Redmond (WA) – Microsoft said that its Xbox 360 game console had its most successful Black Friday yet, selling 25% more units than in 2007 – and outselling Sony’s PS3 by a ratio of 3:1.

The most sough-after game console may once again be Nintendo’s Wii. But even if the Wii is out of reach for Microsoft and Sony, Microsoft is convinced that it beat the PS3 in Black Friday sales. If Microsoft is correct, Sony’s Black Friday may have been a disaster and the Xbox 360 is selling on a record pace.

Supported by game titles such as “Gears of War 2,” “Fable II,” and “Lips”, Microsoft described a “historic Black Friday for Xbox 360”, with a 25% increase in sold units over Black Friday 2007. The absolute number was not released, but if we use the November 2007 sales estimate of 770,000 units and a generally slowing economy in consideration, then Microsoft should have been able to at least hit the same number once again this year.

The PS3 sold 466,000 units in November 2007, according to NPD – and Black Friday was a big contributor to this number. Sony remained quiet about its Black Friday result and simply reported that it has updated its PS3 firmware to version 2.53, which adds full-screen flash playback support and Live movie RTMP capability.

Nintendo sold 981,000 Wii’s in November of last year and is generally expected to have sold well over 1 million units last month.   
    
Microsoft said that Xbox 360 sales have also surged worldwide since the September price drop, outselling the PlayStation 3 week over week across Europe. Console sales in Europe are up as much as 400%, with sales nearly double year over year and reaching 7 million consoles sold this generation, Microsoft said.

Of course, this is only Microsoft’s view and we will have to wait for NPD’s market estimates to find out more about the actual unit sales.

I believe it, but still want the NPD,

Dec 02, 2008 19:36     

Times are tough, economy is bad and i dont think any one wants to pay 399 for a game console, because that's only what it is now. Blu Ray players are reaching the 149-199 price tag average. The PS3 has lost that selling point it once had and now its time for them to follow Microsoft. Sony, Cut back on the price tag and shrink the damn thing if you want my money. Now lets have that NPD report. :o)
VILLAIN_xx report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

its prolly....

Dec 02, 2008 21:58     

because people are starting to buy 360's to replace their broken ones. I have one, and I'm on my fourth one. Good thing for warranties.
oz report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Who Cares, PS3 Do Not Have the Red Death like XBox360 has

Dec 03, 2008 09:01     

Who Cares, PS3's Do Not Have the Red Death like XBox360 has. PS3 is the better machine, it has Bluray included unlike the Xbox 360 which uses very old DVD technology to keep the price down.
Mac report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -11

We're number 2!!!!

Dec 03, 2008 09:02     

Great PR. We stomped on PS3! Please, everyone ignore the Wii behind the curtain. These guys just don't get it. Nintendo has changed the market to what it was when the first Pong game came out. Consoles are no longer the realm of the gamer. They are again a way for a family to come together and have some play time. PS3 and Xbox tout their great graphics. PC gamers have had that for a long time now. Consoles are way behind. The games are all the same. How many shoot/slash the bad guys before they shoot/slash you games can you release? I still play Halo for Pete's sake! It's great fun to put it in easy mode and punch away at the Covenant. If everyone is so concerned about graphics quality, why are cell phone applications so popular? It's not the graphics that we need to work on. It's the interaction with the system. NES figured that out and last year's fading fad has turned into a major paradigm shift. Sales are going up not disappearing, stock is still scarce, and prices are stable. Too bad Sony and MS haven't figured that out. Of course, MS has finally started talking about the family games for the Xbox, so maybe there is hope for them.

Paul123 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -4

who cares?

Dec 03, 2008 09:09     

Who gives a flying FU$% about this? seriously im sooooooo tired of hearing about these stories. If you cant afford the console, then dont buy it. Are there thousands of articles about me not being able to afford a Lamborghini? no. So i have to settle for a Nissan pickup.
SIGH report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Facts and figures

Dec 03, 2008 09:35     

I would like to know what is the value of each system sold. Do they measure by units or the cost of the unit. If the case in point is cost then the value of each system would turn out yo have similar dollar results. xbox $199; PS3 $399. Isn't that 2 to one already?
Convexrook report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -3

Yes, Xbox users have to go through more than one unit

Dec 03, 2008 10:21     

beacause they break, PS3 is the superior box, and their online service is FREE!!!
Rob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -5

Go away fanboys

Dec 03, 2008 11:59     

"beacause they break, PS3 is the superior box, and their online service is FREE!!! " Thanks for all those facts. Considering Microsoft fixed the RROD for FREE(unlike Sony's record with the PS2 and PS3). Sony's online service maybe free, but I'd pay $50/year to have a great online experience. "If the case in point is cost then the value of each system would turn out yo have similar dollar results. xbox $199; PS3 $399. Isn't that 2 to one already?" Yes that is correct, but you also have to look at game sales. That's where they make money. Developers want to make games for a system that has a large target audience for their game. The 360 has a large base and has numerous sales in games. Not to mention Sony loses money everytime a PS3 sells. "PS3 is the better machine, it has Bluray included unlike the Xbox 360 which uses very old DVD technology to keep the price down." Blu-ray players are below $200. Also by saying that the PS3 is a better machine, but for what? The 360 has more graphics power than the PS3. Also using DVD is keeping prices down is good for consumers.

