U.S. - PSP outsold the DS by 1.2 mil in 2005

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http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/d27174da-98d2-46d4-ad1b-a532fb93694e.htm

According to Mercury News Research, in 2005 Sony's PSP outsold the Nintendo DS by 1.2 million units in North America. According to the statistics, 2.43 million Nintendo DSs were sold in North America versus 3.63 million PSPs. However, if you tack on the 4.26 million Game Boy Advance units, Nintendo still owns the portable market in North America by 64.5%.

-Billy Berghammer
Click to expand...

color me surprised. i thought nintendogs sold a gajillion DSes
 
no doubt the DS "won" this year by a long shot. I'm surprised that all the good software and the Xmas season didn't spring it ahead of the psp or at least close the gap a bit more...1.2 million?! that's just insane.
 
[quote name='Scorch']Yes, but how many were then sold on ebay and traded into stores?[/QUOTE]

Well, the initial sale still went to Sony.
 
I just have this gut feeling the numbers were screwed up some where. There is just no reason why the PSP would have sold better. It just feels like they were given the wrong numbers for how many PSPs were sold, maybe it will come out later that the PSP numbers where actually units shipped and no units sold like the DS.
 
[quote name='CapAmerica']I just have this gut feeling the numbers were screwed up some where. There is just no reason why the PSP would have sold better. It just feels like they were given the wrong numbers for how many PSPs were sold, maybe it will come out later that the PSP numbers where actually units shipped and no units sold like the DS.[/QUOTE]

Well you have to keep in mind that the first 8 months or so of the year were pretty terrible for the DS. They had basically nothing come out for the system (nothing worth while at least) until around august/september when Nintendogs, Castlevania and other must own games started to come out for the system. The sales reflected that as the DS was getting it's ass pounded by the PSP month in and month out.

Also the PSP launched this year, so it's natural that their numbers would be higher. If the DS had outsold them it would have been quite embarassing, especially in light of the meager line up the DS had for most of the year. Up until a few months ago no one expected the DS to get even close to outselling PSP month to month, so the comeback that the DS has mounted has to be seen as impressive. 2006 will be the real test for both handhelds as it seems they're essentially neck and neck everywhere but Japan.
 
I have nothing against the PSP, However I'm surprised that the DS did not sale more. I really thought Nintendogs would and did push a lot of units. My last job we got 15-20 Nintendogs in at a time and the were gone in two days. I also worked in a upper-middle class area and kids would come in and go mom I want this game but I need this (DS) to play it. Ok get both but this is all you get this week. I'm sitting their like WTF, My sister and I had to sacrifice all our Christmas gifts for a NES and a TV, and that was just last year :lol:
 
[quote name='rodeojones903']Even more proof that that PSP fuck in rules :D[/QUOTE]

LOL that's funny.

Maybe the sold more cause people kept exchanging them trying to get a unit without dead pixels
 
NDS =4.5732 million units
PSP =2.1214 million units
where did i get these numbers? i tracked them myself. so i am sourcing myself
oh wait that doesn't mean that they are real
this article is from a posting on a blog about numbers that mecury research supposedly tracked. I will belive this when they post how they tracked and sourced these numbers. Instead they just show a few numbers, no explanation. no proof = bs
 
Y'know, I own several portables (and when I wear them all, including my iPod, cell phone, wonderswan, and N-Gage, I resemble Johnny 5 from "Short Circuit"). I really like my DS. I wish I liked my PSP, but the load times make me want to hurl it against a wall. Load times - on a fuck'n portable!?! Anyway, GTA:LCS makes it fun.

I'm very partial to my DS. I loves my Castlevania games (all 4 of 'em), my classic RPGS (Final Fantasy I&II, Phantasy Star Collection, Lunar Legend), classic and modern Nintendo games (Super Mario Advance series, Metroid, Zelda, etc). There's nothing to dislike about the DS, in my opinion.

That having been said, why are you all living in a world of denial? If the sales figures show that the PSP is outselling the DS, then so what? Your ownership of a DS doesn't make the data wrong. The fact that the system is using the Playstation brand popularity to market itself should make it no surprise if it is a rousing success. It doesn't make the PSP superior, it doesn't make the DS inferior. It just means more PSPs were sold last year than DS.

