IMO the main differences are first of all that this is the PS3's first Christmas in Europe (the 360 had two at that point of availability), the original XBox rests in peace (one analyst estimated 90% of the 360 userbase owns or owned the original XBox), while the PS2 last week still outsold the 360.

The 360 was praised and overhyped by the US press for its worldwide sales and its alledged greatness, the PS3 had to face an uphill battle against avalanches of misinformation and FUD.

The PS3's most anticipated games are actually still under development. 2008 looks to become a very nice year for the PS3 and the years after this even better. The 360's line-up is honestly not as impressive by a long shot, likewise isn't the built quality, reliability, feature set and hardware potential.

Why do people always have to flip things? The numbers show the PS3 sold more than the xbox 360 in the same time period. Even with PS3 price cuts it still was the most expensive system on the market and it still out-sold the xbox 360. Good for Sony

Only 2008 will show who will be a winner.
BUT yeah, i don`t see PS3 doing worse then x360 in 2007.

PS3 doing better in Japan.
PS3 doing better in Europe.
The only USA left, BUT that region also mostliek will go after PS3.

OMG look at the Wii curve on the graph

people saying "but they had price cuts" well...so? It was still the most expensive console and as one person mentioned, had terrible press.

The 360 really was put on the pedestal, despite its documented RROD issue. Because people just spun it as "well they admitted their mistakes and are fixing systems for free" as if to justify it that RROD is ok since they're sorry. Thankfully, I've only gotten RROD once.

What I am saying is that 360 and PS3 sold the same amount. VGchartz like NPD and GFK and Chart Track and MC are estimates and projections and as such being a few hundred thousand + or - over the course of a year and with an install base of millions is essentially selling the same. the Wii is at the point now finally that I can safely say that it has outsold the 360 WW.

What I am also saying is that the PS3 did not sell what it sold on its own or how it was supposed to. The PS3 got where it was at by sales spikes that eventually went back down. there were several events this year of inventory shifting and price manipulation that caused a sales spike for a few weeks before returning to normal. there is nothign to indicate that the PS3 will still sell that much better next year. I also don't see any more cards that Sony can play to keep these Sales spikes going. 

The last one which was due to 400 dollar 40 giger was a good move because it brought some momentum to the Holidays and perhaps it will continue that into the next year but I think it is only going to sell marginally better next year. It also remains to be seen how Sony reacts to a true MS price drop. At this point I don't think the Wii will drop its price until 2009 and so that is not even an issue.

with two price cuts it better sell more the 360 did not have a price cut nor any major bundle like the ps3 did

this is not a big acheivement, to think if the 360 also had gotten two price cuts and a nice bundle for a bit where it would be

Despite two price cuts, the cheapest ps3 was still $100 more than the cheapest 360. o_0

The fact is, the ps3 outsold the 360 despite being at least $100, most of the time $200, more expensive than the 360.

It doesn't matter HOW they did it. What matters is what happened. and once again its how you look at it.

I say they dropped the price $100 dollars in two stages, to spark more sales. And you can say all the ifs you want, if the PS3 had more supplies you can say the 360 would be much lower in sales. Facts are this.

PS3 launched at 599 and 499. Its now 499 and 399. It hasnt had Europe for the duration of existence, and that is its best selling region. It is outselling the 360 this holiday season costing $100 more with less games.

If the PS3 drops prices, it has the PSP and PS2 to counter loses and it has also cut costs on development, more so than the Xbox has since it dropped last. The 360 has only the 360 to rely on in its gaming department.

And this price cut talk, it does spur sales for a few weeks,not months. The PS3 is the hotter item WW, not counting the US. Bottom line.

And bundles? The 360 has the Halo 3 bundle still right?The Xbox is dying in Europe. As the PS3 rises the Xbox falls.

Halo 3 actually saved it from getting smashed this year. Without Halo 3 launch, or if MGS4 had come out this year, how much would the 360 have lost by?

@Jan: One thing, though--while Sony has the PSP and PS2 to fall back on, MS has a lot more money in general, so it evens out.

With regard to the rest: it will be interesting to see what happens, but I will say that the Xbox is actually in a great position to cut the price again right now. They are just waiting for the right moment.