Japanese gamers, retailers, publishers look at 2006

  • By Staff, GameSpot
  • Posted Feb 3, 2006 2:43 pm PT

Survey shows country has high hopes for Revolution, PS3; big things are expected of Miyamoto and Sakaguchi.

Last week's issue of Famitsu featured professional analyst predictions regarding the gaming industry and next-generation consoles in 2006. The magazine continued its forward thinking this week by asking for the opinion of others who shape the industry. The most recent issue of Famitsu collected data from 370 gamers, 113 retailers, and 47 game publishers, and collated them into a report that creates a picture of various industry perspectives for 2006.

Gamers and publishers both selected the PlayStation 3 as the likely top-selling product of 2006, followed closely by the Nintendo DS. Retailers, on the other hand, believe the DS will sell more than the PlayStation 3, considering that the machine is currently sold out despite being more than a year old. The Revolution was ranked third by gamers, fourth by retailers, and fifth by publishers.

Famitsu also asked the three parties to predict the prices and release dates for the PlayStation 3 and Revolution. Most retailers and publishers predicted that the PS3 will be priced in the 40,000 yen range ($336), while gamers were split between the 40,000 yen range and 50,000 yen range ($420). As for the PS3's release period, retailers and publishers surprisingly picked December as the most likely timing. Gamers were split between May, July, and December.

The overall price prediction for Nintendo's Revolution was low. All three parties picked the 25,000 yen ($210) range as their top prediction, which isn't surprising, given that the Kyoto-based gamemaker has never released a machine that cost more. As for the Revolution's release date, retailers and gamers were divided between November and December, while most publishers predicted December.

121 Comments

  • boolow407

    Posted Feb 7, 2006 9:36 am PT

    xeidog69-Im 29. I remember the NES and the Atari 2600. Nintendo made gaming what it is today, you are 100% right. Too bad there are a bunch of angry little tweens in here that were SH**ing mustard when you and I were playing hits like Double Dragon, Rampage and Golgo 13. They can only get Mommy or Daddy to buy them one system so they are forced to pick a favorite, hence the birth of the bratty little fanboys/girls. You know what fanchildren? My daddy can beat up your daddy. Better yet, Ill take him on myself. After all, I AM old enough to be your daddy, and in some ways, totally possible. Just ask your mom what Im talking about. Tell her I said hi and its been a long time (about 14 years). We will have to hook up sometime. Ill let your kid play my gaming systems that he dont have. When junior grows up, maybe he can afford all three and possibly enjoy each one for what it is and maybe debate on something that should be debated- THE ACTUAL GAMES THAT GO WITH THE SYSTEM AND NOT THE SYSTEM ITSELF. Maybe then he will be a real gamer and stop knocking what others enjoy. Then again, junior is special and debates on things he knows nothing about. He debates on systems that arent even on the shelf yet. Perhaps a rubix cube is more his speed.

  • boolow407

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 10:40 pm PT

    xeidog-funny you mentioned playing the PS2 this weekend. Same here. In fact, I have owned my Xbox (360) for a month and its...well in its box! Fact is, my wallet still hurts from buying it, However, the system is still young and im waiting on some other titles (Fight night for one) before I shell out 60 bucks per game. I see games getting cheaper for it, AND more being released when the PS3 and Revo start breathing down some necks. Its got great potential though. Another thing, PS3's blu ray. Great idea, but game prices are gonna be STEEP. PS3 unfortunately is rumored to only have 2 games for launch, but God the potential! Revo-ALL the old NES favorites and innovative new gameplay. Nuff said, count me in. Reading what people are saying, even in these posts, I think the Revo is gonna do WAY better than what they say it will. Shortages (of systems AND game line up) for the PS3 may actually drive sales up for the 360, much like what the 360 did this holiday for the PS2,GC and Xbox till gamers can get their hands on a PS3 or Revo. After the shortages let the war begin! Then and only then will the war be officially on. Each system will have to hold its own against the other as far as games, periphials etc. Variety is what kept PS2 on top last time. Until then, I will enjoy the killer games being released for the PS2 (at awesome prices) and wait for the great future every new console has to offer. I wont pick my favorite untill all three have been given their fair day in court by the person who matters most. Me. If I go against the grain and like something the Japanese or rest of the world dont like, so be it!

