PS3 and Xbox 360 to switch positions in 2009

The sales figures for the PS3 and Xbox 360 in the US have been volatile in 2008. The year started off strong for the PS3, outselling the Xbox 360 from January to the beginning of September in the US. However, the Xbox 360 kicked into overdrive starting mid September throughout the end of the year. However, early indications seem to suggest that both consoles may be switching positions this year.

The PS3 outsold the Xbox 360 by 1.52 million units up to September. The PS3 sold 6.32 million units while the Xbox 360 sold 4.8 million units up to that point. However, you can chronicle exactly where the Xbox 360 overtook the PS3 starting from the massive price drop in September. The Xbox 360 managed to make up ground lost to the PS3 from September to the end of the year. Both consoles ended the year with almost equivalent sales: PS3 (10.78 mil) and X360 (10.8 mil).

[GWAVE]

The wild card in this situation is a PS3 price drop. Both 2007 and 2008 have proven that the PS3 can go toe-to-toe with the 360 even with "no good gamez" (2007's mindset) and a much higher price point. Imagine what will happen as the PS3's exclusive library actually EXCEEDS the 360's and when it gets a price drop.

Dropping the PS3 down to $300 or even $250 is the #1 thing Microsoft fears. After all, you can only drop the price of the 360 so low before you're giving it away for free.

[La Chance]

"Imagine what will happen as the PS3's exclusive library actually EXCEEDS the 360's and when it gets a price drop."

Well we've already been imagining for a long time.

Were in 2009 already and till this day each and every single one of your theories have been wrong.

Not a single one your theories have come true since the PS3 launched...not a single one.

So rather than imagining lets sit back and watch especially since all your "imaginations" never seem to come true.

[GWAVE]

LOL. La Chance, you talk about my "theories" as if I've been a part of this site since the PS3 launched. I haven't even OWNED a PS3 since launch, let alone been a part of this site.

I'd like to know what sort of incorrect theories I've been clinging to. If you could point that out, I'd be grateful. Otherwise, take your trolling elsewhere.

[La Chance]

when I say "you" I mean YOU + all your fan brothers.

We were supposed to imagine what was going to happen to the 360 when :

-the ps3 launched

-first ps3 price cut

-Uncharted came out

-MGS4 came out

-GT5P came out

I remember there was supposed to be some huge migration from PS2 to PS3 when those games came out and the same for the PS franchize GTA4.Remember that "brand loyalty" you guys were talking about and that was supposed to come into play ?

-LBP came out : where are those millions of casual gamers who were supposed to buy the PS3 like hot cakes ? Thats what you guys were saying...I mean since when do casuals buy 400$ consoles ?

-when Home came out : no comment

and now lets imagine what happens when the PS3 price cut comes?? Well something could happen and normally should happen but since till now 100% of the time nothing has ever happened I think its wiser to sit back and watch.

and I can go on forever with all the different "theories"

And its so ironic you calling me a troll...

[JhawkFootball06]

I like bananas. Do you like bananas?

[OGharryjoysticks]

150 for the Pro model.

Next system will be released at the end of next year.
They have had games being developed for it for over a year now.

[StayHigh]

yeah 2007 when it launched it didnt have much great game..But there was a few!!

Microsoft will have to do another price drop again this year..because Sony is probably going to do another within this year...

[RonRico]

And how much do you think this New System will cost? Because we all know the price of the PS3 is to high right?

[Lifendz]

you must have an alt account, right? I mean, you have 2 bubbles. There's no way you comment twice and then leave. And by the way, making troll like comments will only get those bubbles taken every time.

[alster23]

i think there going to be a price drop this year. according to my friend whos applying for a job at a local gamestop whos is friend with the manager said that the ps3 will get a $50 price cut sometime in the summer. take this with a grain of salt though.

[soxfan2005]

"massive price drop in September."

$50-$100 price drop in 3 years is hardly "massive".

