Wii, PS3, Xbox 360: Where they stand |
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Wii, PS3, Xbox 360: Where they stand
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.
About 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.
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