Here's who won each console war

[JACK-2]

venturebeat.com/2014/08/20/heres-who-won-each-console-war/


War. War never changes. Especially console wars.

Ever since the Sega Genesis took on the Super Nintendo, gamers have taken sides and voted with their wallets as companies competed for the industry’s top spot. Of course, we could subjectively debate about which systems were the best for their times, but we also have sales figures that undisputedly tell us which consoles won their respective wars, at least in terms of market share.

We got these worldwide sales figures straight from the manufactures whenever possible (via financial reports and press releases from Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony). We state otherwise when a number comes from a different source. Together, these give us an insight into the heated battles of console wars past.

Also, we start with the Super Nintendo/Sega Genesis era for a few reasons. First off, the Nintendo Entertainment System dominated during its run, so we don’t really have a war to speak of. Before that, in the Atari/Intellivision/Colecovision days, it’s hard to find precise numbers and the console lifespans were a bit more erratic, so you can’t line up “generations” quite as neatly.

Super Nintendo vs. Sega Genesis
Winner: Super Nintendo (49.10 million)

Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Above: The Super Nintendo competed against the Sega Genesis in an intense console war.
Image Credit: Nintendo
This was actually a close race. The Sega Genesis sold about $40 million units worldwide according to former Sega executive Joe Miller, but rival Nintendo managed to do a little better with its Nintendo Entertainment System successor.

The first of the modern console wars might have been the nastiest. Sega in particular was fond of going straight after Nintendo in commercials, like in the one below. However, Nintendo was able to hold its ground thanks to high-profile exclusives like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Donkey Kong Country. Sega, meanwhile, would overcrowd and confuse the market with Genesis add-ons Sega CD and 32-X.


Sega Saturn vs. Nintendo 64 vs. Sony PlayStation
Winner: Sony PlayStation (102.49 million)

Sony PlayStation
Above: Sony’s first system, the PlayStation.
Image Credit: Sony
While the previous console war was close, this one was a massacre. Sony entered the hardware business and dominated with the PlayStation. The Nintendo 64 could only move 32.93 million units, almost a third of what Sony accomplished. The Sega Saturn, however, was a disaster. It only sold 9.5 million.

The PlayStation succeeded thanks as much to its competitors failures as it was its own successes. Sega marketed the Saturn poorly, and it entered the market $100 more expensive than Sony’s system. The Nintendo 64 featured an odd controller and used cartridges instead of CDs, which were becoming the industry standard. This was also the first time Nintendo received its stigma of not having enough third-party games, with Sony hosting mega franchises like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid exclusively on its console.

Nintendo GameCube vs. PlayStation 2 vs. Xbox vs. Sega Dreamcast
Winner: PlayStation 2 (150 million)

PlayStation 2
Above: The PlayStation 2 is the most successful game system ever.
Image Credit: Sony
The PlayStation 2 not only won its console race, but it’s also the best-selling gaming system of all time with around 150 million. We don’t have a more precise figure because Sony stopped releasing individual console sales in its financial reports in 2012, although the PlayStation 2 was already pretty old at that point. Microsoft’s first system, the Xbox, sold about 24 million units, while the GameCube lagged behind with 21.74 million. The Dreamcast would be Sega’s last console, and it ended production before it even had a chance to compete with the Xbox and the GameCube.

The PlayStation 2 continued where the original left off. It dominated the market with exclusives, including the Grand Theft Auto games and Gran Turismo. Sony had become the undisputed king of the industry.

PlayStation 3 vs. Xbox 360 vs. Wii
Winner: Wii (101.15 million)

Nintendo Wii
Above: The Nintendo Wii came packaged with Wii Sports.
Image Credit: Pixels for Breakfast
After losing more of the market each console generation, Nintendo finally retook the industry’s throne with the Wii. Xbox 360 made a huge improvement over its predecessor by selling 84 million units, while the PlayStation 3 sold about 80 million as of Nov. 2013.

The Wii was able to tap into a casual market that had previously ignored gaming thanks to its simplistic and easy-to-understand motion controls. Games like Wii Sports and Wii Fit received national attention. Sony, however, practically surrendered the first place spot with a disastrous launch of the PlayStation 3. The system was originally $600 (the Wii was $250), and Sony constantly gave off an arrogant vibe when marketing the new machine that lead to gamers turning the company into something of meme-attracting punching bag. The PlayStation 3 eventually rebounded, but it never quite caught up to the Wii. The Xbox 360, however, became a haven for hardcore gamers thanks to its extensive online support and catalog of shooters (like Halo and Gears of War).

