MS: Not Counting Wii, X360 Dominates Worldwide

by Chris Faylor, May 14, 2008 3:02pm PDT
Related Topics – xbox 360, Microsoft, Hardware Sales

Update: Microsoft has confirmed to Shacknews that it did not take the Wii into account when it claimed the Xbox 360 as worldwide console leader.

"Xbox 360 has the largest global install base of any current gen. high definition gaming console, Wii excluded," the company clarified when asked how Xbox 360 could lead worldwide with 19 million when the Wii has sold 24.45 million.

Original Post: In a carefully worded press release, Microsoft today announced that the Xbox 360 is the first console of this hardware generation to sell over 10 million units in the United States.

"History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle," boasted Microsoft senior VP Don Mattrick. "We are uniquely positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry."

Despite Nintendo's Wii selling over 24.45 million units worldwide, Microsoft stated that Xbox 360 leads worldwide with sales of over 19 million units, which it said were "more than any other current-generation console." That particular phrasing indicates that MS may not be counting Wii as part of the current hardware generation.

The company further claimed that the Xbox 360 has "two times more platinum-selling titles than the Wii, and a 16:2 lead over the PlayStation 3 in game titles topping one million in sales."

The news comes less than a day after Sony chimed in with PS3 worldwide sales figures, which completed our glimpse at each console's worldwide sales as of March 31, 2008:

  1. Wii - 24.45 million units

  2. Xbox 360 - 19 million units

  3. PlayStation 3 - 12.85 million units


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Comments

33 Threads | 223 Comments
  • #222
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    By: generaleskimo x
    Reply
    I think that it is not really fair to compare the 360 and the Wii; they are really apples and oranges. Neither are a good substitute for the other one. I honestly don't see the Wii being so successful that the other consoles die, because they don't do the same things (party/group casual fun VS gamer shooter + graphics). In general they are not the same market (although there is overlap), and they don't claim to be the same thing. So, it is great that the Wii is successful and all, but we shouldn't be scoffing when MS doesn't include Wii sales figures, just like we don't scoff at Handa's sales figures for not including bicycle sales figures. We should walk away from this article thinking about Sony and MS, not Nintendo, because Nintendo doesn't really have all that much to do with this fight.
    May 22, 2008 8:20pm PDT
  • #177
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    By: TheMongbat x
    Reply
    This skirts Ken Kutarugi talk, but I get what they're trying to say. The Wii isn't hi-def, and its draw comes from two things: The controllers and the innovation that created the controllers. For new gamers, the Wii was bought partially because it's a trendy thing to own and partially because the controllers really do draw non-gamers into the mix.

    As for gamers, we buy the Wii because we saw how sweet the DS was, and figured it'll be more creative goodness.

    With that said, the raw technology isn't up to par vs. the Playstation 3 or the 360. Sony and MSFT are fighting on the following planes:

    1) Media entertainment

    2) Closed Internet service

    3) Content distribution

    4) Game quality

    The Wii is awesome. The Wii might evolve a broader online presence than it has right now. However, at the end of the day, it's vibrating at a different frequency from the ps3 or the Xbox.

    I also don't think that a Wii purchase knocks out a 360 purchase or a ps3 purchase. On the other hand, the vast majority of people decide either 360 or ps3, and spend the rest of their days posting on Shack, trying to justify their purchase. The systems have much more overlap between them.
    May 15, 2008 6:34am PDT