games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


Japan: PS3 sales closing in on Wii? photo

Much like yours truly working the Destructoid morning shift, the PlayStation 3 is proving to be a slow starter when it comes to sales.

According to Japanese publisher Enterbrain, the PS3 is slowly but surely closing the gap, coming up behind the Nintendo Wii in monthly sales. Sure, the Wii is outsellling the PS3 two-to-one, but back in June the ratio was more like six-to-one. This makes the fourth month in a row where the PS3 has increased in sales.

For the month ending October 28th, the PS3 moved 47,183 in Japan. Nintendo sold 110,415 Wii units in that same time, while Microsoft's Xbox360 sold 18,717 units.

Next-Gen attributes the PS3 sales increase to recent price drops and a better list of titles. We would agree. Japanese gamers were smart enough to wait for the inevitable drops, and we're willing to guess that sales will continue to increase as Sony releases more titles in 2008. 


Continue: More Sony stories





prev next

29 comments | showing # 1 to 29

bhive01's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 12:55
bhive01
I agree with Next-Gen too.
kobewan0824's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 12:56
kobewan0824
This is what Nintendo gets for not having enough good games. Oh well, they are still far ahead.
brad drac's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:00
brad drac
->kobewan: If by "this" you mean an install base four times larger than sony's, and giant swimming pools of money, I'm not really sure I see your point. Wii has at leasy as many good titles than the ps3. I personally think more, but that's up to personal opinion.

While I still cling to remnants of disdain lingering from that extended period where sony did nothing but fuck up royally and constantly, this is probably a good thing in the long term. Eventually, the ps3 will probably be worth buying, if only for team ico's next game, and I'd like them to still have some developer support at that stage.
Joe Burling's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:01
Joe Burling
I hate to be Mr. Negative, but in order for the PS3 to start closing the gap between sales, wouldn't Sony have to first start selling more than Nintendo? If the Wii is still outselling the PS3 2 to 1, wouldn't that mean the gap is actually still getting bigger?
bhive01's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:06
bhive01
Geez... Mr. Negative over here.
BlindsideDork's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:11
BlindsideDork
Hai Mr.Negative!

*waves*

THANKS AGAIN!
linuxguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:12
linuxguy
good but being outsold 2 to 1 by a 250$ gamecube+waggle is kinda lame
bloodylip's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:15
bloodylip
And isn't this more like Nintendo closing the gap, since the Wii's sales are slowing down more than the PS3s are gaining?
Xbudz's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:24
Xbudz
Less is more in Japan, Xbox 360 wins!

OK, I just need sleep.
bhive01's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:25
bhive01
5:1 for the 360. But, Japan doesn't like American goods, unless it's Elvis.
Marlboro Man's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:27
Marlboro Man
Its only a matter of time before the Wii sales die down and the ps3 and 360 take off. I think most of the wiis sales were because of its cost. New system, 250 buks... why not. Hell its almost an impulse buy at that cheap vs the other two.

Sony having a strong history in JP. the 360 designed its system almost with JP ppl in mind as its target, ..only to have still fail there.


Maybe when 'FPSbox 360" has a system seller that isnt yet another first person shooter, they will finally sell in JP to a better degree. Blue Dragon was a nice start, to bad it was such a shitty game.
Cowboy TTop's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:42
Cowboy TTop
I think its important to keep Sony on the back foot, so they can learn some lessons from their recent debacles. While Sony would have developers sit in its camp until the end of time, and many seem comfortable to do so, I still think what Wii is doing is more important to keep the industry on its toes.

This is very premature anyway. Call me back when the sales for Mario Galaxy, Smash Bros Brawl and Mario Kart are out and shifting.
Joe Burling's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:44
Joe Burling
Cowboy, I agree completely. I don't have too much of a problem with the bad PR Sony has been getting since the PS3, as long as it teaches them a lesson.

If the PS3 was doing well, we certainly wouldn't be seeing a $400 PS3 within it's first year after launch.
Variable Gear's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:53
Variable Gear
BuckF1tches makes too much sense...
subnet6's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 13:59
subnet6
You know Sonys business model is hurting when their only successes are the slowing sales of the Wii. Even with 2 huge price drops and quite a few more game, the PS3 really isn't selling much more than it ever did.
The funny thing is that the PS3 nuts somehow think they've won something. Admittedly, the Wii is slowing down in Japan. No question. But the PS3 isn't exactly setting a fire if you know what I mean. In the end, I want their sales to be closer because then we as consumers will benefit. Buck is right. Its only because of Sonys struggle that the PS3 is within $100 of being affordable.
Corak's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 14:09
Corak
Hard to compare 2 consoles that are vastly different. The Wii while very fun, is not as enjoyable single player as the PS3 is in my opinion. I have the most fun with my Wii when I have friends over, mostly while in a drunken stuper. But when its just me I almost always pick up my PS3 over my Wii. When I get Galaxy that might shift a little but I think I'll still be playing the PS3 more when I'm by myself. Maybe thats what some people are realizing if they just have the Wii.
Urashima's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 14:27
Urashima
It could be that the gap is closing because of the fact that probably almost every japanese household already has a Wii and said households have had ample time to save up for a PS3.

