According to the just released January NPD sales numbers, the Xbox 360 has come in a disappointing third place in the console wars, only managing to sell 230,000 consoles while the PS3 moved 269,000 and the Wii sold 274,000. But before you storm the streets in a fit of rage, know that there is some sort of explanation for the third place outing ... there wasn't enough stock. You see, according to Microsoft, they haven't been able to replenish the retail channels quick enough post holidays, resulting in less Xbox 360s on shelves and less 360s available to consumers. So, if that theory makes you sleep better at night, then go with that and know Microsoft is producing 360s as fast as possible and should regain its sales lead over the PS3 come February NPD. Hopefully.
We also wanted to mention that not only has Call of Duty 4 claimed the number one sales spot selling another 330,900 copies in January, but Rock Band made its top ten NPD sales debut too. You can review the rather gloomy NPD ranks and numbers after the break, though we advise keeping one thing in mind. It was lack of stock at retail ... lack of stock at retail ...
January 2008 NPD Hardware Sales
Wii - 274,000
PS3 - 269,000
PS2 - 264,000
DS - 251,000
Xbox 360 - 230,000
PSP - 230,000
January 2008 NPD Software Sales
1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (360) - 330,900
2. Wii Play with remote (Wii) - 298,100
3. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock bundle (Wii) - 239,600
4. Rock Band bundle (360) - 183,800
5. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock bundle (360) - 182,700
6. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - 172,000
7. Burnout Paradise (360) - 144,100
8. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3) - 140,000
9. Mario Party (DS) - 138,500
10. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS) - 133,000
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2-15-2008 @ 8:40AM
Michael Paul said...
"It's a game machine!"
"It's a Blu-Ray player!!"
"It's two two two things in one!!!"
And each one becomes a list-leader because of the other, despite any mediocrity one can find...
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2-15-2008 @ 8:46AM
JAH75157 said...
meh, who cares... competition is good. i have all three systems so it doesn't really matter to me.
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2-15-2008 @ 8:54AM
Chris said...
Am I bothered no, I know I have the best games console. PS3 is sooo bad, if it wasnt for bluray they wouldnt of sold any. What games are there for the PS3 erm cant think of any.
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2-15-2008 @ 9:10AM
Josh said...
Don't be a blind fanboy. The PS3 is a great console and has some great games on it such as Warhawk and Uncharted. Saying that Sony wouldn't have sold a single PS3 if Blu-ray wasn't included is a retarded comment.
2-15-2008 @ 9:41AM
Van Faulk said...
I have a ps3, and he's right on the money. I have 1 game on the ps3 and nearly 15 between my 360 and wii.
The ps3 survives and is selling on hype alone, because the quality of the games, experience and services is severely anemic compared to the 360.
2-15-2008 @ 10:09AM
ZenGaijin said...
I don't own a PS3 but plan on it ASAP but of the top of my head.
UnCharted, WarHawk, Everyday Shooter, Rachet & Clank, MotorStorm, Calling all Cars.
EchoChrome, MGS4, Home, Little Big Planet
In my opinion those are all excellent reasons to own a PS3.
2-15-2008 @ 10:25AM
ZenGaijin said...
I don't own a PS3 but plan on it ASAP but of the top of my head.
UnCharted, WarHawk, Everyday Shooter, Rachet & Clank, MotorStorm, Calling all Cars.
EchoChrome, MGS4, Home, Little Big Planet
In my opinion those are all excellent reasons to own a PS3.
2-15-2008 @ 9:20PM
DelSource said...
@ Van Faulk
"The ps3 survives and is selling on hype alone"
Sorry but are you a complete fantasist? What hype? The PS3 is being slaughtered on the blogs and in the media. Yet it still sells.
As for quality of games, evidence published across the blogosphere yesterday suggests you are making up more bull****.
You own a PS3 like I own a Bugatti Veyron.
I got no problem with fanboyism but stop inventing utter crap to justify your points.
2-15-2008 @ 9:08AM
Bmurph said...
I will probably get one at some point - for the Bluray player. It has to drop a bunch in price still. Man, and COD4 is still kickin' ass and taken names.
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2-15-2008 @ 9:13AM
lysernix said...
Well I am kind of surprised... the only people I know with a PS3 got one at launch. Maybe they have been being sold as a blu-ray?
I always thought I'd get one eventually, but if 360 manages to cough up a blu-ray add-on then I may not. But anyway... I am kinda shocked. WHO IS BUYING THESE! (In Jan?)
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2-15-2008 @ 9:21AM
mojojojo said...