[WIIIS1]

La Chance, you are absolutely right in your observations. It has been a long time now since the boastful PS3 predictions that were made pre-launch, and not one of them has come true. I fail to understand why some people would consider your comments as trolling.

[adalwolfe]

I agree with la chance 100%... these endless ps3 theories are really getting old and need to stop. I am honestly tired of reading them. because they always end in failure. Bubbles for you la chance..

[sak500]

@lachance +bubbles

We can see the bias here already with people having 9-10 bubbles. The sony lovers have multiplied their accounts and being bubbling themselves. Their comments are ridiculous and openly diss the 360 and yet the bubbles are growing day by day. Anyway, thats the only position ps3 can look forward to switching cuz there is no fourth console available. From bottom you can only look up... 8million gap is a huge task to achieve this gen.

[JD_Shadow]

Seems rather odd that three people said nearly the exact same thing and agreed with someone whose argument that someone with an IQ of TWO could see holes in.

[JokesOnYou]

Well what sales numbers is he referencing?, seems like he's mixing up the NPD data with worldwide sales data, or am I wrong?....I'm a bit confused, hmmm I found the 2008 NPD sales data:

Jan NPD PS3 - 269,000
360 - 230,000

Feb NPD PS3 – 280,800
360 – 254,600

Mar NPD 360 - 262,000
PS3 - 257,000

Apr NPD 360 – 188,000
PS3 – 187,100

May NPD PS3 – 208,700
360 – 186,600

June NPD PS3 – 405,500
360 – 219,800

July NPD PS3 – 224,900
360 – 204,800

Aug NPD 360 – 195,200
PS3 – 185,400

Sept NPD 360 – 347,200
PS3 – 232,400

Oct NPD 360 – 371,000
PS3 – 190,000

Nov NPD 360 – 836,000
PS3 – 378,000

Dec NPD 360 – 1,440,000
PS3 – 726,000

08 Total 360 - 4,735,000
PS3 - 3,544,100
http://www.digital-digest.c...

A difference of 1,190,900 + for 360 in US. It just seems odd that he starts off qouting NPD numbers but it seems at some point he's referencing worldwide sales and it wasn't very clear....does anybody have a link for 2008 total sales data outside of the US?

JOY

[N4360G]

We all know this.Even the hardcore Xbox fanboys know it's true.The PS3 has the games and hardware this gen,all that's needed is a price drop and more advertising.

[captainjy]

Sony can drop the price all they want. MS will counter and keep the lead, most likely. MS has several good known exclusives, DLC for GTA, Halo Wars, possibly Alan Wake, more Gears DLC, Halo 3 Recon, several titles unannounced and more new Live features. With Sony losing $4 billion in 2008 and Bluray not really taking off as hoped for, they will improve, but won't narrow the gap in 2009...again.

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

Not even a price cut would change the game now I believe. PS3 will build off the success it had in 2008, but it won't affect the 360 too much. If MS doesn't deliver with the games (which it will starting with Halo Wars), then 360 may falter. But the sales lead will still be there.

[I_LOVE_MYSELF]

LOL is all I have to say... 360 has established its domminance... It will end up on top of the PS3 this gen...

[OGharryjoysticks]

this gen doesn't end until Sony stops making the PS3.

[soxfan2005]

Exactly - PS3 simply does not have enough time to catch 360 this generation. To make up a 6-8 million console deficit (we'll call it 7 million) in just one years time, PS3 would have to outsell 360 by over 500,000 per month. No console even sells 500,000 per month, let alone outsell the competition by that much. Plus, 360 sales show no signs of slowing down. Even if PS3 gets close in 2 years, the 360 will be 6 years old by then, and this generation will be nearly over.

@2.4 - That may be true, but that would mean that PS3 would pass 360 about 2-3 years into the lifecycle of the next generation, after MS (and probably Sony) have already established their next consoles. How relevant will that be after most gamers have moved on? 360 will continue to lead for as long as it is just 360 vs. PS3.

