Xbox 360 Tops Console Sales in September and outsells PS3 5:1

[Bond]

Xbox 360 Tops Console Sales in September and outsells PS3 5:1

As the holiday season heats up, September 2007 is sure to go down in history as one for the record books. The launch of one of the greatest properties in entertainment history, “Halo 3” (Microsoft Game Studios), was largely responsible for driving the biggest month in US video game history with consumer spending on games reaching an all time high for 2007.


· NPD reported that in the US, Xbox 360 was the #1 console for the month; outselling PS3 5:1
o Xbox 360 sales built upon its growth from last month, showing a 50 percent increase for the month of September selling an average of 105,600 consoles per week. Total sales were more than 528,000 Xbox 360 consoles sold, compared to 501,000 for Wii and 119,000 for PS3.
o PS3 sales posted an average weekly decline of 27 percent.

· Xbox 360 software revenue at retail outsold PS3’s software portfolio 8:1 and Wii’s 4:1, selling 3 times more than both platforms combined.
o For the month of September according to NPD, Xbox 360 software represented 74 percent of total software sales for the next generation market compared to 17 percent for Wii and 9 percent for PS3. Even without the sales of “Halo 3” the Xbox 360 portfolio outsold the PS3 portfolio 2:1.

· Additionally, Xbox 360 is home to the best-selling games with the top-rated next-generation titles. According to the world-wide authority in entertainment reviews, Metacritic, Xbox 360 has 80 titles with a Metacritic review score of 80 or higher compared to just 31 for PS3 and 11 for Wii.
o Newly released title “The Orange Box” (Valve) and the highly anticipated title “Mass Effect” (Microsoft Game Studios) have both generated rankings of 97 and higher according to Metacritic. And not to forget “BioShock” (2KGames) which remains one of the year’s highest rated games.

Source: Microsoft Public Relatons/NPD Numbers

Someday, I hope I have more time to do more than simply post press releases.

[Angrist]

Read: Halo 3 caused Xbox 360 to barely outsell Wii.

What's Metacritic?

Aaaaaaanyway... all these shooters on the 360 don't really interest me. Ok, the biggest reason is that I just don't have a 360.

[Fox 6]

The Orange Box alone, is reason to buy a 360 IMO.

[BreakABone]

I agree with Angrist.
While the 360 did well.

It is a very telling story that after a price cut, it's biggest game yet and one of the best games this gen last month.

The fact that the 360 outsold the Wii by ~27k when Nintendo released nothing is not a good sign for the 360 and let's not even talk about Ps3.

[Bond]

This is the really telling ratio in my mind: "Xbox 360 software revenue at retail outsold PS3’s software portfolio 8:1 and Wii’s 4:1, selling 3 times more than both platforms combined."

[Professor S]

Even without Halo 3 in the equation, I still think the 360's attach rate is much higher than either competitor.

The Wii is fun, but it needs more and better games. Wii Sports is still the game that is selling the console, and not much else (not saying that there aren't other great games for Wii, just what is and what is not selling) Right now the 360's library is the best on the next gen market and with all the japanese developers jumping on, its only going to get better over time.

Wii needs some third party killer-apps... fast... if they want to cash in on the game revenue as much as 360 is.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Professor S

Even without Halo 3 in the equation, I still think the 360's attach rate is much higher than either competitor.

The Wii is fun, but it needs more and better games. Wii Sports is still the game that is selling the console, and not much else (not saying that there aren't other great games for Wii, just what is and what is not selling) Right now the 360's library is the best on the next gen market and with all the japanese developers jumping on, its only going to get better over time.

Wii needs some third party killer-apps... fast... if they want to cash in on the game revenue as much as 360 is.

I agree with you to a large extent.

Except would add Wii Play is also selling the console.

Personally, I think the Wii has a very solid first year. it has had it's fair chare of crappy games.

But Wii Sports, which to me right now stands at the most important game of this generation.
Zelda, metroid, RE 4 wii, Godfather wii (why more people don't give this a chance is beyond me), Super Paper MArio, Sonic and the Secret Rings and Excite all are very good games and offer different experience.

On the same hand, really happy got my 360 for online.

