January NPDs put PS3 in front of the 360
by Dustin Burg 
{ Feb 15th 2008 at 8:30AM }
According to the just released January NPD sales numbers, the Xbox 360 has come in a disappointing third place in the console wars, only managing to sell 230,000 consoles while the PS3 moved 269,000 and the Wii sold 274,000. But before you storm the streets in a fit of rage, know that there is some sort of explanation for the third place outing ... there wasn't enough stock. You see, according to Microsoft, they haven't been able to replenish the retail channels quick enough post holidays, resulting in less Xbox 360s on shelves and less 360s available to consumers. So, if that theory makes you sleep better at night, then go with that and know Microsoft is producing 360s as fast as possible and should regain its sales lead over the PS3 come February NPD. Hopefully.
We also wanted to mention that not only has Call of Duty 4 claimed the number one sales spot selling another 330,900 copies in January, but Rock Band made its top ten NPD sales debut too. You can review the rather gloomy NPD ranks and numbers after the break, though we advise keeping one thing in mind. It was lack of stock at retail ... lack of stock at retail ...
January 2008 NPD Hardware Sales
Wii - 274,000
PS3 - 269,000
PS2 - 264,000
DS - 251,000
Xbox 360 - 230,000
PSP - 230,000
January 2008 NPD Software Sales
1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (360) - 330,900
2. Wii Play with remote (Wii) - 298,100
3. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock bundle (Wii) - 239,600
4. Rock Band bundle (360) - 183,800
5. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock bundle (360) - 182,700
6. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - 172,000
7. Burnout Paradise (360) - 144,100
8. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3) - 140,000
9. Mario Party (DS) - 138,500
10. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS) - 133,000
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Michael Paul @ Feb 15th 2008 8:40AM
"It's a game machine!"
"It's a Blu-Ray player!!"
"It's two two two things in one!!!"
And each one becomes a list-leader because of the other, despite any mediocrity one can find...
JAH75157 @ Feb 15th 2008 8:46AM
meh, who cares... competition is good. i have all three systems so it doesn't really matter to me.
Chris @ Feb 15th 2008 8:54AM
Am I bothered no, I know I have the best games console. PS3 is sooo bad, if it wasnt for bluray they wouldnt of sold any. What games are there for the PS3 erm cant think of any.
Josh @ Feb 15th 2008 9:10AM
Don't be a blind fanboy. The PS3 is a great console and has some great games on it such as Warhawk and Uncharted. Saying that Sony wouldn't have sold a single PS3 if Blu-ray wasn't included is a retarded comment.
Van Faulk @ Feb 15th 2008 9:41AM
I have a ps3, and he's right on the money. I have 1 game on the ps3 and nearly 15 between my 360 and wii.
The ps3 survives and is selling on hype alone, because the quality of the games, experience and services is severely anemic compared to the 360.
ZenGaijin @ Feb 15th 2008 10:09AM
I don't own a PS3 but plan on it ASAP but of the top of my head.
UnCharted, WarHawk, Everyday Shooter, Rachet & Clank, MotorStorm, Calling all Cars.
EchoChrome, MGS4, Home, Little Big Planet
In my opinion those are all excellent reasons to own a PS3.
ZenGaijin @ Feb 15th 2008 10:25AM
I don't own a PS3 but plan on it ASAP but of the top of my head.
UnCharted, WarHawk, Everyday Shooter, Rachet & Clank, MotorStorm, Calling all Cars.
EchoChrome, MGS4, Home, Little Big Planet
In my opinion those are all excellent reasons to own a PS3.
DelSource @ Feb 15th 2008 9:20PM
@ Van Faulk
"The ps3 survives and is selling on hype alone"
Sorry but are you a complete fantasist? What hype? The PS3 is being slaughtered on the blogs and in the media. Yet it still sells.
As for quality of games, evidence published across the blogosphere yesterday suggests you are making up more bull****.
You own a PS3 like I own a Bugatti Veyron.
I got no problem with fanboyism but stop inventing utter crap to justify your points.
