How much does backwards compatibility matter? Well lets look at the performance of Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft consoles. Some of them had BC and some didn't. Below I've ranked each console based on hardware sales and market share on a 1-10 scale. Obviously I left off consoles that were firsts in their line (NES, PS1, etc...) and I left off Switch because it's so recent. Here are the results:
Console | Sales Performance (1-10) | BC? | Console | Sales Performance (1-10) | BC? |
SNES | 7 | N | Wii | 8 | Y |
N64 | 4 | N | Wii U | 1 | Y |
GCN | 2 | N | GBA | 8 | Y |
Virtual Boy | 1 | N | DS | 10 | Y |
PS3 | 5 | N | 3DS | 7 | Y |
PS4 | 9 | N | PS2 | 10 | Y |
PS Vita | 1 | N | XB360 | 5 | Y |
XB1 | 3 | Y | |||
Average | 4.1 | Average | 6.5 |
There certainly is a strong correlation between BC and market success. It doesn't guarantee market success, but it sure doesn't hurt either.
curl-6 bet me that PS5 + X|S sales would reach 56m before year end 2023 and he was right.
My Bet With curl-6
My Threads:
Master Thread, Game of the Year/Decade
Switch Will Be #1 All Time
Zelda Will Outsell Mario (Achieved)
How Much Will MH Rise sell?
My Bet With Metallox