  • xeidog69

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 10:20 pm PT

    also even tho im 26 friggin years old i can proudly say ..for some reson I am addicted to paper mario, the thousand year door for the cube..go figure..I havnt been this entertained in quite some time..I started playing this past weekend have at least 15 hours into it and have a ways to go yet unless the rest of the chapters r short ...another example of how simple graphics but fun and easy gameplay mechanics can make for the best games..people should really stop bashing any system cause they all offer up differant things..even tho they r not all for me thbey do each hold there own...i just praise nintendo for its innovation and for thinking outside the box..they dont compete they innovate and change the way we play and everyone
    nintendo/sony/microsoft fanboys should respect the fact that nintendo
    changes they way we play even if you dont own one...nintendo made the directional crosspad, shoulder buttons, analog stick, 4 port in the front for mutiplayer, vibration feedback, portable gaming,handheld wifi gaming..the crazy touch screen on the ds makes for something called funn..yeah you know what fun is...and props should go to sony for having the most well designed gamepad ever...and even tho nintendo started the force feedback and analog crase sony adopted it and made it even greater,the xbox they took a hard drive and installed it into a console, they STARTED a truly usuable online console gaming network(daMN XBOX LIVE SUBSCRIPTION COST)..SO STOP THE HATING AND JUST GO WITH IT..but definately give the folks at nintendo props for staying in there for all these years and changing the way we play for the most part..where would I be without an analog controller...so no matter what system you enjoy you should embrace innovation and not knock a company who prides themselves on just that..because if it wasnt for these things gaming woiuldnt be fun...next thing you know its gonna be two 30 year olds saying my dad is better then your dad...na na na na na na...grow the f#@& up and buy all three systems just to keep console gaming alive and strong...im sure someone in your hoouse will enjoy the other systems....this whole console war thing is rediculous...does anyone wanna see any ofthese systems do bad..I sure dont..I like each and every one of them for differant franchises, and differant
    experiences altogether...

  • xeidog69

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 9:54 pm PT

    this whole topic of biased and non biased is insane...for one thats like saying the ps3 and revolution will do crap here because they r japenese based companies...yeah right, ps3 is simply put gonna stomp the 360 which here in america is all the rave right now...ps3 will probably continue to smoke all the other consoles in general here in the states..only becuase sony has the most third party developers backing it...and with those developers comes a wider veriety of games to be played...and I only hope that some way some how alot of these third party developers grasp the idea that nintendos new system the revolution is gonna probably be the cheapest system to develope for and nintendo will regain even more of its third party backing...it lost alot when nintendo broke off its deal with sony for cdroms between the time of snes and n64..and sony has had the market since...that goes to showits the games and the veriety of games that make the best system...not anything else..of the XBOX,PS2, AND GAMECUBE the ps2 was inferior in every way..but hmmm. lemme see it still dominated the home console market...so when the ps3 hits japan and the US its most likely gonna be number one..in japan itll be ps3 , ds and revolution..it wont even be a console war there because most japenese gamers will have there cake and eat it too..they will have the ps3 which will have a large amount of rpgs such as square/enix titles along with the many other franchises sony has under its belt...and many will also be picking up the revolution for its innovation and simply for the fun nintendo tends to dish out..in america ps3 and 360 will be battling it out and who knows revolution might even surprise the typical american and maybe..just maybe make americans remember why they love to play games in the first place..me im an american, but im an american whos tired of all the same old recycled garbage thats plaguing systems more and more today..the 360 in japan did horrible because it had too few launch titles, and itll continue to do poorly because the 360 is mainly a FPS/SPORTS/RACING console...the 360 and even xbox have less to offer then then the typical pc sporting a monster graphics card...its not about who made the system its who markets there system the best that wins,its who offers the most that wins,if 360 had more to offer then HD support and a $100 hd that you have to have just to be backward compatiblewith xbox, and a $100 usd wifi connector..it might do a little better...as it is now im using my 360 controller on my pc as a gamepad..best pc gamepad I ever had...for a few weeks maybe a few weeks that is , I was like the 360 is the best.. but if you go past eye candy its nothing...all hd does is make the already great graqphics run at higher resolution for a sharper image quality...the actual graphics dont change by any means..and the fact that I was out $700 didnt keep me claiming it was the best for very long..I had more fun playing god of war on ps2 this past weekend then i did DOA4...

