So here's something I just noticed when looking at the h/w sales totals on the homepage, and it's pretty mind boggling when you think about it... the Wii could be the first console ever to win out a generation handily in total sales while at the same time not winning a single region.

The Wii currently leads the WW sales totals at just a tad under 100m units, with the 360 at 78.1m and PS3 at 78.6m.  This gives the Wii a roughly 21.5m lead over its closest competitor... a pretty comfortable margin to ensure it will remain on top as the generation winds down and officially comes to a close over the next couple of years or so.

HOWEVER...

When you break the h/w numbers down by the big 3 regions, it looks like this...

North America:  The Wii is currently leading the 360 by a mere 400k units, 44.8m to 44.4m, and the 360 will likely surpass the Wii by next month as hardware sales spike due to heavy hitters like GTAV releasing.  Say bye bye to NA.

Europe:  The Wii is currently leading the PS3 by 1.9m units, 33.3m to 31.4m.  Given that Europe is arguably the strongest PS3 territory and that it will be well supported for the forseeable future, it's highly likely that the PS3 can close this gap sometime next year, if not sooner.  Bye bye Europe.

Japan:  The Wii is currently leading the PS3 by 3.3m units in Japan.  This is obviously the toughest region for the Wii to be overtaken, but it's not impossible being that the Wii is as dead here as it is anywhere else (PS3 typically outsells it more than 10:1 during any given week), and again the PS3 should be well supported over the next few years.  Couple that with a price drop (or two), and the PS3 should come pretty close to topping the Wii's lifetime sales in the land of the rising sun.

Thoughts?

It really doesn't matter anymore... just let it go.

It'll definitely come second in both NA and Europe, but Japan is a big maybe. The gap would take a few years for the PS3 to pass it at their current pace, which doesn't take into account the soon to be released PS4, which will likely hit its sales once the effects of an inevitable price cut ware off. Add in that japanese gamers are moving more towards handhelds every year, I really don't think it's likely.

But really, who gives a shit :P The wii is dying at this point. It's the WiiU we should be concerned about now.

NA-360
EU-PS3
JAP-Wii

True... if anything, this will be the first generation where we have a different leader in each region.  Really makes things interesting for this upcoming generation.

agreed its very odd, nobody could have predicted this 2-3 years ago

Yeah probably with Xbox 360 in USA and PS3 in Europe, maybe Japan. But it don't matter now. It sold 100 million

No, not every region.

USA will most likely be taken by the 360 yes, but Europe is already a big maybe. If the PS3's legs drop off next year Wii could still hang on ever so slightly. I'd say it's a 50/50 chance. I think there's no chance in Japan, Wii will keep it's lead relatively easily.

The fact that all this has even become a question is amazing in itself though .

The wii should stay ahead in japan, and should stay ahead in marketshare, and may end up passing the ps1. But it all depends on how the ps4 effects the ps3, and how long sony wants to support the ps3.

I think it's possible in NA and EUR, but not JP.