
We talked about this a little recently, since it's hard to discuss the Wii60 phenomenon without invoking the PS3, but we wanted to spend some time directly addressing the "fight" between the Wii and Sony's PS3. It's something that has often been invoked by both industry sources and the mainstream media. Journalists of all stripes have been consistently pitting the two systems against one another since long before they were actually released, while the Xbox 360 -- though a next gen console -- is often left out in the cold due to its head start. An article in yesterday's New York Times put the spotlight on the head-to-head "console war" and we thought it was time to ask you guys what you thought. Is it accurate to pit the Wii and the PS3 against one another? Is this generation a typical console war in any sense? Are you sick of hearing about the forgotten piles of PS3s filling stores, while the Wii shelves lie empty and dormant? And is it even accurate to ask, as the Times did, which one readers prefer?
[Thanks to Max for tipping us on the NYT article!]













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-01-2007 @ 9:25AM
Beano said...
I see the "fight" more as a race with the Wii as a cheap, light sportscar and the PS3 as an expensive, fully equiped mobile home. I don't think that Sony understands that in a "sales race" expensive mobile homes don't do too well.
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2-01-2007 @ 9:39AM
ima747 said...
The ps3's faults are numerous and well documented. Most of them stemming from the basis of the system as a blue-ray delivery device (it is the cause for the year delay and the insane price, and atleast some of the dificulty in development which is producing the sub-par games, etc. etc.) which smacks of Beta-Max 2 to me.
Is anyone else be as pleased as me to see sony falling on their face from trying to sell a game system as a fancy pants disc player (thus risking their media format due to lower than expected player market share), while nintendo left even basic DVD and audio CD playback out completely (so far), and is wiping the floor with sony in units sold?
Yea, it's way to early to tell who's going to win this "fight" but this discussion is also not including the 800 pound gorilla in the corner quietly selling another couple million 360s... The long term fight is 3 way and could go any which way depending on a zillion factors, but in the head to head Wii/PS3 duel so far I think units moved (advantage wii), consumer demand (advantage wii), and long term possibility (wii on price, PS3 on features, high def and blue-ray playback will be worth tangable market share in a year or 2 when there are more HD tvs out there), there's a pretty clear winner.
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2-01-2007 @ 9:49AM
vidGuy said...
Each of the three consoles is widely different from than others, as exhibited by their differing prices. However, I think there's still a war of sorts. It may not be as strong as last gen, but that will actually benefit all parties, especially the Wii. The Wii isn't seen as competing for the same exclusive titles. Example - MGS4 can't be done on Wii in the way it has been envisioned, but neither can WarioWare be done on the PS3.
Currently the battle is between the PS3 and Wii because they are both so new. Wii is garnishing all the good press; the PS3 is falling behind and, for the most part, being laughed at in the media. Sony is already being pressured into a price drop. But the problem with their strategy of pushing tons of hardware into the PS3 is that it is resistent to a price drop. Sony won't be able to significantly drop the cost of making the PS3 for years. If they dropped the retail price to create sales, they'd be losing MORE money. But if they keep going on this sales line, there won't be enough market to keep 3rd parties hanging around. And let's face it, 3rd parties is all Sony has.
Because of Sony's flawed strategy with the PS3, I expect it to be regulated to third place by the end of 2007. It will still hang around, but it will be more like a niche console than the mainstream beast that was the PS2. There will be maybe half a dozen compelling exclusive games on the PS3 in the next few years... hardly enough for most gamers to justify the retail price.
That means that in the long run the console war will be between the Wii and the 360. Here, I don't think there's much of an actual battle. They aren't competing for media attention like the Wii and PS3 battle. They aren't competing for the same 3rd party games (in most cases) and they aren't catering to the same market for the most part. The Wii and 360 compliment each other very well. If you own one, it's likely that you'll own the other soon - just for the wide range of games you can get by owning both.
My sales predictions change all the time, but with this analysis I'd expect the overall dominance/marketshare of the consoles to be something like:
360 40%
Wii 40%
PS3 20%
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2-01-2007 @ 9:51AM
Ralph said...
I have two theories:
1)Wii is performing so much more better than the PS3 in the current market, given that the Wii is less powerful than the latter, that I think it's puzzling journalists to where they compare them both.
2)One cannot also forget that both consoles were released in the same month which makes news agencies write about both to compare them. Most people own a Xbox 360 and are very familiar with it, now people just want to know about the two new consoles. I think it's fair.
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2-01-2007 @ 9:54AM
Zan said...
I'm sick of people complaining on the other console, cause it's a fact: Those guys are fanboys (which in this case is bad). I'm sick of fanboys, don't they realize that all consoles have their con's and pro's? I believe you should look from your own perspective, be selfish. I don't really care who gains alot of money as long as I can play the best console in the current generation which in this case probably is Wii (can't be sure yet). My point is: Don't reject PS3 or 360 because it's not from Nintendo, be smart do what you gain most on!