@Chris : you cant remember ps3 games like metal gear solid 4 guns of the patriots?Or God of war 3?Or Grand Turismo HD?Or even Final Fantasy?O rly?
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2-15-2008 @ 10:17AM
Chris said...
sorry what of these games are original ??? none ! they are either so and so 2 or so and so 5
2-15-2008 @ 10:49AM
Tony said...
The more correct response to this is that none of these games are out, some of them haven't even been SHOWN yet and who knows when even the most obvious ones (ala MGS4) are even coming out.
I think it's completely delusional to think the PS3 has no games (I can think of several I'd pick up if I had the thing) and clearly things will improve this year... but at the same time, is what is being offered there worth enough that I should buy a second $400 console that will largely share the same multiplatform titles?
For me the answer is obviously no. For others, apparently not. I personally couldn't give two shits about MGS4 or FFXIII, but I know many are going nuts over them. We'll see.
2-15-2008 @ 9:22AM
RangerPrimeX said...
Congrats on PS3 for the sales win this month. They have been needing that for awhile.
If you think about it though, I would hang it on the Blu-ray win from Warner Brothers. I think as we watch software numbers that it will show that it is non-gamers getting their Blu-ray players now that it looks like the HD format war is finally over or at least winding down. PS3 like the Wii needs people buying games at least the future line up is looking brighter for the PS3. Microsoft will need to make nice and release a Blu-ray add-on sooner the better.
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2-15-2008 @ 9:42AM
Magic Whiskey said...
I don't think the 360 needs a Blu-ray player add-on. Let's face facts: we're on the cusp within a year or so of hearing about the NEXT Xbox, and that one will probably have the disc format you're talking about.
Our 360 on the other hand probably only has another 24 to 36 months before the next console starts lurking. Considering that the 360 has, as of today, been out two years and four months. (November 22, 2005.) Most consoles don't stay fresh more than four or five years, and even saying that the 360 will sell during the early lifespan of the next iteration, which it will, still won't merit a blu-ray drive based on the fact that those that usually purchase 'older' consoles do so because they've waited for a sub $200 pricepoint and probably wouldn't or couldn't afford another $100-$150 attachment.
Hell, odds are if you've waited five years for a 360 by that point you probably don't even have an HD TV so the blu-ray tech wouldn't benefit you anyway.
This is why PS2s still sell.
ANYWAY...Yeah, we'll see a blu-ray disc drive in the next Xbox, but for now, I predict we will never see one for or in the 360.
2-15-2008 @ 10:20AM
Chris Smith said...
The PS2s still sell because they are portable, they have a huge install base, and the games are cheap and readily available. IMO it will be a hard sell for me to purchase another xbox if the rumors are true that a new xbox will be released in '09 or '10. I really enjoy my xbox360 and I must confess that the current exclusive titles surpasses anything the ps3 has put out.
2-15-2008 @ 9:26AM
Matt said...
it's been touched on but something very important and significant happened in the last month - The format war between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray pretty much came to a screeching halt with Blu-Ray as the clear and decisive winner. I can assure you this gave PS3 the boost it needed. I've always felt that I would likely eventually get a PS3 and this Blu-Ray victory pretty much solidified that. Let's just see if the PS3 finally starts selling some software.
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2-15-2008 @ 9:32AM
Magic Whiskey said...
The first thing I was thinking to myself about this was "Who buys consoles predominantly in January?" It's gotta be those people that are now using Holiday money they were gifted in December. Lord knows no big games hit during the period.
Speaking from the retail front, it was all about the blu-ray player, I think. I mean, truth be told..if you were a HD freak, knew no better and had about a thou to burn in your pocket (..and you knew no better..let me emphasize..) then yeah, you'd buy a PS3 over a 360 because you bought what was on the shelf waiting for you.
With the blu-ray format finally switching from Chestburtster to Xenomorph warrior (after having impregnated the HD-DVD disc with a Facehugger) and the lack of 360 consoles on shelves, what's an uninformed, antsy Best Buy customer to do?
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2-15-2008 @ 11:09AM
Chris Smith said...
I agree. Time Warner's news of going blu-ray only in January fueled the industry in pronouncing blu-ray the format winner. Also, before super bowl high definition tv sales always increase during this period. Since Sony has invested a lot of money into the console/format war, the PS3 is the best blu-ray player out there today (even better than their own stand alone players). So people wanting a high definition player generally choose the PS3 due to its future proof hardware/firmware upgrades (ie BD Live).
2-15-2008 @ 9:32AM
Herobotic said...
Alright, I admit it! It's my fault! I needed something to play while my red ringed xbox was out! I'm so ashamed...
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