NPD: PS3 outsells Xbox 360 in February
by Andrew Yoon 
{ Mar 14th 2008 at 10:45AM }
As predicted by Microsoft, the PS3 has outsold Xbox 360 for the second straight month with 280,841 hardware units sold in February, 10% higher than Microsoft (according to NPD February 2008 sales data). Year-over-year this represents 120% sales growth. If Microsoft is to be believed, Sony will also come out on top in March as well."Consumers are recognizing the tremendous value of PS3 and we believe that Blu-ray becoming the high-def format of choice was the tipping point for many consumers. With monster titles like Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and Grand Theft Auto IV launching in April and Metal Gear Solid 4 in June, we're demonstrating this is the year for PS3," said Jack Tretton in a press release.
"Whether there is an Xbox 360 shortage or not, it is clear that the PS3 has gained considerable ground on its rival," said analyst Jesse Divnich. "Given these past two months and the momentum that the PS3 has gained, Microsoft must react quickly as the PS3's momentum will only get stronger until Microsoft reacts."
We're glad to see Sony's increasing success with the PS3. It might seem surprising, but it looks like Sony's black box is finally gaining the traction we always thought it deserved.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MetalGear08 @ Mar 14th 2008 10:53AM
PS3 thoroughly deserves it!
HD who????
xFenixKnightx @ Mar 14th 2008 10:54AM
Great for Sony, yet the NPD Game Sale #'s state that people are actually buying wayyy more games on 360. Maybe we should check the Bluray movies sales and all this will make more sense. =)
emaxximus @ Mar 14th 2008 11:14AM
Actually PS2 sells wayyy more games than the 360, but who cares? Thats not the topic, you tard.
RazLeboL @ Mar 14th 2008 12:02PM
That's because there is still a lot more 360 owners than ps3 owners in NA. Of course, it will take a lot of time until they catches up.
marklar @ Mar 14th 2008 1:05PM
but still, 6 top ten selling games vs 1?? looks like people are buying PS3s for blu-ray, not games...
Vince UK @ Mar 14th 2008 1:24PM
marklar said...
but still, 6 top ten selling games vs 1?? looks like people are buying PS3s for blu-ray, not games...
Only 1 game for PS2 aswell (which outsold both the 360 and PS3).
Are people buying that for DVD?
Carlton @ Mar 14th 2008 2:26PM
@ xFenixKnightx
360 sold twice as many games on 3 times the install base. In case you need help figuring it out, that means that PS3 owners are buying more game per head than 360 owners.
If you are gonna come to a PS3 site and spin M$ propaganda, at least make an effort to come up with a more convincing argument.
Ask not for whom the bell tolls, xbot... it tolls for thee.
CL34N3R @ Mar 14th 2008 3:35PM
@Carlton
You should take your own advice and do a little research. The top ten numbers show that the 360 sold almost 5 times more games than the PS3, not twice. Did you not research or do you just totally suck at math? Personally, I bought 5 PS3 games last month versus 2 360 games, but that doesn't seem to be the trend. MS is killing Sony in software sales, just destroying them.
Schoolimangooli @ Mar 14th 2008 11:15AM
Look at the poster, how the black guy is all hidden that hilarious and his arm is huge.
Way to go ps3, best bang for your buck.
Bluray/Ps3/MediaServer/Internet Browser/Ps2(20,60.80g)/Ps1
Rich @ Mar 14th 2008 12:43PM
The black guy is Pele - winner of three World Cups, highest goalscorer of all time for the Brazilian team, FIFA's Player of the Century. He is now FIFA's football ambassador to the world and an official national treasure of Brazil.
Still, I guess the star lure of Stallone and Caine was enough to push him into the background for the poster!
And yet he managed all of that despite having one freakishly oversized arm... ;O)
adamevex @ Mar 14th 2008 11:06AM
Good for them. They can expect a sale to me when the MGS4 bundle becomes available. I do hope they start to see strong software sales though.