  • boolow407

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 9:13 pm PT

    Point blank, im tired of ALL the fanboys coming into these forums and cyber-b*tching about how "their" system is gonna win the console war. Anyone answer me this, what would make a console win a console war? Sales? Your a pretty shallow (and stupid) person if you only buy something because the rest of the world bought it. Then come in here to tell the world "Im a drone too! I bought this system and it rocks because everyone else has one." Alot of people are into Everquest and Final Fantasy games. I personally dont play these games, but I wont knock people that do. Posting on a system that has not even began to use its full potential (the 360) or systems that havent even hit the shelves yet is even funnier. Buying a system because its manufacturer won the last "console war" is placing your chips on a badge and not the games that are released for it (PS3 and its whopping 2 game launch line up). Calling the Japanese bias is a joke too. Ive been to a few countries in Asia and you know what? They really dont give a rats hiney about systems, only the genre of games that is made for their interests. Hell, they even still have arcades there! Remember those? What is so important that MS HAS to appeal to the Japanese? There are alot of great FPS games for the Xbox and the 360. Much love to Nintendo with their exclusives, and who can deny the power of the PS2 and its games? Play what you like, but stop pushing "your"system onto others who like other titles and genres of games.

  • reallaughingman

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 5:29 pm PT

    i already knew this.

  • spinecaton

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 3:12 pm PT

    Gabrial, I take you you were talking to me about the 2005 issue. I was not addressing the article I was addressing how Sony has been acting. So yes, I know what I'm talking about. I'm sorry if I didn't make myself clear on the subjet.

  • GabrialVH

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 11:37 am PT

    And for all you fan boys who wanted to include 360 in this survey ITS NOT A 2005 survey its a 2006 survey at least read what your arguing about before you make yourself look even more pathetic. And as for Halo 3 thier probably gonna rush it and its gonna suck just because bill gates wants to make a few more dollars. (I know this might have already been posted or something similar but I'm lazy and don't feel like looking.) (And in no way do I hate x-box I enjoy many games The Original Halo (Face it 2 was only good for live and even then a bunch of 8 year olds shouting Noob isn't all that fun., Fable, KOTOR 1 & 2, Morrow Mind. and theres a few more so in no way am I biast against x-box.)

  • boolow407

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 10:10 am PT

    I read in a game magazine that Microsoft predicted launching Halo 3 around the same time PS3 is just hitting the shelves. Bad news for Sony, considering their current launch line up for the PS3. MS should have this shortage issue at hand by then too ( this past holiday season, the shortage of the 360 actually boosted sales for PS,GC and Xbox). The Revo is the one to watch. Low price, all the classic NES games, Nintendo exclusives, Im definately getting one. I already got the 360, and I would like to see MS cater to more than just the shoot em up crowd this time around. PS3....PLEASE tell me these nasty rumors I hear arent true. No playing borrowed or rented games, Cant play on standard TV (HD only), extreme high price per game (80 bucks +) and a sorry launch line up (2 games!!!) and just the overall higher price might keep people away. However, MAYBE the rumors were started by someone who works for the competition. We shall see.

  • boolow407

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 9:50 am PT

    Wow "EvilKinGKoOpA", maybe a game you should try- Phonics, or basic english grammar. We understand that there are mistakes in some of the postings that we put up, but no one knows where the hell you are coming from. I also see by the games you rated, you own a DS and a gamecube. You gave every game you rated a ten. Before you start telling us how Microsoft turned their back on you and the world, and the better idea is to buy a killer PC so you can play demos, lay off the whiskey or drugs. Next time you blame Microsoft for "Creating a shortage in the US so the Japanese and the smelly Euros can have a system"before your sorry a** can have one, there is another class you should take-business. You obviously dont remember the shortage there was when the PS2 was launched. I guess that was when Sony turned their back on the US right? Just sounds like another angry nimrod who didnt pre-order, or is too cheap to fork out the money for a 360 on Ebay. Really guy, what do you want? Bill Gates to deliver one to you personally? I bet Ill see you post here again in a few months, this time against Nintendo or Sony because they intentionally created a shortage. Ill most likely have all three, and of course I will have my favorite. I wont come here posting against another system that I dont care for saying sh** like "My system can beat up your system", especially in language and fonts that is borderline incoherrant.

