Regarding the GBA outselling the PS3

Am I the only one who does NOT think that the GBA outselling the PS3 is a big issue?  In fact, I never expected the GBA to bow out so quickly.  The GBA was the dominant market leader for handhelds last generation -- just like the PS2 was the dominant market leader for consoles.  Despite the lack of new games being released for either system, both the GBA and PS2 have extensive software libraries that are carrying their strong (though no doubt declining) sales.  Consumers who have never owned a GBA or PS2 before can now cheaply pick up either one and enjoy the numerous acclaimed titles each system has to offer.

As of April, the 7-year-old PlayStation 2 is still racking up sales faster than the Xbox 360.  Do I think it's a big deal?  No -- for the same reasons I don't think the GBA outselling the PS3 is a big deal.  Like the PS2, the GBA is a proven system with a very affordable price tag.  Eventually, consumers will move on and sales will shift toward current generation consoles, but meanwhile anyone who views the market strength of the GBA (or PS2) as insignificant is clearly uninformed.  Yes, the previous generation of gaming is ending, but it hasn't ended yet -- and the current generation has only just begun...let's not be so quick to criticize before things have had time to unfold :)

Lemmings wouldn't agree. Time will change the sales dramatically.

Yes but the PS3 is a new product with a (depending on who you ask) bright future, the GBA is old news. Plus it isn't so much the GBA is doing well as it is the PS3 is doing poorly.pundog

 The PS2 is old news, too.  I have no misconceptions about the PS3 doing well, but I just think a lot of people are taking the issue of it underselling to the GBA to mean way more than it does.

[QUOTE="pundog"]Yes but the PS3 is a new product with a (depending on who you ask) bright future, the GBA is old news. Plus it isn't so much the GBA is doing well as it is the PS3 is doing poorly.camui99

 The PS2 is old news, too.  I have no misconceptions about the PS3 doing well, but I just think a lot of people are taking the issue of it underselling to the GBA to mean way more than it does.

[QUOTE="camui99"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]Yes but the PS3 is a new product with a (depending on who you ask) bright future, the GBA is old news. Plus it isn't so much the GBA is doing well as it is the PS3 is doing poorly.pundog

 The PS2 is old news, too.  I have no misconceptions about the PS3 doing well, but I just think a lot of people are taking the issue of it underselling to the GBA to mean way more than it does.

That bears little relevance to the issue.  GBA's are the cheapest gaming systems out there, while the PS3 is the most expensive system on the market.  Consumers take these factors into account, and that's also why I don't think the PS3 (with its current limited software selection) underselling to the GBA is a big deal.  Honda's sell more than Ferrari's -- so what?  I know it's an exaggerated example, but I believe you see what I'm getting at.

[QUOTE="pundog"][QUOTE="camui99"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]Yes but the PS3 is a new product with a (depending on who you ask) bright future, the GBA is old news. Plus it isn't so much the GBA is doing well as it is the PS3 is doing poorly.camui99

 The PS2 is old news, too.  I have no misconceptions about the PS3 doing well, but I just think a lot of people are taking the issue of it underselling to the GBA to mean way more than it does.

That bears little relevance to the issue.  GBA's are the cheapest gaming systems out there, while the PS3 is the most expensive system on the market.  Consumers take these factors into account, and that's also why I don't think the PS3 (with its current limited software selection) underselling to the GBA is a big deal.  Honda's sell more than Ferrari's -- so what?  I know it's an exaggerated example, but I believe you see what I'm getting at.

It's called kicking Sony while their down. Fanboys are just being fanboys. Though Cows are taking a beating from everywhere. People just like seeing Sony suffer because they were so dominate last gen and were a bit too cocky with the PS3.JLei2k

lol...straightforward answer :P

Yes price does matter but there isn't a huge price difference between the GBA and DS (as one poster already mentioned), there really is little reason to buy a GBA at all. Meanwhile not only is the PS3 the best available product from Sony (especially considering the PS2 is more or less dead now that GoW 2 is out) but it is their product of the future, it should be selling much better than it is.pundog

I agree with both of your points, but apparently there are consumers who think otherwise.  It's easy for us to see the added value of throwing in a few more bucks to invest in a DS rather than a GBA, but as obvious as it seems, not everyone knows this!  Someone that purchases the GBA might be a parent, unaware that the DS can even play GBA games, who just looks for the cheapest system for his or her child.  Someone that purchases the GBA might be a very casual gamer who only wants the system to play one game -- upgrading his purchase to a DS wouldn't be a smart choice for him in this instance.  My point is that I'm not as surprised as most that the demand for the GBA is still there.

Like I said earlier, I have no misconceptions about the PS3 doing well right now.  You're right that Sony's flagship console should be selling much better, but with the PS3 software lineup as limited as it is right now, I'm not that surprised with the PS3's current market performance either.  This is why I'm saying I don't think PS3 hardware sales being comparable to GBA hardware sales is a big issue.

As you've said though, the PlayStation 3 has only been out for 6 months.  There are many anticipated releases that are likely to help PS3 sales to pick up...so back to my original point: the current generation has only just begun.  Only a fool would count Sony out of the race this early.  So let's keep our eyes peeled and our mouths shut, for a least a little while longer :)

It is saying something when a product that carries the Playstation name is being outsold by a very old platform.  However, it's kind of irrelevant because GBAs are dirt cheap compared to PS3s so naturally they're going to sell better.

But it is a fact, and it doesn't look good for Sony.  I doesn't really matter, however, because developers have said they're willing to jump through whatever hoops they have to to support the system.

