I would like to compare this PSP debate to the GC and Xbox debate

[Opaque]

Three years ago many people believed that the GC would be more successful than the Xbox. Many ridiculed Microsoft for blindly charging into an area of business they knew little or nothing about; but Microsoft played it smart, they introduced a capable system with hardware features the competitors did not have, better graphics, good game selection and solid online play, and now rank above Nintendo in units sold for both hardware and software. It’s become obvious to me as of late that there are many striking similarities between what we saw with the Xbox and GC and what we are seeing with the DS and PSP.


Japanese Sales:

In both cases it appears that the competitor is selling poorly in Japan when compared to the Nintendo system in question. The Xbox is getting destroyed by the GC and the PSP is getting destroyed by the DS. Does this really mean anything in the long run? No. But considering the Japanese market has been known to love the crappy and not the brilliant, it almost goes without saying that a majority of the time if a game sells poorly in Japan it will sell well in America, and visa versa.

Graphics:

The Xbox launched with generally superior (though only slightly) graphics when compared to the GC. The PSP has graphics are years ahead of the DS. Now of course it is known that graphics don’t make the game, but one would be hard pressed to find a John Q. Public who believed that to be the case. Us here, the “hardcore”, we know that there are diamonds in the ruff, but to every mom and dad who walks into a Gamestop or EB, they will take one look at the DS and PSP and assume that the PSP is the better choice because of it’s graphical capabilities. Well, that and one other thing...

Game Selection:

Just like the Xbox offers more games than the GC the PSP looks to be offering more games in its first year than the DS. Many consumers will look to the handheld with the most choices to meet their needs, and considering the PSP will also be the place to go for T and M titles, there is a high probability that adult gamers will again see Nintendo’s system as “kiddy” and not for them.

Other Features:

The Xbox offers MP3 storage and the ability to play movies, so does the PSP. The GC and DS do not. I find it highly likely that customers looking for a system that does more than just play games will be more drawn to MP3s and Movies than Pictochat and touch screen. Why do I think this? Well, MP3s and Movies beat out GBA to GC connectivity (arguably a better idea in theory than touch screen controls for racing games and sending pictures of pikachu to people you don’t even know) in the Xbox vs. GC war, so why would they not here? Besides, having MP3s on a portable device is much more valuable than a console, so the appeal should, in theory, be magnified.


Now my point isn’t that the PSP is the obvious winner, I know it has it’s flaws too. I just thought these few similarities were interesting.

Thoughts?

[rezo]

DS had a very successful start and by the time it starts losing out to PSP in any significant way, Nintendo will already be pushing forward with their "real" follow up to the GBA. How well that sells is going to be more telling of Nintendo's future than anything else.

[Opaque]

DS had a very successful start and by the time it starts losing out to PSP in any significant way, Nintendo will already be pushing forward with their "real" follow up to the GBA. How well that sells is going to be more telling of Nintendo's future than anything else.

See but that brings about another point, are people who bought the DS so soon after the GBA SP going to again throw down money for yet another Nintendo Handheld?

The plot thickens.

[Bacon McShig]

The plot thickens.

As does yo momma OOH BURN!

[Rocca]

I think that some of the theory that you mentionned there makes sense. History might repeat itself. When the Xbox came out, a lot of people jumped on the Microsoft wagon because of the graphics.

The catch here is that we always find Nintendo trying too hard to be innovative. Even though the DS' touch screen is a lot more interesting (and fun) then the GC's connectivity phase, they're still gimmicks to me.

Then you have Sony, a company that walks in on Nintendo's reign with no experience and releases the Playstation, an excellent console that uses CD technology, and doesn't try sticking to cartridges like Nintendo did. Now with their release of the PSP, it feels alot like 1997 again. You have a company that's new to a new market and in the case of said years ago, did extremely well on it's first try.

When the Playstation came out, I bought a 64. When the PS2 was released, I bought a Gamecube shortly afterwards. So far, I'm 0 for 2 on making the right choice. The DS plays GBA games, which is nice, but I already own a GBA. It can also play Mario 64, which is cool and all, but how about some new games? To sum it up, I'm not interested in the DS, and even though I'm content with console and PC gaming, it'll take a long while before I invest in another handheld. When that time comes, there are strong odds that I'll be getting a PSP.

This handheld faceoff feels like every other Nintendo and Sony gen starter. Nintendo starts out with a Mario game and a couple small titles and Sony releases how many times more games on their plate. But you still go for Nintendo because you probably think they're the "clutch" player to go for. The PSP looks great and the list of upcoming games look way more interesting than rehashes of games I've played back in 1996.

