Nintendo Wii To Be Outsold By Sony PlayStation 3 By 2013
Eric Calouro | Mar 10, 2010 | Comments 1
Video game industry analyst David Mercer has made the bold prediction that the PlayStation 3 will outside the Nintendo Wii by 2013. Nintendo’s Wii console, which made its debut in 2006, is currently the most widely-used next-generation console out — with 76 million units in use worldwide.
Mercer makes the assumption that the Wii has already peaked when it comes to sales, will sales beginning to decline some time after 2011. At that same point in time, both Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s XBOX 360 will continue to grow, becoming available in more and more households worldwide. Mercer expects 127 million PlayStation 3 units to be in the public hands by 2013 — compared to the predicted 103 million Wii unites at the same time period.
“These estimates are derived from our core forecast scenario, but we have developed various scenarios for each platform. Uncertainties clearly surround each of the major platforms, particularly relating to the new services and upgrades planned by Sony and Microsoft. Natal on the Xbox could be more beneficial to 360 sales than expected, and Sony’s own motion controller, together with its plans to upgrade all PS3s to 3D capabilitiy, also represent potential for upside to our core forecasts,” writes Mercer in a blog post.
“This year’s global market for consoles is likely to fall again, after a 6% decline last year. For 2010 we are predicting global console sales of 47.5 million, a 9% decline.The Wii will account for most of that decline: sales of the PS3 and Xbox 360 are predicted to increase.”
Anyone surprised?
Filed Under: Technology
Just to put something in perspective. By 2013, there will most likely already be a new Nintendo console available in retail. Therefore the fact that PS3 will outsell the Wii will pretty much be irrelevant at that point. I expect there to be a new Nintendo console by 2011, or 2012 at the latest.