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In the holiday video game console wars, everybody is a winner
Tech Views: Video game consolse compete
Ranier Ramirez
Issue date: 2/8/07 Section: Friday Tech News
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December marked the first full month in which all three next generation video game consoles were available in stores.
According to NPD, a sales and market research company, Microsoft's Xbox 360 was on top of the new console wars by selling 1.1 million units in December, followed by the Nintendo Wii at 600,000 units and Sony's Playstation 3 at 490,000 units.
Both the Nintendo Wii and Sony's PS3 had hit the market in November and were seemingly impossible to find in subsequent weeks. With a high demand, both would have easily sold more consoles if units had been more available throughout December.
The Xbox 360, which debuted in November 2005, was a readily available alternative for those who did not want to wait in lines for a new gaming console. Having a head start of over a year, it had an attractive library of games and was regularly stocked in stores.
In different ways, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony have claimed victory for the 2006 holiday season. The Xbox 360 was indisputably the leader in console sales over December. The Nintendo Wii won because they were able to outsell its November release rival, PS3. Nintendo also posted record profits in December because of a high number of games and accessories bought alongside the Wii, as well as the success of its handheld DS system. Sony, although selling the PS3's at a $250 loss, claimed success because units were completely sold out in stores in the U.S. and also because of the PS2's continued sales.
Surprisingly, the overall top selling console in December was the 7-year-old Playstation 2, selling 1.4 million units. Beating that number was Nintendo's handheld DS system, selling 1.6 million units to consumers.
According to Adam Harris, the store manager of the EB Games across the street from the SJSU campus, the Wii and the Xbox 360 were the most successful over the holiday season.
"Everyone is still asking for the Wii," Harris said.
According to NPD, a sales and market research company, Microsoft's Xbox 360 was on top of the new console wars by selling 1.1 million units in December, followed by the Nintendo Wii at 600,000 units and Sony's Playstation 3 at 490,000 units.
Both the Nintendo Wii and Sony's PS3 had hit the market in November and were seemingly impossible to find in subsequent weeks. With a high demand, both would have easily sold more consoles if units had been more available throughout December.
The Xbox 360, which debuted in November 2005, was a readily available alternative for those who did not want to wait in lines for a new gaming console. Having a head start of over a year, it had an attractive library of games and was regularly stocked in stores.
In different ways, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony have claimed victory for the 2006 holiday season. The Xbox 360 was indisputably the leader in console sales over December. The Nintendo Wii won because they were able to outsell its November release rival, PS3. Nintendo also posted record profits in December because of a high number of games and accessories bought alongside the Wii, as well as the success of its handheld DS system. Sony, although selling the PS3's at a $250 loss, claimed success because units were completely sold out in stores in the U.S. and also because of the PS2's continued sales.
Surprisingly, the overall top selling console in December was the 7-year-old Playstation 2, selling 1.4 million units. Beating that number was Nintendo's handheld DS system, selling 1.6 million units to consumers.
According to Adam Harris, the store manager of the EB Games across the street from the SJSU campus, the Wii and the Xbox 360 were the most successful over the holiday season.
"Everyone is still asking for the Wii," Harris said.
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