  • Seraphim_24

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 8:48 am PT

    With the Xbox 360 still vacant from store shelves there's no hurry for Sony or Nintendo. I guess they think that the system will loose steam. Frankly, were I Sony I wouldn't dare to give M$ a full year for the 360 to go uncontested, but on the other hand I'd rather Sony take its time to perfect the technology and get it out at a reasonable price point.

  • ufopuller

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 7:59 am PT

    Need more nijas

  • spinecaton

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 7:45 am PT

    For everyone that thinks the 360 will die are being pretty stupid. A console gamer that wants to play a FPS will not be buying a PS3 or a REV, MS has the FPS market down. Now MS is trying to get a hold of the RPG side of gaming. PS pretty much controls this part with Square Enix along side, but seeing how SE is making games for all three companies now will probably hurt PS. Sure SE release of FFXI isn't that big of news since the game is 3 years old, but the game still has some life in it with the new expansion coming out. Also SE seems to be making another MMO for the 360 which will be interesting to see. If you watch press conference from sony, all they know how to do is attack other companies. Here is a quote from one(not word for word) "The PS2 has out sold the 360 for the 2005 holiday season". Um yeah ok, but did the mention the 360 SOLD OUT in Europe and North America. Around the time of PS3 and REV release the 360 will be getting into its second gen games and we will start to see what it can really pull off. The PS3 so far is only getting launched with Lair and Warhawks no other game has been confirmed yet. Those two games look like crap for ideas. Also if you listened to the IGN interview with the PS3 developers, they admitted that the PS3 will have to play catch up. The rendered videos that were shown by sony will be no where close to how it will look ingame. The devs even stated that! Things like Gamerscore will make games have more replay value then before. I have gone back to Kameo after beating it to just get more Gamerscore points. Anyway, so far I'm not totally impressed with what sony is offering. They are getting cocky and so are the fanboys. I would like to think that PS3 will be good, but I'm not going to buy into the specs hype until I see good games.

  • jaefrmbk2k

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 7:08 am PT

    hey, isn't it funny how when to try to get on gamespot the stupid razor ad locks you out of the site indefinately? good thing i'm samrt i faound a workaraound

  • Kwiksilva

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 6:14 am PT

    nO THE ds WILL BE FIRST FOLLOWED BY rEVOLUTION FOLLOWED BY pS3 only because the Ps3 will be too expensive

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 4:43 am PT

    the revolution IS going to own!!!!!!

  • EvIlKiNgKoOpA

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 3:41 am PT

    P.S GOOOOO!!!! STEELERS,anyway dont be taken buy these lamos,they just claim to b cool or a great console,but deep down,they want to make a worthless box,this is all nothing but a pising contest from sony and ms NINTENDO is just watching the kids threw there best,and see them get hit in the head and learm from the mistakes made,i wouldnt support MS,ifeel they got alot of our money as it is already,why give them MORE,as for NINTENDO and SONY,these consoles ATLEAST,supplyy games,real games,come on your telling me that a some FPS games are GREAT!!!,i think not,if i want FPS games,then i should just get a damm PC,heck!! a HI END PC,and do nothing but DOWNLOAD the DEMOS of alot of FPS games,this way i got a good PC and alot of free games.............but they fanboys these days,they want to be part of a croud they can feel proud of,well heres a free tip,get your lazy a§§e§ of from that couch amd go somewhere and make some friends you dam NERDS

  • EvIlKiNgKoOpA

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 3:34 am PT

    poor fools,all this is ,is crap,i mean i respect there opion,but see
    if MS failed there,is because they kissed there A§§ too much,and well
    the reason im not getting a xbox360,is because they turned there backs on me,and the rest of the states,just to kiss JAPANS a§§,so i say this,Im going to buy a PS3 REVOLUTION and whatever they throwat MS,just because they made the shortage crapp happen,so they can sell xbox360s on ebay,to suckers looking for it,so i say F***** MS and there dam box,the a§§e§ got what they had coming to them,bastards purposly making a console shortage
    just so they can send enough to JAPAN,and the smelly EUROS,screw MS
    i hope they burn,and anyone defending them,WAKE THE FRUCK UP MAN!!! they soldout just to be on top,what abunch of lame §h+it§

