As of today, Nintendo has officially overtaken Microsoft's Xbox 360 as the number one selling console of this generation. The Wii, which shows no sign of slowing down, is actually selling at a faster rate than the Playstation 2 during the same point in its life cycle. So far, the numbers for all three consoles are as follows...

Wii:

Japan - 3.59 million units
N. America - 4.69 million units
Europe and other markets - 3.26 million units

Total - 11.54 million units sold, and the console isn't even a full year old yet.

Xbox 360:

Japan - a dismal 0.44 million units
N. America - 7.03 million units
Europe and other markets - 3.47 million units.

Total - 10.95 million units, despite a full year's lead on Nintendo.

Playstation 3:

Japan - 1.18 million units
N. America - 2.01 million units
Europe and other markets - 1.41 million

Total - An anemic 4.06 million units

The Wii is now selling at a rate of slightly over 2 to 1 over the Xbox 360, and around 3 to 1 in Japan, with an even greater rate worldwide.

Also of interest is that for the first time in close to 14 years, one company, Nintendo, will dominate in both the home console and handheld markets simultaneously. This is the first time they've enjoyed that luxury since the SNES/Gameboy Color era.

Nintendo can attribue these high sales namely due to its broad appeal to gamers and non gamers alike of all age groups and skill levels, coupled with having the lowest price points in both markets of any video game company. Way to go Nintendo!

Tags : Console Sales : microsoft : Nintendo : PlayStation 3 : Sony : Wii : Xbox 360

Comments

By: Corrine

On: 11:43 Sep 14th, 2007
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Nintendo can attribue these high sales namely due to its broad appeal to gamers and non gamers alike of all age groups and skill levels, coupled with having the lowest price points in both markets of any video game company.

That was Nintendo's goal, after all, and I'm not surprised it's so successful. There are plenty of games for both their handheld and console; I still would like to see a greater diversity in games for the current Nintendo generation than I have seen so far. <3

By: Matt

On: 08:53 Sep 14th, 2007
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I honestly can't say this is a surprise. Nintendo really has made a great machine.

By: Dragonsoul

On: 08:33 Sep 16th, 2007
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I am actually surprised and impressed that originality and creativity and just general fun (as opposed to silly shock value) is being rewarded. This is encouraging for the gaming industry in general. I may be an old-timer but even I can see that fresh ideas are what keep an industry going and kudos for Nintendo for making a product that is both fun and profitable.