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Mar 6, 2015 6:03:30 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

venturebeat.com/2014/08/20/heres-who-won-each-console-war/


War. War never changes. Especially console wars.

Ever since the Sega Genesis took on the Super Nintendo, gamers have taken sides and voted with their wallets as companies competed for the industry’s top spot. Of course, we could subjectively debate about which systems were the best for their times, but we also have sales figures that undisputedly tell us which consoles won their respective wars, at least in terms of market share.

We got these worldwide sales figures straight from the manufactures whenever possible (via financial reports and press releases from Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony). We state otherwise when a number comes from a different source. Together, these give us an insight into the heated battles of console wars past.

Also, we start with the Super Nintendo/Sega Genesis era for a few reasons. First off, the Nintendo Entertainment System dominated during its run, so we don’t really have a war to speak of. Before that, in the Atari/Intellivision/Colecovision days, it’s hard to find precise numbers and the console lifespans were a bit more erratic, so you can’t line up “generations” quite as neatly.

Super Nintendo vs. Sega Genesis
Winner: Super Nintendo (49.10 million)

Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Above: The Super Nintendo competed against the Sega Genesis in an intense console war.
Image Credit: Nintendo
This was actually a close race. The Sega Genesis sold about $40 million units worldwide according to former Sega executive Joe Miller, but rival Nintendo managed to do a little better with its Nintendo Entertainment System successor.

The first of the modern console wars might have been the nastiest. Sega in particular was fond of going straight after Nintendo in commercials, like in the one below. However, Nintendo was able to hold its ground thanks to high-profile exclusives like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Donkey Kong Country. Sega, meanwhile, would overcrowd and confuse the market with Genesis add-ons Sega CD and 32-X.


Sega Saturn vs. Nintendo 64 vs. Sony PlayStation
Winner: Sony PlayStation (102.49 million)

Sony PlayStation
Above: Sony’s first system, the PlayStation.
Image Credit: Sony
While the previous console war was close, this one was a massacre. Sony entered the hardware business and dominated with the PlayStation. The Nintendo 64 could only move 32.93 million units, almost a third of what Sony accomplished. The Sega Saturn, however, was a disaster. It only sold 9.5 million.

The PlayStation succeeded thanks as much to its competitors failures as it was its own successes. Sega marketed the Saturn poorly, and it entered the market $100 more expensive than Sony’s system. The Nintendo 64 featured an odd controller and used cartridges instead of CDs, which were becoming the industry standard. This was also the first time Nintendo received its stigma of not having enough third-party games, with Sony hosting mega franchises like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid exclusively on its console.

Nintendo GameCube vs. PlayStation 2 vs. Xbox vs. Sega Dreamcast
Winner: PlayStation 2 (150 million)

PlayStation 2
Above: The PlayStation 2 is the most successful game system ever.
Image Credit: Sony
The PlayStation 2 not only won its console race, but it’s also the best-selling gaming system of all time with around 150 million. We don’t have a more precise figure because Sony stopped releasing individual console sales in its financial reports in 2012, although the PlayStation 2 was already pretty old at that point. Microsoft’s first system, the Xbox, sold about 24 million units, while the GameCube lagged behind with 21.74 million. The Dreamcast would be Sega’s last console, and it ended production before it even had a chance to compete with the Xbox and the GameCube.

The PlayStation 2 continued where the original left off. It dominated the market with exclusives, including the Grand Theft Auto games and Gran Turismo. Sony had become the undisputed king of the industry.

PlayStation 3 vs. Xbox 360 vs. Wii
Winner: Wii (101.15 million)

Nintendo Wii
Above: The Nintendo Wii came packaged with Wii Sports.
Image Credit: Pixels for Breakfast
After losing more of the market each console generation, Nintendo finally retook the industry’s throne with the Wii. Xbox 360 made a huge improvement over its predecessor by selling 84 million units, while the PlayStation 3 sold about 80 million as of Nov. 2013.