[StayHigh]

PS3 is expensive and is able to sell 10 million each year its a great accomplishment..just imagine when their another price drop on the PS3 its going to be selling like crazy.The 360 install base is only 28 and Sony 21...Its not big difference they can still catch up..Sony got the best first party exclusive games..

oh yukuza 3 rules go dl now!!!

[cayal]

umm hate to break it to you, based on current rate the PS3 only has to go on for one more year to beat the 360 since it sells more per year than the 360 does (average).

[INehalemEXI]

The generation is about to reach a climax in the form of KZ2 I'm not worried about whos on top in sales atm or at the end of the year. Its all gravey.

N64 lost but it had GoldenEye 007

[KarIostomy]

@ cayal.

bzzzt! wrong.

In 2008 the ps3 sold slightly less than the 360.
what's more, in Dec and Jan the ps3 got hammered in comparative sales.

Based on the last 3 months, the ps3 is getting royally trounced.

At the moment the ps3 is going backwards in sales, while the 360 is increasing its sales. A massive ps3 pricedrop may change that toward the end of this year.
I predict, in one year's time, the sales difference will remain at 6-8 million with ps3 in third place.

You may qote me on that if you wish.

[cayal]

*sigh* proving idiots wrong is so easy, it's almost boring.

Current average:
PS3 - 10 million consoles a year
360 - 9.3 million a year

therefore if both consoles go for 10 years (which means the 360 will stop one year before the PS3)

360 will sell 93 million
PS3 will sell 100 million (PS3 will be 90 million the year the 360 stops).

Nice try though.

[dan88123]

I wonder why you still have bubbles.

[JOLLY1]

Here is the thing the gap is roughly 8 million between the ps3 and the 360. If the new consoles come out in 2 years, like people are predicting. That means that the ps3 would have to sell, on average, 333,000 a month more than the 360. I am only stating going to say that in January the 360 roughly doubled the ps3 in sale. Yes, I realize that the ps3 is more than the 360 in most cases. However the elite is $399 whuich is the exact same price as the ps3. I am not saying that the ps3 won't pick up in sales. I am just saying that beating the 360 over 333,000 consoles per month average is a pretty tall order.

[I_LOVE_MYSELF]

well put mate... i just dont word my things as well as you lol

[cmrbe]

I doubt the next gen console will be released in another 3 years min. Perhaps Nin but not MS and Sony.

R&D for new consoles cost a fortune and with the financial crisis at the moment i doubt MS and Sony are keen on releasing the xbox3 and PS4 anytime soon. I would say end of 2012 at least.

[JOLLY1]

lets say they come out in 2013. You are still looking at 166,000ish a month starting last month. That's an average. Do you really think that it is going to be able to do that much over the 360 each month? No, you don't think they can. They are having troubles just getting 100,000 units sold right now. I am not trying to say the ps3 suxorz. I am just saying that it will end up in 3rd when all is said and done. That isn't a bad thing, it's just a place.

[DavidMacDougall]

360 had a big head start (Tech, release date), thats the only reason its where it is.

But Sony will do what they did with the ps2 for the ps3 and it will kill the 360, but then Microsofts "Embrace, extend, and exterminate" will kick in and they will move on to the 720 and say they won, which they haven't. They just cut and run and got lucky

[cmrbe]

3 years is alot and i believe the PS3 will catch up even before then. PS3 will be 199 before then with all its main games.

[OGharryjoysticks]

Sony owns more studios than Nintendo and Microsoft combined.
Quite a few of them have not even released a game on PS3 yet.
They all share technology.
Next year will be worse for 360 only owners.

[RememberThe357]

I'm completely fine with what I have right now. I don't see that changing any time soon.

[dan88123]

I'm sorry, but when someone says

"LOL is all I have to say... 360 has established its domminance... It will end up on top of the PS3 this gen..."

reminds me that people are huge fanboys. It's to hard to guess what will happen this year in terms of console sales. We don't know about price drops, all the games released this year, and other factors.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Agreed. Then why do we have this article then? It's basically doing the same thing, guessing.

