PS3 Finally Beats Xbox 360 in Monthly Sales

Fri Feb 15, 2008 12:43PM EST

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For the first time since its launch in late 2006, the troubled PlayStation 3 moved more consoles in a month than did the Xbox 360, although the red-hot Wii is still the top dog, according to the latest numbers. Microsoft says it has an explanation, though.

The NPD Group (by way of Kotaku) reports that about 274,000 Wii consoles were sold in January—well shy of the 1.35 million Wiis sold in December, although we can chalk that up to the post-holiday doldrums.

More surprising, however, is the runner-up in January console sales: the once struggling but now surging PS3, which sold about 269,000 units in January (only about 5,000 consoles shy of the Wii). Meanwhile, trailing in the back of the pack is the Xbox 360, which beat the PS3 handily in December but only moved 230,000 consoles last month (fewer than the PS3, the Nintendo DS or the PSP).

So, what happened? Is the Xbox 360 in a slump? Far from it, say Microsoft spin doctors, who argue that there's just a shortage of inventory due to high demand during the holidays. That may be true—the 360 sold an impressive 1.3 million units in December—but there's also no question that the PS3 is on a little run, with some observers predicting that Sony's next-gen console may actually outsell both the Wii and the Xbox 360 by 2011.

I have to admit, with my own 360 console out for repairs, I've been giving the PS3 a serious look—what with its apparently future-proof Blu-ray player, improving game line-up, rock-solid performance, and (at last) a reasonable $400 price tag for the 40GB version. And if Netflix does, indeed, bring movie streaming to gaming consoles like the PS3, my Xbox 360 might end up with some competition in the living room.

Related:
PlayStation 3 Outsells Xbox 360, DS In January [Kotaku]

Comments on PS3 Finally Beats Xbox 360 in Monthly Sales

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  • 6 Posted by customglock73 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just got my PS3 this week. I have owned a 360 wich also died last November. I feel games specificly programmed for PS3 have the graphics edge. Online would still have to go to the 360, but remember Microsoft has at least a six year jump on Sony with that. The Blu Ray movies are amazing. My only disappointment thus far was that I could not get an 80gb and found out they too have been discontinued. Thus no backwards compatability and extra ports for me.But if game line up does increase and Socom does come out I believe the PS3 is the best "all around" system to buy. The worker at Gamestop said there is talk of a 120gb system but did not state anything as far as backwards compatability.

  • 7 Posted by paul_soares on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    Probably due to BluRay. I never considered the PS3 until HD-DVD's demise. Now it's a given.

  • 8 Posted by annavasi on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    I never had a problem with any of my consoles, but I've heard all the "horror" stories. I love the Xbox 360 because of it's great lineup of games obviously and the fact that lots of Original Xbox titles are BC on the 360. I still greatly enjoy playing "Soul Calibur 2" on my X360 while I wait for "SC4" to arrive. Anyway, right now, I'm also on my grand epic journey called: "Lost Odyssey." I'm a happy gamer!! XD

  • 9 Posted by ben_suki on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    @somebodys_here: You're so right, re: the PS3 being one tough console. I finally heard someone say they had a busted PS3 -- but only one so far. Meanwhile, there's more Xbox 360 "Red Ring of Death" horror stories than you can shake a stick at.

  • 10 Posted by chris_radio2005 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    maybe they have less to sell because of the ones they have to replace?

  • 11 Posted by scott.mcelwain on Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:29AM EST Report Abuse

    Funny how people are getting a game console just to play BR DVD's. Just what Sony intended when used their movie studio and money to purchase Hollywood's loyalty. There's a reason the PS3 was basically a failure before Sony cornered the next-gen DVD market: it was not considered good enough as a gaming platform and the BR feature was not compelling then...duh. So if you're thinking you're kind of getting 2 for 1 when you buy a PS3, remember that the other part--you know, the fact that it plays games--is weak compared to the alternatives. If that's okay with you, then great, but be aware that the BR vs. HD-DVD war went on so long that neither is likely to ever be as important as DVD became. On-demand downloads are the way of the future, not scratchable disks. How many music CD's you been buyin' lately, Einsteins? Don't misunderstand, I've held off on a PS3 and Wii until now, but I'll probably get them both (whenever I can find a Wii). The PS3 has got to get good games, though. The BR may be nice, as long as Netflix carries them since I'll never buy a BR or HD-DVD disc.

  • 13 Posted by xzenogear on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    LOL....One thing most of you fail to realize is i found a trend in most people's post....PS3 may or may not be the system of choice for people one fact is true most of you already owned a 360 before you decided on the ps3 so if most people who own ps3 already owned a 360 why would there be as huge of sales? the fact of the matter is that better games are starting to come out for the ps# so people are starting to find more of a reason to buy them...

