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koam · Jul 13, 2007

http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSN1232602520070713?pageNumber=1

SANTA MONICA, California (Reuters) - Sales of Nintendo's quirky Wii video game machine could top the legendary PlayStation 2, making it the biggest hit in the industry's history, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said on Thursday.

Nintendo Co. Ltd. (7974.OS: Quote, Profile, Research) sped past Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) in market capitalization last month to become one of the 10 most valuable companies in Japan.

Iwata in an interview also played down the threat to Nintendo's (7974.OS: Quote, Profile, Research) business of a price cut in Sony's PlayStation 3 and the introduction of a thinner PlayStation Portable.

The Wii has outsold Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 monthly since its November launch, helped by its relatively affordable $250 price tag and a motion-sensing controller that can be swung like a bat, for instance.

Instead of offering lifelike graphics to appeal to hard-core gamers, who are mostly men, Nintendo has appealed to an audience including women and the elderly with innovative but easy-to-play games.

"Sony's PS2 sales of 100 million units is an extraordinary number that our home game console business has not achieved," Iwata said.

"But if we can make our bid to expand the gaming population a continued success, we could exceed that," he told Reuters.

Sony has shipped more than 120 million units of the PS2, helping the Tokyo-based electronics and entertainment conglomerate dominate the $30 billion global video game industry over the past decade.

Nintendo's strategy to entice new players into the video game market has so far proved a smashing success: its DS portable and the Wii console are flying off store shelves.

Nintendo sold 5.8 million units of the Wii by March 2007, and aims to sell another 14 million during the current business year to March 2008.

In an effort to revive sales of its console and better compete with Nintendo, Sony on Monday cut the price of its PlayStation 3 by $100 in the United States. lol) The company also unveiled a slimmer model of the PSP handheld this week.

Those steps, however, are unlikely to have substantial effects on Nintendo's operations, Iwata said.

"I wouldn't say there is no overlap between the group of customers Sony is targeting and the group of users that Nintendo is targeting. But that overlap is quite small," said Iwata, who is in Santa Monica, California, for the E3 game industry show.

Iwata also said the hardware side of its Wii game console business has already turned profitable.
It is not uncommon for a game maker to sustain prolonged losses in its hardware business while making money from software sales.

PS2 vs Wii graph requested

NintendosBooger · Jul 13, 2007

Not going to happen.

RiskyChris · Jul 13, 2007

NintendosBooger said:
Not going to happen.

See: Wii Fit. With the right Wii supply, that could push 10-30M systems in America.

Edit: Americans luv dem sum fad diets, :lol

theultimo · Jul 13, 2007

Considering PS2 is still selling, I don't think so, for a long while.

Hcoregamer00 · Jul 13, 2007

It isn't happening until I see PS2 caliber games, those seem to be on the XBOX 360 at the moment.

justjohn · Jul 13, 2007

come back in 7 yrs time

QVT · Jul 13, 2007

NintendosBooger said:
Not going to happen.

If only because it ought not be around for as long as PS2 was. It took PS2 a little over 6 years to sell 100 million, right? If the Wii is around for six years then. I dunno, its unthinkable.

Gahiggidy · Jul 13, 2007

QVT said:
If only because it ought not be around for as long as PS2 was. It took PS2 a little over 6 years to sell 100 million, right? If the Wii is around for six years then. I dunno, its unthinkable.

Ehh... they could cheat with releasing a Wii-hd that has enough boost in power to display at HDTV resolutions, while requireing all games made for Wii-hd to be playable at the lower spec original Wii. Not sure how feasible that is, though.

CreatureX3 · Jul 13, 2007

Wii is already tracking ahead of PS2. Plus with all the amazing Wii software on the way, the mighty PS2 record will fall to the new king of consoles...Wii!

Rancid Mildew · Jul 13, 2007

It's certainly on the right trajectory. I think it is unlikely but if developer support picks up or if Nintendo attracts enough new gamers a 120 million sales point would be within range. We'll probably know the clear picture of what third party developers will have in store by TGS or E3 next year. WiiFit should establish whether or not the Wii has enough non-gaming appeal as well.

The far more likely scenario is that Nintendo dethrones the gaming king (Sony) and follows up with another console that's an even bigger hit. We're probably in the early stages of an event similar to the destruction of the N64 by the PS1 only with the players reversed.

koam · Jul 13, 2007

Gahiggidy said:
Ehh... they could cheat with releasing a Wii-hd that has enough boost in power to display at HDTV resolutions, while requireing all games made for Wii-hd to be playable at the lower spec original Wii. Not sure how feasible that is, though.

I'm pretty sure this will happen.

Next SKU (besides packed in games) will be DVD Wii
Followed by Wii with Hard Drive
Followed by Wii with upscalling

Pellham · Jul 13, 2007

Yeah, this won't happen unless the wii magically sells 120m units within 3-4 years.