[Says you]

The XBox 360 doesn't even have a real userbase considering their are so many people around the world that has there console break on them many times or stolen or bought more then one XBox 360 just in case the first one dies or had there house on fire or there warranty expired and of course the same people around the world that happened to them would buy another XBox 360 and Microsoft would count the same people thinking they are different people and count them as part of there userbase!

and plus there only ahead by 6 million PS3 21 million XBox 360 27 million check Wikipedia but then again since they don't have a real userbase nobody knows what the real number is for XBox 360 since there the same people and the only one that has the real userbase is Sony and Nintendo considering their console don't break as much as Microsoft's!.

[Shaka2K6]

..

[cmrbe]

forget that the PS3 has yet to release all of their heavy hitters unlike the x360. Halo is gone, Gears is gone, Fable is gone, NG is gone. PS3 still has GT,GOW,MAG,Jak etc to arrive on the PS3 which most PS2 owners love.

[JOLLY1]

I didn't know so many people loved mag on the ps2. Actually not a whole lot of people liked jak on the ps2, beside the first one. I would agree that gran turismo sold a ton! That will really help the ps3. I guess that's one.

[cmrbe]

Mag. is just a place name for the new SOCOM. The Zipper developed one. I doubt that most SOCOM fans have migrated to Confrontation.

[mcgrawgamer]

how ps3 fans seem to think the xbox had "heavy hitters" only note worthy game the original xbox had was halo to the masses anyway. majority of the people who bought a ps2 bought it for price alone. the few guys I know who bought ps3's for brand loyalty either have a 360 now or regret their ps3 purchase all together. I got 1 buddy who just went out and got god of war the first game upon my making him do so. he's a so called sony fanatic and did not know the game even existed until his most recent GI magazine came in. out of those buttloads of ps2's sold only a very small percentage are gamers of your caliber cmrbe. the other 99.99% get what's cheap.

metal gear didn't push units like sony thought neither did GTA and i doubt any of the games you mentioned will do it either.

and they aren't hurting for sales imo.

play games not consoles is what I say.

[cmrbe]

the xbox and gamecube was cheaper than the PS2 for the majority of last gen. People didn't just buy the PS2 because it eventually came down to 199 and 129 now. Its was the software in combination with the price. The two go together.

The games i listed i believe are the main games on the xbox last gen. This is what people forget. While the x360 is now more or less at mass market price with all the major franchise from last gen out. The PS3 is still 399 which is 100 more than the PS2 launch price btw without all of its major games. I really see the x360 peaking this year while the PS3 has yet to peak.

Sony can release GT5 now and all others but in the end they will need to bring the price down to mass market price to really sell the PS3 like the PS2.

[RememberThe357]

Gears didn't come out last Gen, and neither did MAG. The Heavy hitters have some out for the 360, that is true. However, if you think that the 360 doesn't have anymore games coming out your blind.

To the PS3, I don't know many people who regret their purchase, and most of the people I know only own a PS3. MGS4 sold 4.5 million units, and to say thats not what Sony was hoping for is purely retarded. And the PS2 sold because of the games, not the price. If Sony wants to mimic the success of the PS2 their going to do it with software. From what I have seen of the '09/'10 line up, Sony has software on lock.

[Unicron]

Predicting what will happen is 1) Stupid 2) Pointless 3) Stupid.

I don't care WHICH system is "ahead" in the "system wars" since I don't work for Sony, MS, or Nintendo. All I care about is that its going to be a KILLER year for GAMES.

Enjoy your statistics, ya armchair analysts.

[II Necroplasm II]

well put. lol

[OOG]

lmao .... bubbles for you classic last sentence lol

[Why dis]

Sure and the Wii will be last .

[SonySoldierEternaL]

troll

[Why dis]

No way in hell that could happen. Deal with it.