Personally, I wouldn't question the data (though returns for dead pixel free consoles may be a point of contention, they sure as shit aren't a 1.2 million unit point of contention). I'd like to see what software sales look like for each console. You'll probably find a much different story there, given that the DS is a game machine, and the PSP does movies as well (not to mention they retail at $15-20 more than DS titles). I bet you'll find some interesting info there.
 
people seem to forget that the DS is still ahead due to the christmas of 2004. sure PSP sold more last year maybe, but the DS is still in more households than the PSP.
 
The PSP launch obviously helped slow down the number of new DS purchased. These numbers fail to take into account all the used DS systems that were traded in and quickly sold for the $99 tag.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']Y'know, I own several portables (and when I wear them all, including my iPod, cell phone, wonderswan, and N-Gage, I resemble Johnny 5 from "Short Circuit"). I really like my DS. I wish I liked my PSP, but the load times make me want to hurl it against a wall. Load times - on a fuck'n portable!?! Anyway, GTA:LCS makes it fun.

I'm very partial to my DS. I loves my Castlevania games (all 4 of 'em), my classic RPGS (Final Fantasy I&II, Phantasy Star Collection, Lunar Legend), classic and modern Nintendo games (Super Mario Advance series, Metroid, Zelda, etc). There's nothing to dislike about the DS, in my opinion.

That having been said, why are you all living in a world of denial? If the sales figures show that the PSP is outselling the DS, then so what? Your ownership of a DS doesn't make the data wrong. The fact that the system is using the Playstation brand popularity to market itself should make it no surprise if it is a rousing success. It doesn't make the PSP superior, it doesn't make the DS inferior. It just means more PSPs were sold last year than DS.

Personally, I wouldn't question the data (though returns for dead pixel free consoles may be a point of contention, they sure as shit aren't a 1.2 million unit point of contention). I'd like to see what software sales look like for each console. You'll probably find a much different story there, given that the DS is a game machine, and the PSP does movies as well (not to mention they retail at $15-20 more than DS titles). I bet you'll find some interesting info there.[/QUOTE]
excellent points
 
I know that I had to exchange my psp 3 times.

First time there was a bunch of dust under the faceplate.

Second time dead pixels.

Third time a couple pock marks in the face plater over the screen.

And finally the one I kept has what looks like small faint grey splotches in the middle of the lcd screen but only visable when the screen is totally black (usually during most games loading screens) but it was the best of the bunch and I got tired of exchanging them.
 
Im not a fanboy of either of the systems,as I dont own either of them.But one thing people have failed to mention on the PSP'S behalf is the price.Its 250.00 while the DS is 129.99.So even if the DS does out sale the PSP, the PSP is far more successful because its twice as much.Plus as someone pointed out before, the games are 15-20 more for the PSP.So on a huge scale I believe the PSP is more successful.

Later,
Dillon
 
[quote name='longdillon1']Im not a fanboy of either of the systems,as I dont own either of them.But one thing people have failed to mention on the PSP'S behalf is the price.Its 250.00 while the DS is 129.99.So even if the DS does out sale the PSP, the PSP is far more successful because its twice as much.Plus as someone pointed out before, the games are 15-20 more for the PSP.So on a huge scale I believe the PSP is more successful.

Later,
Dillon[/QUOTE]


But the system and the games cost more to make...so yeah, it made more $ at retail in the whole "130 < 250" scheme of things, but for Sony they probably made LESS on each console that Nintendo did on each DS
 
[quote name='CapAmerica']I just have this gut feeling the numbers were screwed up some where. There is just no reason why the PSP would have sold better. It just feels like they were given the wrong numbers for how many PSPs were sold, maybe it will come out later that the PSP numbers where actually units shipped and no units sold like the DS.[/QUOTE]

I love my DS but last time I checked the PSP lauched in the spring of 2005 so there was more of a demand for it during the launch window and this past holiday season. It's pretty simple, the numbers don't lie. They just show that the PSP is popular eventhough it doesn't have many games for it. People like it's multimedia features and all the other features it has to offer.

