PlayStation 3 Surges In Japan, Germany

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While the PlayStation 3 suffered through a slow start just about everywhere - despite shattering launch records in the UK this past March - the system has definitely experienced a major sales upswing since the 40GB introduction and the 80GB price drop. You've already seen some of the early results from the US, but it isn't the only region to see greatly increased PS3 sales.

According to PSU, Sony's next-gen console has taken a "dominating role" over the past few weeks in both Germany and Japan. Not surprisingly, the PS3 is mired in third place in Germany, but it still outstripped its two competitors in the month of October: retailers apparently report 37,000 PS3 units sold, while the Wii came in second at 28,000 and the Xbox 360 a distant third at 12,000. Perhaps even more shocking is the meteoric rise of the PS3 over the Wii in the past couple weeks in Japan (a country that has adored Nintendo's product from day one): the PS3 (39,178) outsold the Wii (36,23) for the second straight week. We don't have a number for the 360, but...well, it's Japan. Obviously, these statistics can be attributed to the new PS3's $399 price, which has clearly had the desired impact worldwide.

All that remains now is to see if the PS3 can maintain this momentum throughout the 2007 holiday season. Sony could really use it, and with the truly giant exclusive titles scheduled to arrive next year (Gran Turismo 5, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Killzone 2, Final Fantasy XIII, etc.), now might be the time for a lot of gamers to be interested in the PlayStation 3. It's a great holiday gift, no doubt!

11/25/2007 Ben Dutka

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