I just bought a new GBA for one reason: Backward Compatability.  Unlike the DS, the GBA plays ALL the original Gameboy and Gameboy Color games.  Also the DS does not support GBA multiplayer hookup or connection to the Gamecube.  The yard sale find of 50 GBC carts for $10.00 made the GBA purchase decision pretty easy.mike1889

Good point, the backward compatibility had slipped my mind.  By the way, what a steal you found with the GBC carts!!

[QUOTE="pundog"] Yes price does matter but there isn't a huge price difference between the GBA and DS (as one poster already mentioned), there really is little reason to buy a GBA at all. Meanwhile not only is the PS3 the best available product from Sony (especially considering the PS2 is more or less dead now that GoW 2 is out) but it is their product of the future, it should be selling much better than it is.camui99

I agree with both of your points, but apparently there are consumers who think otherwise.  It's easy for us to see the added value of throwing in a few more bucks to invest in a DS rather than a GBA, but as obvious as it seems, not everyone knows this!  Someone that purchases the GBA might be a parent, unaware that the DS can even play GBA games, who just looks for the cheapest system for his or her child.  Someone that purchases the GBA might be a very casual gamer who only wants the system to play one game -- upgrading his purchase to a DS wouldn't be a smart choice for him in this instance.  My point is that I'm not as surprised as most that the demand for the GBA is still there.

Like I said earlier, I have no misconceptions about the PS3 doing well right now.  You're right that Sony's flagship console should be selling much better, but with the PS3 software lineup as limited as it is right now, I'm not that surprised with the PS3's current market performance either.  This is why I'm saying I don't think PS3 hardware sales being comparable to GBA hardware sales is a big issue.

As you've said though, the PlayStation 3 has only been out for 6 months.  There are many anticipated releases that are likely to help PS3 sales to pick up...so back to my original point: the current generation has only just begun.  Only a fool would count Sony out of the race this early.  So let's keep our eyes peeled and our mouths shut, for a least a little while longer :)

The cashier is a horrible horrible sales (wo)man if (s)he doesn't offer the DS to the GBA buyers. 

It's a big issue since the GBA has been around since 2000(1?) and it's outselling a hardware that has just arrived on the shelves. Thats a bad thing for Sony's Reputation....tocool340

Well, like I pointed out in my original post, the PS2 has also been around since 2000 and it's outselling everything except the phenomenally selling DS and Wii...and I don't see people making a big deal out of the PS2 outselling the 360.

The ps2 isn't exactly old news yet. The GOTY so far for any system is God of War II and that just released a few short months ago and there are some other games coming up that one could enjoy. As for the GBA , I am not really sure why it is selling now with a fairly cheap DSLite out on the market. It has completely dried up in Japan and rightfully so but North Americans are still buying it for some odd reason. I blame the parents I guess.

I myself know alot of parents (co-worker and such) buy GBA for their 5 or 7 years old kids who love Pokemon or thos kiddy games. They dont see the point to buy a DS or PSP for little kids and I totally agreed!ni6htmare01

But the PS3 is a flagship platform that should appeal and sell to all audiences. It should be leading in sales over something that only has a niche market like the GBA. Also:

[QUOTE="tocool340"]It's a big issue since the GBA has been around since 2000(1?) and it's outselling a hardware that has just arrived on the shelves. Thats a bad thing for Sony's Reputation....camui99

Well, like I pointed out in my original post, the PS2 has also been around since 2000 and it's outselling everything except the phenomenally selling DS and Wii...and I don't see people making a big deal out of the PS2 outselling the 360.

there was a big deal made about the ps2 outselling the 360 until we started seeing the ps2 outselling the ps3 as well. :)

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ProudLarry

:lol: Awesome...

The thing that gets me is that the GBA isn't even a "current gen" console/handheld.  It was outdated by the DS 2.5 years ago.  How embarassin'...

But really, it's 2 different markets so comparing them doesn't mean squat.

People know the GB handhelds are bomb proof, so they are buying many SPs to build shelter out of.

[QUOTE="pundog"]Yes but the PS3 is a new product with a (depending on who you ask) bright future, the GBA is old news. Plus it isn't so much the GBA is doing well as it is the PS3 is doing poorly.camui99

 The PS2 is old news, too.  I have no misconceptions about the PS3 doing well, but I just think a lot of people are taking the issue of it underselling to the GBA to mean way more than it does.

The GBA is much older news.

There's a difference, though.

The PS2 is still getting games (GoW2, Odin Sphere, and the ever-popular Guitar Hero games).
The only quality games the GBA have gotten this year are TMNT and FFVI Advance. Not exactly the same thing.

By itself it means nothing. 

The Ps3 selling less than 100,000 units in a month (less than 85,000, actually) is the stat I'd be more concerned about, The GBA sold 88,000.

[QUOTE="camui99"]

[QUOTE="pundog"]Yes but the PS3 is a new product with a (depending on who you ask) bright future, the GBA is old news. Plus it isn't so much the GBA is doing well as it is the PS3 is doing poorly.Tylendal

 The PS2 is old news, too.  I have no misconceptions about the PS3 doing well, but I just think a lot of people are taking the issue of it underselling to the GBA to mean way more than it does.

The GBA is much older news.

The PS2 was first released in March 2000.  The GBA followed it a year later in March 2001.  But this is besides the point.

 I'm just saying that while PS3 sales are not living up to the expectations of most, comparing them to GBA sales has little to no significance.

The main reasons its so shocking is because the DS plays GBA perfectly well, yet people are still buying GBA's.
And its not like the DS is expensive or anything, its just that GBA's are still selling for some odd reason.nadirb1