[Chaoticsoulx]

The only thing they need now, is a price drop, i hate to say that, because it's ridiculous, but it's a fact. ps3 was outselling xbox month after month, before 360 dropped their price 2 times, to being 2x cheaper than ps3.

If the ps3 drops their price, and 360 doesn't, 360 will lose this year, and next, and next, but it's yet to be seen.

i also wouldn't be surprised if ps3 outsold 360 this year regardless of a price drop. as they are showing alot of great games, where 360 has none.

[dan88123]

Not cool. If you have something to say then say it. BTW pointless article.

[infekt]

A couple of months of outselling a console twice the price of your own, marginally, does not constitute as a win. Rofl. Pathetic.

[ASSASSYN 36o]

What is sony going to use to catch up? Magic! We don't have 30 years to wait for them to catch up.

[RememberThe357]

We call them games, or software, if you want to be technical.

:)

[Argento-Nox]

I would say one year after 360 stops production is when PS3 will overtake 360. Seeing as PS3 sells averages over 10 million a year, while 360 does over 8-9 million a year on average, you do the numbers.

[Fatal Blow]

Yo xbox troll what's with the saying

'when I say "you" I mean YOU + all your fan brothers'

anit u the fan boy who troll all the ps3 new's article

[Bladestar]

Lies... Lies... Lies... once again by some pathetic Sony leg humper site... so, let me uncover this bull crap as I always do.. with facts!

"the Xbox 360 kicked into overdrive starting mid September throughout the end of the year. " LIE!

Prior to the price drop the xbox 360 managed to beat the PS3 in March, April, August and September...

The price drop was in October.

"The PS3 outsold the Xbox 360 by 1.52 million units up to September." LIES! Once again!... in September the xbox 360 was already leading by 114,800!

July was the highest month for the PS3 where it leaded the xbox 360 by 289,200.

Where does this idiots get the 1.52 million lead from? Who the hell knows... are we looking at the same NPD? because I am giving you the link and sources of each NPD chart for each month in 2008.

"Both consoles ended the year with almost equivalent sales: PS3 (10.78 mil) and X360 (10.8 mil)." hah!? really? did the calculator lose battery? The xbox 360 sold 1,122,200 more units than the PS3...

Damn.. I am going to signup on that site just to uncover this lie.

Yeah! "PS3 and Xbox 360 to switch positions in 2009" based on the lies and poor ability to add simple number... sure the PS3 will do just that... lol!

Jan (PS3 Wins by 41,000)
--------------------
http://www.unscripted360.co...

PS3 - 270,000
360 - 229,000
Installbase Lead (For the year): PS3 leads by 41,000.

Feb (PS3 Wins by 26,200)
---------------------
http://www.unscripted360.co...

PS3 - 280,800
360 - 254,600
Installbase Lead (For the year): PS3 leads by 67,200.

March (Xbox 360 wins by 5,000)
---------------------
http://www.gamegrep.com/ind...

PS3 - 257,000
360 - 262,000
Installbase Lead (For the year): PS3 leads by 62,200.

April (Xbox 360 wins by 900)
---------------------
http://www.digital-digest.c...

PS3 - 187,100
360 - 188,000
Installbase Lead (For the year): PS3 leads by 61,300.

May (PS3 Wins by 22,100)
---------------------
http://www.1up.com/do/newsS...

PS3 - 208,700
360 - 186,600
Installbase Lead (For the year): PS3 leads by 83,400.

June (PS3 Wins by 185,700)
----------------------
http://exophase.com/psp/jun...

PS3 - 405,500
360 - 219,800
Installbase Lead (For the year): PS3 leads by 269,100.

July (PS3 Wins by 20,100)
-------------------------
http://news.teamxbox.com/xb...

PS3 - 224,900
360 - 219,800
Installbase Lead (For the year): PS3 leads by 289,200.

August (Xbox 360 wins by 9,800)
---------------------
http://news.teamxbox.com/xb...

PS3 - 224,900
360 - 219,800
Installbase Lead (For the year): PS3 leads by 279,400.

