I don't know how it is in other parts of the US or the world, but in my area it seems like every eb/gamestop and independent retailer have piles of used PS2s for relatively cheap (not to mention craigslist/ebay). Furthurmore, with the PS3's (probably dodgy but included) backward-compatability and the inevitability of a HUGE flood of used PS2's once Wii and PS3 come out, it seems logical to me that there would be a drop in hardware sales. Who wouldn't see that RIGHT BEFORE the PS3 launch buying a *new* PS2 wouldn't be the most economical idea?
The PS2 is nearing the end of its life-cycle. Considering the number of people who own a PS2, I would not be surprised if we see a year or two (or more, who knows?) of software before the final PS2 game is produced. Yet, I can't help but feel that this isn't really news, it's just an inevitability in today's video game industry. Wouldn't the real news be if PS2 sales went up right before the PS3 launch?
Both Xboxes have been traditionally poor sellers there, well under any other Japanese console - mostly due to the fact that the Japanese consoles have more Japanese games since they are serving their primary market.
This is true. Japan likes japanese products. But IMO that's not why the xbox has failed in Japan; Microsoft just doesn't have a clue about the japanese market. The original xbox demonstrated that with its enormous footprint. Most japanese people live in tiny little apartments. Why do you think flatscreen monitors and televisions are so popular in japan? We like them. They NEED them. For microsoft to try to sell the original xbox over ther, big as it was, is absurdity. They're doing better with the 360 but their reputation is mud, so it's an uphill battle now (even moreso than before).
But at the moment, the Wii does not strike me as being next-generation when it is only now approaching the pixel-power of the Xbox, a current-generation console.
Are you serious? The Wii's controller is going to revolutionize gaming. It is going to open new markets and change the way we think about video games.
In my opinion, the Wii is, in a way, the only console that should be considered "next-gen". Polygon counts and massive storage do not make games any more fun. The thing that makes a game console good is the software and the way that you interact with it. Just look at the Nintendo DS, which is outselling the PSP 8:1 right now in Japan. It has less processing power, an inferior graphics processor, and far less storage capacity. And, yet, it is (in my eyes) the clear victor in the handheld market.
Your post really spoke to me, particularly this line:
However, the cold hard facts are that graphics sell games. A game that looks good will be talked about, and purchased.
I think a great deal of gamers would agree with you. However, IMHO this is because the gaming market hasn't really been cracked in the way that it potentially could be. Console games today are marketed to an 18-24 year old, because 10 years ago the PS1 found success in that market which until then didn't really exist. Before then, video games were thought of as more of a kid's toy.
You know who isn't playing console games? Women, young or old. Anyone over 40. (sure there are exceptions but generally speaking, this is true). Yet, a lot of these people are buying cell phone games or playing minesweeper. I think that when the Wii comes out it's going to have an effect somewhat similar to the PS1, opening new markets and broadening the "gamer" demographic.
Slashdot Mirror
I don't know how it is in other parts of the US or the world, but in my area it seems like every eb/gamestop and independent retailer have piles of used PS2s for relatively cheap (not to mention craigslist/ebay). Furthurmore, with the PS3's (probably dodgy but included) backward-compatability and the inevitability of a HUGE flood of used PS2's once Wii and PS3 come out, it seems logical to me that there would be a drop in hardware sales. Who wouldn't see that RIGHT BEFORE the PS3 launch buying a *new* PS2 wouldn't be the most economical idea?
The PS2 is nearing the end of its life-cycle. Considering the number of people who own a PS2, I would not be surprised if we see a year or two (or more, who knows?) of software before the final PS2 game is produced. Yet, I can't help but feel that this isn't really news, it's just an inevitability in today's video game industry. Wouldn't the real news be if PS2 sales went up right before the PS3 launch?