Pachter: Wii wins March, PS3 outsells Xbox 360

by Alexander Sliwinski { Apr 15th 2008 at 2:30PM }

With the NPD numbers expected this week, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter blessed the plebs with his predictions for the March retail numbers. GameDaily transcribed the word of Pachter, in which he fortells of sales being up 47% from $579 million to $850 million. He expects software sales were driven by some game called Super Smash Bros. Brawl, along with Army of Two, Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and MLB 2008.

Pachter believes the Wii and DS each sold 700K units in March and that Nintendo had diverted for a while a significant portion of its Wii supply to Europe -- due to the weakening dollar making sales less profitable -- but believes supply has hit demand in Europe and the US can expect more units soon. He also predicts sales of around 365K for the PS3 and 310K for the Xbox 360. He also notes given the US' current economic situation that the game industry appears to be "recession-resistant" so far.

Tags: march, microsoft, nintendo, npd, pachter, retail, sales, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 15th 2008 2:37PM

What will MS excuse be this time?

baby sea tuna @ Apr 15th 2008 2:45PM

Curmeo down...you're next buddy.

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 15th 2008 2:48PM

I think my question is a VALID one. MS are the ones who have used "supply issues" as an excuse for being outsold by a more expensive system that has yet to release even ONE of the franchises that the PS brand is known for.

Again I ask, what will Microsoft use as an excuse this month?

el serpiente @ Apr 15th 2008 2:50PM

Get off his jock BST. You're embarrasing yourself.

copa @ Apr 15th 2008 3:01PM

I think their excuse will be 'supply shortages'.

And if you try to point out to them that Amazon has had plenty of XBox 360s in stock available for one-click purchase, but that they have still been trailing Wii and PS3 in sales over the last few weeks, they will simply...

OH MY GOD, LOOK OVER THERE! GTA 4 IS COMING OUT ON APRIL 29th. EXCLUSIVE DLC!

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 15th 2008 3:32PM

I think their excuse is something in between the lines of: "Duh, A shit load of people already own 360's so the demand is a lot smaller.Oh and ordinary people can finally afford a PS3 too."

FrankTheCrank @ Apr 15th 2008 3:36PM

But...but...GTAIV exclusive DLC.
But...but...XBL.
But...but...downloadable movies, who needs Bluray.

But, but...Haloz, GOW.

But, but...is this thing on? tap..tap.

Tim The Enchanter @ Apr 15th 2008 3:39PM

Also: supply shortages have been used by other parties before...

Benny @ Apr 15th 2008 3:46PM

I think the more pressing issue in all of this is that Krazy Ken got a comment voted up.

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 15th 2008 3:50PM

Killjebus:

So what? Windows OS'es always freeze during any kind trade show displays but they're still the best thing out there.

And unless MS bothers to release actual data on RROD, we'll always have Sony Fanboys claiming that "Teh Failz rate iz 340%!!1"

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 15th 2008 3:51PM

Wrong reply, -1 the other comment.

Kujel @ Apr 15th 2008 2:39PM

So everyone who has a game console(360) is now buying a BlueRay player(BS3), and they probably bought the kids a toy(Wii)as well.

el serpiente @ Apr 15th 2008 2:51PM

Everyone whose game system failed (360) is deciding to get a real system (PS3). They also need something to keep the door open (wii).

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 15th 2008 2:57PM

el serpiente,

You KayRack me up dude. What is your PSN ID? I will add you or you add me if you wish.

Kujel @ Apr 15th 2008 3:08PM

If 360 fail so much why am I still running a launch 360, hmmm? I'd buy a BS3 if it weren't a Sony machine and had so really games. Wii's alright but I'm still waiting for more then Metroid Prime 3, Twilight Princess, Battalion Wars2, DAH Big Willy Unleashed, RE4, and Okomi Wii to make it more playable.
Kouheikun you are totally correct, just be careful not to buy any shit machines(BS3 or Gaming PC), I've got all I need with my Wii60.

Phranctoast @ Apr 15th 2008 3:17PM

"If 360 fail so much why am I still running a launch 360"

Because, you are one of the very lucky 60%.

"No games" argument was getting old last year. Try again.......

Kujel @ Apr 15th 2008 3:28PM

Name one game that comes close to the 360's top 3 exclusives (and aren't multi-platform), FF, MGS, grand turismo, and previously released titles don't count (they already failed). Oh and I must be one of the 99% lucky ones, I bet 95% of the online claims of failing 360s are BS3 supporters.

ymmv @ Apr 15th 2008 3:31PM

"If 360 fail so much why am I still running a launch 360"

Kujef, your launch 360 will bite the dust one of these days. After going strong for almost 2 1/2 years I really thought my launch 360 was one of the lucky ones that would survive. I should have known better. It RRORd two days ago, I'm now waiting for my coffin from MS. The good thing is that it expired within the 3 year warranty period for RROD failures.

If your 360 is not a Falcon, it will RROD. There's no way around it.

I'm glad I got a PS3 so I can keep gaming while my 360 is gone.

Jouten @ Apr 15th 2008 3:34PM

I'm one of the 60% (thank the G-dude upstairs)...

Kujel @ Apr 15th 2008 3:34PM

ymmv you're probably one of those damn console abusers, I hate people who don't respect the ONE TRUE MEDIUM.

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 15th 2008 3:38PM

If I remember correctly PS2's DVD Drive would die after 18 months of extensive use.And Sony didn't provide any kind of support.You could you please stfu about RROD? It's not like PlayStations are flawless.

