The Christmas Console Wars: round one to Xbox?
Battle for the wrapping paper begins
In the run-up to the Christmas season, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo will all be eagerly analysing sales figures in an attempt to declare their own console champion of champions. Microsoft has already made the first move and declared that it's in the best position to win the race to that place under the tree.
Microsoft UK's Xbox 360 marketing chief recently told one publication that it's in a better position than the competition in the run-up to the Christmas season, owing to the recent UK launch of the Elite model - reviewed here - and the various price drops across other editions. He also claimed the Xbox 360 is a "very powerful" and "high definition" console at the same price point as the Wii, which uses less-advanced technology and has no HD output.
Microsoft's Xbox 360: priced to take the fight to the Wii
However, recent market stats for the Wii make a strong case for Nintendo. Just yesterday Register Hardware reported that sales data from the Financial Times had shown that to date 9m Wiis have been sold, compared to 8.9m Xbox 360s and just 3.7m PS3s.
Nintendo will also be pleased to hear that the Wii has been named as, potentially, the console of choice for the Christmas period by an analysis of over 2000 online consumer comments. The BrandIntel examination found that the Wii is likely to dominate because it comes highly recommended by consumers and has a positive brand image in online forums.
The Xbox 360 meanwhile does have the advantage of maturity over both the PS3 and Wii, which means it's got a more extensive gaming catalogue than the PS3, something which some have used as ammunition against the Sony console. For example, Microsoft's website shows at least 219 games available and upcoming for the Xbox 360, while Sony's site lists 67 PS3 titles. The Wii is in a different gaming category, but Nintendo reckons there are 76 games available now or coming soon for the console.
Halo 3: Microsoft's not-so-secret weapon
However, Xbox 360 has Halo 3, which promises to attract as much attention for the 360 as Halo and Halo 2 did for the original Xbox. A possible contender title for PS3’s ultimate Christmas game is yet to emerge, although there are several possibilities. For example, Warhawk comes out later this month and sees gamers take to the skies in top-end fighter jets, and Lair, which sits gamers as a warrior riding a voracious dragon trained for deadly aerial and ground combat, and comes out next month.
COMMENTS
360 has already won.
Seriously, the only people buying PS3s are those that buy everything (me) and fan-boys (that won't last).
As for the Wii, look at the software sales. People are buying them for parties and impulse gaming. They're not the kind of people who fuel the industry. Well done to Nintendo for thinking outside the box however long term it won't make a difference to the big two as I see it as a different market.
As for the 360, It's faster cheaper and has more quality games for it. It's also rumured that the reason GTA4 is delayed is because the PS3 version is poo compared to the 360. If this is the case and Rockstar can't fix it then that might be the death blow to the PS3.
Wii will win - even though serious gamers prefer other consoles
Stu Reeves hit the nail on the head.
The Wii is fun for everybody. Your parents, grandparents young children etc.
For a serious gamer - the appeal soon wears off, but the majority of people out there are not serious gamers.
I thought the Wii would never take off. On paper it was no where near as good as the Xbox 360 or PS3. I was wrong.
The PSP is better than the DS Lite.
What Nintendo do is market to a much wider audience. Old and young alike. Their games are fun. Im thinknig of buying a DS just for the "brain" games. These could be done on other platforms - but for some reason they are not there. Serious gamers like my kids wont play them - but I would.
A lot of people will buy a Wii and an Xbox360 or a Wii and a PS3 but very few will get Xbox360 and PS3.
Blu-ray will help the PS3 in the long run, but its not made a big impact yet.
Xbox360 does have much better game sthan the PS3 right now.
Xbox360 works out more expensive -once you take into account subscription to Xbox live, wireless etc. (But Xbox live is way better than PS equivalent - you get what you pay for).
So Xmas - Wii wins. 2 years time... PS3?
no contest
Went to a lan party, all three consoles were on offer. The Lan party were all hard core gaming fans, serious players and we were there for a number of days.
The PS3 lasted on hour on the driving game. Then we were bored.
The xbox was there on and off because there were six Xbox machines and some games were okay. Mainly driving round london or something.
The Wii came out and we played for two days, I did five hours of tennis and pulled a shoulder muscle.
It's great, crimbo for me is a Wii. We are all sad hard core gaming fans and know what we like but the wii was just fun (novel concept), only so much FPS or RTS or driving round london before you get bored. RSI inducing controllers and samey style games.
If I want serious online hard core games I use my Pc, for casual, fun or group games the Wii wins.
Nuff said.
Hardcore gamers
What makes me laugh is the mention of "hardcore gamers" and "next gen consoles" "HD", All i can say is WOW. not as in world of warcraft, just wow, how many people are truly missing the point. Now i have a wii and recently bought a ps3, and i dont consider either to be a "next gen" console. Yes they have their benefits, but both have massive downfalls.
The PS3 is obviously a beast, graphics are awesome and the games ive played are fantastic. You can browse the web, download trailers and demos and even games (rub a dub is a laugh) but its very isolated. High end graphics mean nothing if its boring to play or if your on single player. And online play,... well give me a mouse and keyboard anyday.
Now for the Wii. I will say that it will win in the christmas sales, but it is flawed. It doesnt play DVD's. I know what your thinking.. Why? well it has a DVD drive... WHY THE HELL NOT?! You can use a modchip to get it to work but i quite like my warranty for now. And the online content is a bit lacking, slow and generally annoying. As for gameplay, FANTASTIC cant beat it. you can have a beautiful crisp scene with the sun setting and perfectly rendered characters, but until you have your girlfriend/mate dancing like an idiot infront of a TV for all to see, you have no idea.
HD is pointless unless the consoles can support it, XBOX elite... not very elite now is it. The PS3 have it right, its quiet and powerful. Whereas the Xbox HD-DVD drive is loud and annoying. But to be fair i have only ever played one Blueray film.
SUMMARY
Best console is the Wii. reason is because it isnt trying to comete with the true "hardcore gamers", and anyone can play it and can have a laugh.
The reason XBOX360 and PS3 lose... because i'm a PC fanatic and wouldnt ever give up my mouse and keyboard.
It's got to be the Wii
My parents visit my house and I get of my PC or console and we chat drink, its been like this for years,
Till I bought a Wii, now my parents (54 & 57) play the Wii,
It's the same for the nephews and nieces even their parents all my non computer friendly friends will all play the Wii,
That there is the pulling power of the Wii, the down side is I used to be the one that played games all the time now I have to watch some one else and wait my turn.
Amazing really I used to be scoffed at for playing games even 20 years ago now the whole family plays the Wii, I bet MS and Sony wish they could break that market. At least they dont like my PC :)
