By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
LethalP on 25 June 2017
Edit Thread
zorg1000 said:
LethalP said:

See but what people are suggesting when they say this is that the PS2 sold on a fad, as a casual non gamer product. But the software sales and attach rate completely say otherwise and outclass any Nintendo console for example, you know, completely dedicated gaming consoles with no multimedia functions?

I don't doubt that in the early days of the PS2 the DVD functionality at least pushed people over the edge on getting a PS2, but even then the PS4 sold much faster than the PS2 at launch, entirely on the premise of being a dedicated home console. 

The thing is, the argument for Nintendo Wii being a casual console for example actually has solid evidence to back it up, all you need to do is look at the decline and the WiiU's failure. But the PS2 DVD craze narrative holds much less weight when you consider 1) Software attach rate and 2) the fact that 2 other consoles in the brand name have sold or are going to sell over 100 million units, and the only reason PS3 didn't was because of launching for $200 more than the competition 1 year later.

In no way does that suggest PS2 was a fad, people are just saying that it helped it become a more appealing product. 

 

For example, a wife/mother in 2002 is looking to get the family their first DVD player, her husband has a casual interest in sports games and their kids want the new games based on kids properties (Harry Potter, Shrek, Spongebob, etc) which one are they likely to choose?

$150 DVD+$150 Gamecube or $200 PS2? Probably the PS2.

 

 

Again, nobody is suggesting that PS2 wouldnt have been a huge success without a DVD player, it would have still easily cleared 100 million and dominated the competition but hypothetically it may have looked something like this.

 

With DVD player

PS2, ~155 million

XB+GC+DC, ~55 million

 

Without DVD player

PS2, ~125 million

XB+GC+DC, ~70 million

But if those 30 million wanted a DVD player and not a gaming machine why would that increase the other consoles sales? PS2 would still have the best library and dominant position.