PSP To Increase U.S. Lead Over DS

Next Generation has a piece on an analyst's prediction that Sony's PSP will gain more ground on the Nintendo DS, here in the states, over the next five years. From the article: "SIG has compared year-by-year sales and estimates for the first five years of each machine's life, using sell-in and factory shipments. It points out that in its first year both PSP and DS managed around 13 million units each, with DS slightly ahead. Year two cumulative stats give PSP 25 million over DS' 22 million. In Year Three the difference rises to ten million (38m to 28m). In Year Four, PSP's lead has stretched to 15 million and to 20 million by Year Five." Though the PSP is now leading in the U.S., the DS is still king of the mountain in Japan.

Comments

when did the psp outsell the ds?

[Anonymous Coward]

I mean units in customers hands, not in retail channels.

Seriously, when? Anybody got a source?

Re:when did the psp outsell the ds?

[Anonymous Coward]

It hasn't outsold the Nintendo DS for more than a couple of weeks at a time; and may never outsell the DS.

Unfortunately (for Sony fans) Sony is demonstrating an understanding of the market on a much worse level than they had with either the Playstation or PS2; at the same time Nintendo is demonstrating an understanding of the market at a much higher level than they have since the SNES.

Basically Sony thinks that people want a (3rd rate) MP3 player and a (2nd rate) Portable DVD player at a higher price than both of the components would cost together; on top of that their games are middle of the road, boring ports/clones/sequels of PS2 games. On the other hand Nintendo has focused on producing a low cost gaming system; their games are demonstrating a reasonably high quality and originality level for a new platform.

Pretty soon both systems will have price cuts, the Nintendo DS will be at a price level where it is gift friendly for most families, many people can purchase it on a whim, and small children/young teens can easily save up for one; the PSP will still be a pretty large investment for most gamers. Basically, the Nintendo DS will increase it's market dominance when it hits the mass-market price range well before the PSP.

DS is my choice

[elasticwings]

While they are both fun pieces of hardware in their own respect. I just have a thing for Nintendo and the fact that they still make games that are just fun. This is the same reason I prefer to have a Gamecube over other consoles and will probably buy a Revolution. I just like fun games.

Analyst: DS will beat PSP

[Jerf]

Noted Slashdot analyst "Jerf" has analyzed the portable market, and has determined that the DS will beat the PSP in the US. Jerf points out that in its first year both PSP and DS managed around 13 million units each, with DS slightly ahead. Year two cumulative stats give DS 25 million over the PSP's 22 million. In Year Three the difference rises to ten million (38m to 28m). In Year Four, the DS' lead has stretched to 15 million and to 20 million by Year Five.

When asked for evidence for his claims, he replied: "What, we need evidence and reasons? What, are you a Communist or something?"

(Actually, the report may or may not be useful. Who can tell, since we don't seem to have a link to it. But the article is useless trash, and if I had to guess, this study does sound suspiciously paid-for, if you get my drift.)