Headward report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

agreed

Dec 03, 2008 13:13     

well said Headward.
gn0n report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

@ We're number 2!!!!

Dec 03, 2008 13:34     

Don't get me wrong I love the Wii but you have to seriously think about how is Nintendo going to follow this console? Wii2 with HD graphics? That won't sell plain and simple. Wii maybe a one hit wonder. Don't get to excited Sony and MS aren't going anywhere. There will be a xbox 720 and a PS4.
Action Jackson report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

@ Facts and figures

Dec 03, 2008 13:35     

NPD is units sold.
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@ Yes, Xbox users have to go through more than one unit

Dec 03, 2008 13:38     

@$200 more ur buying inferior PSN service at about the same rate as xbox live. Anyone buying a 360 today doesn't have to worry about RRofD. Oh and my brother still uses the one he bought on release night and no RRD. Even if your xbox did die it's under warranty for 3 years. PS3 dies after 90 days? sorry out of luck.
Ricko report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Where's my RPGs?

Dec 03, 2008 14:40     

RPGs were the reason I bought a PS3... where are they? As of right now, there are more RPGs on the x360... WTF? But since there are still not that many on x360, I have no real reason to switch either.
Ryker Abel report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

boo hoo PS3 fanboys are crying

Dec 03, 2008 15:26     

ohh 360s break ooh red ring of death ooh live cost money ooh we have BluRay cry cry cry thats all i read from PS3 fanlittlebois always have something to say at least we are playing games in our "game" system ohh and how are those 4D graphics coming along 360>PoS3
09 F9 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

@@ We're number 2!!!!

Dec 03, 2008 18:01     

The Wii is single handidly killing hardcore gaming. Doesn't anyone appreciate a long, deep, complex, story driven, beautiful, RPG anymore? Even so called "hardcore" games like Gears of War 2 are now just trying to appeal to the mainstream. Wow! Look at us! Now you can get a golden lancer! Fu#$ campaign mode, now the multiplayer is faster paced more addictive and has a flamethrower!!! I remember games like KOTOR and HALO (1!!!), you could sit and play through a wonderful experience that was worth the price tag. Now the only place to get any hardcore games is the PC, but noooo, don't anyone play that! Its for nerds!!!! Consoles are wayyy better!!

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Headward

Dec 03, 2008 21:13     

do blu-ray player play video games? Majority of the people that buy consoles buy them for games yet the same console will lead you right back to linking it with a pc. To say dvd keeps the price down, what will happen when the future smacks DVD to the curb? No longer be fans of any console but Consumers, just like the rest of us FANBOYS UNITE fight online in games!!!! lol
Dude report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Consoles?

Dec 03, 2008 21:20     

PCs rule!!!! are the PC fanboys that fight each other? LOL or is Graphics and Processors? Dont be cry babies fan boys!! I have all consoles and love them dearly And I got a Beast of a PC that devours them all Servise is better too its freee!!!!!1hahahahahaa
Dude report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Dude

Dec 04, 2008 03:14     

The Dude abides ;) re: Zane - I hear ya about the rpgs. Where are the rpgs u can sink ur teeth into. But Halo is not a rgp. I didn't play Kotor. btw You should try Fallout 3. I'm quite picky and, I found this game to be quite good. Im really exicited to get the online content that is coming in Jan or Feb.
oz report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Wii

Dec 04, 2008 08:20     

The Wii has single handedly brought gaming back to the mainstream. In case you didn't notice, all platforms have increased in sales. More units mean more games bought and more total profit for all. HD consoles are a scam. If you were really into HD, you shouldn't even have a console. They pale in comparison to a PC with a kick-ass video card and 30" monitor. Consoles are killing hardcore gaming. Last year everyone said Wii was a fad and would soon fail. This year sales are still booming. Now you say, what's the follow up? They are already following up. Look at all of the controller accessories on the market now. NES and its licensees are making a bundle. The systems have sold out of a store, but there is still as much if not more space devoted to Wii games and accessories as the other platforms. You may say that the accessories are gimmicks, and they are, but they are a stroke of genius that is making money hand over fist. Next year they may add DVD playback! I know, laughable since the other playback HD formats, but it isn't about graphics. NES figured this out. The mainstream needs a better way to interact with the system, not HD. You have to face it, the Wii is here to stay. Even MS is going after the Wii market by targeting families in their ads. They aren't touting HD graphics or great RPGs. They focus on Kung Fu Panda and Lego Indiana Jones. Sorry, but the "Wii is crap!" argument is just a Fanboy response, whatever console you're a fan of.