This doesn't mean that the DS is in trouble, its software sales are quite strong and I feel like the system it's going to hit it's stride this year and show us what it can truly do. People won't be buying the PSP for it's great gaming but rather for all the other features it has to offer.
 
These numbers are so suspect. For one thing, Sony is renowned for posting numbers of units shipped to retailers, not sold to consumers.

Nintendo, however, posts numbers that represent how many were actually bought by consumers.
 
once i see what a sales tracking place that has weight (mediacreate is one, but i believe they do jpn only, or NPD) release, then i will give this blog post another bit of consideration. But until then, the blog post is just that. someone's opinion.
 
Any numbers on how many DS have been sold since release and if it's greater that the PSP. For some reason I thought the PSP hasn't been selling too well because of its price.
 
I don't see how anyone is surprised. The PSP debuted in NA this year and Nintendo released nothing to really fight it off until late August. The Playstation brand name goes a long way with younger gamers and the PSP has the graphics edge as well as the initial "wow factor". It should be pointed out that both handhelds sales have been underwelming in the US, with the GBA still taking the lead despite few major titles being released and the DS's BC. It should be an interesting 2006 in NA. The DS's software schedule is looking a lot more fleshed out with major franchises (+top selling Japanese titles) and the PSP is getting some really innovative original titles which may draw the crowd who originally referred to it as the Port Station Portable.
 
I still don't think all of the UMD's for sale at retail will ever sell at normal DVD prices. There's just not enough PSP's out there, period.
 
I really don't care. Nintendo DS has more fun games. PSP has a fun game and is great to play NES, SMS, and Genesis games on (SNES needs work still). If I had to choose one or the other, I honestly would have a hard time choosing. I tend to lean towards anything Nintendo though, since that is what I grew up on mostly, by choice.

I just have to wonder though, how many PSP systems were actually bought to be played instead of bought to be put on the bay (fat wallet affect)? It just seems like that for anything Sony and Microsoft, the only people to get their hands on the games/systems are the people in it for profits and have no intention of using it for what it was meant for.

Oh well, let the arguing, bitching, and fanboy crying continue.
 
Let's assume these numbers are true.

Here's why: In the last few days, I have seen one of those retarded PSP Adult Swim wannabe commercials at least 3-4 times a day. ITS PORTABLE CHEESE some disinterested burnt out gen Xer tells me at the end of the commercials. "Hells yea" he moans in another.

Despite how fantastically bad these commercials are, I have not seen one DS commercial. None. Absolutely none. In the middle of one of the greatest software runs for any system ever created, there have been no commercials. With Sonic Rush, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Trauma Center, Phoenix Wright, Warioware, and a zillion other worthwhile FUN titles that cost less and give you an incredible amount of replay value, there are zero commercials.

That speaks volumes about how the hardware wars are being held on the portable front.

Additionally, the DS kicks the living shit out of the PSP in Japan. Since NOJ probably has final say on tons of decisions, my guess is that NOA advertising allotments are far less than NOA either wants them to be or they need to be. It's either that or NOA just has its head up its ass.

Either way, my DS gets about 4 billion times the playtime my PSP gets, until I decide I simply must have that episode of Boondocks with me when I'm commuting somewhere.
 
I'd have to sort of agree with Strell, the DS needs more commercials. Even though the only TV I really watch consists of Raw and Smackdown, I still see a good amount of PSP commercials. The only DS commercial I can remember is the one for Partners in Time... there might've been one more that I'm forgetting that aired with the Battalion Wars wave of commercials, but other than that, nothing.
 
I personally enjoy my psp quite a bit. I like the games probably because I didn't really play a lot of the games they ported to it. Truthfully, I do also enjoy the multimedia features that it has, I don't have to carry around an mp3 player along with a gaming system, and it is nice to be able to watch movies now and then. Just more convenient for me, I guess.
 
Just wait until Nintendo puts out a pair of real Pokemon games, a new 3d Zelda, or a Smash Brothers. Sales of the system will go up.
[quote name='Strell']Let's assume these numbers are true.

Here's why: In the last few days, I have seen one of those retarded PSP Adult Swim wannabe commercials at least 3-4 times a day. ITS PORTABLE CHEESE some disinterested burnt out gen Xer tells me at the end of the commercials. "Hells yea" he moans in another.