Bmurph @ Feb 15th 2008 9:08AM
I will probably get one at some point - for the Bluray player. It has to drop a bunch in price still. Man, and COD4 is still kickin' ass and taken names.
lysernix @ Feb 15th 2008 9:13AM
Well I am kind of surprised... the only people I know with a PS3 got one at launch. Maybe they have been being sold as a blu-ray?
I always thought I'd get one eventually, but if 360 manages to cough up a blu-ray add-on then I may not. But anyway... I am kinda shocked. WHO IS BUYING THESE! (In Jan?)
mojojojo @ Feb 15th 2008 9:21AM
@Chris : you cant remember ps3 games like metal gear solid 4 guns of the patriots?Or God of war 3?Or Grand Turismo HD?Or even Final Fantasy?O rly?
Chris @ Feb 15th 2008 10:17AM
sorry what of these games are original ??? none ! they are either so and so 2 or so and so 5
Tony @ Feb 15th 2008 10:49AM
The more correct response to this is that none of these games are out, some of them haven't even been SHOWN yet and who knows when even the most obvious ones (ala MGS4) are even coming out.
I think it's completely delusional to think the PS3 has no games (I can think of several I'd pick up if I had the thing) and clearly things will improve this year... but at the same time, is what is being offered there worth enough that I should buy a second $400 console that will largely share the same multiplatform titles?
For me the answer is obviously no. For others, apparently not. I personally couldn't give two shits about MGS4 or FFXIII, but I know many are going nuts over them. We'll see.
RangerPrimeX @ Feb 15th 2008 9:22AM
Congrats on PS3 for the sales win this month. They have been needing that for awhile.
If you think about it though, I would hang it on the Blu-ray win from Warner Brothers. I think as we watch software numbers that it will show that it is non-gamers getting their Blu-ray players now that it looks like the HD format war is finally over or at least winding down. PS3 like the Wii needs people buying games at least the future line up is looking brighter for the PS3. Microsoft will need to make nice and release a Blu-ray add-on sooner the better.
Magic Whiskey @ Feb 15th 2008 9:42AM
I don't think the 360 needs a Blu-ray player add-on. Let's face facts: we're on the cusp within a year or so of hearing about the NEXT Xbox, and that one will probably have the disc format you're talking about.
Our 360 on the other hand probably only has another 24 to 36 months before the next console starts lurking. Considering that the 360 has, as of today, been out two years and four months. (November 22, 2005.) Most consoles don't stay fresh more than four or five years, and even saying that the 360 will sell during the early lifespan of the next iteration, which it will, still won't merit a blu-ray drive based on the fact that those that usually purchase 'older' consoles do so because they've waited for a sub $200 pricepoint and probably wouldn't or couldn't afford another $100-$150 attachment.
Hell, odds are if you've waited five years for a 360 by that point you probably don't even have an HD TV so the blu-ray tech wouldn't benefit you anyway.
This is why PS2s still sell.
ANYWAY...Yeah, we'll see a blu-ray disc drive in the next Xbox, but for now, I predict we will never see one for or in the 360.
Chris Smith @ Feb 15th 2008 10:20AM
The PS2s still sell because they are portable, they have a huge install base, and the games are cheap and readily available. IMO it will be a hard sell for me to purchase another xbox if the rumors are true that a new xbox will be released in '09 or '10. I really enjoy my xbox360 and I must confess that the current exclusive titles surpasses anything the ps3 has put out.
Matt @ Feb 15th 2008 9:26AM
it's been touched on but something very important and significant happened in the last month - The format war between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray pretty much came to a screeching halt with Blu-Ray as the clear and decisive winner. I can assure you this gave PS3 the boost it needed. I've always felt that I would likely eventually get a PS3 and this Blu-Ray victory pretty much solidified that. Let's just see if the PS3 finally starts selling some software.
Herobotic @ Feb 15th 2008 9:32AM
Alright, I admit it! It's my fault! I needed something to play while my red ringed xbox was out! I'm so ashamed...