The Wii was able to tap into a casual market that had previously ignored gaming thanks to its simplistic and easy-to-understand motion controls. Games like Wii Sports and Wii Fit received national attention. Sony, however, practically surrendered the first place spot with a disastrous launch of the PlayStation 3. The system was originally $600 (the Wii was $250), and Sony constantly gave off an arrogant vibe when marketing the new machine that lead to gamers turning the company into something of meme-attracting punching bag. The PlayStation 3 eventually rebounded, but it never quite caught up to the Wii. The Xbox 360, however, became a haven for hardcore gamers thanks to its extensive online support and catalog of shooters (like Halo and Gears of War).

I've read that article before. That or something close to it.

They got it right. Now that quality is less of an issue and putting out garbage is, I lost interest in it. 10 or 15 years ago, I might have felt different.

[JACK-2]

Console wars are dumb when most consoles are the same minus graphics. Gimmicks too if you count Nintendo, though I do enjoy the Wii and DS brands alot. PC is the way to go i you're a hardcore gamer.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Mar 6, 2015 6:51:21 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

Console wars are dumb when most consoles are the same minus graphics. Gimmicks too if you count Nintendo, though I do enjoy the Wii and DS brands alot. PC is the way to go i you're a hardcore gamer.

Yep, console wars were about fanboyism. I remember being in elementary and middle school and having people argue over Playstation vs N64. Then it was PS2 vs Xbox. So long ago.

I had an SNES and a Genesis. Some of these systems came out a bit later but I loved both of them. Wouldn't bother buying all of that again.

[JACK-2]

These days they're bloated to with all the PC-esque features like DVD players, Internet and Netflix. They're basically watered down PCs

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Mar 6, 2015 7:49:10 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

These days they're bloated to with all the PC-esque features like DVD players, Internet and Netflix. They're basically watered down PCs

Consoles were always computers, but they had a very limited and specific function. The dumbed down PC part is just more obvious. Then you have higher costs and more restrictions too. That's why they're worse.

[JACK-2]

They should have avoided trying to be overpriced dumbed down PC's.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Mar 6, 2015 8:37:25 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

They should have avoided trying to be overpriced dumbed down PC's.

That all started with the CD player in the PS1 era and went on from their like a nuclear race.

[magicattack]

Would you guys rather see a shift back towards game cartridges rather than coming on a disc? Or downloadable?

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Mar 6, 2015 14:50:10 GMT -5 magicattack said:

Would you guys rather see a shift back towards game cartridges rather than coming on a disc? Or downloadable?

I mean I don't care personally. My problem is more with the quality of the actual games. I just feel there is more of an incentive of high sales, which makes sense because they spend so much money on these games (like movies) and I think many games have lost quality over the years in order to cater to the masses. Technology will advance and it was only a matter of time before these consoles had other functions. PC does them better at a lower cost.

[JACK-2]

What C said, the focus on Triple A titles has created a situation where gameplay hasn't improved in most areas and hardware is mostly focus on power which would make the best choice PC's. With the Wii it's the focus on appealing to casuals with gameplay. So, it isn't as bad as the other two. But, ultimately PC is the most convenient choice.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Mar 7, 2015 5:54:28 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

What C said, the focus on Triple A titles has created a situation where gameplay hasn't improved in most areas and hardware is mostly focus on power which would make the best choice PC's. With the Wii it's the focus on appealing to casuals with gameplay. So, it isn't as bad as the other two. But, ultimately PC is the most convenient choice.

Even then I know I'm not buying a console to play a single game, even if I really like it. It'll just collect dust as I don't game as much anyways.

[JACK-2]

Gaming is really time consuming. After taking a break and coming back it's noticeable now.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Mar 7, 2015 7:42:35 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

Gaming is really time consuming. After taking a break and coming back it's noticeable now.

Lol told you. It gives you nothing productive either.

I'm doing Baldur's Gate again, one of my favorites I hadn't played in years and years. I'm going to go back to my drawing again. I also have advertising to do as well.

[JACK-2]

Yeah, it's a great time killer and don't get me wrong I love games. But, they take alot of attention more than kids lol.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Mar 7, 2015 8:30:01 GMT -5 JACK-2 said:

Yeah, it's a great time killer and don't get me wrong I love games. But, they take alot of attention more than kids lol.

Yea, the thing is I could be doing something more than productive. It's like I'm using time and not learning any skills or furthering myself. There's other leisure activities where I could do that would give me more out of it. That's why I cut it down. I've actually been watching Cowboy Bebop. Like it quite a bit.

