Wii Shines, Xbox 360 Tanks
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Wii, Xbox, 360, PS3 | Themes: Digital Entertainment
Chicago (IL) - Big announcements at E3 cannot hide that Microsoft had a rough June with its game console: Nintendo’s Wii surpassed the Xbox 360 as the most sold current game console in the U.S. every other game console, including the PSP and Nintendo DS, sold more units. Has the Xbox 360 lost its appeal?
NPD’s June game console sales numbers hold every indication that Microsoft is increasingly under pressure by its rivals. For the first time in its life-cycle, it has lost its title as most-sold current-gen game console to Nintendo’s Wii. According to NPD, the Wii has now sold 11,008,200 units while the Xbox 360 stands at 10,465,900 units.
The PS3 still trails the two with cumulative sales 4,851,100 units, but Sony sold close to twice as many PS3s in June as Microsoft sold Xbox 360s: NPD said that U.S. retail reported sales of 405,500 PS3s and 219,800 Xbox 360s. Nintendo leads the way with sales of 666,700 Wiis. It took Nintendo only 20 months to catch up with Microsoft and nix the Xbox 360s 12-month lead.
Even portable consoles were selling at a higher pace than the Xbox 360 - the Nintendo DS moved 783,000 units and the Playstation Portable 337,400.
The best selling game title of the month was Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3; 774,600 units), followed by Guitar Hero On Tour (DS; 422,300) and Ninja Gaiden II (Xbox 360; 372,200). Nintendo’s Wii Fit with Balance Board had a successful start with 372,200 units, followed by the Wii Play with Remote with 359,100 units.
Microsoft recently announced a temporary price cut of its Xbox 360 (20 GB) console to $299, while the device is being phased out and replaced with a $349 60 GB version. Sony answered with an upgrade of its 40 GB PS3 to an 80 GB hard drive, which effectively could be interpreted by many buyers also as a $100 price cut of its existing and more functional 80 GB flagship console that currently sells for $499.
For a premium of $50, buyers not only get the newer console that is able of 1080p output, but also a larger hard drive and a Blu-ray drive. It is not difficult to see that Microsoft is already under pressure to introduce price cuts or system upgrades in the near future.
Nintendo’s Wii is playing in a different league.
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did I miss something, when did the blueray get confirmed?
It's talking about the upgrades to the PS3, and now Microsoft has to compete with it.
To answer your question coopdog, it has been confirmed that Blueray will not be on the Xbox 360.
As far as these console sales numbers are concerned a “slight” gain in Wii console sales is no reason to say that xbox 360 sales are in the take. This might be said about the PS3 sales, but honestly less then a million in difference between the two industry leaders is nothing to fret about, unless you’re an avid Wii enthusiast waiting for the day to see your console take the lead… The Wii is simply tapping the largely unexploited industry of non gamers with titles like wii-fit and the like, which is helping the sale of its consoles as well as broadening the gaming industry. This is good for everyone including Microsoft. That being said, Microsoft arguably had the best overall portfolio, by far, over rivals Sony and Nintendo. Once the big blockbuster titles such as Gears of War 2, Fallout 3 and Fable 2 hit the shelves, you can be sure that Xbox sales will be as strong as ever.
Slight correction, but all versions of the Xbox360 are 100% capable of 1080p output.
Slight correction, but all versions of the Xbox360 are 100% capable of 1080p output.
I'm pretty sure that the original 360 versions were on 720p, though I'm not certain.
Originally 360s could only do 720p/1080i but MSFT patched this into the consoles in December 06 IIRC.
Also, from Xbox.com (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/xbox360/hdtv.htm)
"The good news is that, unlike TVs, every Xbox 360? supports HD output at resolutions up to 1080p, so there's no looking for the "HD model" of the console."
Not really a huge deal and totally irrelevant when it comes to its sales (or lack thereof), but I would like to think that the author of such an article would sit down and do his research before writing such a thing. Or simply know so beforehand.
Well the thing is that xbox 360 has better titles than Sony (for me even dough i love mgs4) but ps3 is a more reliable system (doesn't have the 3ROD and believe me its truly a pain in the ass)and for me has an advantage on hard drive part, coz if you notice xbox 360 is trying to skip blue ray by making all digital( maybe in the future xbox 360 games will install on the hard drive like computers games) but the thing is that What are u going to do with all that digital content if u dont have the choice to have a big hard drive??? where are u going to store all that content and how are u gonna play mgs4 on xbox 360 ( if it ever comes out) swapping disc ? lol I think ms should think their Hard drive strategy , don't get wrong i love both systems but sony has a Big advantage on being a better media center and console than xbox 360 ( in that part).
And the WII its fun but after a couple of month when u see there isnt a lot games... u get bored ( Sometimes i cant stand the graphics...) Well thats my opinion. Big Fan of a GOOD and Reliable game system and lets not lie our selfs, what makes a console so fun are the games.