So PS4 Is Basically Going To Win This Gen, Right?

[DevilRising]

Predicting a winner now before the other two consoles are even out, is rather silly.

However, discounting Nintendo and assuming it's "Sony vs. MS" is also rather silly. MS has little chance, in my estimation, to overcome their own BS this gen and "win it all" in sales figures. They have lost too much goodwill with fans because of the "One's" original situation, which they're now scrambling desperately to reverse one, which very well may delay console launch. They're not even going to launch right away in various areas around the globe because of their online nonsense. Some of their exclusives may look good, but I'm willing to bet that they aren't as strong as Sony or Nintendo's exclusives. A lot of people were seriously turned off by their BS, and I don't honestly think many of those are going to come crawling back "Because Halo".

So if you ask me, it's between Sony and Nintendo. And again, it's far too early to tell. Nintendo seriously stumbled this year, but that doesn't imply there's no time/chance for them to recover. PS4 is more than likely going to get more 3rd party games than Wii U (again), but that doesn't mean the 3rd party situation won't improve once more, as Wii U sales themselves improve. The notion that all is lost for Nintendo this gen, is just as premature as the notion that "Sony has pretty much already won".

Perception is everything, and perception can also change in an instant. I'm quite sure there were probably many in here claiming PS3's "doom" within it's first year or two, because it was selling slowly, and as the popular meme went "It had no games" (even though it obviously did). Yet look how it turned out. Naturally, the situation is different right now for Nintendo, but many third party publishers have expressed that their support for the system will pick up again once they see more sales (and thus more potential customers).

The coming months are going to be integral for the Wii U. October alone is going to be huge, with Wind Waker HD (with an alleged WWHD console bundle, which should really help), along with Skylanders, Sonic: Lost World, Batman: Arkham Origins, Assassin's Creed IV, and Wii Party U. That's quite the flood of games after such a long drought. September will also bring some help in the form of Rayman, Wonderful 101, and Scribblenauts. November brings COD: Ghosts, Watch_Dogs, Mario & Sonic Olymics, and DKC. And of course December will have arguably the two biggest potential sellers, Mario 3D World and Wii Fit U. Not to mention the fact that somewhere around 20+ new eShop titles are supposed to be available by the end of the year.

So basically, the Wii U will start getting a hell of a lot more attractive to potential buyers, close to PS4's own launch. Xbox One is supposed to also launch in November, but there are also rumors that could be pushed back, so who knows at this point. PS4's launch is going to be a hot holiday issue, for sure, and I think it's launch will have more success than PS3's did, because of the price, for sure. As for which system will have more 2013 sales by the end of the year, Wii U or PS4? Who knows. But I have a good feeling that Wii U's sales will pick up nicely just in time for the holidays. A Zelda bundle on store-shelves will certainly help, and while I know they don't want to (and don't blame them), a $50 price drop would almost ensure that the Wii U does great in late 2013.

But priced as is, I still think it can good well, the real question will be maintaining momentum this time, and having a much steadier release slate for 2014 onward. For all the talk of the console being a flop, the Wii U sold just over 3 million units from launch through the end of December 2012. That's pretty damn good for less than a month and a half. Will PS4 sell 3 million in the same amount of time? We'll obviously have to wait and see on that one. But the one thing I think it does indicate, is that there was indeed initial excitement and enthusiasm for Nintendo's new system....it just started dying off when it became increasingly clear that barely anything else was coming out for the system until late Summer. Horrible circumstance for Nintendo to allow to happen, but I still have faith they can turn things around.

It'll certainly be interesting to watch unfold, that's for sure.