Magic Whiskey @ Feb 15th 2008 9:47AM
Third post in the same story...sorry...
I just wanted to say I'm not anti PS3, but there is only one game that remains on my 'must have' list on the console: MGS4. My hard and fast rule is that I don't even let myself consider purchasing a new console without 5 titles available or coming soon for that platform, and for the PS3, it's been a long, long wait for me which continues.
Magic Whiskey @ Feb 15th 2008 9:32AM
The first thing I was thinking to myself about this was "Who buys consoles predominantly in January?" It's gotta be those people that are now using Holiday money they were gifted in December. Lord knows no big games hit during the period.
Speaking from the retail front, it was all about the blu-ray player, I think. I mean, truth be told..if you were a HD freak, knew no better and had about a thou to burn in your pocket (..and you knew no better..let me emphasize..) then yeah, you'd buy a PS3 over a 360 because you bought what was on the shelf waiting for you.
With the blu-ray format finally switching from Chestburtster to Xenomorph warrior (after having impregnated the HD-DVD disc with a Facehugger) and the lack of 360 consoles on shelves, what's an uninformed, antsy Best Buy customer to do?
Chris Smith @ Feb 15th 2008 11:09AM
I agree. Time Warner's news of going blu-ray only in January fueled the industry in pronouncing blu-ray the format winner. Also, before super bowl high definition tv sales always increase during this period. Since Sony has invested a lot of money into the console/format war, the PS3 is the best blu-ray player out there today (even better than their own stand alone players). So people wanting a high definition player generally choose the PS3 due to its future proof hardware/firmware upgrades (ie BD Live).
grigdog @ Feb 15th 2008 10:01AM
Time for the PS3 Fanboys and Sony Defense Force to rejoice and claim the death knell for the 360. Seriously though, Microsoft needs to get it's act together if they want to continue the domination of high def gaming.
superaktieboy @ Feb 15th 2008 10:14AM
dude.. are you serious? Sony Defence Force ? that site was a joke from the start xD
lets see..
they had mass effect impressions with this score:
graphics = god awful
frame rate = awful
shooting = god awful
noise filter = makes me want to kill someone
pacing = very slow
controls = almost bearable
most planets = barren and dull
story = generic
and mario galaxy 'reviewed': 1/10
rite.. and ive lived 5000000 years :D
dude that site brings fanboyism to another level... lol
greetzz
superaktieboy @ Feb 15th 2008 10:16AM
oh i also forgot the Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction 'Review' with a score of '10.5 out of 10'
Chris @ Feb 15th 2008 10:19AM
erm ok
Chris @ Feb 15th 2008 10:22AM
Wheres the so called brilliant ps3 gaes in this list then.
1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (360) - 330,900
2. Wii Play with remote (Wii) - 298,100
3. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock bundle (Wii) - 239,600
4. Rock Band bundle (360) - 183,800
5. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock bundle (360) - 182,700
6. Super Mario Galaxy (Wii) - 172,000
7. Burnout Paradise (360) - 144,100
8. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PS3) - 140,000
9. Mario Party (DS) - 138,500
10. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS) - 133,000
ryan @ Feb 15th 2008 10:55AM
CoD4, that's brilliant for PS3!!
oh, wait the 360 controller was tailor made for this game...
dancingtosirens @ Feb 15th 2008 12:32PM
Ive been reading the rest of your comments on this article...
have you even ever played a game on the PS3?
I absolutely adore my PS3, maybe even more then my 360 *gasp*
It's not as bad as Microsoft would allow you to believe.
Maybe if you actually tried it and put your blind fanboyism aside you might be able to give it a look.
I also was one of those guys 6 months prior to the PS3's launch bashing it in every way, shape or form possible. I didnt know shit except for what I had been told.
Now look at me. Im the owner of a 360, PS3 and even a wii, and I love my ps3.
Don't believe everything you read about on the internet. The ps3 has a lot of marvelous games. While yes, it's not on the scope as the 360 yet, that can also be attributed to the 360's year lead and larger install base.
