According to EnterBrain, Sony outsold both the Xbox 360 and Wii in Japan last month thanks to two key titles from Sega and Capcom. Rua Ga Gotoku 3 aka Yakuza and Resident Evil 5 finished first and second in software sales which led to increased overall hardware sales for the PlayStation 3. To be exact – Sony sold 146,948 PS3s compared to 99,335 Wiis and 43,172 Xbox 360s.
Despite what Sony says – this is going to be a make or break year for the console. Not that Sony will fold the business, that’s not what I mean. It’s been out for a little over two years and it’s still lagging behind the Wii and Xbox 360. The marketing for PS3 exclusives just aren’t “in your face” like they are for Xbox 360 titles. Do you remember the marketing blitz for Halo 3 and Gears of War 2?
As fun as the Ratchet and Clank series is, let’s face it, it won’t be boosting sales of the console to number one. inFamous shows promise as well as Fat Princess, but let’s hope they can hold over the PS3 until God of War III launches in Q4. And who knows when Gran Turismo 5, Yakuza 3, or FF XIII will rear their heads.
It looks to be a good year for the console, but the Xbox 360 is looking strong with a bevy of exclusives. The Wii will continue to dominate this year as well.
via Reuters
Well, if you look at the PS3 as a console with a limited lifespan (like the Wii and 360), then yes, you’d be correct, this would be a make or break year. However, considering it’s in the beginning of it’s 3rd year. Out of at LEAST 10. It’s really only just starting it’s run.
Disregard fools like this Sony, concentrate on your 1st Party devs…they’re the ones that set you apart from the other consoles. 3rd party studios are a waste of time.
Morne
I think you’re missing the point here, Morne. If Sony doesn’t secure more exclusive titles and beef up their online services it won’t attract publishers or gamers to pick up the console. Yes, this is their third year and they should be doing much better than they are. If Sony dropped a bit of coin on marketing for games like Killzone 2 or God of War III like Microsoft did with Halo or Gears of War – I guarantee Sony would be in a better place.
I think in the long run (5-8 years), the PS3 will end up being the better console and providing more value for people than the Wii.
The Wii is a nice toy, but the PS3 is more powerful, with better graphics by a factor of 10 or so, and combines that with a Blu-Ray player too.
This battle got old last year. I own every console and to be honest I play my PS3 more than any other console. I gave my 360 to my younger brother but even if I had it I wouldnt play it thats what I have my PC for.
Big Deal!
(Almost everyone over there already has a wii!)
if they made the system easier to crack so pirate game could be played on the ps3, they would sell more. xbox and wii are both able to play cracked games.
I think that the Wii is the best system. It is alot cheaper and the games are cheaper too. I’m a big nintendo fan.
Good to see PS3 sales picking up. It’ll be interesting to see these numbers when Final Fantasy XII hits.