September (Xbox 360 wins by 114,800)
---------------------
http://news.teamxbox.com/xb...

PS3 – 232,400
360 – 347,200
Installbase Lead (For the year): PS3 leads by 164,600.

October (Xbox 360 wins by 114,800) *** Xbox 360 price cut...
---------------------
http://news.teamxbox.com/xb...

PS3 – 190,000
360 – 371,000
Installbase Lead (For the year): PS3 leads by 49,800.

November (Xbox 360 wins by 458,000)
---------------------
http://exophase.com/psp/nov...

PS3 – 378,000
360 – 836,000
Installbase Lead (For the year): XBox 360leads by 408,200.

December (Xbox 360 wins by 714,000)
----------------------------- -----------
http://xbox.joystiq.com/200...
PS3 – 726,000
360 – 1,440,000
Installbase Lead (For the year): XBox 360leads by 1,122,200.

[SonySoldierEternaL]

blade, u need to get a new hobby

[jaybdemented]

wow. a fanboy that brings the facts. I got to give you a bubble for that, even if I still think the ps3 is the more powerful system.

[Bladestar]

@SonySoldierEternaL - ohh... I'm sorry... did I spoil your party again with facts.. mmm.. and you will not be able to spread your fecal matter in order to promote your lovely console?

And you loser need to stop insulting people intelligence and ability to google information. You are not insulting me. You are insulting all your PS3 fan buddies who you obviously think are too stupid to tell that any of this is true.

This article is completely made up by one of your Conrad and leg humpers.

You should stop trying to make it so easy for other to prove that you are making stuff up.

[Xbots play games]

Salutes Blade for issuing a clear dose of FAIL to Sony Fanblogger..

*Sips beer and laughs while issuing a bubble to Blade*

[b777conehead]

blade you realy need to get a life. who cares . just play the games and system you want to. blade go out of the house and have some fun .

[Xbots play games]

So Bladestar took the time to prove the article false and then people like Conehead say 'nobody cares' and 'get a life'

Good job Blade! You are killing these guys with your post.

And to Cone..My name is Xbots play games..not Xbox play games 24 hours a day. I am far from the average person who has thousands of points. So move along..

[dan88123]

Yet I'm the one to blame for always clicking on the link.

[Xbots play games]

Favorite part of the article:

The pieces seem to be in place so that the PS3 will start off slow and end with a strong finish. While the Xbox 360 will start off strong and flatten out near the end.

So does anybody with a brain honestly think after Microsoft sold 6 mil in the fourth quarter (08) that they will just fall asleep when the fourth quarter (09) rolls around?

Xbox 360 sales are eating these Fan-bloggers alive. All of the talk of Fanboys and flamewars are nothing compared to the idiots who write the articles and run the sites. Because in all actuality the people who write the articles these day ARE the fanboys.

On topic it is very clear that Microsoft can sit back and relax. And watch NPD keep swaying their way. There is absolutley NO indication that it will change anytime soon. God of War won't even be out till 2010. Are we REALLY scared of games that come out an entire year from the time they anounce them? Cutscenes don't scare anyone anymore into buying entire systems. Especially when they are happy with the one they own. What will they write if the 360 wins February and March? Now that will be entertainment

[deadreckoning666]

I give ya props for defending ur opinion, with that user name u must get alotta sht,lol. Even though I slide in preference towards the PS3, I thk that any RATIONAL gamer can see that 360 and PS3 are switctchin' roles in 09.'

After KZ2 launches and the fact that Halo Wars has officially met most predictions and is beginning to show signs of FLOP, PS3 just has way too many great exclusives that you probably already know about but dont care about. Their just isn't anymore incentive ta buy a 360. MS is gunna drop bombs at E3, but nothing that can even remotely competewith God of War 3( its coming out this year man,srry) or even M.A.G, 256 players in one match. C'mon man, I know u wanna defend ur console, but I thk its about time to admit that this year 360 is droppin' ta #2 and PS3 will be numero uno.