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VIDEO GAMES

Wii, PS3, Xbox 360: Where they stand

By Todd Bishop on November 16, 2008 at 3:02 PM PST
Comments (26)  |  Permalink

Video games | PlayStation 3 | Wii | Xbox 360 | MSFT

Competition in the video-game console market remains intense as the Big Three console makers head into the critical holiday shopping season. Well, at least the competition is intense for the No. 2 spot.

Nintendo's Wii console remains the market-share leader, by a sizable margin, but Microsoft's Xbox 360 price cuts have recently vaulted it back in front of Sony's PlayStation 3 in the monthly U.S. unit sales data from the NPD Group market research firm. The graphic above charts out the monthly data through October, showing the Xbox 360's recent surge.

Cumulatively so far this year, the NPD numbers show the Xbox 360 barely edging out the PS3 in U.S. unit sales. Each has sold more than 2.4 million consoles in the first 10 months of the year. That compares with nearly 6 million for Nintendo so far this year in the U.S.

Microsoft on Wednesday will try to build on its online momentum with the release of its overhauled Xbox Live interface, known as the New Xbox Experience or NXE.

Overall, in its competition with the PS3, the Xbox 360 continues to benefit from its year-long head start in the current console generation. The chart below shows cumulative U.S. unit sales, the measure better known in the industry as installed base. The Wii is ahead in this measure, as well, but the Xbox 360 is maintaining a sizable lead over the PS3.


Video games have so far performed relatively well despite the turmoil in the broader U.S. economy. If you're planning to buy a new console for the holidays, which one are you leaning toward? If you've already bought a Wii, PS3 or Xbox 360, are you satisfied with what you got? Which online experience will be better: the Xbox 360's NXE or the PlayStation Home? Offer your thoughts in the comments below.


1
Tom said:

on November 16, 2008 at 4:46 PM

Unless Sony cuts the price of the PS3, it's going to be an Xbox 360 under the Christmas tree this year.
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2
JT said:

on November 16, 2008 at 4:56 PM

Sony needs an another price cut for me to run to the store and buy it other then that im not wasting my gas....
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3
PRG said:

on November 16, 2008 at 4:58 PM

Right now I am looking at the xbox but if the ps3 was a hundred cheaper I would get it. $300 is my limit for a console.
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4
CCM said:

on November 16, 2008 at 5:23 PM

Why would anyone buy an Xbox 360? It is guaranteed to break within a year and then take at least a month to be fixed/replaced by MS. Even the new Elite models are still worthless junk once the inevitable Red Ring of Death occurs. MS has made no effort to resolve the problem and stupid people keep buying a junk system. Buy PS3 if only for Blu Ray technology or if you can find a Wii.
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5
Ezee T said:

on November 16, 2008 at 5:34 PM

My problem with the Wii domination is that it just isn't moving in the same direction as the rest of the gaming industry. Whilst both Sony & Microsoft are pushing the boundaries of next-gen tech, Nintendo are happy with the status-quo and people are buying into it. Graphically games on PS3 and Xbox360 are way ahead of the Wii, the number of titles coming out for them are also much higher than the Wii. Seriously the quicker people get bored with the Wii the better the rest of the industry but if it happens that either Sony or Microsoft concede defeat and move on then the gaming industry wiill die.
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6
G Force said:

on November 16, 2008 at 5:40 PM

Owned the original XBox. First one broke out of the box and the second one died a year later. Ended up buying a used one on ebay to play my existing library of XBox games.

When it came to the next gen console, however, I went straight for the Wii. Apart from the lack of "grown up" games, the Wii is perfect and I'm definitely developing a knack for buying Microsoft-alternatives. Linux, here I come!
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7
Wii4Me said:

on November 16, 2008 at 5:41 PM

We're buying a Wii. Better and more varied games. The other two consoles just seem to be full of the same old games, updated with more eye candy.