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2-01-2007 @ 10:05AM
Number One said...
1. I see the "fight" more as a race with the Wii as a cheap, light sportscar and the PS3 as an expensive, fully equiped mobile home. I don't think that Sony understands that in a "sales race" expensive mobile homes don't do too well.
Posted at 9:25AM on Feb 1st 2007 by Beano
Especially when most of the furniture you can get for it is used up Xbox 360 furniture that doesnt fit right.
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2-01-2007 @ 10:08AM
RevJonathan said...
The only reason I cared about the "Console War" this time around was that if Nintendo failed, they might have been out of the game for good. They'd have to go the Sega route, but with more hot franchises. Now its obvious that Nintendo gets to live on for another generation or two, and I'm happy about that. I see things as the consumer I am, and I have a 360 and a Wii. I thought that both consoles would give me the traditional and cutting-edge motion sensing gameplay I wanted. The PlayStation 3 didn't appeal to me, so I didn't get one. The price was too high for too little gain. I made the objective choice without rabid fanboyism and I get to enjoy my gaming experience.
As for Sony, well, I expect what I said above is their worst nightmare because it looks like a lot of people agree with me. I'd say that's enough to compare the two consoles, and it looks like Sony loses out.
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2-01-2007 @ 10:13AM
Kenny said...
As a Wii owner, I actually like hearing about the war between PS3 and Wii because I feel like I'm on a winning team! Also because when I heard the price of the PS3 I made predictions that it wouldn't do so hot and I like to be right.
It's hard to say if there is a true competition between the Wii and PS3. They are going after different demographics.. Though there is some mix there. The PS3 can't live on hardcore gamers alone and relies on the casual gamer as well. I think the Wii has stolen a lot of the casual gamers away. This battle is less like Pepsi vs Coke and more like Pepsi vs Snapple. Then on top of that you have the 360 already taking a lot of the hard core gamers away from the PS3 and the PS3 is left with the loyalists and those who can afford more than 1 system.
I can see Sony doing well with the PS3 though. I didn't buy a PS2 until the price dropped to $150. I can see PS3 selling much better when it hits the $300-$350 price point, but that's a ways away.
I can see PS3 selling well if BR wins the HD wars, as people may just buy one instead of buying a standalone player.
But honestly, I think the PS3 is going to be #3 this time around.
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2-01-2007 @ 10:15AM
Drock2k1 said...
I own all 3 systems and can say that if it were not for FFXII (A PS2 GAME!!) that I would not play the PS3 at all right now. The Wii is great but I believe, hands down that the XBOX360 is the best sytem out of the 3. Having said that, we really won't know until Sony and Nintendo have a year of developement under their belt. I know people love to kick Sony when they are down but you cannot ignore the possibilities with the systems hardware. Where will these people be when the FFXIII realeases next year? Probably in line to get a much cheaper PS3.
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2-01-2007 @ 10:33AM
Moe said...
You are not going to get a fair comment on this "fanboy" blog. With that being said, I love the fact that Nintendo is kicking Sony's HUGE, HOT, BULKY rear end.
I wouldn't count them out just yet though.
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2-01-2007 @ 10:44AM
Charles said...
Wow, everyone here gave a huge ass answer, but all im gonna say is this. Europe has yet to receive the Launch of the PS3, and Europe and asia have always been the main supporters of Sonys console, wether its a portable or home console, i mean all the PSPs main attention is the UK, and well, most of the UK and middle easterners (i live in the ME and i should know more than anyone) are all loyal sony fans because the first one to set foot here that was really mature was the PS1 not the N64. So i just have one thing to say, wait for it to launch in Europe, then, it should kick in a few more sales, maybe not too much, but it will take more hype than the U.S. at least!
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2-01-2007 @ 12:52PM
hype said...
its always about the price thats all you guys talk about ..how old are you people? go get jobs sell lemonade have a bake sale ok the wii is fun yay my girlfriend and kids can play it.. oh wait and its $250 i made that in birthday money when i was little......its easy to kick the ps3 right now because its still basically warming up and not ready for the battle yet but u have to be a fool not to think once the games are there ps3 wont be making noise its ps-360 1 & 2 in the console war go play mario galaxy world 34 for the rest of ur lives
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2-01-2007 @ 1:43PM
vidGuy said...
^You have absolutely no understanding of the economics of a normal luxury good such as a video game console. Price and consumer preferences are the main determinants of the sales/success of a console.
Consumers prefer to play games at a reasonable price. The PS3 offers fewer games at a more expensive price. How's that make it a likely success?
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2-01-2007 @ 2:38PM
gizmo said...
I would like to say that there is misinformation about the so-called war. This is the same manner in which the Press and Politicians state the US is losing the WAR in IRAQ? Truth be told which no one wants to address we are losing the occupation and winning the hearts and minds of the IRAQI People --- segue -- to Wii vs PS3 ...