The wii, as best selling as it is, is going to have a portable-like lifecycle (i.e. 3-4 years instead of 6-7). Which is a good thing because it means new consoles remain cheap, and backwards compatible, but still provide the necessary upgrades (HD, more flash memory, etc.).

Tiktaalik · Jul 13, 2007

I really don't see this happening.

XiaNaphryz · Jul 13, 2007

koam said:
http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSN1232602520070713?pageNumber=1

PS2 vs Wii graph requested

I'm sure one of the Sales-Age regulars can whip up a graph, but if I remember right the Wii is currently tracking ahead of PS2.

Snaku · Jul 13, 2007

First gen Wii's don't break down at a high enough rate.

koam · Jul 13, 2007

Snaku said:
First gen Wii's don't break down at a high enough rate.

Duct tape is magic!

RamzaIsCool · Jul 13, 2007

Snaku said:
First gen Wii's don't break down at a high enough rate.

So with that logic the Xbox360 will be the best sold system ever?

MasterMFauli · Jul 13, 2007

Hahahaha, it would be even better if Nintendo could sell 120 mio. Wiis without 3rd-party-games. They could finally say "F*ck yoz, 3rd-parties, you didnt support us...bow we dont need you, anyway. Die in hell!"

MassiveAttack · Jul 13, 2007

PS2 hasn't dropped to $99, let alone $49 and is still selling over 200K per month.

DemDereNads · Jul 13, 2007

If DS doesn't do it with ease, I don't really see how Wii will do it, as the DS is even killing it's big brother.

CreatureX3 · Jul 13, 2007

Snaku said:
First gen Wii's don't break down at a high enough rate.

Oh crap. I forgot about that! :lol

deathkiller · Jul 13, 2007

Nintendo will kill the Wii with his successor before it happens.

Snaku · Jul 13, 2007

RamzaIsCool said:
So with that logic the Xbox360 will be the best sold system ever?

Xbox 360 priced itself out of the mass market price range.

JoshuaJSlone · Jul 13, 2007

It's as unthinkable as DS becoming the best-selling portable ever.

XiaNaphryz said:
I'm sure one of the Sales-Age regulars can whip up a graph, but if I remember right the Wii is currently tracking ahead of PS2.

From worldwide launches, yes. From NA launches, yes. From Japanese launches, not yet but closing in fast. From European launches, no.

I've been collecting information to set up some comparative shipment graphs worldwide and by region since that information is fairly public, but I'm not quite ready yet.

Cygnus X-1 · Jul 13, 2007

I think it is very unlikely. Instead, the DS will reach that goal.

felipeko · Jul 13, 2007

Neogaf is really a weird place. When people see the trends of PS3 doing worst then GC they say: oh it will improve.. sure, it's a playstation, it will end up better than GC, who else think otherwise is not being rational...
But when people see trends of Wii doing better than PS2: oh, it can't top that.. just can't..

theultimo · Jul 13, 2007

felipeko said:
Neogaf is really a weird place. When people see the trends of PS3 doing worst then GC they say: oh it will improve.. sure, it's a playstation, it will end up better than GC, who else think otherwise is not being rational...
But when people see trends of Wii doing better than PS2: oh, it can't top that.. just can't..

The problem lies in that the PS2 is STILL SELLING.

And again, we are still early in the cycle. ANYTHING can happen.

JoshuaJSlone · Jul 13, 2007

I'm sure Wii will best NES, but that's only setting the bar half as high as PS2. Who knows. It's off to the right start, though.

Gahiggidy said:
Ehh... they could cheat with releasing a Wii-hd that has enough boost in power to display at HDTV resolutions, while requireing all games made for Wii-hd to be playable at the lower spec original Wii. Not sure how feasible that is, though.

Amigos, please develop the unfeasible WiiHD

"UNfeasible? It must be more than feasible!"

MassiveAttack said:
PS2 hasn't dropped to $99, let alone $49 and is still selling over 200K per month.

Which just makes the expectations among some that Wii will stop selling in 3 years seem silly as well.

felipeko · Jul 13, 2007

theultimo said:
The problem lies in that the PS2 is STILL SELLING.

And what makes you think Wii will suddenly stop when next gen comes?

CrushDance · Jul 13, 2007

CreatureX3 said:
Wii is already tracking ahead of PS2. Plus with all the amazing Wii software on the way, the mighty PS2 record will fall to the new king of consoles...Wii!

Keep dreaming. It took PS2 how long. And Wii won't be around forever. Sure Nintendo could continue supporting after Sony and MS have moved on but I find that highly unlikely.

Console life times are roughly 5-6 years before a new iteration. Nintendo can't sell 20million every year.

[Nintex] · Jul 13, 2007

felipeko said:
Neogaf is really a weird place. When people see the trends of PS3 doing worst then GC they say: oh it will improve.. sure, it's a playstation, it will end up better than GC, who else think otherwise is not being rational...
But when people see trends of Wii doing better than PS2: oh, it can't top that.. just can't..

