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It is 3 to 1, Wii over PS3 in Japan sales

by Mike Bantick

Wednesday, 07 February 2007

Interest does not seem to be abating for Nintendo’s game console, January proving to be a sales boom for the Wii in Japan.

Selling around 405,000 units during January, the Nintendo Wii has outshone its technically superior rival the Sony PS3 at 148,000 units going to Japanese homes.

That is basically Wii to One at the till, ha ha! Please pardon the puns, but it is becoming slightly repetitive in reporting on the sales success of the Nintendo game console, along with its younger sibling the DS.

Of course Japan is Nintendo homeland, and we expect it to do well, whilst the Sony powerhouse does seem to be flagging in, what should be, its strongest market.

As I have said before on iTWire, I expect that the PS3 will consistently sell well for at least the next five years – especially if the expected price drop is received before the end of the year.

The basic model of the PS3 sells for 49,980 yen (AU$540) in Japan, double the price for the Wii.

Nintendo are faced with keeping the wave of enthusiasm rolling with the Wii. Ensuring the support of third party developers, continuing to provide content for the Virtual Console (download) channel and working on new channels to enhance an already brilliant accessible package.

It would seem that the impulse to buy a Wii is a long impulse indeed.{moscomment}

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