Sony did mess up with the marketing and now they are lost in where to go, sounds familiar? its not that they havent met their numbers (just look at their earning statements, which by every government body has to be accurate) Wii on the other hand, had very clear intentions of what they wanted to do, with which customers and they are executing. If this was a class the would be getting a grade of A across the board with no signs of getting a lower grade. PS3 on the other started out taking on to many classes (gaming, Home Server, Home Media Device, Possible Location Free Player, btw if one were to buy all these devices $600 would way cheap) with a grade of a D at best in the different classes with the potential to move to A's in all over a period of time -- they may end up winning the war in historic terms but in the process lose the occupation and the hearts and mind of the people.
Disclaimer: I own a PS3 (not used as a gaming device/toy, classic Phil Collins/Genesis and Michael Jackson/Off the Wall and BeeGees sound great on it) and I plan on trading in the kids GameCube for a Wii (so they can play games on)
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2-01-2007 @ 3:24PM
James said...
@#12: So, when SNES, Genesis, and Neo Geo were "competing" a decade and a half ago (roughly), the Neo Geo sold well because it was the "best" console (technically), in spite of its hefty price tag. Right? Right... in BIZARRO WORLD.
Actually, the SNES and Genny (the cheaper two of the three) outsold the Neo by at least an order of magnitude, because a) they were cheaper to buy, b) they were cheaper to develop for, and c) they had 3rd-party software support [see points (a) and (b)]. Asking if the PS3 is better than the Wii is like asking if a 40" Sony plasma HDTV is better than a 25" direct-view CRT -- you're comparing apples to oranges, and frankly the oranges are going to sell better because of the price point, even if everybody would rather have the apple.
Full disclosure: we are currently a Wii60 household, but I probably will get a PS3 when I can get one bundled with FF XIII for less than the cost of a decent used laptop. I just don't think there will ever be enough people like me for Sony to "win" this round like they did the last one.
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2-01-2007 @ 4:35PM
turtleboy81 said...
At number 12. You have shown me you are a hardcore fanboy on the team of Sony. The ps3 is warming up? Why didn't Sony have it hot and ready to go from the start. Nintendo took off out of the gate. T hey haven't needed to warm up. If Sony has to warm up they shouldn't have even launched yet. All Nintendo has to do to win this console war is produce solid games like they have done with the ds. Nintendo is doing the same thing with the Wii that they are doing with the Ds. They are aproaching the game in a whole new way and leaving everyone going duh huh what just happend? Everyone thought the psp would take the ds in the market. Everyone has thought the ps3 will take the Wii becuse of the same issue new format and better graphics. I want new gameplay more than better garphics. I think many others out there seem to feel the same way. Sony could still win but I doubt it. A console to be sitting on shelves this early in the game only spells disaster to me. Sony is playing catch up right now. Playing catch up is not an easy game to win. Nintendo has lost at the game a few times
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2-02-2007 @ 12:58AM
chazz said...
To rev jon...
I don't think nintendo would go the "sega" rout if the Wii didn't do well this round. Since nintendo is so good at turning a profit on all of its hardware, they won't be in the same financial trouble that sega was in. Look, nintendo has made a lot of money from the gamecube, even though it wasn't a big seller.
Also, it's a good point that the ps3 might have meager numbers right now, but like Charles stated, they haven't launched everywhere yet. That being said, who knows what type of reception the uk and europe gaming population will give the ps3.
There are too many people making predictions on who will "win" this console war, however not all factors have been in place yet. It seems like this race might be a little bit closer, but we have to wait at least 2-3 years before we can really tell what is going to happen. I would like to see Nintendo make a better run this time around though. Now that is hyped up, they needt to keep the good games coming!!
P.S And sony might be doing a lot of things wrong right now, but if you notice they do not want to give up their home teritory. Japan is getting another price cut.
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2-02-2007 @ 4:43AM
thebes said...
The Wii reaches a much wider market than the PS3. The PS3 lacks games to reach the hardcore. Eventually, i think Sony will gain market share, but the lack of rumble still turns me off. To me the Wii brings us a step closer to virtual reality. Wii all the way.
about the 360, four words: RED RING OF DEATH
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2-02-2007 @ 5:00AM
DARKICE said...
OK CHILL OUT.. Its all about good games and we all know tha sony has encorporated alot of quality software with great performance before and i don't think the are going to give up on a winning formula but i enjoy the wii and ps3 where are the wiiS3 people out there?
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2-14-2007 @ 11:29AM
James said...
Heres an easy comparison. I walk into wal-mart and see 7 count 7 60gb ps3's on the shelves and people in line for wii's on sunday. I go on ebay and there are numerous listings for wii but none for ps3. I don't think the market share for ps3 is that limited if consoles are sitting on shelves while people are waiting for wiis. I just like gameplay and 360 and wii are the way to go. You get most great titles on the ps3 and the wii has a new innovative gameplay. Screw the ps3 I donit care about blu-ray and I don't care about browsing the internet. I have high-speed on my computer and xbox live is way better. Buy a 360 and a wii and you will not be missing anything from sony.
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