Wii's lead in Japan getting narrower

by Chris Greenhough { Nov 3rd 2007 at 3:00PM }

The Wii outsold the PlayStation 3 by 2-to-1 in Japan during October. No biggie, right? Happens, like, every month. That's just how the Wii rolls. But here's the thing: the console's lead in its homeland appears to be steadily dissolving.

Back in June, you may recall how Nintendo's box outsold its bigger and blacker rival by 6-to-1. Such a resolute thrashing didn't bode well for the competition, but a cheaper PlayStation 3 has since nibbled away at the gap, and now Japanese information well Enterbrain has revealed that October saw 110,415 Wii sales, compared to 47,183 for the PS3. Those figures, fact fans, mean October was the fourth consecutive month in which the Wii's lead was snipped.

Sure, it's not time to hit the panic button and head to the bunkers just yet, and we appreciate that such statistics can be manipulated to suit alternative perspectives, but there definitely seems to be a steady shift occuring in the attitudes of Japanese consumers. Needless to say, we await November's figures (not to mention the impact of Wii Fit in December) with bated breath.

Tags: console-race, japan, playstation-3, sales, Wii-Fit, WiiFit

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Edge @ Nov 3rd 2007 1:37PM

So, Wii is gaining ground but at a decreasing rate? Holy Second Derivatives, Wiiman!

Cory Anotado @ Nov 3rd 2007 3:13PM

Of course sales would decrease when *everyone has one already.*

Quiggy @ Nov 3rd 2007 3:27PM

Edge: that is the funniest thing I have read for quite some times.

Besides, isn't this because every Japanese person already has a Wii?

Undead Priest @ Nov 3rd 2007 4:02PM

Is the Wii still supply constrained in Japan?

Kenology @ Nov 3rd 2007 4:53PM

You need to reword this: "the console's lead in its homeland appears to be steadily dissolving."

In order for the Wii's lead over the PS3 to resolve, the PS3 would have to OUTSELL the Wii in a given month to gain ground. As it stands, the Wii is still pulling away from the PS3, just a much slower rate than it was earlier in the year.

So Wii's lead isn't narrowing at all... it's widening.

Sean @ Nov 3rd 2007 4:54PM

Taken from thetanooki.com -

"Numbers can be deceiving. There are many sites out there right now (including Reuters, linked below) reporting that the Wii’s sales lead over the rival PlayStation 3 is shrinking. Back in June, Japanese Wii sales outdid PS3 sales 6-to-1. Last month, it was 2-to-1. On a weekly and monthly basis, yes, the Wii’s lead over the PS3 is shrinking.

However, the fact that Wii sales lead those of rival platforms each week means that in terms of cumulative sales, the gap continues to widen. The Wii’s overall lead is increasing, albeit at a slowing pace. Those of you who understand derivatives and change in acceleration, it’s kinda like that."

ramuji @ Nov 3rd 2007 6:16PM

"we appreciate that such statistics can be manipulated to suit alternative perspectives"

Oh, the irony is nearly unbearable.

David W. @ Nov 3rd 2007 6:28PM

I would think that at this point...with the way sales were going...the market was already pretty saturated with wiis...

Mr Khan @ Nov 3rd 2007 6:33PM

Yeah, there are a lot of statistical flaws in that analysis. As others have said, the gap is narrowing in terms of rate, but overall, that still means the gap is growing

Fun Fact: If the PS3 continued to sell 19,000 a week in Japan, and the Wii sold NOTHING from this point on, it would take 132 weeks, or 2.5 years, for PS3 to catch up in Japan

Mr Khan @ Nov 3rd 2007 6:34PM

@ David W

Nintendo DS consistently sold 100k + per week from about May of 2006 until June 2007, then started to slow down

saturation is a ways away, but then again that is a handheld

Undead Priest @ Nov 3rd 2007 7:05PM

The PS2 has about 120 million units sold worldwide.

There's no such thing as saturation. Just need good marketing, good price point, and steady flow of good games. Especially for the budget conscious late-adopters.

Shiro @ Nov 3rd 2007 9:06PM

So, when Smash Bros Brawl and Mario Galaxy drop in the next few months, will this article be taken off of the Joystiq logs for obsolescence? Seems like it might as well.

JC Fletcher @ Nov 4th 2007 12:54AM

Unlike all those other news articles, which continue to be timely long after posting. So how long do you think you'll have to wait in line to get your Revolution?

Adv2k1 @ Nov 4th 2007 1:07AM

Well its totally justified Nintendo took Units from Japan to America so obviously less systems can sell.

Wii Fit will also help Wii stay extremely popular as well as Mario galaxy.

B1gC72 @ Nov 4th 2007 6:47AM

@Shiro

these are just numbers for Japan. Mario Galaxy is already out there. i think it sold like 130k on the first day. but Super Smash Bros Brawl drops around the end of January if memory serves.

Jacob @ Nov 4th 2007 9:03AM

The Wii only sold more than twice its nearest competitor! Oh noes! What are we going to do?

ELIJAH the ChaosDragon @ Nov 4th 2007 9:42AM

Is that Hiro nakamura(Masi oka)? The guy from Heroes? YAAAAATAAAAA!

pixelator @ Nov 4th 2007 10:25AM

Why are fanboys so afraid of competition? The closer the sales are, the BETTER it is for the consumers. More incentive for both Sony & Nintendo to excel with the game library, price structure and system features.

I mean, sure - if the Wii is selling one single unit more than the PS3 per week, obviously that means 'the gap is widening'. Heaven forbid publishers should take note of any trend that might favor the evil PS3, eh?

Wii's lead in Japan getting narrower