Dana @ Mar 14th 2008 11:06AM
I think if Sony were to cut the price by $50 on any/all SKUs right now, before the MGS4 bundle comes out, it'll do a lot to help keep the lead, regardless of the 360 supply issues... But I think Sony will try to maintain current pricing, unfortunately. I guess they subscribe to "slow and steady wins the race" and if they truly are trying to keep to a 10-year life for the PS3, they're gonna have a tough time of it in 2010 when Microsoft beats Nintendo and Sony to market with the next iteration of Xbox.. Unless people finally get fed up with Microsoft's shortened lifespans of their consoles by then.
Phileoca @ Mar 14th 2008 1:11PM
When M$ releases their next console...
1) It won't be able to compete with the price and value of the PS3
2) It's user base install will be reset to 0. And they'll have to try to climb out of a 3-4 year head start of the PS3.
They're only hope is to wait until the PS4 is released, and try to beat the PS4 to market by a year again.
the 360 is the last console we'll see from M$ making a dent.
Dana @ Mar 14th 2008 1:29PM
I hope you're right.. Honestly, I think it'll be bad to saturate the market with so many consoles.. It's bad enough at 3, if EA enters the market, it's going to be even worse. I hope Sony sticks with the 10-year thing. The PS2 is still kicking, no reason the PS3 couldn't. Developers are only now starting to really grasp it, and it's starting to shape up. It's got a lot of potential.
Wonderflex - Brawl Digits 4811-6636-9333 @ Mar 14th 2008 3:01PM
If the PS3 goes for a 10 year plan, and the continue to pick up momentum then I agree that it would be death for Microsoft to put out a new system in two yearsish. By time they build up an install base it would be the end of the PS3 lifecycle and the PS4 would be out as the new hyper-powered system. I just wish they would hurry up and switch to the PS9 though - that's the best console yet.
upz @ Mar 14th 2008 11:08AM
VICTOLY!!
JAH75157 @ Mar 14th 2008 11:21AM
i'd fabricate a shortage too if i found out my competitors were going to out sell me.
Solace @ Mar 14th 2008 12:44PM
why would M$ fabricate a shortage?
they're totally telling the truth. example:
- i went to my local Safeway grocery. no 360's there.
- went to McDonald's. no 360's there either.
- i even went to my local gynecologist. he said he had no clue when he'd be getting a new shipment in.
see? totally not available any where!
huh? what about the stack of them at BestBuy, GameStop, or ToysRUs? who goes there to buy games anyways. probably just empty boxes...
;)
Brodie-san @ Mar 14th 2008 11:27AM
As always Fenix feels the need to defend the 360 and critique the PS3 no matter how positive the news is for Sony.
We get it. You prefer the 360. Why do you feel the need to keep banging the same drum? I read your posts on Joystiq as well where they are at least relevant as it is a more public and open forum regarding the gaming industry in general. Why bother reiterating the same spin on a site that's obviously a place for PS3 people?
I'm just saying. I could go over to 360Fanboy and post to every article with the same old tired claptrap regarding the RRoD and what appears to be spurious claims about shortages but why bother? I'd just be wasting my time and labelled a troll. As a gamer I also know that the 360 has a LOT of great things going for it. Fantastic Live experience, great library of games, some hot exclusives.
People who feel the need to constantly highlight the negative ("Micro$oft sux and ur console is gonna xplode! $ony haz no gamez! Wii is 4 kidz and haz no gfx!") amaze me.
Is that what fanboyism is all about? Being narrowminded, negative and childish? I posit that it's possible to be a zealot about one type of console and not blind to the virtues on another. I love my PS3. I also have an Xbox and have enjoyed MANY a great night at my mate's house playing on his Wii.
All 3 consoles have pros and cons and I can extol the virtues of the PS3 versus the Wii and the 360 on many fronts without having to deign myself to focus on the competitions' faults.