  • D Farrell

    Posted Feb 6, 2006 3:08 am PT

    There's no possible way Sony can release the PS3 for less than 400 dollars US in Japan with the current specs. Stand alone blu-ray players have just been released at the tune $1800 dollars! Are they willing to take a huge loss as Microsoft did?

  • Tamer67

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 8:35 pm PT

    Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha those Japanese people think the PS3 will come out at around $336. What the hell are they smoking???

  • Tamer67

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 8:33 pm PT

    HaHaHaHaHaHa those Japanese people think the PS3 will come out at around $336. What the hell are they smokin???

  • Tamer67

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 8:32 pm PT

    HaHaHaHaHaHa those Japanese people think the PS3 will come out at around $336. What the hell are they smokin???

  • kaito2

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 7:40 pm PT

    innerwar, as an American who has lived in Japan for over six years, I completely agree with your statement.

  • boolow407

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 5:40 pm PT

    Im gonna buy a PS3 because LeTinTin said its gonna rock the pants off of Nintendo and the 360. He knows all.

  • innerwar

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 4:53 pm PT

    I don't see why people even CARE what the japanese think of the x360. It's as un-japanese a product as there'll ever be, it's designed for a western market, and it's here that it'll thrive. There's always been a divide between asian and western console markets, and getting riled up because ONE country DARES to completely disregard the POWER OF AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY. Well that's pretty sad.

    wtf is up with westerners and asia. Do we desperately want them to like us? Do we desperately want to be like them, or that they be like us? I don't see you guys giving a rats hiner about what the russian console market analysts think of the x360, so what the dilly yo. Jeez.

  • gojiguy

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 1:53 pm PT

    PS3 is definitely gonna cost like 800 dollars. 300 is soooo far off.

  • cyprus646

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 11:24 am PT

    What about the xbox 360... ohhhhhhhhhh wait no 1 in japan bought it LOL!

  • Volgin_1

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 11:20 am PT

    I'm actually quite suprised the DS is doing as well as it is. It seems the Revolution will do fine based on current trends. The fact that the DS is selling better then the PSP shows that people are going for innovation, games, and price. And it seems like the Revolution can have all of these things.

    The PS3 seems like it will sell well too. They have a lot of games that have been around for a long time and still continue to be fun (such as Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, and Devil May Cry).

  • Volgin_1

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 11:20 am PT

    [This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

  • LeTintin

    Posted Feb 5, 2006 2:58 am PT

    Please release the Playstation 3 I`m dying to get my hands on that console.That console will rock the pants of both Nintendo revolution and xbox 360

  • dru26

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 10:37 pm PT

    360 was mentioned in the article it just came in last in most of the surveys taken. There is a famitsu-360 so it is not completely discarded by the Japanese.

  • dru26

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 10:32 pm PT

    Sony would never release a console that only played on HD sets. The stupid thing that they are pulling is having a native 1080p resolution. It certainly doesn't mean you can't play it in 720p. A true 1080p set runs around $7000 and doesn't come smaller then 50 inches. Personally I was kinda put off when I saw a Sony rep stating that 1080p is the only true hi-def, especially considering I have a 42 inch Sony Grand Wega LCD but It doesn't mean I won't buy a ps3.