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by Bond

This is the really telling ratio in my mind: "Xbox 360 software revenue at retail outsold PS3’s software portfolio 8:1 and Wii’s 4:1, selling 3 times more than both platforms combined."

Except that that statement is misleading --

"Even without the sales of “Halo 3” the Xbox 360 portfolio outsold the PS3 portfolio 2:1."

Which is to say, this is still all about Halo 3 selling a lot. Contact the presses, I have another urgent announcement!

"Duh."

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by manasecret

Except that that statement is misleading --

"Even without the sales of “Halo 3” the Xbox 360 portfolio outsold the PS3 portfolio 2:1."

Which is to say, this is still all about Halo 3 selling a lot. Contact the presses, I have another urgent announcement!

"Duh."

Um, I still think outselling the PS3 2:1 without Halo 3 is a pretty substantial number. The 360 is doubling PS3's game sales without incuding their most popular title? Thats embarrassing to say the least...

[Angrist]

Originally Posted by Professor S

Um, I still think outselling the PS3 2:1 without Halo 3 is a pretty substantial number. The 360 is doubling PS3's game sales without incuding their most popular title? Thats embarrassing to say the least...

But without (hypothetically) Halo 3 sales, Wii outsold it 2:1 in software.

I can't wait to see what Super Mario Galaxy and all the other awesome games will do.

[Bond]

Originally Posted by Angrist

Read: Halo 3 caused Xbox 360 to barely outsell Wii.

What's Metacritic?

Aaaaaaanyway... all these shooters on the 360 don't really interest me. Ok, the biggest reason is that I just don't have a 360.

Metacritic is like gamerankings, but deals with entertainment in general.

[manasecret]

Originally Posted by Professor S

Um, I still think outselling the PS3 2:1 without Halo 3 is a pretty substantial number. The 360 is doubling PS3's game sales without incuding their most popular title? Thats embarrassing to say the least...

Let's see, does the number of Xbox 360s equal the number of PS3s sold? According to this site http://nexgenwars.com/ the 360 has outsold PS3 in number of systems by about 2.4:1. Give the article benefit of the doubt that they rounded down, and you get -- tada -- a 2:1 ratio.

But Angrist made my real point -- the Wii is outselling 360 in software without Halo 3.

So again I say, Halo 3 is selling a lot? ORLY?

[Professor S]

Originally Posted by manasecret

Let's see, does the number of Xbox 360s equal the number of PS3s sold? According to this site http://nexgenwars.com/ the 360 has outsold PS3 in number of systems by about 2.4:1. Give the article benefit of the doubt that they rounded down, and you get -- tada -- a 2:1 ratio.

But Angrist made my real point -- the Wii is outselling 360 in software without Halo 3.

So again I say, Halo 3 is selling a lot? ORLY?

My comment about the PS3 comparison had nothing to do with the Wii (it had to do with the PS3... go figure), but to get to your point, the Wii is outselling in games because its outselling in consoles. Show me the per console numbers and then we'll talk. After all, that was my point.

And the Wii people here are talking like I don't like the Wii. I've stated that I like it a lot and in fact it will be the first current gen console I'll buy. My point was that right now the games aren't matching up to the console.

Games are pushing sales of the 360, while the console itself is the main selling force behind the Wii. Samus and Link aren't the ones pushing the sales, its the novelty and quality of the controller design and how it affects and creates gameplay (the price doesn't hurt, either). While this is creating great sales right now, my fear is that it will catch up with Nintendo in time.

The 360's library has exploded with great games of late, and looking at the upcoming games this fall and next year, the console looks to be just hitting its stride. While the Wii has Galaxy coming out, IMO it might be the game where Mario jumps the shark... and thats only if Sunshine didn't already get Mario eaten by it. Galaxy looks like another Sunshine, IMO, and I don't know if Mario will survive as an industry powerhouse if it is.

I want more for the Wii. More than just games that try and force standard gameplay into a Wii controller. Wii Sports is so successful because it took full advantage of the controller and what it can do. I've played the new Metroid... and the controls are intolerable. It took me 5 minutes to figure out how to get out of my cockpit chair. Perhaps that is my fault, but I am a gamer that is pretty experienced and long in the tooth, so I'll give myself the benefit of the doubt.