  • 14 Posted by sandungerodelnegro on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    why the ----- wont they just dropp the price now than having to wait till 2011!!!! kill them now that there down!!!! stop being so ----- greedy with the prices!!! 360 is my favorite console, and im staying loyal to them, but with the HD leaving the competition, A blue-ray player and a gaming console put in one, makes me want to go ahead and get a PS3. PS3, think about it!!!!!!!!

  • 15 Posted by veggie_man2003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    the ps3 rules. i dig the built in wifi and cod4 rules online. i've had mine since the initial launch and have not had any problems. did not mind the high price tag at all because it such a great system.

  • 16 Posted by eklypze on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    why would u ever buy the system with the larger hdd when u could put any hdd you want in a ps3 be smart about it atleast.

  • 17 Posted by eklypze on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    two reason why the ps3 will eventually win the war. U can mod a wii and 360. And the simple on is that it's a great blu ray. My dad is even talking about buying one and he has really gamed since the 2600.

  • 18 Posted by orsanchez87 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    i been thinking of buying a ps3 just because of the blu-ray to watch movies and the fact that a blu-ray player cost about the same of the game console so keep that in mind.

  • 19 Posted by rebel_devil2003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    i always loved sony! always wanted a sony laptop..if you think about it... how great are toshiba laptops?.. i camped at the beggining to get my 60 gig ps3 because i have no doubt of sonys Capabilities. one hing i did not expect was the sucsess of the wii with its graphics being the same as the gamecube, i didnt really tink it was worth the upgraded controlers lol... im glad i can finally walk into a Gamestop and buy a ps3 game with pride and smirk at the workers there..(most of them own a 360 never supported blueray or sony at the least bit)

  • 20 Posted by loquaciousjio@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    I knew this day would come. But I went on the safe side and bought the 360 months before the ps3, but when the ps3 came out I bought it. Having both gives me a chance to have exclusives from both systems. I have both the hd dvd add-on for 360, (cost the same compared to the 60 gig ps3) so I was in the neutral side of the war, but supported sony (as I'm a member in their beta team). Just wait and see 5 years from now, The new systems should be great.

  • 21 Posted by jacksotw12 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    So glad i bought the ps3, free online, blu ray player built in (which is now the next generation officially.

  • 22 Posted by pcgt85 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    rp: to chris_radio2005. that is so true. the ps3 is a far greater gameing machine than the xbox 360.

  • 23 Posted by vans_sk8er on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think that the reason the PS3 may be out selling the XBOX 360, is because so many people are reporting errors with their 360's, and sending them in for repairs. I own a PS3, but all of my friends own XBOX 360's, the only difference is, My PS3 is hooked up through an HDMI hook-up, and is also linked to surround sound, and a 32 inch HD Tv, which helps to make my gaming experience all the better. Most of their systems are just hooked up through analog connections to regular old tvs. But I stand by the PS3, I've never really invested in any Xbox products, its always been sony for me.

  • 24 Posted by martyteboe on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't consider myself a "gamer". I got the PS3 for my 9 year old daughter...but every day at work I'm looking at the websites to see which games are coming out, and I can't wait to get home to wait my turn to play. The surround sound is impressive on the games themselves, and the fact that the unit supports DTS AND upscales 480P DVD's to a higher rez means that the PS3 has replaced my Denon DVD-2200 as my main source unit. Plus, it surfs the web, you can download games right to it (which I do, regularly), and a seemingly endless supply of demos....you can tell I really bought this thing for me, I suppose. I can't stand it when fanboys gush like this, but I'm extremely satisfied with the $500 investment. The only caveat that I'd extend is to not be "tricked" by the 80G's 90% backward compatibility. If you've got a PS2, and I do, you don't need backward compatibility. You're already compatible. It's always nice to have more disk space, though. Right?

  • 25 Posted by chiefofbeats on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've been a gamer since the Atari 2600... that system was hot. I'm also a PC Tech and with that said, anyone should know that you cannot keep up with Technology. The way we game and even watch movies to me a is a losing battle for consumers when it comes to getting bang for your buck. Me, I would never purchase a Gaming Console because of the Add-on the maker provides ex. HD-DVD, BLU-RAY, Cameras or any other thing they put on them. I buy them to play games. To invest all your money in an "all in one" multimedia device is stupid. You want good gaming get a good gaming system. You want to watch movies get a separate device that is best for that. Don't be a dumb consumer - and get whatever because they tell you to get it. Learn from the past people. Combo TV-VCR, Combo DVD-VHS all rendered useless once the newer products were unveiled. Xbox is good for what is is. PS3 is good for what it is. But what make you hot today will not make you hot tommorrow...Trust me.

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