With the recent adjustments of the PS3 and just before the holidays take off, i thought it might be interesting to look at the current situation of the PS3 compared to the PS2 at the same time frame of it's lifecycle. And my conclusion is that it's actually doing ok. First let's start off with some numbers:

Playstation 2 Total Sales: 68,368,416

Playstation 3 Total Sales: 40,257,637

Playstation 2 Total Lead: 28,110,779

As everyone can see the PS2 has a clear lead here. Breaking it down into regions, the PS3 has lost the most ground in the Americas mainly due to the Xbox 360 doing so extremely well there. Looking at Japan, and keeping in mind the scale of the market the PS3 has it's biggest fall percentage wise here with close to 10 million behind, and PS2 having sold almost three times as much in the same time frame. Lastly EMEAA actually paints the most interesting picture off al, being only 6 million behind and with the PS3 clearly outpacing it's predecessor right now.

Now you probably think nothing really special there, besides PS3 picking up some steam at the moment. But here comes the catch. The Playstation 2 launched at $299!! That's the same price as the Playstation 3 is selling for right now... 4 years after launch! Probably even more interesting, the Playstation 2 got a price cut to $199 in mid 2002, just over one and a half years after it's launch.

Know i'm not saying the PS3 will ever outsell the PS2, nor am i saying Sony didn't lose any ground to the very well performing Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. But it does make for an interesting case doesn't it?

The PS3 is actually do well right now while still at $299 and with big titles as GT5 and Move software support still to come. And with so much head room left price wise, isn't it likely for the PS3 to start gaining serious ground on the PS2 after a price cuts?

I'm going to drop the ball here and say it(although i don't think i will be the first). Playstation 3 will pass 100 million LTD in the end. Even more , i see a slight(all be it very slight) chance for PS3 to eventually to finish in 1st place this generation, if Wii keeps declining and we see a new Nintendo system within two years. Even if it takes another 10 years, and looking at recent PS2 shipment numbers(over 4 million this year) it really doesn't even sound that crazy.

Please share your thoughts and expectations on this, and remember i said really slight chance off finishing in first place.

The PS3 is doing OK in EMEEA. It's doing horrible in the other markets. And it will absolutely never pass 100 million.

it has a good chance to pass 100 million.the reason is the penetration of sony in growing markets.during the past year PS2 lauched officially in few growing markets and hence the shipment figures for PS2 is close to wii the past quarter.they will sell the PS3 in those mrakets for a long long time after PS4 is out.beside the $199 price point is still not in effect.and by the end of the year they are already half way there( around 50 million shipped) all with base line price of $299.

Hmmm 100 million?  Maybe it could.  It has been about 4 years since it launched and it will finish this year with probably around 48-50 million sold...I think in 5 years it could sell 50 million (Though I won't say it is likely).

Want to say.

If you could do this with the PS1, the PS3 would be almost identical Worldwide, with the PS having a marginal lead.

100 million doesn't sound so unfeasible anymore. I believe it's about level or ahead of PS1 when you align launches. Overcoming a 35 million unit lead and beating the Wii still does.

if it keeps on selling for 10 years it could pass 100 million, that is if the 3rd world countrie's gaming community grows by a lot, and if japan and europe keep on buying the ps3 after wii succesor comes out, which will be before the next box or play station.

THE PLAYSTATION 2 LAUNCHED AT $299 is misleading as it launched at that price in the US

PS2 Japan  39,800 yen US $299  Canada $449  UK 299 pnd Europe 430 euro Australia $749

PS3 Japan 49,800 yen US $499 -$599 Canada $549-659 UK 425 premium Europe 499-599 Australia$829 -999

the two price points reflect core - premium consoles

Its doing pretty dang good considering the extremely high price point it used to have and being the last current gen console on the market.