Nintendo will kill the system beforehand. Sony is still selling PS2's and recently released GOW2 for the system. Nintendo abandoned the GameCube and stopped producing. I don't think they keep the Wii on store shelves when the next system is released.

Basicly Sony runned the show without any competition from 1999(RIP Dreamcast) untill 2001/2002 when the Cube and Xbox hit worldwide. Also Sony produced much more systems then I think Nintendo will ever will. They shouldn't have hardware shortages they should try to meet demand and open more factories. But Nintendo won't do that in the near future, instead they just bank on the growing demand and good press.

Jokeropia · Jul 13, 2007

So far so good.

[Nintex] said:
Nintendo will kill the system beforehand. Sony is still selling PS2's and recently released GOW2 for the system. Nintendo abandoned the GameCube and stopped producing.

That's because the PS2 was very successful and the Gamecube wasn't. Successful systems have longer lives than unsuccessful systems. Nintendo stuck with the original Gameboy for nine years before releasing the Gameboy Color.

Nolan. · Jul 13, 2007

Well they better start breaking soon then.

Cmagus · Jul 13, 2007

ugh when will Nintendo talk about new games? Everything is oh the Wii is selling alot like who ****ing cares we know it is selling well.Im so dissapointed with Nintendo and then the Rygar announcement hell.

felipeko · Jul 13, 2007

[Nintex] said:
Nintendo will kill the system beforehand. Sony is still selling PS2's and recently released GOW2 for the system. Nintendo abandoned the GameCube and stopped producing. I don't think they keep the Wii on store shelves when the next system is released.

Basicly Sony runned the show without any competition from 1999(RIP Dreamcast) untill 2001/2002 when the Cube and Xbox hit worldwide. Also Sony produced much more systems then I think Nintendo will ever will. They shouldn't have hardware shortages they should try to meet demand and open more factories. But Nintendo won't do that in the near future, instead they just bank on the growing demand and good press.

I think i still see Gamecubes on store shelves...

And this just don't hold any truth. Nintendo didn't stop supporting SNES or NES, and guess what, those consoles sold better than the competition. The same will happen to Wii.

dr3upmushroom · Jul 13, 2007

I'm sure Nintendo will be able to achieve this in Japan alone... I'm sure it'll become a custom to give a new Wii to a new born child.

Earthstrike · Jul 13, 2007

theultimo said:
The problem lies in that the PS2 is STILL SELLING.

And again, we are still early in the cycle. ANYTHING can happen.

But there will be a day when it STOPS selling and then the Wii will continue selling.

JoshuaJSlone · Jul 13, 2007

[Nintex] said:
Nintendo will kill the system beforehand. Sony is still selling PS2's and recently released GOW2 for the system. Nintendo abandoned the GameCube and stopped producing. I don't think they keep the Wii on store shelves when the next system is released.

Come on. You know better than that.

Rule of thumb...
System sells 20 million: Try to move attention to your new successful machine.
System sells 100 million: Suck it for all it's worth.

warthog · Jul 13, 2007

Earthstrike said:
But there will be a day when it STOPS selling and then the Wii will continue selling.

But will it be selling as long as the PS2 has and still is? I doubt it.

Deku · Jul 13, 2007

Wii, WiiHD, WiiHD:Senior's Edition might reach 100 million.

Allen · Jul 13, 2007

It will hit 100M within a 6-year time frame. Market expansion is real.

Xavien · Jul 13, 2007

From JoshuaJSlone's own website:

http://joshuajamesslone.name/gamech...4]=&system[5]=&date[5]=&group[5]=&tracker[5]=

Japan Only though

HAL_Laboratory · Jul 13, 2007

NintendosBooger said:
Not going to happen.

Actually, it will happen. And succulent crow will be had by all.

Link316 · Jul 13, 2007

didn't take long for Nintendo to become arrogant again -_-

GDGF · Jul 13, 2007

Snaku said:
First gen Wii's don't break down at a high enough rate.

:lol I'm glad you said it.

xaosslug · Jul 13, 2007

Bigfoot · Jul 13, 2007

theultimo said:
The problem lies in that the PS2 is STILL SELLING.

And again, we are still early in the cycle. ANYTHING can happen.

Exactly, anything can happen, so you can't write off the Wii topping the PS2 yet. I could see the Wii selling more systems than the PS2, but I don't think it would ever sell as much software as the PS2 did.

Phantast2k · Jul 13, 2007

ps2waggle: "objection!"

CrushDance · Jul 13, 2007

Link316 said:
didn't take long for Nintendo to become arrogant again -_-

They're not arrogant they are expanding the market with the blue ocean and embracing casuals making it easy for almost anyone to pick up a game and play with just the flick of a wrist without having to press any buttons at all with such an ingenious break through the wii cannot be stopped and will continue to sell even more so when it gets onto oprah and she gives it her seal of approval everybody will suddenly be in rapture and cries of joy will reign through the country as people praise wii and it outsells ps2 in just two more years.

Thoren · Jul 13, 2007

If the Wii outsells the PS2 I will cut my own head off

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