Why are people always so up in arms about this?

I guess the truth hurts. Its just a bunch of stats - and ones that I think are particularly relevant.

So no one here has any thoughts to debunk this comparison, or have any theories why it shouldn't hold?

@darthdevidem01:

Its shameful just *how* wrong you can be. Not only have you completely disregarded my post - your facts are wrong as well. MH1 & MH2 have both been significantly more successful than Crisis Core. In fact by FF standards - CC was close to a "flop". 

@Rock_on_2008: 

Why not? Do people actually expect the PS3 to sell LESS software than the PSP? (if so, then I'm very surprised). And if not - then isn't it surprising that the PS3 has sold less software to date? Or is this purely because of the slow start, and relatively low install base?

THis isnt a fail thread.

PSP software doesnt even sell well and its out performing PS3.

I don't understand how you are completely ignoring the difference in hardware numbers and only looking at software sold. PSP sold more units in that 68 weeks, it's no wonder that it sold more software. How is this so strange?

If it wasn't for Blu-Ray, one of the following two would have happened in Japan:

- the PS3 would have sold virtually no hardware (if it didn't catch on neither with gamers nor with movie-buffs)
- the PS3 would have sold much more hardware and software than it's selling (since it would closer to the Wii in price)

The fact is that for now, the PS3 is practically dead as a gaming platform in Japan. The only thing which can save it is FFXIII (and by that time the gap to the Wii will be enormous).

Simple - what is more important - hardware or software?

Its easy to make a case why the PSP should sell more hardware than the PS3 - same reasoning why the DS should sell more hardware than the Wii (cheaper, more mass market, portable, etc..).

But - its supposed to be offset by a greater attach rate (and more expensive games).

The stats still hold: the PSP which has done a "poor" job of selling software, has sold more software (just) than the PS3 in a matching time period.

If the PS3 has any chance of being successful, it *must* break out of this cycle.

(in other words, if you are looking for a significant improvement in the performance of the PS3 in Japan - look for boosted software sales, enough to move it away from a "PSP-like" software graph. Then we'll be "cooking" :>).

The high attatch rates say the exact opposite of that infact. It's just not getting hardware units out the door, but you are comparing a $250 hand held with a $600 console, I wonder which will sell more hardware.

Just look at the attach-rates, for christ's sake.

@Morgyn: The PS3 doesn't have high attach rates in Japan. Higher than the PSP's, yes, but not high at all compared to the Wii or the 360.

The PS3 has low hardware sales and low attach rates in Japan, which is the basis of my previous post. It's selling to movie buffs and to a very reduced group of hardcore gamers.

 This is in Japan. The PS3 is still doing fairly well everywhere else. Also, only 20% of the whole population even have HDTV's....very few people are actually buying it JUST as a Blu-ray player. I still believe that the PS3 sales are from a majority of gamers. Those buying it for Blu-ray are the minority. The PS3 is going to be getting quite a game list this year...I wouldn't be surprised that people have started buying the PS3 for games now.