Demographic studies show large differences, the Wii userbase is dominated by kids. The average PS3 buyer is a mature higher income male studies suggest.

If I had kids I prefer them to play a Wii, I myself prefer to play games like Uncharted, God of War, Bioshock, Killzone, Metal Gear Solid, etc. Similarly I prefer my kids to watch cartoons, instead of watching horror / thriller movies (gernes which I often prefer myself). At this point there are some major differences, despite Sony clearly tries to target everyone more and more as entry pricing drops.

PS3 has a good chance of coming in first overall in Japan, we'll just have to see how far NSMBWii, Tales of Graces, Samurai Warriors 3 and Taiko Drummaster 2 (as well as this newly-christened Pikachu's Great Adventure) take the fight against Tekken 6, Bayonetta, and FFXIII. PS3 will likely be second overall in PAL, but i don't think it will be able to move out of 3rd place for the American holiday season.

Patently untrue.  Nintendo found that, as of the end of 2007, the average age of Wii owners was 29, while the average PS3 owner age is 28 as of September this year, making the two audiences largely similar in terms of age.  And to show that the Wii's demographics haven't shifted downward significantly in the past two years (in Japan at least), the average Wii owner's age in Japan is 32 as of May this year.  The sources do show that PS3 owners have a higher income in absolute terms, but say nothing about Wii owners in that regard, so I won't dispute that point until a source that establishes the Wii owners' relative position in that regard is found or published.  Now, if you wish to assert that the average age of the Wii's fanbase in NA and EU has shifted downward significantly in the past two years, then I'd like to see proof for such claims.

who is gonna buy Wii for the kids? The parents. And the parents usually have a budget for entertainment. Unless that budget is more than $500 (in NA), the parents would need to make a choice of buying a Wii for the kids or buying a PS3 for the dad (assuming you). That's how they would be competing.

Now that's said. Can you provide the link for this studies you mentioned "the Wii userbase is dominated by kids. The average PS3 buyer is a mature higher income male studies suggest."?

@OP: what a misleading title made by Kotaku

Damn, Mike B got owned.

So could the Wii or the 360.

The important word here is could.

Average age being older might actually prove Mike-B's point. Older people are more likely to have kids and would buy the Wii for their kids but respond in surveys saying they own a Wii.

If GT5 and FF XIII were being released worldwide, PS3 would definitely win the holidays. Not sure what will happen this time around though. As we all know, XBox 360 usually doesn't sell great during the off months. They're big hoorah comes in Nov and December. I still think the Wii will be on top, but it might be close between PS3 and XBox 360. The PS3 does have the momentum, so it should beat out the XBox 360 this holiday.

i hope it could...

when it comes to the wii, how many of you own a 360 or ps3 with a a wii? i do. that is why it is in a different place. Most have a wii and a 360/ps3, not all three.