[magicattack]

Those are some interesting responses. What are some games that you feel are prime examples?

And what other activities would you suggest instead of gaming?

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Mar 7, 2015 11:25:13 GMT -5 magicattack said:

Those are some interesting responses. What are some games that you feel are prime examples?

And what other activities would you suggest instead of gaming?

Virtually anything mainstream since they have a huge budget and have to cater to a large base. CoD is probably the prime modern example.

Lots of things only limited by the imagination. Doesn't need to cost very much either.

I know people who always say they're bored. I remember one guy saying "When I come home from work there's nothing else for me to do but play video games and sleep." People who complain they're bored are like people who complain they're lonely. They can always do something about it, and it's good to be able to do things by yourself without needing others to entertain you. I know people who need to be entertained and are always "bored and lonely" alone. That was always a pet peeve of mine since they always try to drag me into doing something I don't want to do and then say there's something wrong with me for not wanting to do it. (I just mean in general, not aimed at any person).

Check these out:

nextluxury.com/mens-lifestyle-advice/top-75-best-manly-hobbies-for-men/

www.artofmanliness.com/2010/01/06/45-manly-hobbies/

Probably some overlap.

[magicattack]

Mar 7, 2015 12:23:29 GMT -5 The Big Daddy C-Master said:

Mar 7, 2015 11:25:13 GMT -5 magicattack said:

Those are some interesting responses. What are some games that you feel are prime examples?

And what other activities would you suggest instead of gaming?

Virtually anything mainstream since they have a huge budget and have to cater to a large base. CoD is probably the prime modern example.

Lots of things only limited by the imagination. Doesn't need to cost very much either.

I know people who always say they're bored. I remember one guy saying "When I come home from work there's nothing else for me to do but play video games and sleep." People who complain they're bored are like people who complain they're lonely. They can always do something about it, and it's good to be able to do things by yourself without needing others to entertain you. I know people who need to be entertained and are always "bored and lonely" alone. That was always a pet peeve of mine since they always try to drag me into doing something I don't want to do and then say there's something wrong with me for not wanting to do it. (I just mean in general, not aimed at any person).

Check these out:

nextluxury.com/mens-lifestyle-advice/top-75-best-manly-hobbies-for-men/

www.artofmanliness.com/2010/01/06/45-manly-hobbies/

Probably some overlap.

Surprisingly I have done a high percentage of those activities. Most of them are not something I would even consider "manly". Its just something that I have always done. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.

My hobbies this summer will include ditch digging, cutting-splitting-stacking firewood and laying a patio.

If that sounds like fun to anyone feel free to message me.

[The Big Daddy C-Master]

Mar 7, 2015 13:26:01 GMT -5 magicattack said:

Mar 7, 2015 12:23:29 GMT -5 The Big Daddy C-Master said:

Virtually anything mainstream since they have a huge budget and have to cater to a large base. CoD is probably the prime modern example.

Lots of things only limited by the imagination. Doesn't need to cost very much either.

I know people who always say they're bored. I remember one guy saying "When I come home from work there's nothing else for me to do but play video games and sleep." People who complain they're bored are like people who complain they're lonely. They can always do something about it, and it's good to be able to do things by yourself without needing others to entertain you. I know people who need to be entertained and are always "bored and lonely" alone. That was always a pet peeve of mine since they always try to drag me into doing something I don't want to do and then say there's something wrong with me for not wanting to do it. (I just mean in general, not aimed at any person).

Check these out:

nextluxury.com/mens-lifestyle-advice/top-75-best-manly-hobbies-for-men/

www.artofmanliness.com/2010/01/06/45-manly-hobbies/

Probably some overlap.

Surprisingly I have done a high percentage of those activities. Most of them are not something I would even consider "manly". Its just something that I have always done. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.

My hobbies this summer will include ditch digging, cutting-splitting-stacking firewood and laying a patio.

If that sounds like fun to anyone feel free to message me.

Some are some aren't. I've done a lot of it too, though I always wanted to fly.

Some things like woodworking or programming are definitely manly though.

Tons of things to do though that give you a lot of satisfaction while also learning useful skills.
I'll be doing art and business related stuff mainly. That and clearing out my last debt. Doing great.