Xbox 360 selling like hotcakes for the holidays
As analysts continue to predict one of the worst retail holiday seasons in recent history, Microsoft announced Monday that the Xbox 360 is apparently the exception to the rule. Recent price drops and some solid marketing have combined to create plenty of hype surrounding the console this holiday season and the result has been tremendous. Xbox 360 didn’t just beat Playstation 3 in terms of sales over the Black Friday shopping weekend, it trounced it. Microsoft is reporting that it outsold Playstation 3 by a huge three-to-one ratio and amidst the troubling economic downturn in 2008, sales over Black Friday weekend were estimated to be up a whopping 25%. Game titles are also hopping off the shelves as Xbox continues to hold the top average of 8.1 games per console. Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, had this to say:
We entered into the Black Friday sales period with cautious optimism, knowing that dollar for dollar, Xbox 360 offers more social entertainment value than any other console on the market. Record Black Friday sales in the U.S., coupled with our existing global install base of 25 million and an online community of more than 14 million Xbox LIVE members, have laid the groundwork for continued global sales momentum in 2009.
Microsoft might be losing market share in the computer OS market but there’s no question that it’s strengthening its position in the gaming market. So kids, Xbox 360 is definitely the console du jour this holiday season and if you want to be as cool as your friends come January, you better start nagging your parents for one now – assuming they aren’t able to find a Wii, of course.
…because all the launch day X360’s are now out of warranty and dying…like mine last night. Grrr!
I just got a PS3, and I’m hoping for some killer titles. MGS4 and GTAIV will have to hold me over until something special comes out.
Its becuase all the cheapo parents dont want to shell out the cash for a ps3.
I wonder if they take into account how many people are buying them as replacements for the ones that broke? I’m on my 4th one now. Own a ps3 also, and still like the 360 more. Love the new update as well.
360s are only hot now because they are dirt cheap…let’s see how long that lasts.
Or its because the library TROUNCES the PS3’s? Make no mistake, the PS3 is a GREAT blu ray player. But when it comes to games, and a kick ass online community, the Xbox 360 can’t be beat. It could also be because the first run machines are RROD’ing, and their 3 yr warranties have expired.
It really takes a lot balls to go & get one of these thing knowing that is ether broken already or that it’s days are number, o well.
Jason
Agreed. In simple terms “It’s the games, stupid.”
No other console even comes close in quality games.
maybe they are upgrading these to the “mojave” OS…LOL…mojave…
lmao @ Jakeyboy “movaje” that noise in the background of the commercials is hilarious.
I’ve had mine since launch. Running like a charm. They weren’t designed for fanboy love making.
The new systems days arent numbers like the begining productions were. Thats pure ignorance of you to say.
Wow the Sony fanboys are out in force today.
I have a launch 360 as well and have never seen the RROD either. Mind you, I have it in a well ventilated spot and have fed it UPS scrubbed power since I got it (my area has a lot of spikes so I protect all my electronics from harm).
XBOX Live is light years ahead of anything being offered by Sony or Nintendo. It’s just a great gaming system.
Of my 10 friends that have it (including me) only 2 of them have had the RROD. And they were covered under the extended warranty M$ gave for the RROD. Most are covered under warranty, so I’d say these are mostly legitimate sales, people would not have their box die and then say “oh, I’ll wait until black friday to buy a new one!” Given that, I’ve had my 360 for 2 years with no issues at all, and I do hear about a lot of PS3 issues as well from my friend, like his bluetooth not working after updates, or controllers acting up and not connecting. Look at those forums, you’ll see they have problems also..
Good for the Xbox 360! It is certainly the superior console when it comes to gaming, entertainment, and online functionality. I’m buying a second one this holiday season to put in my bedroom.
I have both a PS3 and a 360 and I have to say I use my Xbox at a 20:1 ratio to my PS3.
Good to see there will be more online gamers for the holiday season.
I love this mindset because it is completely ignorant.
Buddy, the Xboxes have been fixed with the new chipset they installed over a year ago. The Red Rings are a thing of the past. It’s too bad it’s the only things that Sony fanboys cling to because of Microsoft’s superior gaming system.
Oh, and I recall going through about 3 PS2’s. Talk about holding onto grudges.
@ You_Eeeediot of course you have it well protected that’s why it’s lasted so long. However, most people do not have it under those conditions in their house. I have a 360 in my house as well, it was purchased within the week of its release. It is well ventilated as well but has been returned twice in the past, then it started working good. However, within the past month it has been returned twice because of the red ring. Thankfully it’s my brothers so I haven’t had to pay for the nonsense return fees that they are charging now that it is not under the PROD. I’ll stick with my PS3.
I am going to try to pick one up after the holiday season, I really want to play Fable 2… I am sure there are other games I would get as well.
i have all three consoles. i have listed my gaming usage below:
ps3: 0% (love the bluray player though)
wii: 2% (only when I have company like thanksgiving, great family game)
ps3: 98% (best gaming platform
^ DOH! ^
@Dave M, Yeah right keep telling yourself that and you might even start to believe yourself, Dude even the store display models are getting hit with RROD, just go to any retailers and look for the Xbox 360 and you will see one with RROD in some of them. They do have the best games though i’ll give them that, but the hardware sucks a*s hard
Yeah, I am on my 4th 360 right now. It was never mistreated, had its own space on top of my entertainment center and also being run through a surge protector.
The very first one was bunk out of the box and Wal-Mart exchanged it the same day. The other two were both RROD. I am feeling good about my new one, however, even if this one should die in the near future I cant really seriously consider buying a PS3. The exclusive game selection sucks, and across the board multi platform titles look and play better on the 360. Thrown in XBLive and now Netflix… the PS3 doesn’t stack up.
I got my 360 at launch and have had no issues. 2 words people
XBOX LIVE
It trumps anything out there. Its simple and it works. Sorry Sony fanboys but Microsoft kicked your ass
Having both a ps3 and xbox 360, I’m going to have to disagree about the 360 being better. Mine has been replaced numerous times, and still gives errors occasionally when putting in games etc. The online play is nicer, but frankly it’s because a lot of people with ps3’s don’t have headsets. I work for t-mobile so I have bluetooths laying around all over, but the average person doesn’t. I love the blu-ray on the ps3, and on my 40″ lcd the games definitely look better than 360. I own copies of multiple games for both systems including call of duty 4, hands down better on ps3 if you ask me…
I bought my 360 in Feb. after their release. I have never had problem with it. I don’t know what people do to thiers. I don’t overly protect mine, but I also don’t use it for a hammer. People are stupid!