Of course, my needs as a late 30s gamer who now has a family of his own are probably different than the teeny bop crowd. As a family entertainment system, the Wii is superior in every way that matters. There's a ton of us 30 somethings who came up on video games who have started families, we're going to be driving Wii sales hardcore.
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8
Marco said:

on November 16, 2008 at 5:46 PM

Graphics doesn't matter. It's the game play that matters. That is why the Wii is leading. It has some great games, but if more good games don't start coming out soon then it will start to fall behind. The 360 is the best option for online play (except perhaps a PC). Finally, if you are obsessed with Blue-ray, then the PS3 is the best BR player out there.
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9
Funny Spin said:

on November 16, 2008 at 5:52 PM

Worldwide Sales rather than U.S.-only Sales show a vastly different result.

360 is really nowhere near Wii.

Nice try, Microsoft.
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10
Patty said:

on November 16, 2008 at 5:59 PM

The 360 was the best machine from the beginning. The graphics are way ahead of the Wii and the games for the 360 are just incredible. Maybe that Nintendos marketing is very clever and works with housewives but this is just a different direction.
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11
GHA said:

on November 16, 2008 at 6:09 PM

Basically the Wii is a cheap piece of outdated hardware from 2003 with a gimmicky controller. It is fun for a while but then you go back to your 360.
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12
Daniel Sullivan said:

on November 16, 2008 at 6:23 PM

PS3 is the best console out there, and can only get better. I'll admit the Xbox 360 is good, but they break too easily (RRoD) and have reached their technical peak. and are loud. and ugly but thats just opinion.

Another thing, I live in the UK, and I don't know why people complain about spending $400 on a PS3 when there £300 (around $600) in the UK. There a bargain!
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13
Nathan said:

on November 16, 2008 at 6:31 PM

I remember buying the Wii thinking that since they sold a bunch of units, surely somebody could come along and make a nice action game for it. Unfortunately that never came to bear. Moral of the story, just buy the damn system that the game you want is on. Who cares about this feature / that feature. If you want the game, get that system.
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14
AGREE WITH NATHAN said:

on November 16, 2008 at 6:44 PM

I SECOND THAT
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15
Brandon said:

on November 16, 2008 at 6:57 PM

I own all three consoles, i play the 360 the most, i play my wii with friends and my ps3 sits there playing blu rays. The wii isnt fun online and the ps3 online service is anemic at best. I have 2 red rings of death and was pissed but still like it better then both the others
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16
Joe said:

on November 16, 2008 at 6:59 PM

No wonder why Nintendo is way ahead of the competition despite outdated graphics; they make the most reliable hardware. I have absolutely no intentions of ever purchasing a PS3 since the firmware 2.4 system crash scandal earlier this year. Unless Microsoft can fix the RRoD issue, then I have no choice but to go with the Wii. My original PS2 lasted seven years before its death, which was surprising. However, my old N64 console I had for about 12 years and endured one hurricane still works! I have played Zelda OoT on it without any problems. Now if Nintendo's next console will be Blu-Ray-based...
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17
Jordan said:

on November 16, 2008 at 7:17 PM

Now if Nintendo just had some games worth playing.

I'm convinced the only people buying it are soccer moms looking for the latest thing that's hard to find a la Tickle Me Elmo, Cabbage Patch Kids, Red Power Rangers, etc. It has nothing to do with games.
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18
Bill said:

on November 16, 2008 at 8:52 PM

Microsoft's reported numbers are ALWAYS suspect.

I hate lazy press people who cannot do the math. NPD does not have reliable numbers.

WII is outselling MS 2 to one and with a lot hight trajectory. MS's numbers are inflated by the fact that 20% of all owners end up having to replace their equipment.

BTW: WII is cheaper to run as well. Saves you as much as $1000 bucks if you are lazy like my kids and leave the unit on...
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19
Laura said:

on November 17, 2008 at 12:02 AM

i think the reason for the xbox 360 and ps3 not selling is that they both are just new versions of the old consoles. Im getting a wii but if u neva had xbox or ps2 u should get 360 or ps3
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20
Kurt said:

on November 17, 2008 at 2:47 AM

Aren't we all experts...

