come up with a whole lot. I mean, I enjoyed Jak, Ratchet, GTA, DMC, and others as much as most people but they have either been done to death (and have therefore lost some of their flavor) or have already moved to other systems.
gabe @ Jun 4th 2007 4:27PM
my bad. i usually read all the post but i can't put my DS down.
hvnlysoldr @ Jun 4th 2007 1:31PM
Wind. Love hotcakes though I prefer cooking eggs and grits more. At anytime of the day.
Kye @ Jun 4th 2007 1:32PM
Fernando... I believe you are the Blue Lion in Nintentron.
Do you wish to renounce this privelidge?
I would have no problem in trading, but you see, I'm already the Red lion in Nintentron, and I possess the EARTH ring that Forms Captain Ninty. Trading a rion for a second lion is not sensible.
We do have the HEART ring if you wish.
Sincerely
Kye
generaldane @ Jun 4th 2007 1:34PM
judging by that pic i think its implying that hotcakes is selling like the wii.
Raikage @ Jun 4th 2007 1:34PM
I want a green mullet!!!
I think the PS3 is just too much money. It doesn't matter if it has amazing games or the best hardware etc. I think the Wii is going to continue to have amazing sales. This does not mean the PS3 "iz teh suxxorz" or the Wii "Pwnz teh n00bz lolooooollollllloolollolo" I think both can have amazing games and be a great consoles.
Anyway....
HEART!
Fernando Rocker @ Jun 4th 2007 1:36PM
@kye
So... who are the official members of the NDF??
generaldane @ Jun 4th 2007 1:36PM
oh and sony sucks because Jack/Walking likes it
generaldane @ Jun 4th 2007 1:37PM
@Fernado hey i wanna be amemeber what do i have to do to join? Kill a first born?
generaldane @ Jun 4th 2007 1:37PM
member goddammit
Gausser @ Jun 4th 2007 1:39PM
"As far as perceived value goes, who thinks that paying more for something worth a lot less is value?"
@Matt B
Value is different for everyone. You think the PS3 is a better value because it is more high tech and has blu-ray. For me, those things don't have value. I wouldn't play the games because, so far, they don't interest me. I feel blu-ray is being pushed on the consumer before we need it. Therefore if I bought a PS3, it would be a huge paper weight.
On the other hand, the Wii is a better value for me. I love downloading VC games. It's awesome having games from so many consoles in on place. I have many Gamecube games and being 100% compatible with them is nice. Plus there have been some great Wii games and more are on the way. It's great when friends visit too.
For me. the Wii is a better value than the PS3.
Cheez-It @ Jun 4th 2007 1:39PM
Why does one system have to be "better" than another?
For every gamer (and non-gamer) out there, there is an ideal gaming platform. None is inherently the best.
Also, the idea that the 360 and PS3 are better for "hardcore" gamers is ludicrous. A better way to phrase this would be to say that all three systems could be enjoyed by hardcore gamers, and that the Wii is also enjoyed by the casual market (the other two as well, but given the entry-price, there are fewer casual gamers picking these systems up).
Kye @ Jun 4th 2007 1:40PM
Vidguy
Forgive my ignorance. I really don't follow what games are on the 360 as I don't have one...YET. I like GT, but i still like RR as well.
I hope to see Street Fighter on the Wii as it really hurt that it never realy made it to the N64 or GC, and I'm a big SF fan.
Fernando,
You could trade Jody Anthony's WATER for the HEART ring. There are still places open for the Thunder-Nintendo-Cats defence team if your interested. Or G.I. NintenJoe?