  • boolow407

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 7:13 pm PT

    Well said lordseer. There is an extreme shortage of the 360 here because of the launch of US and Japanese version of it. Interesting point too, I dread the fact that PS3 has a very weak line up at launch. Add the fact that there are so many horrible rumors-Cant play on anything but HDTV, Cant play rented or borrowed games, The price of the blu ray discs, and everything else. Also,who knows what kind of launch bugs the PS3 is gonna come with. The technology keeps changing, and sony is really pushing the envelope with a few things. I love my PS2 and the games for it. I do have a 360, am looking to get a Revo, (definate,even if only for the classic NES titles) but the PS3 has me scared with all the horrible stories. They might be cooked up from biased sources, but only time will tell. These clowns saying the PS3 will be the number one system know nothing. Like I stated earlier, they buy a system because it says "Made by Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft" etc. Also, the shortage of the PS3 (and there will be) will spark sales for the 360. Look what the shortage of the 360 did this holiday for PS2, Gamecube and Xbox. Even Microsoft knows this (see the interview in the other news post). I see PS3 being launched around the same time MS releases Halo 3 for 360. By then, MS will have their shortage issue at hand while PS3 is just being released. Long run? We shall see how the PS3 lives up to, or against the horrible rumors. I personally hope against.

  • lordseer

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 6:15 pm PT

    Funny that Marioman doesn't mention that that the only PS2 launch games that appealed to American gamers were Madden and SSX and that the xbox 360 has launched with Enchant arm, that Japanese racing game, a Japanese only MMO, Ninety Nine Nights, and a couple soccer games that would be the equivalent of Madden here.

    Microsoft has pushed hard for Japanese developers this time around but for some reason the Japanese developers have Loyalty in the Japanese systems. Half the BIG titles for the PS3 are from third party support. Devil May Cry and Metal Gear are the biggest 2 and are only being released for the PS3 and both companies would make more than enough making them cross platform.

    Get your facts straight before spewing propaganda and claiming that Americans are racist without backing it up. I should also mention the word that everyone here is looking for is Nationalist, not racist. Also, we don't really have any idea as to what games have been released that are Japanese only. Microsoft did a great thing for Japanese gamers in releasing the system in Japan so shortly after the North American release. Trust me in that American gamers won't be granted the same graciousness from Sony.

  • Eclipse_ShinRa

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 5:47 pm PT

    mikekare79..our stuffy isnt sucky made XD..
    (((That's why the Japanese hardware companies are successful, because they actually understand that each part of the world doesn't look at gaming the same way)))))well said^^

  • mikekare79

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 5:18 pm PT

    You know, Japan doesn't buy our stuff, why should American's buy their stuff?

  • boolow407

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 3:56 pm PT

    Well said phazevariance, and right on redxwarrior and jameston80. Nice to see real gamers here. Marioman50 just knows it all. Marioman has the PS3 and Revo right at his house and can tell you he sees it all. He is gonna buy a Revo and a PS3 because just like I stated, its all on its badge. You can trust Sony and Nintendo for having great systems, so I will just go out and buy them and microsoft sucks cause they make computers. The 360 is nothing but a computer? Kinda like saying the Playstations are nothing but stereos and the PSP is a walkman. Shows you know jack. ALSO to everyone- I went to my planet x today (a substore of gamestop) and actually talked to someone there about the PS3. Again, rumors which either make someone buy a system, or will steer clear of it. He told me the PS3 will ONLY play on HDTV's. You will get a black screen if you play it on a standard television and only get the sound. Wow, this might change things a wee bit. Not everyone has the money to throw down on a PS3. Add the fact that the games are blu ray, and will run maybe 70+ dollars. You also need to play it on an HDTV? Everyone has one of those! Sounds like a way for Sony to start selling off some HDTVs. Anyone else hear about this? Also, anyone hear about not playing borrowed or rented games for the PS3? Please post if you are intelligent. Dont tell me how your system can beat up my system because no one cares. There is not enough info on the Revo or PS3 yet to back ANYTHING up. Nintentards, Sony and Xbox fanboys please dont chime in. Real gamers are tired of it already.

  • regulesblade

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 3:18 pm PT

    Wow, very interesting

  • DarkKefka

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 3:16 pm PT

    Ummm..Is it me or they didn't say anything about Miyamoto or Sakaguchi?
    Huh? Anyways, all those predictions aren't total news to me. One thing that was strange was the Retailers answer about the DS beating the PS3 on sales. Is the DS that hot on the land of the rising sun?

  • _Bison_

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 12:02 pm PT

    Finally, at least rcorelli01eb knows what it's all about ... games. Even though the Xbox had good RPGs (since the general opinion here seems to be that any kind of RPG is the **** over in Japan) they had little appeal to Japanese gamers (the same way dating sims have almost no gaming appeal in US and EU). It's not as much that they hate the 360 because it's American, they simply like their games Japanese (and I don't simple mean translated into japanese).

