Reuters is reporting that March sales for the PS3 in Japan (146,948 units) ended up higher than the Wii’s (99,335 units) for the first time since the console’s launch. The article reports that Sony’s big sequel releases “Resident Evil 5” and “Ryuu ga Gotoku (Yakuza) 3” were the reason for the spike in Sales.
While it’s easy to tell that sequels to Sega and Capcom’s hit series would drive up console sales, it’s hard for me to ignore how little the Wii was promoted in domestic advertising during the past month. I would say the vast majority of Nintendo’s regualar public ads (public transportation, TV etc.) focused mainly on the DSi, its new colors, and first party title “Mario and Luigi RPG 3.”
After reading last month’s sales figures it started to hit me that Nintendo’s domestic ads often seem somewhat polar, focusing a lot of energy onto a single product or title even if it might mean neglecting other recent releases. While this strategy may work just fine when Microsoft and Sony console struggle to gain a foot-hold, I’m beginning to wonder if a more comprehensive advertising approach isn’t going to be necessary for Nintendo to compete with the growing library of hit titles on other consoles going into the Summer.
Then again, Reuters’ analyst doesn’t think that the figures are any real threat to the Wii’s overall success and I’d like to agree in thinking a slow sales like last month’s shows not a slump but merely a calm before the storm.
Hey, software sells hardware right? If Nintendo isn't getting the big games (like RE5 or whatever) right now, it's only logical. When games like DQ and Monster Hunter hit, you'll see what I'm talking about. You can't begrudge the PS3 a little success. If it has the games, it has the games, and it deserves at least a temporary spike. The question is if they can maintain any of this momentum moving forward.
I think that Wii sales are going to slow unit E3 for two reasons. The first reason is now that they have been readily available for a while most people who really wanted one have one. Also the more hard core Nintnedo fan doesnt have much to be excited about right now with a lack of first and second party games. I know there is excite bots, Wii Sports Resorts, and Punch Out but thats not the ussual Nintendo blits that Nintendo fans are use to. After E3 the Nintendo fans will hopefully be pleased and if they dont already have one or if they sold theres then they will run out and get one. Also by then there will be a release date for Wii Sports Resorts and all the casual gamers who haven't picked one up will have another reason to do so. In Japan the PS3 will continue to pick up speed but Nintendo doesnt have much to worry about they have this one in the bag.
The PS3 is set to become a very formidable console. It will take time but I think it will be more popular in a year.
Doom and gloom, bubble is bursting, etc.
Yeah, all Sony needs to do is have another 360 consecutive months of two AAA PS3 titles to Nintendo's none, and they'll catch up with the Wii.
Well, they said they were playing a long game…. 30 years is pretty long.
If only third parties would end their childish embargo of the Wii. Nintendo may be the most talented and efficient developer on the planet, but they aren't gods.
Instead most of the major companies seem like they are more interested in propping up a competitor than actually competing for the majority's money. Such a shame, and so many wasted opportunities.
@Jeff,
"Instead most of the major companies seem like they are more interested in propping up a competitor than actually competing for the majority's money."
You're right. I think their mentality is, "Without us, the Wii's success won't last forever". But with each passing quarter of record sales they have to be kicking themselves. It's sad though, because so many companies have been so heavily invested in the generally underperforming HD platforms, that they are going out of business. If they would just step out of their little boxes, they might be surprised what they find by marketing to the console that has sold as many units as the other 2 combineds, and in much less time.
I'm actually happy to see big publishers banking money on underperforming HD-consoles. That will run them out of money while small time publishers like SEGA (yes, I know they're fourth biggest, but they're still small compared to EA/Activision) and small time developers like High Voltage Software will gain a lot out of their focus on the Wii-development.
That'll make them bigger and more influential, gathering to it a lot of drop-outs from Free Radical and Factor 5-employes. And lots of other devs who bet on the wrong horse. Hopefully, it will make Winter for Wii more likely to be a top-priority for N-Space. I really liked their Geist game.
Wait till Monster Hunter 3 comes out. 🙂
—
Posted using DSi browser
This won't matter when Monster Hunter comes out, but I must say I am actually hoping that sales start to trail off in Japan. The faster that happens, the faster we will see an HD version of the Wii!
@ KillerHeroes:
What the fuck?
@ Josh:
Knowing Nintendo, they'll probably send a graphics patch for the Wii using WiiConnect24 to us at 1:00 in the freaking morning.
Wii2 won't come along until competitors release their new systems in 2011 at the EARLIEST.
Gameboy Advance beat out PS3 for a month so I guess we're even