Is Nintendo’s runaway success starting to slow down? Sales figures released at the Annual General Meeting of The GAME Group suggest this could be the case.
The statistics show that from the start of February to June 27 this year, the Wii sold 300,000 units whilst the Xbox 360 sold 600,000. The data was released by GfK ChartTrack which cover all retailers, not just GAME, so this represents the full UK market.
Whilst the Wii is still well ahead on total sales (5.4 million versus 3.9 million) these latest figures indicate that consumers may be turning away from Nintendo. In these tough economic times, perhaps the Wii simply does not represent value for money.
Currently, consumers can buy a 360 for as little as £100, whilst the lowest price for a Wii is around £165. Many retailers are still selling the console for £180, the price it launched with over two and a half years ago.
This price disparity is not helped by a shortage of Wii games so far this year. Whilst the 360 has seen a string of popular games such as Resident Evil 5 and Prototype, Nintendo are relying on their “evergreen” titles like Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii to draw people to the system.
Things could change this month, however, with the launch of Wii Sports Resort. Barring Wii Music, which even Nintendo admit was a failure, all games in the Wii Series have been incredibly successful.
Whether this downturn is the start of a trend or a momentary blip remains to be seen. Even with this fall in sales, the Wii is still the most popular home console in the UK, and indeed the world.
you spelled barring wrong
I remember back in 2006 or whenever the new gen consoles came out, and I was trying to decide what console to go with. The way I saw it was this-
Ok, the Wii is the cheapest system, and is going to be for more casual gamers. Maybe I’ll buy it.
The Xbox is the medium-range system. It isn’t all the way hardcore like the PS3, and it isn’t all the way casual like the Wii. It’s probably what I’ll spend my money on.
The PS3 is the most expensive system, and in terms of who it appeals to, it appeals to hardcore RPG fans and other such people. Not my type of system, and way to expensive.
At this point, it looks like the 360 might have everything oging for it… its the cheapest system, it appeals to the most people, and it has a good, well established community.
“good, well established community.”
lol
@joepenn18:
Are you really going to say that the Wii or the PS3 have good communities?
I’m certainly not saying that the 360 has a good community.
@joepenn18
Really? Seems to me that the 360 has a pretty good online community, loads of players and if you get some decent people, you can have some great fun.
GTA with a good lot is fantastic.