  • Phazevariance

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 11:53 am PT

    Why not save all of this "guessing" on who will be better once all the facts have been released. There are still "secrets" for the revolution to be released and also more up to date info on the PS3 at E3 2006. What if the "nintendo secret" is a 3d VR glasses addon, would that sell more? What if it was a stupid hat you wear when you play games, would that sell less? Just wait for the facts before you judge which is better. You don't know F**K all at this point.

  • MrShenmue

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 11:35 am PT

    ^Well said rcorelli01eb.

  • rcorelli01eb

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 11:00 am PT

    What I think a great number of people here are overlooking is that Sony more so than Nintendo had to cater to the US market because it had no franchises of its own when the PS One launched. Notice I said cater to the US market.

    MS is in no way catering to the JPN market, so why would Japanese people be inclined to buy their product? I don't find Super Bighead Baseball attractive as a game or the Ultimate Girlfriend Simulator either, so Sony's definitely not going to release them in the US. So why do you think MS can go into japan with a few FPS' and some racing games and create any kind of buzz? They don't care and neither would I. If you're not making games I'm interested in, then of course I'm not buying your product.

    Sure some Japanese people are biased, just like a lot of people on this board are. You guys act as though MS went in with an actual game plan designed to market directly to the Japanese market, when in fact, all they've done is repackage and translate the games from the US launch.

    Now watch the launches in JPN, EU, and the US when Nintendo and Sony launch. Notice the cultural differences of all three territories in the game selections. That's why the Japanese hardware companies are successful, because they actually understand that each part of the world doesn't look at gaming the same way. Halo is a good series but it isn't a juggernaut anywhere else but here. MS couldn't give Halo 2 away for free in JPN and the EU gamers were not waiting outside stores at midnight to pick up copies.

    This is why I say that american gamers are more racist than any other country because if another country doesn't like what we like then there has to be something wrong with them. Like for instance they're the ones that are racists. When in fact, they don't put us down for our opinions, they just understand that there's a difference.

  • lageasy311

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 10:51 am PT

    PS3 where are yee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 1109

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 10:25 am PT

    dnot ask japanese they are fanboys
    and not americans either fanboys too

    ask the europeans!

  • mrcanfwhoopass

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 10:15 am PT

    I agree with the Retailers....the DS will sell more then the PS3

  • jameston80

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 9:49 am PT

    To Marioman50, is your head up your a**, what the heck do you mean Microsoft makes computers? You dont know the first of Microsoft....they make software for computers, doh!!! And Obviously you have not played enough of the games in hd on the 360, because they games graphically are incredible, so come out of the closet marioman50 and stop being so negative on something you hate first of all, i'll bet you dont even own an xbox, you probably own a gamecube and a ps2, you know why? Cause you are not a true gamer, you have your head so far stuck up your a** that you dont see reality. Anyone that owns a 360 will agree with me, its a great system, and its not just an xbox with more ram, wake up and smell the roses marioman50. Just wait microsoft have alot in store coming out, just wait.

  • redxwarriorxxx

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 9:44 am PT

    Down Nintenboy down.
    The Japanese market is pro Japanese and thats it. Unlike the American market they don't openly acknowledge anything that's not Japanese. I could say if Revolution fails Nintendo is done but I won't because they are the OG's of the industry. You say the 360 is an xbox with more more RAM, better graphics, and a hard drive that supports USB. The ps3 is a ps 2 with more RAM, better graphics, and maybe a hard drive that supports USB, your funny.

  • jameston80

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 9:38 am PT

    Exactly, thinking that the ps3 will be around $336.00 lol you kidding, it6s going to be more around 600-1200 dollar range, what are they thinking about? So the 360 isnt mentioned in this article, well wait till all these super cool rpg's start coming out for the 360, japan will change it's mind, if they weren't so stuck on sony, they would have some better games there, but no, they only rely on sony. to have the best system, is having them all.

  • _sean_05

    Posted Feb 4, 2006 9:29 am PT

    oooh 2 rpgs! i bet ps3 will LAUNCh 2 rpgs >_>

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!