Posted on 11/29/2006 11:13:44 AM PST by freedom44
Since their debuts more than a week ago, two new game systems earn good grades from consumers - but the underdog Nintendo Wii is the early favorite over the pricier, sexier Sony PlayStation3.
Both sold out on Day 1: Nov. 19 for the $500-$600 PS3 and Nov. 21 for the $250 Wii. But Nintendo seems to be reaping the benefits of a better supply
Overall, Sony is estimated to have shipped between 125,000 and 175,000 PS3s to stores, says American Technology Research analyst P.J. McNealy; the target had been about 400,000. Nintendo shipped between 425,000 and 475,000, he says.
Nintendo's launch "has been probably a little better than expected and Sony's has been a little bit more disappointing," McNealy says. "If you have to rank on who won this holiday so far, Microsoft is first, Nintendo a close second and Sony a distant third, which is a rare statement."
Many gave up on getting a PS3 and opted for the Wii, according to New Media Strategies, a research firm that monitored Web activity related to the systems. And 38% who sought a PS3 and were subjected "to sleep deprivation, lost wages, missed classes, the elements and even muggings came away from the experience with a bitter taste in their mouths," the report says.
About 49% of online discussions were favorable to Wii, compared with 27% for PS3. Says the firm's Sam Huxley: "The hype machine went too far."
The Wii, says Bryan Clute, 26, of Silverdale, Wash., rates an A because the new remote-shaped wireless controller is "something I haven't been able to experience before. It really adds to gameplay" in the bowling game that is included with the system. Clute, who waited in line at a GameStop store to reserve a system, says, "It was well worth it."
David Nieves, 26, of Philadelphia gives the Wii an A-. "Nintendo has definitely gotten it right." He and friends spent most of the first day golfing, boxing, bowling and playing baseball. The games "were a blast."
Assessments were harsher for the PS3. Ray McLean, 34, of Brooklyn, N.Y., rates the PS3 an A but gives the games a B "because many of the launch titles were pushed back to later dates." He wanted to see aerial combat game Warhawk, for one, because it would take full advantage of the motion-sensitive controller. But connected to his 42-inch HDTV, "I'm surprised at how good (the games) look, given that they are first-generation games."
Brett Conlon, 26, of Fairfax, Va., gives the PS3 a B- because of the system updates needed before playing games, going online and playing multiplayer games. "I will say, however, that Resistance: Fall of Man shows a lot of potential. The Blu-ray player has amazing clarity (compared with) a regular DVD."
On its website, Entertainment Weekly gave the Wii a B+ and PS3 a B. "The Wii slightly edges out the PS3 in our head-to-head because it has a blockbuster Zelda game at launch and a very attractive price point," Geoff Keighley says. But in the long run, "the race will get even tighter."
It has. Nintendo has beaten Sony in this war.
I originally had considered the PS3 just because I was enamored by the processor, but the Wii looks like pure fun with it's new controller.
Amazing that Ninento has ostensibly shipped nearly half a million Wiis and I still can't get a hold of one!
I read prices on the PS3 have gone down on ebay are they likely to go back up during christmas?
My parents (both of whom have discouraged my videogame habit since I was in elementary school) both loved Wii bowling when they visited over Thanksgiving.
The Wii sounds more appealing to me. I'm not one for 'walk and shoot' games, but something in the fun-vein of the classic scrollers sounds pretty sweet...
BE SILENT YOU IGNORANT CONSUMERS!
Sony has told us the PS3 is not a console!
It is a work
of ART!
(/s)
Now if only there was a Wii controler for the computer.
Motion control for FR?
John Carmack (ID Software) has said that the hardware race is over, because any advances in the hardware only add incrementally to the gaming experience, that is, the graphics and sound abilities. What will sell is superior game play, and Nintendo has that with the Wii.
A fool and his money are soon parted. I can't believe an idiot paid $10,000.00 for a PS3 on ebay.
The bowling and golf are fun on the wii. Or, so says my family. I play Red Steel when I get to use it.
You and me both!
Can the Wii be used as a DVD player?
Neither can I. I really like Nintendo more for the kids. They have more kid-friendly games. My kids and I play Mario Party on Gamecube all the time, and we have such a blast. It's good family time (dh or big sister will usually join in).
Nintendo has done a great job with its technology progression: 2D, 3D, now motion-interactive controllers.
They also managed product development and distribution much better than the competitors.
I don't think so. I'll pop one in and see.
Nope. It says...unable to read disk.
Which is why I am surprised the computer games have not been as agressivly been able to dominate.
I am so glad I stood in line at Best Buy the morning the Wii was released. The salespeople there made us feel a little foolish, saying, "We are going to be getting PLENTY of these in stock next week...". Riiiiigggghhht. I haven't seen a single console or accessory (the BB I bought ours at sold completely out of the accessories the night before the launch, so I still need those) since the day of the launch. I can't wait til Christmas! For my kids to play it, of course ; )
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