Either way, kudos to Sony.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 14:55
Mxyzptlk
Doesn't everyone in Japan already own like 3 Wiis? And sales can't actually start to close in until Sony begins selling more than Nintendo.
Cheeburga's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 14:56
Cheeburga
Ps3 outselling 360 5 to 1 i bet.
:P
Furi Kuri's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 14:57
Furi Kuri
It looks as though the guy in the suit is sizing that employee as if to purchase him.

"Forget the ps3, i shall take him."
StriderS's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 15:39
StriderS
*blah blah wii sux*
*blah blah ps3 sux*
wonky360's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 15:58
wonky360
Still dont want one. Too busy trying to fit in gaming due to the 360 avalanche of A+ titles. Japan will NEVER embrace a foreign games console, I think it would take a big shift in ideology to ever bring this about.
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 16:17
king3vbo
Its because everyone in Japan has a Wii already
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 18:47
brainderailment
I would expect to see a console that costs half as much to sell twice as many units. I don't think we will see the gap get too much closer until the Japanese come to their sences and realize that they are now shaking violently instead of button mashing. Then they will see that you can have fun games and good graphics at the same time, it isn't oil and water. Then the ps3 and less likely 360 sales will start to really go places.
Cyberxion's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 19:40
Cyberxion
Screw graphics, it all comes down to good gameplay, doesn't it? One would think that this being the case, perhaps it's the lack of compelling games that is keeping so many people from buying the PS3 in Japan, and not that they have some sort of hangup about good graphics and gameplay being mutually exclusive or some stupid shit. Or whatever it is you're trying to say.
Burnt Meatloaf's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2007 20:24
Burnt Meatloaf
I don't care if Sony sells more than Nintendo. All I care about is that games are made for it.

Why people obsess over who "wins" is beyond me. These are game machines, not sport teams.
questworld's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2007 00:52
questworld
Outside of the actual install base, exactly how is Wii sales declining over there became a point for the PS3 "closing in" on the Wii? The PS3's been hovering between ten thousand and twenty thousand for months now. It's like boasting that a poor man caught up to a rich man financially now that the latter manage to fall back to the same level as the former - dead.
stankee's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2007 04:57
stankee
man it's just simple economics

since the japanese are used to deflation, they just waited until it got cheaper!!!

Maybe the whole bad marketing scheme of sony is actually a good one! They wann make early adopters feel real cool so they can say that they are truly hardcore! while all other who are just buying their ps3 now are only a bunch of lamos!

i am getting one soon
mandlebaum123's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/05/2007 06:51
mandlebaum123
I love reading the spin on sony "closing in". Like a few before me have stated:

I think of each month's figures as a lap in a race. The lead before this lap was nintendo's, and now after this lap, that lead has gotten LARGER. Until Sony's lap time beats Nintendo's, they will not be "closing in".
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos

    Win this!
    Dive in! meetup+play for a chance to win a PC

    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Echoes review
    Assassin's Creed 2 review
    Crossfire Remote Pistol review
    Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles review
    Left 4 Dead 2 review
    more reviews
    Driver
    Avatar
    GT Racing Motor Academy
    Bad Company 2 beta dishes out meaningful experiences
    Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 51191 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing
    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Joseph Leray: Revisited: Gears of War 2, Pinocchio, and masculinity





















    More Destructoid Originals



     Popular now more
    Assassins CreedReview: Assassin's Creed 2
    591 comments + 41542 views
    Destructoid OriginalWhy No More Heroes HD could mean a Wii total victory
    152 comments + 30508 views
    FAILGirl smashes boyfriend's Xbox 360, films it
    160 comments + 16924 views
    BattlefieldBad Company 2 beta dishes out meaningful experiences
    43 comments + 16114 views
    Black FridayBlack Friday: Walmart going nuts with game sales
    31 comments + 16048 views
    Amazon.comBlack Friday: Amazon dropping deals all week long
    16 comments + 15004 views
    Amazon.comAmazon teases its Black Friday sales line-up
    18 comments + 14836 views
    Destructoid OriginalThe tragic history of the videogame turkey
    51 comments + 13276 views
    CapcomHot new SSFIV trailer shows Guy, Cody and Adon in action
    54 comments + 13222 views
    Call of DutyModern Warfare 2 DLC still planned for spring 2010
    27 comments + 12568 views


    Team Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief    		 Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor    		 Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Dale North
    News Editor    		 Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor    		 Colette Bennett
    Tom Fronczak Brad Nicholson
    Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
    Conrad
    Zimmerman    		 Chad Concelmo
    Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Will Maddock Matthew Razak
    Dyson Joseph Leray
    Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
         
      Dexter
    Adam Dork
    Daniel Lingen
    Hollie Bennett
         		Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Stella Wong
    Josh Tolentino




     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    		 support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    		 keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online     		seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap     		our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?



    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006