Paranoid @ Mar 14th 2008 11:28AM
Anybody actually seen first hand if there seems to be a 360 shortage
not trying to start an argument, just curious...
daniel newman @ Mar 14th 2008 12:01PM
When I went to the gamestation by us on wednesday they had about 20 xbox 360 elites stacked up for sale and about the same arcade, thats before you go to the preowned.
Orielsy @ Mar 14th 2008 12:32PM
Well right around last month when MS first said something about a shortage I didn't believe them.
On or around Feb 20 (my bro's birthday) me and my father went to Willowbrook Mall in Willowbrook NJ. The mall has an EB games, Software ETC, Gamestop and some other game store I forget the name.
EB Games had 2 xboxes, the arcade and a refurb pro.
GameStop did not have a single xbox.
The other store (can't remember the name) was sold out as they only carry the pro.
Finally we were able to find one at Software ETC. I asked the gentleman working there how many they had and he said I got the last one !!!
It may just be a coincidence but I think it might be true in some parts of the country. In my opinion MS might be struggling with the RRoD issue so much that they can't keep up, that or they are making sure that there are enough boxes when GTA comes out.
Anybody else have a similar experience?
True_Darknight @ Mar 14th 2008 12:07PM
yeah it seems the shortage is due to the fact that they have to make space for the PS3 that are selling more!!! (Xbox not stacked as much!!!!)
But let's be real.. Xbox 360 has been out for a while... and the PS3 is getting steam. Makes sense. It's call saturating the market Xbox360fanboys. Unless ofc you talking about Wiis.... freaking crazy console and wand waving old people buying habits!!!
anyways. They all knew it would happen eventually. and if Anything the 360 held out for a long time. Kudos. Now truly fix the damn RRoD. Until then i will not be paying money for it. I can wait for my cous to get his back or my friends (both RRoD) and just play there mean while.
now bring on the God of War 3....
Supino @ Mar 14th 2008 12:15PM
things are looking up for Sony.
and soon we'll get WipeOut HD, can't wait!
ryan @ Mar 14th 2008 12:30PM
well this is no surprise. there's huge incentive to get a PS3 right now: it's a cheaper blu-ray player now that HD-DVD is out of the way.
PS2 games still sell because the incentive is there: they're mad cheap.
every console this year will get their highs. alot of people are waiting for MGS4 to get a PS3. alot of waiting to for Ninja Gaiden 2 to get a 360. in the coming months and this fall people will buy consoles for the games they've been waiting on. everybody wins. :)
Phileoca @ Mar 14th 2008 2:55PM
indeed! I just bought 4 more BD movies on amazon's 50% off sale, and I still buy PS2 games here and there.
Orielsy @ Mar 14th 2008 12:35PM
Well right around last month when MS first said something about a shortage I didn't believe them.
On or around Feb 20 (my bro's birthday) me and my father went to Willowbrook Mall in Willowbrook NJ. The mall has an EB games, Software ETC, Gamestop and some other game store I forget the name.
EB Games had 2 xboxes, the arcade and a refurb pro.
GameStop did not have a single xbox.
The other store (can't remember the name) was sold out as they only carry the pro.
Finally we were able to find one at Software ETC. I asked the gentleman working there how many they had and he said I got the last one !!!
It may just be a coincidence but I think it might be true in some parts of the country. In my opinion MS might be struggling with the RRoD issue so much that they can't keep up, that or they are making sure that there are enough boxes when GTA comes out.
Anybody else have a similar experience?
PS3convert @ Mar 14th 2008 3:09PM
I'm in East Texas and there is always a 360 on the shelves at just about any store you go to. It may just be a regional thing but there are plenty of them around here.
Phizzy @ Mar 14th 2008 1:09PM
This can't be true, the humble PS3 could never outsell the 360. I would stop playing it if it did. I love the bottom console!!!
Dan @ Mar 14th 2008 1:46PM
And this is only the beginning...i think there is a trend developing here..
www.pieceofapplepie.com
The Sound @ Mar 14th 2008 3:31PM
Fucking PS2 numbers were INSANE! Not counting the DS, the PS2 came in behind the wii, and lost by less than 80,000.