PS:I'm not even going to start on Melting Slimlines because I'm not sure if it isn't just a rumour.

FrankTheCrank @ Apr 15th 2008 3:39PM

the "coffin". That cracks me up.

Coffin 360, cue the swooshy graphics.

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 15th 2008 3:40PM

JackASS Thompson,

If the majority of RROD's (as you say are from abusers) how do you explain that nearly EVERY SINGLE BLOGGER be it here or Kotaku or IGN or Destructoid have had the RROD?

Not to mention the last TWO trade shows MS's display 360's got the RROD.

Humor me please.

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 15th 2008 3:52PM

Killjebus:

So what? Windows OS'es always freeze during any kind of trade show displays but they're still the best thing out there.

And unless MS bothers to release actual data on RROD, we'll always have Sony Fanboys claiming that "Teh Failz rate iz 340%!!1"

Phranctoast @ Apr 15th 2008 3:57PM

"Name one game that comes close to the 360's top 3 exclusives (and aren't multi-platform), FF, MGS, grand turismo, and previously released titles don't count (they already failed). Oh and I must be one of the 99% lucky ones, I bet 95% of the online claims of failing 360s are BS3 supporters."

@Kujel.

Let me see if I understand what you wrote. You want me to name a game that "comes close" to the top 3 360 exclusives, but I cant name future games (MGS, FF) and I cant name past games since, according to you they already failed. So if I'm allowed a pallet of no games, I guess your argument is correct.

So the 360 has a RROD fail rate of only 5%? Please don't piss in my ear and tell me its raining.

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 15th 2008 4:00PM

@ Phranctoast

A PS3 fanboy quoting a character from a 360 Exclusive Game.Oh Snap...what an irony...

Alex @ Apr 15th 2008 4:16PM

I'm thinking that th BS3 was a deliberat 'typo'?
If it was, it needs to be called the POS3. I'll let you work it out.

el serpiente @ Apr 15th 2008 6:12PM

"So what? Windows OS'es always freeze during any kind of trade show displays but they're still the best thing out there."

You might be the worst advocate the xbox 360 ever had...

deaftly @ Apr 16th 2008 11:32AM

I have a 360 from Feb of 2006, never had a problem with it. Of course now that ive said that its going to rrod when i get home. thanks alot jerks.

Donald @ Apr 15th 2008 2:39PM

Obligatory request for the "IT PRINTS MONEY!!" macro, Wii version.

coast19 @ Apr 15th 2008 2:39PM

LMAO at the McDuck bank. It's been a long time since I've seen that building.

FOXHOUND @ Apr 15th 2008 2:50PM

You think that's wild? Look up the live action "DuckTales" intro on YouTube. Eff'd up stuff there. x_X

Obie @ Apr 15th 2008 3:27PM

Foxhound, why did you make me watch a video of a dude in a duck custume with jumper cables?

I need a drink now.

FOXHOUND @ Apr 15th 2008 3:41PM

The fact that Scrooge was behind it all doesn't phase you as well? LoL

Getting on topic of the article -- has anyone been to a store where the Wii console is readily available on shelves? Not to ego-boost Nintendo or anything, but they're still a hard-to-find-item. :\

Kye - Joystiq Greybeard @ Apr 15th 2008 8:00PM

Obie gimme that bottle!

Disturbing, so so disturbing.

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 15th 2008 9:10PM

BANK? Don't you mean vault? I doubt that money ever leaves that building.

Kouheikun @ Apr 15th 2008 2:41PM

Uh oh, here comes the Sony/MS fanboy squabbling ...

... while the Nintendo fanboys sit back with a smug smile on their faces.

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 15th 2008 2:46PM

In my opinion, your precious WSM is competing with the PS2.

The 360 and the PS3 are similar in power with PS3 having more muscle under the hood, but software sells systems so power BETWEEN the 360 and PS3 is irrelevant. (for now)

The PS2, PSP, and WSM are similar in power, other than the waxon waxoff aspect of the WSM remote, there is very little difference except for the fact that the PS2 has a MUCH bigger and infinitely more diverse game library.

How smug will you be if all you have is a WSM (if you dont then disregard) while us 360 and PS3 owners are playing GTA4....hhhmmmn?

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 15th 2008 2:48PM

And you wonder why people compare you to Fernando.

religiousjedi @ Apr 15th 2008 2:49PM

How Ken? Well...I'm not smug in the first place...and GTA4? Well...congratulations on another good game, but I got bored with GTA a long time ago...

Kouheikun @ Apr 15th 2008 2:55PM

How smug will you be if all you have is a WSM

The trick is to own more than one system. Multi-console gamers are the real winners.

PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!) @ Apr 15th 2008 2:57PM

lol who are you kidding, the Nintendo guys will find a way to get in it somehow. this thread will be all out war in a few hours. a simple glance at the first 2 post will tell you that the bait has been set, now we wait lol.

im gettin out before the air-strike hits.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Apr 15th 2008 2:58PM

exactly. I don't need my Wii to have the same damn games found on the 360 or a ps3. That's why I have a 360 for. To play all of the standard games. When I get a Wii, it will mostly be for the more quirky titles, and backwards compatibility.

WiiSports Machine...Fernandos in disguise PSN: Killjebus @ Apr 15th 2008 3:00PM

"The trick is to own more than one system."

I agree, hence the disregard comment. I might eventually get a WSM (for my kids) but not until it costs what it's worth to me....$100

Unless the rumors from the latest GI are true and that Sony is working on their own Wagglemote.