But I digress, I'll stop here. Ill probably just be flamed for being a "PS3 fanboy", as is the case, despite my love for all 3 consoles.
But something had to be said. There's a difference between a respectable fanboy, and a blind fanboy.
dancingtosirens @ Feb 15th 2008 12:33PM
That was directed to Chris by the way.
DelSource @ Feb 15th 2008 9:28PM
Another moron who forgets the very simple fact that when you have a console install base of two and a half times your competitor you mysteriously also manage to sell more games then them. Wow, impressive.
What, do you RRoD guys expect each PS3 owner to buy three copies of everything? Get a brain for christ's sake.
mojojojo @ Feb 15th 2008 10:37AM
lol...sure they 2 or 5 of the original Playstation console games,metal gear is the best game ever made and its coming for ps3,thats all that matters,while gears of war and bioshock i got them on my pc :D
ryan @ Feb 15th 2008 10:50AM
i said this once. and i'll say it again:
Ninja fucking Gaiden 2.
Josh @ Feb 15th 2008 10:41AM
I'll agree on this, I went to get a new 360 a couple days ago and I went to at least 10 different stores and nobody and any 360's in stock, but they did have a boat load of PS3's
Tony @ Feb 15th 2008 11:16AM
I'm actually surprised by how hard all of the systems dropped in January... but I don't exactly call myself a master of these things.
All I know is that it's very telling that not a single PS3 title is in the top 10 for that month despite the very marginal lead over the 360.
Tony @ Feb 15th 2008 11:17AM
Sorry I meant "just a single"... not "not a single".
ipfreely @ Feb 22nd 2008 12:20AM
The PS3 has potential but right now the the 360 is the better system for gamers. I was very anti MS but I gave in and got a 360 due to my friends having one and there being at least 5 exclusive must play games for it. I must say that now I am a big fan of the 360. Maybe by the end of the year the PS3 will be worth purchasing (*if you want a blu ray player get it now) but in that case one might as well wait for it to get its act together.
Adam @ Feb 15th 2008 12:53PM
I cant find a 360 in any store near me so i know this is the cause of poor sales.The 360 is by far the better console i own a ps3 as well as a 360 and i dont even touch it i purchased cod4 for it when i first bought it and was so disgusted with sonys controller i bought it for the 360 the next day and sold the ps3 version on ebay.They didnt even give me a damn headset with my ps3 i had to go buy a blutooth set for 40 dollars and then buy a hdmi cable for another 40.The online service is a joke no custom music in games no bc in the 40gb i bought and worst of all no access to my buddy list in game.
I dotn know how anyone can consider a console with no truly decent games on retail shelves."I dont want to hear about whats coming only what i can fucking buy today".The ps3 is a joke and anyone who bought it is lying to themselves luckily i have a open minded brain that doesnt get all fanboyish over the newest console i own.
I can accept when i make mistakes and the ps3 was just that.All it does is play movies once in a while and thats it.I never game on it neither does my family there all in love with 360.
What does the ps3 do better than 360 honestly give me one valid argument.
graphics "hasnt proved it"
Features "here it lacks"
Games "here it lacks once again"
Included components "it lacks here no bc no hdmi cable not even hd component with my 40gb ps3 and no headset.
ps3=fail.
mojojojo @ Feb 15th 2008 1:35PM
lol...what are you talking about? xD ps3 is the future all know that,xbox is using normal dvd's for games,just like ps2,how u can even think this is going to last the folowing years?This is sad
mji245 @ Feb 15th 2008 1:08PM
fu*k u ps3 owns and i will get one just for mgs4 and ffx especially god of war3 just need to save some money
Adam @ Feb 15th 2008 1:27PM
Yeah go head buy a console for games you haven't even played or seen yet such a smart young boy you are.I swear the world is full of retarded people maybe thats why we have people like obama winning elections.