Sony I see what you did there. You made the most powerful, and most expensive, yet you kept the PS2 alive, and essentially the Playstation Brand too.
JaseH @ Mar 14th 2008 3:53PM
Oh cut the crap Microsoft.
You know you have hardly anything to look forward to this year, how many more times are you going to use the same excuse until you finally have to admit it?
So sick of PR BS from all sides of the industry.
___________________________________
JaseH.
Fraser JK @ Mar 14th 2008 5:28PM
Although this is a temporary setback for Microsoft, I never saw the PS3 overtake Microsoft in sales for at least another year.
But two months straight in such a short time, WTF?
Yeah SSBB is out @ Mar 15th 2008 12:18AM
I think the real reason that Sony sold more units these last 2 months is very simple Blu-Ray (not Blue, God I hate that) won the format war. PS3 is the BEST deal for a Blu-Ray player plain and simple. And for the poster about if there is a 360 shortage yes there is in mostlty the higher populated areas for instance my case the San Fernando Valley, California, I wanted an Elite system for 3 months now and still can find one, (side note I buy all my systems broken on Ebay and trade them into a store for a new one it works and I got my PS3 and 360 that way also with MS's new warranty with the RRoD its so easy to own a 360 for 40 bucks), it maybe shady but forget the high price of retail.
But a few things im really tired of is hearing that the PS3 has no games (umm last time I looked it has about 80% of the same games as the 360). Also the 360 RRoD problem, only liars will admit to have to turn in a system 6 times, if I turned a system in 6 or more times id freak out. Its really not a big problem so go ahead and state you HORROR story about sending in your system in 5000 time to only have it break once again, its getting old and your trying to hard to make friends by following the leader. Finnaly the ONE MAJOR thing im tired of reading here is the thought that the these systems will one day magically turn into some powerhouse of graphic awesomeness that will make games like Crysis look like Intelevision games, It aint gonna happen this generation face it (why was CoD4 the same on PC, PS3, and 360 despite the fact all are different in computing power, to me that says what has been proven, till developers think outside what is possible with the most advanced technology, (and im not talking Cell or Xenos or even Larrabee (look it up www.beyond3d.com) Games will only look as good as as they are now.
Sometime you get the odd ball statement that the PS3 is so fantastically awesome that it will make people DIE from how real it makes games look "In 2 years", and the 360 will NEVER compair, but cant the same be said about the 360 as developers get more time with BOTH systems "In 2 years" well see some awesome stuff on both? Not here cause people dont want to hear that as GREAT as the Cell is the same praise need to be giving to the Xenos, as one system gains the far superior CPU advantage the other gains the same advantage with a far superior GPU.
Whats really funny is that while most people dont want to believe that for the first time BOTH nexgen system are the same and games are NOT different, you have to understand that both Sony and MS did their homework on BOTH systems. You will never see one system trump the other graphically. Look up games that are in development now that are to be released next year for proof and youll see none are better then what you see today.
Consolcwby @ Mar 17th 2008 12:20AM
FUD.
MetalKingSlime @ Mar 15th 2008 1:07AM
cool
Medowza @ Mar 16th 2008 4:19AM
The PS3 is getting better sales, 1) Because it is the better console, and 2) EVERYONE WANTS ONE!!.
Where as the 360, is only getting these sales, because they are all faulty, and people need to keep replacing them. (Its happened to all of my friends with 360s)
Hank @ Mar 16th 2008 7:53PM
I do hope Microsoft and Sony will come out with the next generation console in 3 years. They really need to update the video cards in both systems, both are incapable of producing 1080 resolution for graphically intensive games and even a $100 video card now is significantly more powerful than both.
Huh? how is this even considered gaining considerable ground on the Xbox? 10% advantage, thats what 30K more PS3 sold in Feb? If this rate continues it'll take 25 years just to match the Xbox install base.