EA's Fight Night Round 4 has debuted atop the UK chart, in the process becoming the first boxing title to reach the all formats number one position. Last week's top three - Prototype, The Sims 3 and Wii Fit - each fell one place, while UFC 2009: Undisputed jumped two spots to round off the top five.
@welshbloke, I think Sony will benefit most from price cuts. 360 has already been low enough to see the benefit & Wii's demand has made up for its price. So Sony will benefit the most % wise relative to current sales, while Nintendo could benefit most in actual numbers sold. Included Nintendo even though it's probably only PS3 and 360 getting cuts this year.
Further price drops of the HD consoles I believe will affect Nintendo with perceived value. I agree that Wii does not directly compete but with prices falling like it or not the competition is coming.
My main reason though is self imposed targets set by Nintendo. I cannot see them making these targets without something like a price drop and also why I do not think being number 1 2 or 3 will necessary be a factor. Currently they are in decline as they all are to degrees.
@welshbloke, It depends. If after dropping the price of X360 and PS3, Wii started to became #3 (behind X360 and PS3) in monthly NPD, then Nintendo probably will consider price drops. However, IF after X360 and PS3 price drops in 2009 and Wii STILL #1 in monthly NPD, I'm pretty sure Nintendo will NOT drop price.
Remember, Wii are not directly competing against PS3 and X360, since its value proposition is much different compared to those 2. And don't forget that Nintendo played the price drop in GCN era, and it failed.
@DrMarioKart, For me, compelling S/W on Wii in the near future is Conduit, WSR. I'll try out MH3, but I am not sure I will like that game. I will try out FPS games on Wii, since I enjoyed shooting game, like Dear Rising:CTYD, RE4 (Wii mote is much better compared to Dual Analog).
Nintendo will not meet its target at the current prices. I think if the competition drops prices again then they are almost inevitably going to have to follow.
The Wii doesnt necessary need a price drop. While it has come way down it is still outpacing PS2 in the US at its height. Its basically just not selling like it was LAUNCH anymore but instead, like the market leader.
Price drops generally dont do much for the system in question anyway. Its a very serious card that should be played sparingly. What everyone needs now is compelling software.
Question; Who do we think will benefit the most from this Price cut. Assuming that the PS3 gets a 50 $ cut and the Pro dissapears and the Elite effectively gets a 100 $ price cut?
Personally taking this in insolation I would say this benefits the PS3 more so than the 360.
That said I do not think we can take this in insolation as Microsoft will be heavily promoting not only the Pro/Elite but more importantly the other features that are expected to be available for the end of the year mainly the Web integrated features and the Smooth Streaming HD content.
Microsoft see the Xmas period as key to its yearly success and so I expect them to put all the effort into that.
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