The biggest problem the Wii will face is that apart from a few outstanding titles, the industry is run by third party developers and publishers. With three major players in the console game, the Wii being the proverbial sore thumb (in both controls and system power) doesn't help it get it much support. The Wii is going to live and die by its first party titles. I think that will hurt it in the long run.

And please don't be too sarcastic or snide in dismissing my comments. I think I've been pretty objective.

[GameMaster]

Wii will smother Xbox 360 in its sleep with a pillow when Super Smash comes out.

Super Smash will basically ravage Halo 3 sales up the rear end forcefully when it arrives.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Professor S

My comment about the PS3 comparison had nothing to do with the Wii (it had to do with the PS3... go figure), but to get to your point, the Wii is outselling in games because its outselling in consoles. Show me the per console numbers and then we'll talk. After all, that was my point.

And the Wii people here are talking like I don't like the Wii. I've stated that I like it a lot and in fact it will be the first current gen console I'll buy. My point was that right now the games aren't matching up to the console.

Games are pushing sales of the 360, while the console itself is the main selling force behind the Wii. Samus and Link aren't the ones pushing the sales, its the novelty and quality of the controller design and how it affects and creates gameplay (the price doesn't hurt, either). While this is creating great sales right now, my fear is that it will catch up with Nintendo in time.

The 360's library has exploded with great games of late, and looking at the upcoming games this fall and next year, the console looks to be just hitting its stride. While the Wii has Galaxy coming out, IMO it might be the game where Mario jumps the shark... and thats only if Sunshine didn't already get Mario eaten by it. Galaxy looks like another Sunshine, IMO, and I don't know if Mario will survive as an industry powerhouse if it is.

I want more for the Wii. More than just games that try and force standard gameplay into a Wii controller. Wii Sports is so successful because it took full advantage of the controller and what it can do. I've played the new Metroid... and the controls are intolerable. It took me 5 minutes to figure out how to get out of my cockpit chair. Perhaps that is my fault, but I am a gamer that is pretty experienced and long in the tooth, so I'll give myself the benefit of the doubt.

The biggest problem the Wii will face is that apart from a few outstanding titles, the industry is run by third party developers and publishers. With three major players in the console game, the Wii being the proverbial sore thumb (in both controls and system power) doesn't help it get it much support. The Wii is going to live and die by its first party titles. I think that will hurt it in the long run.

And please don't be too sarcastic or snide in dismissing my comments. I think I've been pretty objective.

I agree with you for the most part.
Everything you said is solid but true.

Though some counterpoints and my main objection.

The 360 does seem to be hitting it's stride but outside of maybe Too Human and I believe Gears of War 2, there is very little in the way of exclusive content to get excited for in 08 so far. I know it's early but coming into 07. We had a slew of good looking exclusives for the 360 like GRAW 2, Crackdown, Forza, The Darkness, and of course Halo 3 and that is only a few games.

I am not afraid to admit if you love social gaming, the 360 is the console this gen as it has some fantastic online games.

the Wii, I also agree with, it's a fun system. And I enjoy it a great ton. More so than Nintendo's other consoles it has a nice variety of games early on. But you are right for the most part 3rd party efforts are craptacular for every good 3rd party wii game we get 10 crap ones and for the standouts, they are just released at bad times.

I think the Wii is going to hit a point in 08 where developers realize you can no longer say, o we had you attack with A on the 360/Ps3 controller, we will make it waggle now. I point to games like Zack and Wiki and No More Heroes for 3rd parties who get it. Both games have a nice style to make up for the poor system specs of the Wii and from what I understand gameplay that just would suffer on other consoles.

Now my main bone with your argument....

How the hell can you say Galaxy looks like the game Mario will finally jump the shark?

I understand you aren't the biggest fan of Mario, but this game takes the solid base that MArio 64 built and decides to use the imagination of the 2D games in a package that looks awesome. I mean I love the fact that the game is not constrained by any real world logic so it can throw any and everything at you which helps freshen up experiences. Too often games become too caught up in sticking with the rules, that very few remember if the player isn't having fun there is no pont for the game.

Also


at not being able to get out of the cockpit in Prime 3. I really think Prime 3 has some great controls. Sure they overdo the door animations but they do add to the game IMO.