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PS4 Sales Are Far More Impressive Than PS2’s Domination

PlayStation 4 continues to lead this generation by a fair margin and in my opinion, it's definitely a more impressive – and surprising – performance when compared to PlayStation 2's domination a couple generations ago.

With PS4 shipping over 25 million units in less than a year and a half, people have been comparing the new system to the PS2. And rightly so.

But if we examine the dramatic differences in company position and the industry, one has to conclude that PS4's rise to power is is more worthy of admiration. Of course, I'm not saying PS4 is a better console than PS2 (it has a long ways to go before it can even compete, as far as I'm concerned), but I am saying PS2's total blitzkrieg of the game industry, while historic and amazing, was almost expected.

The PS2 had basically no competition. One could argue for the Sega Dreamcast, which launched a year ahead of PS2, but we all know Sega had no hope of winning that battle. The accumulated hype PS2 built during that year basically overshadowed even the likes of Shenmue and by the time 2000 rolled around, it seemed like every gamer alive was only talking about Sony's new console. Microsoft hadn't yet entered the fray (Xbox wouldn't launch until November 2001) and Nintendo's GameCube was also a year off.

Sony had also come off arguably the most impressive debut in the industry's history, as the original PlayStation was a massive success. In many ways, it somehow managed to eclipse the all-powerful N64 in only a matter of a few years, which nobody really expected. But the point is, by 1999, it was obvious to all that Sony had every possible ounce of momentum. Many people forget this, but the PS2 being a DVD player was another huge bonus. This made it the first video game console that had mass appeal, in my eyes.

It also took little time for PS2 to really get rolling, as 2001 is one of the best years ever in gaming. Xbox and GameCube came late to the party and by then, it was all over. PS2 had seized control and would never relinquish its gargantuan lead. In fact, the lead just grew over time. Now, as for the PS4, the differences are clear: Not only was Sony an underdog in the U.S. going into this generation (Xbox 360 completely dominated PlayStation 3 for the majority of the previous era in North America), but Nintendo had shot to the top of the hardware world again with the Wii. This put an even bigger squeeze on PS3.

I don't think anybody expected Nintendo to pose a real threat to Sony's PS4 but again, it's about positioning and momentum. Let's also not forget that Xbox One released the same year (and almost the same exact time) as PS4, as opposed to the one-year head-start PS2 had on Xbox, and the one-year head-start Xbox 360 had on PS3. So, from all angles, I think PS4's performance thus far is just far more impressive the whole way 'round. Will it sell 160 million units like PS2? Eh, I doubt it. But you never know.

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Jawknee
Jawknee
8 years ago

Indeed. And this news was a que for the illustrious Michael Pratcher to predict doom for console gaming….again….he said the market has met its peak. Even though the PS4 is outpacing the PS2.

Karosso
Karosso
8 years ago

I have been saying it since the beginning, the PS4 will repeat the success of the PS2 as far as sells are concerned.
Once Sony drops the price to $300 dollars, by the end of next year, it will fly off the shelves.
Not sure about the games tho… PS2 was just amazing when it came to game library, hence all the HD remasters we are still getting from the PS2 library.
I'll be sticking with my PS3 for another year or two, keep accumulating free games on PSN Plus and get a PS4 when I have a good library of free games to play.

tes37
tes37
8 years ago

Sony seems to appreciate the position they're in, but they don't seem to be taking advantage of the situation. Saying sh*t like indie games would be more prevalent than triple a games on the PS4 isn't helpful and neither is kicking the Vita to the curb.

They have another blockbuster on their hands and they act like it's only slightly more popular than the Xboxone. They haven't disappointed me, but they speak as if they could.

frostface
frostface
8 years ago

"Microsoft hadn't yet entered the fray (Xbox One wouldn't launch until November 2001)"

It's been out that long? lol

Bio
Bio
8 years ago

To be fair, Xbox One is possibly the dumbest name you could give to the third generation of a console line. I recall MS sending out talking points on how not to confuse it with the original Xbox when referring to it in marketing/press material.

tes37
tes37
5 years ago

Sony seems to appreciate the position they&#39re in, but they don&#39t seem to be taking advantage of the situation. Saying sh*t like indie games would be more prevalent than triple a games on the PS4 isn&#39t helpful and neither is kicking the Vita to the curb.

They have another blockbuster on their hands and they act like it&#39s only slightly more popular than the Xboxone. They haven&#39t disappointed me, but they speak as if they could.

Jawknee
Jawknee
5 years ago

Indeed. And this news was a que for the illustrious Michael Pratcher to predict doom for console gaming….again….he said the market has met its peak. Even though the PS4 is outpacing the PS2.

frostface
frostface
5 years ago

"Microsoft hadn&#39t yet entered the fray (Xbox One wouldn&#39t launch until November 2001)"

It&#39s been out that long? lol

Karosso
Karosso
5 years ago

I have been saying it since the beginning, the PS4 will repeat the success of the PS2 as far as sells are concerned.
Once Sony drops the price to $300 dollars, by the end of next year, it will fly off the shelves.
Not sure about the games tho… PS2 was just amazing when it came to game library, hence all the HD remasters we are still getting from the PS2 library.
I&#39ll be sticking with my PS3 for another year or two, keep accumulating free games on PSN Plus and get a PS4 when I have a good library of free games to play.

Bio
Bio
5 years ago

To be fair, Xbox One is possibly the dumbest name you could give to the third generation of a console line. I recall MS sending out talking points on how not to confuse it with the original Xbox when referring to it in marketing/press material.

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