Despite how fantastically bad these commercials are, I have not seen one DS commercial. None. Absolutely none. In the middle of one of the greatest software runs for any system ever created, there have been no commercials. With Sonic Rush, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Trauma Center, Phoenix Wright, Warioware, and a zillion other worthwhile FUN titles that cost less and give you an incredible amount of replay value, there are zero commercials.[/QUOTE]
I remember seeing Mario Kart and Animal Crossing commercials when they were released. They were much better then the stupid PSP ads that are airing now.
 
I don't understand the argument of "yeah, but how many of those were bought to be sold on ebay". This makes no difference. The person buying that system from the ebayer would have gone to a retail store and bought it if they could find it locally, so that still would have been one more system sold.
 
[quote name='Kaijufan']Just wait until Nintendo puts out a pair of real Pokemon games, a new 3d Zelda, or a Smash Brothers. Sales of the system will go up.

[/QUOTE]

or perhaps.....the first new 2-D mario game in forever? ;-)
should be huge...and if marketed properly, it should move another gajillion systems.

[quote name='rodeojones']I don't understand the argument of "yeah, but how many of those were bought to be sold on ebay". This makes no difference. The person buying that system from the ebayer would have gone to a retail store and bought it if they could find it locally, so that still would have been one more system sold.[/quote]

it's just another way to minimize the PSP's success. some people feel threatened when one videogame console does better than the other, for some really odd reason. it's dumb, they are both great for different reasons. I'm starting to see what Nintendo and Sony mean when they say they aren't in competition with each other...
 
[quote name='Strell']In the last few days, I have seen one of those retarded PSP Adult Swim wannabe commercials at least 3-4 times a day. ITS PORTABLE CHEESE some disinterested burnt out gen Xer tells me at the end of the commercials. "Hells yea" he moans in another.[/QUOTE]

I'm not a big TV watcher, but i've noticed an overabundance of PSP commercials too. They seem to be geared for a young audience.
 
[quote name='A Happy Panda']Why do people still make these posts? It's like bait for fanboys.

PSP Rocks! No DS rocks you're fucking stupid! 2#$%$#@@$[/QUOTE]

i thought it was interesting. i didn't put any fanboy spin in the op, that came later ;-)
 
[quote name='Apossum']i thought it was interesting. i didn't put any fanboy spin in the op, that came later ;-)[/QUOTE]

Yeah, it was interesting information. It was also pretty interesting to read the Nintendo fanboy meltdown that followed. :lol:
 
I have almost zero interest in handheld gaming. I bought a GBA 3-4 years ago and doubt I've played it more than 40 hours despite having a dozen games.

Despite those sentiments I still want to get a DS, the stuff for it looks so damn fun that I may break down my own personal bias and get one. As far as the PSP? Meh, it looks so bland to me. Other than Lumines (Mizuguchi is god.) there's nothing on the system I really want. I also expect to see that game on something else eventually.

Nintendo PWNS the handheld market. Even Sony hasn't been able to come out with a seeming killing app in a year, frankly I'm very surprised by that. Every time I look at the PSP section in game stores I'm surprised at how many launch window titles are still taking up the majority of shelf space and well, UMD movies.... no thank you.

I can't see Nintendo losing the handheld market share even against the Sony juggernaut. One year ago I thought the Big N was toast against the PSP. Now I think Sony should be counting their lucky stars they've sold as many as they have.
 
[quote name='PittsburghAfterDark'] Every time I look at the PSP section in game stores I'm surprised at how many launch window titles are still taking up the majority of shelf space and well
.[/QUOTE]

The DS had this problem for a very very long time as well.
 
The simple explanation is that the DS didn't launch in 2005 while the PSP did. Remember the day it came out the craze over them? I'm not surprised in the least bit. So let's not sit here and question the data cuz we might not like the results, it is what it is. And just because the PSP outsold the DS this year doesnt mean that the DS is inferior to the PSP, everyone has their own tastes and differences.
 
