New March U.S. NPD data showed that the PSP is doing a bit better than most of us thought.
Of the top 100 selling titles for the month, 5 of them were for the PSP. The DS had 28 in comparison.
But total unit sales (which includes software, hardware and accesories) paint a more correct (because this includes software not in the top 100) and positive picture. PSP made up 8.7% of total unit sales. This is 56.5% of what the DS sold.
What this shows is that PSP must have a lot of software between 100th and 200th place. 56.5% of the DS isnīt bad at all, compared to what most of us thought.
Just a note that most of the linked articles mention a price drop in the UK and EU but the drop of $30 will also apply in Canada. This makes the MSRP in Canada $199 (though this has been the reg price at Walmart for 6mos now so unless Walmart drops in tandem I don't see the MSRP drop affecting sales in Canada).
"For instance...if the new PSP has more internal memory for running games...and thus newer games may ONLY run on the PSP2...does it make it a NEW console?"
I would think that would make it a new console. Most of the time, its because the software coding itself for the games is different from one console to the next. There's more to the DS vs GBA than just an additional touch screen that makes the software for a DS inoperable for a GBA. But to the end consumer, if one machine can play the game and the other can't, it is different.
"Looking back...would the GB Micro be a NEW console since it only plays advance games whereas the SP/Advance played color/mono games too....?"
No, the GB Micro was a redesign of the GB Advance as it continued be designed to play advance games and advance games were designed for that madel in mind. I think Joe is correct in that the key is the SPECIFIC software designed for it. For example, the new PS3s with crappier backwards compatibility are not a separate console from the older PS3s with hardware compatibility for the PS2. Ability to run PS2 software is just an extra feature. Both models are still designed to play PS3 games and PS3 software is designed around those models.
The question was not an attack at the Wii or 360...it was to illicit 'what' would make the PSP2 a redesign vs a new console.
For instance...if the new PSP has more internal memory for running games...and thus newer games may ONLY run on the PSP2...does it make it a NEW console?
Looking back...would the GB Micro be a NEW console since it only plays advance games whereas the SP/Advance played color/mono games too....?
I guess Joe is the clearest here in that a new console must be capable of running software the previous iteration couldn't run.
(As for the negatives...stop being fanbois...it is a legit question to explore. If I was trying to flame the Wii crowd this question would be in the General area...not the PSP specific thread...oh well)
The Wii is not just a repackaged gamecube. I for one don't remember the Cube having Online, Motion sensing controls, Virtual Console, removable media (SD Cards, USB), Wii Channels, web browser, new CPU and GPU and wifi capability.
In the case of the DS vs DS Lite, the Lite had a brighter screen. Whoop dee doo. It's not a new system though.
A new console IMO is a device that is supported with software that can only be played or was specfically designed for that console. Thus, redesigns are consoles that are supported with software that can only be played or was specifically designed for the console the redesign is based on. I didn't word it so great, but I think that is the general law to consider.
kspraydad, I'm sure your comment has drawn the ire of some Wii fans.
The redesigned PSP would have its sales included with the PSP stock as it is not a new console, it is what you said...a redesigned PSP. This is the sames scenario as the DS Lite and every market research analysis has grouped the DS and DS Lite.
However, nobody refers to the Wii as the "redesigned GameCube." True, its graphics capability may be on the same scale, but that doesn't make the Wii a redesigned version of the GameCube.
Sony really does seem to be focusing in on the PSP (since it makes a profit?)...the article submitted today talks about a new focus on teens and a "Dude, Get Your Own PSP" campaign. I've submitted the newest US commercial that gets away from squirrels and dust balls and goes for the sophomoric/gay overtone humour that teens will like (???)
vg charts just updated and according to japanese sales week that ended on april 1st the psp sold 41,318 copies. while it dropped 4% compared to last week. compared to all the consoles it took the smallest loss. which can be considered a good thing.
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Of the top 100 selling titles for the month, 5 of them were for the PSP. The DS had 28 in comparison.
But total unit sales (which includes software, hardware and accesories) paint a more correct (because this includes software not in the top 100) and positive picture. PSP made up 8.7% of total unit sales. This is 56.5% of what the DS sold.
What this shows is that PSP must have a lot of software between 100th and 200th place. 56.5% of the DS isnīt bad at all, compared to what most of us thought.