The Video Game Critic

[QUOTE=Funkmaster V]The Genesis fell from 1st to 2nd[/QUOTE]

I don't think those are the best examples though.  Genesis was still very popular, and became second place by a small margin compared to first and second places in the last two console wars.

[QUOTE=Funkmaster V]also, the Dreamcast fell to 4th.[/QUOTE]

Yeah I also think that's a bad example.  The Dreamcast was the first to release by almost a year.  It's like saying that the XBOX 360 was first in sales in its first year, which would tell us nothing considering it was the only one to release for that year.

Even though it's still early, I think it's a safe bet that they won't dominate like they did during the last two generations.  That said, sales will pick up once MSG4 other highly anticipated games come along, so I could still see them pulling a SNES and taking it from behind.  Regardless of the eventual outcome, I think the fact that there is some real competition in the console market for the first time in a while is going to make this gen far more interesting than the last.

[QUOTE=bluemonkey]The point is the Dreamcast sold like crazy upon release.  It broke records and sales were very, very high.  Then it got nuked.  So yes it can happen.[/QUOTE]

And I still think it's not a comparable situation.  Even if I took the situation for what it was, I'd have to point out that Sega was almost bankrupt even while the Dreamcast was selling like crazy.  The Dreamcast was still popular when it died, and thus it didn't at least seem to die for the same reasons as we are stating here.  If Sega had had the money of Sony or Microsoft, for instance, it's likely that it wouldn't have just disappeared.

[QUOTE=bluemonkey]

The point is the Dreamcast sold like crazy upon release.  It broke records and sales were very, very high.  Then it got nuked.  So yes it can happen.

[/QUOTE]

Uh huh, and when is the extremely hyped console that is going to knock out the Wii being released?

Where in my post did I say it was like the Wii?

I was just responding to chris's incorrect post about a console losing steam.

When they discontinued the DC the sales were pathetic in the EU.  Furfighters was one of the biggest hyped games, even had demo discs on the unofficial magazines, had great reviews.  Sold 839 copies in the UK in release month.

Don't forget, Nintendo has a user base of over 6 million at this point (on Wii alone!).  Even if the Wii sales do slow down sooner than expected, they have MUCH more room to work with than Sega did with the dreamcast, as well they have probably made the most profit compared to Sony and Microsoft at this point, combining software, hardware (because Nintendo does not sell at a loss), perifierals/accessories and the Virtual Console.



Just think of the profits next year, and the year after that and so on.


This could potentially be the most profitable console ever!


Thoughts? 

Gee whiz guys, a man incorrectly said a system has never lost its market place lead. I cited two examples off the top of my head where that happened... then people said that the truths I spewed forth were not comparable and then someone else agrees with my original FACT and then peoples jump his crap.

I like the Wii alot, but why are people so passionate for Nintendo... to basically shun facts and jump people's mess? I just bought my friend's Wii because he hated it. The Wii is losing some steam, ya'll. The Xbox is a joke in Japan. Will Sony survive this generation? Yes, for a number a reasons.

Funkmaster V

the dreamcast had a strong launch, but was never in first place. its more proof that you can only really go down in market position launch

the snes is the only case where they moved up, but it took more than 2 years, it took matching the price point of the genesis, it also took sega taking their eyes off the ball and focusing on other hardware. the genesis was almost completely abandoned in 95 after the saturn was launced, while the snes was still kicking well after the N64 hit the market.

the snes shows that getting back in the game is possible, but for it to happen with the PS3, sony has to get to work now and drop their price, even if its a modest 50 dollars, or including a pack in game and/or free game after rebate. they have to sweeten the deal somehow. it will also take bonehead moves from the competition, and MS seems to want to deliver by [I]raising[/I] their price point for the elite package. MS couldve distanced themselves from sony with a modest price drop, but that move keeps sony hanging around.

[QUOTE=chrisbid]
the snes shows that getting back in the game is possible[/QUOTE]

Look at the market share, although it is true that Nintendo lost market share to Sega from 1989-1991, that was becomes the NES (8-bit) was up against the Genesis/Mega Drive (16-bit). Once the SNES was released, the official 16-bit wars began.  So in reality to count the years prior to that is a little unfair on Nintendo's behalf.  Furthermore if one was to take those years into account, the market split still gave Nintendo 40% market share at the lowest point.  Imagine if the Dreamcast had 40%!



All this from a Sega fanboy!