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Xbox Gains Ground, Outsells PS2 In U.S.?
Thanks to Reuters for its story noting that Microsoft's Xbox is "expected to have outsold Sony's PlayStation 2 for the first time on a monthly basis in April" , apparently helped "by a price cut that made the Xbox cheaper than the PS2" - though a PlayStation 2 price cut to $149 is seemingly rumored for announcement at E3. The rise of the Xbox-exclusive title is also noted: "Titles like 'Ninja Gaiden' and 'Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow' rode rave reviews to big sales, both finishing among the top five titles in sales for March, according to the NPD Group." Elsewhere in the same article, Dan Hsu of EGM comments on Xbox 2's possible showing at E3, commenting: "I think it'd be very strange for them to announce anything like that, because it would only hurt this holiday season for them... Even if this thing is not coming out for a year or two years, that still gives the impression that [the Xbox] is outdated technology."
We like Microsoft when it comes to the xbox, right?
I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the XBOX (or the GC) started to outsell the PS2. The PS2's been around longer, and was also a good deal more popular. Eventaully it'll hit a saturation point to where people start wondering what's going on with the other 2. Though I really don't care much for Sony or the PS2, I wouldn't be quick to jump on the "See, I told you that system sucks" bandwagon.
"Derp de derp."
If this was near the launch of the consoles it might mean something, but microsoft is going to keep playing a catchup game. There are still alot more PS2's on the market than there are xboxs.
In America we are imprisoned by our fear of them.
....seven months ago, due to a price drop. PS2 quickly re-took second place (behind the GameBoy Advance) the following month.
And before anyone opens their mouth about that being non-news....that's exactly what is being claimed here about the Xbox now.
Analysts? The same analysts who've been telling us online console gaming is going to be "like, so huge, maaan" and Nintendo should quit while they're drowning in money for the past five years now?
Pardon me while I laugh hysterically.
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Fable - PC
Doom 3 - PC
KOTOR II - PC
Advent Rising - PC
Full Spectrum Warrior - PC
Starcraft Ghost - PS2 and GameCube
Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow - PS2 and GameCube (this week or next if I'm not mistaken)
Halo 2 & Jade Empire - Would not be surprised to see PC versions
The only reasons the Xbox out sold the PS2 is
1. $50 cheaper
2. Everyone like owns 2 or 3 PS2 by now.
Heres a question, by how many consoles did the Xbox out sell the PS2 by? 100,000? 10,000? 1,000? 100? 10? 1?
What pretty much happen was MS drooped the price and people said what the hell, nothing good came out this month, might as well pick up this console for the hell of it. Its not because it has good "exclusive" titles, I'm sorry but it has one of the worst selections of "exclusive" games. 90% of the time you can go out and by their "exclusive" titles for the PC for like $10-$20 less with all the same features.
The PS2 will always have the largest selection of REAL "exclusive" titles. All the Xbox is getting are more PC ports and calling them "exclusive" titles and on top of that their not that great too. Take Rare's latest game.
Really how many boring RPGs and stupid FPS can you stand? Come on! Lets see I have a choice of Doom3, Half Life 2, Halo 2, UT2005, Quake 4 and what ever other FPS come out. And I rather play a FPS on the PC where I can uses a mouse and keyboard and also make Maps and Mods for the game. I like nothing more then being able to run around UT2k4 as Bender.
And come on KotoR was not that great, it maybe one of the best Star Wars games I've played in a long time, but it was one of the worst RPGs I've played. KotoR would have made a good MMORPG. The game was so boring and dry and the ending could have been written by a 10 year old. I uses to joke around about how that could be the ending and it turn out to really be it.
And all Ninja Gaiden was, was Shinobi with more blood, it was also another very lage disapointment. I'm glad I only rented it and didn't waste my money buying it.
It's one stupid month people, next month the PS2 will be back on top.
Don't forget people a couple months back the GameCube out sold the PS2 too.
-------- -Cap
~Bommers, Why did it have to be Bommers!?!
yes, i know some of those aren't exclusive, but you did the same thing (Starcraft: Ghost and Full Spectrum Warrior both have PS2 release dates)
that being said, the "sushi-RPGs and repetitive kung-fu fighting games" are catering to an Audience that you probably don't subscribe to, then again, i could care less about Doom 3, FSW, and Advent Rising because i don't subscribe to their intended audience (but the rest that you mentioned are on my must-buy list... yes, that means i own an X-Box)
i also want to note, that anyone that didn't see a sale slump for the PS2 coming from 6 months ago needs a reality check, do P2-450MHZ computers sell as well now as they did when they first came out? i think not, old technology will be replaced, thats a proven fact
/. is overrun by bed-wetting elitist nerds
let it be known, for anything other than servers, a *nix OS sucks
PS2's best days are behind it. Get used to it.7 BB2CCAA2F-12BF-4446-944B-7487D59FAF5E%7D&siteid=go ogle&dist=google)
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This is not just a month affair. We are talking first quarter PS2 sales for Sony down 28% from last year, Sony's profits down massively in the first quarter due to a sharp drop in sales of both PS2 consoles and games.
Meanwhile XBOX was the only console that actually had an increase on console sales in January and February, even before any price cuts were announced. Plus an increase of a whopping 80% in games sales.
And now this.
Sales figures for game consoles in April were XBOX 270,000 units to PS2 200,000 versus Gamecube 100,000 for Nintendo's GameCube . (http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%
Even the anti-American British publication "The Economist" has come around to the view that Microsoft is about to eat Sony's lunch.(http://cbs.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?
Extract : "Next week, the industry's biggest trade show, E3, which takes place in Los Angeles, will provide the first glimpses of the next round. It is expected to be a brutal two-way fight. For, after a difficult start, Microsoft has now established itself as Sony's main rival, and is gaining momentum. Most important, it has won the crucial support of games publishers, says Nick Gibson of Games Investor, a consultancy. That means Microsoft will "pretty much be neck and neck with Sony" in the next round"
XBOX has been by far the best game console on the market, best processor, best graphics, more memory than any other console, hard drive included, network card as standard, its the easiest console to develop games for and has always been the best value for money by far, even before this recent price cuts.
Now are having some of the best games on XBOX coming out now and later this year.
Consumers have finally figured it all out and are feeling the PS2 to get themselves an XBOX as quickly as they can.
Its time for you to wake up and smell the coffee.