Paul123 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

RE: Headward

Dec 04, 2008 09:09     

"do blu-ray player play video games?" No. Does the PS3 have a great gaming library and is worth the $400 price tag? ~ The whole RPG thing has been confusing also. You look at the PS2 and it had most of the RPG's. The Tale of Despereaux looks very interesting for the 360.
Headward report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

@ Dude

Dec 04, 2008 12:43     

yeah and I bet that Uber Pc you have ... cost 5x more then all your consoles combined .. but yeah it was worth it right .. cause being able to play Crysis was way worth the extra cost thanks but no thanks i stick to my crappy console graphics my dumb down wireless controller and my horribly uncomfortable lazy-boy massaging recliner
09 F9 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

and the Wii is horrible for gaming

Dec 04, 2008 12:46     

"The Wii is single handidly killing hardcore gaming."
09 F9 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

@Headward

Dec 04, 2008 22:59     

I agree with almost everything you said. Except "The 360 has more graphics power than the PS3." - Wrong. Very wrong. Completely and inescapably wrong. The 360 is much easier to program for, given the system can easily (itself) break threads down to it's processors. The Cell processor in the PSU uses a much more complex process (an actual network of processors, if you will) to regulate processor usage. The GPU in the 360 is better than the GPU in the PS3 by a slight margin. However, the processor in the PS3 is lightyears ahead of the Xeon in the 360. You can say that it's Sony's fault for doing that (and you would be right), but the PS3 is definitely the technologically superior console.

James report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

@09 F9

Dec 04, 2008 22:59     

I actually don't have a UberPC, just a decent one. I spend about as much on it as you do buying new consoles every few years. It also allows me to edit my photos and video, surf the web, play my music (CD quality), watch movies, email, etc, etc, etc. PCs are upgradeable. You don't have to throw the old one out and by a new one. You just buy a new graphics card every once in a while, throw in a CPU when the price comes down. My technology is 3 years old compared to the latest stuff, but it still plays games better than the current consoles and does a ton of other stuff for me too.

Paul123 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Wii is kicking everyone's @$$

Dec 04, 2008 23:09     

If the Wii is so horrible for gaming why are sales so good? If it is a flash in the pan, why have sales been steadily growing? If it really sucks, why do they keep selling even when there are no discounts and no stack of free games added in to sweeten the deal? Hardcore gamers don't use consoles. They spend the money, no matter how much, to get a hardcore gaming PC system. That's what "hardcore" means. Consoles are not hardcore. They are made with parts that are pretty much obsolete by the time they are launched and performance and graphics can't even come close to a hardcore gaming PC. When you laugh at the Wii's 480p resolution, the real hardcore gamers are getting quit a chuckle that you're all wet over 1080p, and at a measly 60hz to boot! It's not about performance. MS proved that when Windows took over as the operating system of choice. It's about how humans interact with the system. NES finally remembered that and stopped the "my graphics can kick your graphics ass" petty bicker that the other consoles were doing and created a system with a really simple, yet innovative, improvement in human computer interaction. They are now reaping the rewards of their genius. Just wait, the gen8 consoles from Sony and MS will follow their lead. They have to.

Paul123 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Well said

Dec 05, 2008 08:06     

Well said Paul! Bravo! :)
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@James

Dec 05, 2008 10:14     

I said that the 360 has more graphical power not just CPU power. The Cell proc is good in theory but it's a CPU not GPU. I might have a Intel i7Core but with a TNT2 GPU it's does nothing for graphics. Just like the orginal Xbox beat the pants off of the PS2. Take a look at this: http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=19237 Now with those numbers who has the more GRAPHICAL power?
Headward report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

@(Re)Headward

Dec 05, 2008 10:53     

Can't get to the link, work has it blocked :( I still don't understand how people try to split the GPU apart from the CPU. If the CPU is powerful enough, it could easily replace the GPU. If the GPU was as powerful as you think, why would we have a CPU anymore? Case in point: The GPU is litteraly another processor with it's own set of memory. The CPU CAN (as Intel has shown) effectively do graphics processing. The problem with this is not the hardware of either console, it's the programming behind the scene. They program these games to work best cross-platform. Since the GPU in the PS3 is only slightly slower, they make minor adjustments to the code to make it RUN on the PS3, but not optimize it FOR the PS3. Therefore, you see a slight decrease in performance. Games that are programmed FOR the PS3 (IE, MGS4) look SPECTACULAR. Another problem is the resolution of the textures that can be stored on a DVD versus a Blu-Ray. Cross-platform makes sure you're not REALLY going to get high-resolution textures, because they design (even PS3 games) with a 4.7GB limit. FYI: I'm not spitting out any "fanboy" junk. I bought a Wii several months after it came out. I thought the Gamecube was junk. I own a PS3 and will probably buy a 360, given the new $200 price-point.

James report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

in the end

Dec 05, 2008 12:35     

we shall see who is the best in the end xbox. watch and see. ps3 still rules! mgs4, god of war 2, top exclusives! u wish u had. halo and gears of war same old, same old
shawn report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -3

shawn

Dec 10, 2008 13:39     

Um, I dunno about MGS4 being a PS3 exclusive anymore, on the MGS website, they show a teaser practically stating, MGS will be on the Xbox360.
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