Large PS3 Launch, Nintendo Resolutions

ConfusedFX writes "GameDAILY has published a news article featuring Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo's Executive Vice President of Sales. He had several things to say about Nintendo's 2006 strategy, one of which, 'We will sell more units than Xbox 360 did here in the United States in our launch window.' He commented about Xbox 360 owners spending nearly $800 at launch; he wants the Nintendo Revolution to be 'affordable' to the average gamer. Additionally, GameDAILY has posted an interview with Andy Parsons, senior VP of Pioneer Electronics, written by The Digital Bits. Some analysts expect the PS3 to launch with around 1 million units -- Andy says he's heard differently from Sony. 'If Sony ships the kind of numbers we expect them to this year, that will provide a very rapid growth of players out there hungry for titles. We've been hearing between 4 and 7 million units could ship.'"

Comments

Re:Predictions...

[SetupWeasel]

I believe very strongly that Zelda and the Revolution will release within a month of each other. Since the Revolution plays GC games natively it would be a mistake not to release what would be such a huge Revolution-selling game so far a way. I expect Zelda to prime the market for the Rev's release sort of a pre-launch game to get the Nintendo name on everyone's lips.

Just my prediction.

It will sell fairly well, but people will be confused by it at first.

Depends on the number of demo units they have. If they put Revolutions playable in stores a few weeks before launch (like they did with the DS), I don't see a problem.

Re:What is going to happen to Microsoft and the 36

[jchenx]

It appears that the 360 is getting pushed off the mind of the public and everything is turning into Nintendo Revolution and Sony PS3.

That's definately to be expected. The public and press are always going to be interested in the next, newest things. That's what happened with the Gamecube and Xbox. There was an enormous amount of press about those two consoles, yet the PS2 obviously reigned supreme in the end.

Wait until 2007 rolls around, when all consoles have (presumably) launched, and then see what the press/public cares about to see what has ultimately grabbed mindshare.

Can anyone give a plausible scenario where Microsoft can remain relevant to the next gen race?

I am looking at the release list of games for the 360 over the next year and it looks like all the same type of games that the first xbox had. There doesn't seem any reason for anyone to buy a 360 who didn't already buy the first xbox.

It's all about the games. I'm a big Japanese RPG fan, so my PS2 got far more play than my Xbox. However, there are a couple of interesting J-RPGs in development (Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey to name a few). If they do well, and Square continues to make more titles for the 360 (FFXI is now in beta), then the 360 may actually be relevant in Japan. If that happens, then that could definately reduce the market share of the PS3. If not, then yeah, the 360 will essentially be the same as the first Xbox ... lots of ports, a few exclusives (Halo), and arguablly the best online support/features. That isn't bad, per say, but could be better.

What I'm really worried about is Nintendo. After talking to my friends (who have been Nintendo fanbois in the past), they are surprisingly pessimistic about the Revolution. It seems people are either really excited about the new control scheme, or think it's going to fall flat on their face. I'm all for controller improvements, and Nintendo has shown it is fully capable of performing here (we have them to thank for analog sticks and the trigger button), but this is a pretty drastic thing. I'm hoping its more like the DS and less like the Virtual Boy.