I have the Wii and love it. I'm a casual player, the multi-player games are fun as hell, and it's unique to control games in a different and fun way. I have no plans to buy a 360 or ps3 (360 maybe someday but no time soon). I'm pretty happy with the game selection thus far, I really only need a handful of games per console to keep me happy. I know the graphics aren't as great, but i'm totally happy with great game play and could easily spend hours on my NES or SNES, or even 2600.
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21
David said:

on November 17, 2008 at 9:33 AM

I've had a 60 gb PS3 for almost a year and half now and it has been nothing short of great. Three of my friends have purchased 360s and all of them have had rings of death. As for games it's a toss up. 360 has Halo and Gears of War, PS3 has Resistance and Little Big Planet (Both damn solid games IMO) Another nice bonus is that Blockbuster carries blu-rays through their online subscription :) I use it for watching movies about as much as I use it for playing games.
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22
Justin said:

on November 17, 2008 at 9:36 AM

It is all a matter of opinion.

360 is sweet right now cause I like Gears 2, but don't own one. I own a PS3 and would never change that; had it since launch. 2.4 was a load of BS when people call it a scandal. If you have a weak net connection don't update over wifi, simple as that. 2.5 has added a recovery feature so there is no need to send in your PS3 due to a software error. Since the hardware is reliable you have nothing to worry about like RRoD. Wii is a good system for non-hardcore gamers. There are alot of people who are new to games and have grabbed the Wii. I think it is great to have more gamers out there. Like someone mentioned above, if you like a game then get that system. They all have their share of great exclusives and features.

360 has good online (would be great if it was consistant). PS3 has good online as well (can;t say it is lacking anymore since I can get into a game of CoD faster on my ps3 than my buddies 360. The hiccup Sony has with online is the speed in which they install servers to handle new games like R2 and LBP, both of which work just fine now.

In short (or long I guess ;) Get the console which attracts you most after weighing out the pros and cons because every system has them even PC (too expensive to keep up to date).
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23
Ethereal said:

on November 17, 2008 at 9:48 AM

agreed with justin. Matter of opinion. Wii=non-casual gamer
ps3=great system tons of features for the money and great exclusives. (better than 360 in my eyes)
360=good price but be prepared to have it bite you in the you know what.

The economy doesnt help any of the sales right now anyways.

been ps3 gaming since nov 17 2006 and loving every minute of it.
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24
Rin said:

on November 17, 2008 at 10:28 AM

Problem with the 360 is the same with anything Microsoft. People tend to have delusions of grandeur, by hating everything they make because and vowing to militantly support alternatives: 1) It's an American corporation 2) It had problems with products that have been all worked out (yea that's right, no matter how much you chime about it, the RRoD does NOT occur anymore with the new, cheaper consoles... ever - and Vista actually works, despite what you'd love to believe) 3) People think it's cool and hip to hate MS, for whatever pathetic reason that is.

I know that the 360 receives the greatest volume of straight up spite, especially overseas. 360 owners don't get it, but rather than arguing with naive people who don't realize what they're smoking - then that's fine... Play your Wii and PS3 while prejudicial looking down on the 360, you really are missing out on quite a bit.
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25
Dave said:

on November 18, 2008 at 1:54 AM

I own all 3 consoles and rarely play my Wii. While the PS3 is expensive it is worth it. When compared to other consoles it is packed with extras, like blu-ray, wireless, PSP connectivity and full 1080p output. The PS3 looks amazing on my new HDTV and HDMI cables.But in th end buy what you like.
PS3=good action adventure games
Xbox360=Good FPS
Wii=Fun Party Games
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26
Dave said:

on January 11, 2009 at 7:14 AM

Unit sales are not the only indicator of how nice a system is or even how popular.

The Playstation 3 is the most versatile gaming system with the fastest processors and the largest available hard drive by far. In fact, you can easily slip a 360 GB laptop in one.

The problem is, as some have stated, is that it is the highest priced unit too.

Well, not everyone can afford a Ferrari either. Some will just have to be jealous.
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Todd Bishop
Todd Bishop is co-founder and managing editor of TechFlash. He has covered Microsoft and the technology industry for more than five years, most recently as a daily newspaper reporter and blogger based in Seattle. READ FULL BIOGRAPHY
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