PSP please.

[Agent X]

Good comparison, but I just have one question:

In both cases it appears that the competitor is selling poorly in Japan when compared to the Nintendo system in question. The Xbox is getting destroyed by the GC and the PSP is getting destroyed by the DS.

Is the PSP really getting destroyed by the DS?

It appeared to me that the PSP sold out at launch (at least the initial shipment), and the disparity in sales numbers is caused only by Sony's inability to produce PSP machines at a faster rate. Both machines are selling out as fast as they can be made--it's just that Nintendo is currently producing more of them. If Sony ships some more PSP units and they stagnate on store shelves while the DS continues to sell at a rapid clip, then perhaps Sony should start to worry...but not until that occurs.

[Opaque]

Is the PSP really getting destroyed by the DS?

It appeared to me that the PSP sold out at launch (at least the initial shipment), and the disparity in sales numbers is caused only by Sony's inability to produce PSP machines at a faster rate. Both machines are selling out as fast as they can be made--it's just that Nintendo is currently producing more of them. If Sony ships some more PSP units and they stagnate on store shelves while the DS continues to sell at a rapid clip, then perhaps Sony should start to worry...but not until that occurs.

I think sales are at 3 to 1 right now. I don't know if that justifies me saying it's being destroyed, but it's still.

Besides the PSP sold 80% (not 100%) of 200,000 units first day, which isn't any amazing feat. So it's safe to say that since they didn't sell out, their problem is not that they are understocked. Besides, if I sold 50 PS2 games today I would have sold 100% of my stock, but that doesn't mean that I sold a impressive amount; percents mean next to nothing.

[Jetman]

DS had a very successful start and by the time it starts losing out to PSP in any significant way, Nintendo will already be pushing forward with their "real" follow up to the GBA. How well that sells is going to be more telling of Nintendo's future than anything else.

I agree, The DS is selling pretty well, but its not the real succesor to the GBA/ SP. Basically its like,Virtual Boy 2....only not 'quite' as shitty.

Everyone who I work with has the "new system goggles" on and think its the greatest thing, and I just dont see where they are coming from.I mentioned my opinions in store and one of the guys I work got pissed and gave me a dirty look like I was insulting his grandmother. I mean,I agree that graphics alone dont make a game, but come on...look at that Ridge Racer DS -- terrible.I think Nintendo can do better.

Needless to say anyone who comes in our store, I tell them to wait for GBA 2 or PSP. I feel bad seeing poor schmucks waste their money on this thing.But their are some fanboys who you cant dissuade.....

I think sales are at 3 to 1 right now. I don't know if that justifies me saying it's being destroyed, but it's still.

Besides the PSP sold 80% (not 100%) of 200,000 units first day, which isn't any amazing feat. So it's safe to say that since they didn't sell out, their problem is not that they are understocked. Besides, if I sold 50 PS2 games today I would have sold 100% of my stock, but that doesn't mean that I sold a impressive amount; percents mean next to nothing.

Im surprised by this too. Maybe this can be attributed to the Japanese just being more trusting in Nintendo to put out a better handheld seeing that the latter obviously has a better track record. That or maybe launch games on the DS just appealed more to a Japanese audience.Or we know how the Japanese can love some quirky new technology <see Sound Off threads with robo suits for some proof> so maybe the touch screen stylus induced gameplay just aroused (oooh) some curiousity in their inner gamer <shrugs>.

[Jeremy]

I can see the DS being a waste of money now, as the launch lineup just reeks of the Saturn's in some ways. I, and I'm sure many others, are looking forward to the stuff shown months ago, but won't be released for many months. I'm sure then the DS' sales will go up, or just be completely trounced by the PSP's.

[Jetman]

I can see the DS being a waste of money now, as the launch lineup just reeks of the Saturn's in some ways. I, and I'm sure many others, are looking forward to the stuff shown months ago, but won't be released for many months. I'm sure then the DS' sales will go up, or just be completely trounced by the PSP's.

Yeah, I'd love for Nintendo to prove me wrong months down the road and put out some impressive games for this. Or anyone else for that matter, I'd applaud Konami if they made a scaulding hot addition to Castlevania on this, or Capcom if they brought us a sweet Viewtiful Joe rendition, or anything else new and interesting.
It's just with GBA 2 supposedely being so close to release, I cant see Nintendo or 3rd party company's putting a whole lot of time into this thing.I guess we'll see though.

Another thought of maybe why it sold so well in Japan is backwards compatibility.I think it would have been interesting to see if a Japanese audience invested in this without that,and not being able to go back and play their favorite Pokemon game or whatever in it.