Obama=Ghetto caca
mojojojo @ Feb 15th 2008 1:38PM
wtf u play on xbox? gears of war witch is only good for me,i can get on pc anytime,bioshock too.Halo 3 = xbox Wow!imbalanced!cry when solid snake hits home :)
Adam @ Feb 15th 2008 2:13PM
The common ps3 fanboy rant lol.I can get it on pc wahh wahh.Lol thats nice but ill enjoy those games on my 52 inch hdtv on my huge ass recliner while you sit slouched over a desk and a monitor and keyboard lol and your ass aquires swampness from your chair.
It reminds me of the we dont need custom playlists in games on ps3 we have radios lol poor excuse.
DelSource @ Feb 15th 2008 9:32PM
Yes. Because no-one has ever worked out how to hook a PC up to a big screen and Bluetooth controls. No wait, I have!
Are you ******* serious? Your Mom is calling; you still haven't taken out the trash and although it isn't a school night it's getting late. Soccer trials tomorrow, then band practice.
And you complain about fanboys.......
DelSource @ Feb 15th 2008 9:35PM
PS My PC has never RRoD'd, doesn't "chuka-chuka" like a Chinook, and doesn't glow like volcanic lava after 3 hours use. But hey, at least you get to sit in a comfy chair, right? It's what gaming is all about: soft buttock placement.
TexRob @ Feb 15th 2008 2:43PM
I can confirm the stock thing. My neighbor had to wait nearly a month for his local Best Buy to get more 360 Pros in stock to trade out his failing 360 (had the warranty). I was surprised, but I guess they built up so much stock for Christmas, and then didn't plan for January very well.
Zelli @ Feb 15th 2008 6:39PM
I already have a 360 not worth the $ for a ps3 at all, especially when games are made on 360, then ported to ps3.
Chris @ Feb 16th 2008 8:45AM
@Delsource
You have to upgrade your pc once a year to play new games that come out (so they still look good and dont jerk all over the place).
LOL in my opinion that is stupid its like going out and buying a PS3 for each good game that comes out.
For people calling me a blind fan boy - This is xbox360fanboy.com, I didnt realise that fanboys come in different levels. Obviously your on the wrong site and should go to ps3fanboy.com where you can talk amoungst yourselves trying to convince yourselves that your consoe is better (good luck). What do you expect when you post on this website. Agreement with the PS3 ? dont think so not here !
Adam @ Feb 16th 2008 1:06PM
@DelSource
Your an idiot so your gonna tell me you got your keyboard on your lap on your couch via blutooth and you working you mouse off the couch or your lap lol.Dude your pathetic so your saying maybe you hooked a controller to your pc now there ya go ok i can see that but then what advantage does pc gaming have then?
Isnt all about the mouse and keyboard on pc ohh and lets not forget upgrades every two years yeah thats original.The 360 already one the console ware do you know why it won?Even tho its sales are more than ps3 that isn't the real reason something wins a console war.Its because it does everything better than the ps3 can.
if a ferrari and a 5.0 were drag racing and the ferrari hit 100mph faster but the 5.0 beat him to the finsih line would you say the ferrari was the clear winner cuz he hit 100mph first?
the ps3 is like the ferrari sure it seems high and mighty with its corny cell technology but the 5.0 with a little work could still beat it plain and simple.Now if you go buy what your ps3 box states about its so called technology your an idiot because it all comes down to memory and the use of components in the console.The 360 is the more developer friendly console and has more ram and a better drive speed thats why your ps3 games are taking up space on your hdd have fun deleting content you pay for to play your new games.
zerodis2001 @ Feb 16th 2008 9:57PM
Short on Xbox Bull crap I was at Frys and thay had a Stack of them just a Nuthere way for Xbox fans to justify getting out Sold
guess what thay are going to get outsold in February to
Bkeel @ Feb 26th 2008 1:23AM
Notice how in the Turok and Unreal CM's, those games looked like they were PS3 exclusives because those cheap Sony S.O.B's made them out to look like they were only out on the PS3? And how in sunday newpaper ads for circuit city and best buy that there are no ads for the wii or 360? that's because once again sony paid off some certain companies, i.e bribing them. I therefore say that this gave them the unfair advantage of winning the format war. as for the console war, 360 and wii FTW, PS3 FTL.