[quote name='brainstorm']The simple explanation is that the DS didn't launch in 2005 while the PSP did. Remember the day it came out the craze over them? I'm not surprised in the least bit. So let's not sit here and question the data cuz we might not like the results, it is what it is. And just because the PSP outsold the DS this year doesnt mean that the DS is inferior to the PSP, everyone has their own tastes and differences.[/QUOTE]
I don't remeber there being much of a craze for the launch of the psp. They didn't sell out anywhere, and most stores had a ton of them a week after launch.
 
[quote name='ryanbph']I don't remeber there being much of a craze for the launch of the psp. They didn't sell out anywhere, and most stores had a ton of them a week after launch.[/QUOTE]That's just flat out wrong. Sony made sure to prevent a "PS2 launch" phenomenon again, where the crux of the market is focused on snatching up what few were available and reselling them at an astronomical markup (also see: Xbox 360).

While they did sell out almost immediately, Sony made sure to have plenty available for launch, and just as important, did a good job restocking retailers after launch day. It was a little difficult to get one on launch day if you didn't preorder, but I can't think of many - or any - who preordered but didn't get one on launch.

Also, IIRC, Sony delayed the planned European launch for a few months in order to direct all production efforts to making the US launch a success. They were able to sell out immediately, but also keep a decent number on the shelves. The difficulty in finding a PSP during launch week pales in comparison to trying to find an Xbox 360 two months after launch, so in retrospect it seems like they may not have sold out. I can understand the confusion.
 
What is the point of the PSP, exactly? I love my PS2 because it has great games. Where are the games for the PSP? With no games, why are people buying it for its other features? Portable DVD players are cheaper and you can watch any DVD's. The PSP doesn't even have a good selection of DVD titles to choose from. In fact, you can probably find ipods that are cheaper so there is your music feature.....I just don't get it. (I do NOT own a DS btw)
 
I'm glad that the market can sustain 2 handhelds right now. It'll be interesting to see how this bloated market holds up. Will the global gaming public be able to support 2 next gen handhelds and 3 next gen consoles for the next 5+ years? I think because the DS and PSP are so different, we might be able to. I don't know about the consoles though. Eventually, because of the price difference, the DS should win. I'm a PSP owner and I'm thinking about getting a DS.

Quick question.
Why does everyone blast the PSP for having nothing but ports of popular Sony brands? Last time I checked the popular DS games were Castlevania, Kirby, Sonic Rush, Mario and Luigi 2, and Mario Kart. Metoes, Phoenix Wright, and Trauma Center are the kind of titles that Nintendo imports to us but Sony ignores. There are a couple original games on both systems but it just seems like the PSP gets blasted the most.
 
[quote name='depascal22']
Quick question.
Why does everyone blast the PSP for having nothing but ports of popular Sony brands? Last time I checked the popular DS games were Castlevania, Kirby, Sonic Rush, Mario and Luigi 2, and Mario Kart. Metoes, Phoenix Wright, and Trauma Center are the kind of titles that Nintendo imports to us but Sony ignores. There are a couple original games on both systems but it just seems like the PSP gets blasted the most.[/QUOTE]

Um, look at the PSP's lineup. It is mostly crappy ports of PS2 games. All the DS games you listed are original in their gameplay, even if they're part of an already existing Nintendo franchise.
 
[quote name='depascal22']I'm glad that the market can sustain 2 handhelds right now. It'll be interesting to see how this bloated market holds up. Will the global gaming public be able to support 2 next gen handhelds and 3 next gen consoles for the next 5+ years? I think because the DS and PSP are so different, we might be able to. I don't know about the consoles though. Eventually, because of the price difference, the DS should win. I'm a PSP owner and I'm thinking about getting a DS.

[/QUOTE]

I think gaming is popular enough to support both, so that neither has to "win" or "lose." some people like the idea of a portable ps2 (and lots of other systems, if you want) and some people like the touch screen and classic nintendo goodness of the ds.
 
[quote name='depascal22']Quick question.
Why does everyone blast the PSP for having nothing but ports of popular Sony brands? Last time I checked the popular DS games were Castlevania, Kirby, Sonic Rush, Mario and Luigi 2, and Mario Kart. Metoes, Phoenix Wright, and Trauma Center are the kind of titles that Nintendo imports to us but Sony ignores. There are a couple original games on both systems but it just seems like the PSP gets blasted the most.[/QUOTE]


None of those you named were ports...
 
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