It seems that fortunes for Sony and the PS3 may be starting to look up a bit. The sometimes undeservedly troubled console has recently seen a peak in sales in Europe, that for the first time has seen it outsell it's closer competitor, the Xbox 360.

For most of August and September the Xbox 360 was crunching most of the competition, mostly thanks to the launch of the Xbox 360 Elite and the storming behemoth that was Halo 3.

Of course, things have settled down a little since then, and the PS3 is beginning to see a genuine rise in the European market, mainly due to the release of the cheaper, backward compatibility devoid 40GB PS3 a few weeks ago.

Shortly after the release of the 40GB console, PS3 sales rose from 5,000+ units per week in September, to 12,000+ units per week by the end of October, according to chart site VG Chartz. This is 10% higher than sales of the Xbox 360 in the UK and almost 50% higher then sales of the Xbox 360 in the rest of Europe, although the Wii is still well ahead of both consoles.

Though the reasons for this are clear, whether Sony can maintain this momentum after the initial consumer interest in the cheaper model is entirely separate topic of debate, but with such huge hitters like Home, Metal Gear Solid 4, Final Fantasy XIII and Gran Turismo 5 all due in 2008 and all PS3 exclusives, and Sony's new Universe of Entertainment ad campaign looking to broaden exposure of the console even more, it would be unfair (and a little foolish) to discount the PS3 this early in the console race.

Tags : 40 gig hard drive : 40BG : 40GB : halo 3 : PlayStation 3 : price cut : Sales : Sony : Wii : Xbox 360

Comments

By: boa

On: 06:00 Nov 5th, 2007
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where did you find the news that FF XIII is out next year?

By: Dragonfly

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On: 06:10 Nov 5th, 2007
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boa;35887

where did you find the news that FF XIII is out next year?

That's the currently projected release date, at least for one of the FFXIII titles.

Whether they manage to stick to it or not is another story entirely.

Don't forget the rest of the story. Successful sales of PS and all! *laughs*

By: Dragonsoul

On: 03:31 Nov 5th, 2007
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Well, well, well, I wasn't expecting that. Apparently there's still a few tricks that Sony has up their selves. I still feel that Wii has too high a lead for either Xbox or PS to ever catch up but the fact that the PS3 is starting to get some ground is encouraging for Sony fans...

...like me. xD

By: Corrine

On: 03:54 Nov 5th, 2007
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I wonder how many people will be bringing in their used PS3 consoles when they realise the horrible error in judgment they made.

By: boa

On: 03:18 Nov 6th, 2007
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The PS3 will win this gen (I am so not counting the Wii as this gen), it's just a matter of time. MGS4 and FF XIII will probably make sure of this. Then there'll probably be a God of War 3 and team Ico's next title (hands up, who wants that, even not knowing a sodding thing?).

Sony have/are making a lot of bad mistakes, but lets face it, they have the pockets for it.

By: LeoFerus

On: 10:12 Nov 6th, 2007
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OK, y'all know I'm an ardent Xbox 360 fan. But due to a recent event I like to call "My Universe ending in a giant red ring explosion of death", I was forced (ok, really just an excuse) to go out and buy a PS3. Gotta say, it's a pretty sweet box. Won't know which is truly better til I've played a lot of games on both but with the PS3 I get - BluRay player (which means 5 free movies), wireless, free online, backwards compatibilithy with sweet PS2 games (I got the 80gb).

I'll do a side by side comparison between 360, PS3 and Wii at some point and post it up. But for right now, kinda likin the PS3 And Motorstorm

By: Dragonfly

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On: 10:16 Nov 6th, 2007
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LeoFerus;36010

But for right now, kinda likin the PS3 And Motorstorm

Motorstorm is definately one of those worth getting the PS3 just for.

Although I personally need more than one game before I consider buying a machine. *laughs* Things seem to be improving though, and as you found out yourself, the PS3 is a little more technologically reliable in general.

By: deanogee

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On: 07:02 Nov 8th, 2007
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I hope more big titles will hit the PS3.. lets face it I'm only for Sony because of the games..

Still I need the price to drop a bit more if I think about buying one..

By: Mobius Zero

On: 09:58 Nov 8th, 2007
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I admit I have been pessimistic and still am with Sony because of the mentality I get the whole impression of "the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing". I say this is rather good news for Sony none the less, so, good for them but I still rather get the 80 GIG with all the extras before then, 360 for now.