PS3 leads 360 in Europe - report

By Fred Dutton Published 31 March, 2011

But Nintendo systems remain on top.

PlayStation 3's European installed base just pips the Xbox 360, so says a new sales report, but Nintendo hardware remains on top of the pile.

According to Gamasutra, data compiled by research outfit IDG and cited by US retailer GameStop in their annual report shows that, as of December 2010, the DS is way out in front with 49 million units shifted. The Wii follows in second place with 24.9 million units.

Next comes PSP at 14.8 million, with PlayStation 3 at 14.7 million. Xbox 360 comes in last at 13.7 million.

To compare that to the US scene, also as of December 2010, the DS has sold 47.3 million, the Wii 34.2 million, the Xbox 360 25.4 million, the PSP 19 million and the PlayStation 3 15.4 million.

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (71) Latest comment 11 months ago

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  • TheNinkyNonk #1 11 months ago

    Insert fanboy shite here { }

  • Eraysor #2 11 months ago

    I never realised how far behind the PS3 is in the US, thought the deficit is easily made up by the Japanese PS3 sales.

  • Shikasama #3 11 months ago

    So worldwide they are more or less even with each other which is pretty interesting in itself.

  • MrJonez #4 11 months ago

    Nothing really unexpected there when it comes to the 360 vs ps3 "race", but the real question that arises from this articles is: Who the hell is buying all these PSPs and why?

  • Essien #5 11 months ago

    Wow, the PSP has sold more than I thought.

  • MiniAmin #6 11 months ago

    Brilliant news. Let's hope this produces a more competitive environment which'll lead to greater rewards for us all!

  • Murton #7 11 months ago

    So that makes the global totals about even then, a fanboy would insert a comment about their particular side "winning" about now, but the real winners are of course the gamers who have had two all round great consoles this generation, something that we haven't really had since the glory days of Megadrive vs SNES in my opinion, the generations in between have had much more dominant machines and less competition all round.

    I still can't believe those Wii sale though, I don't think anyone was expected it to take off, I had it pegged to join the dancemats and G-Con guns in the cupboard under the stairs within 6 months of launch and look at it.

  • M_of_the_sys #8 11 months ago

    @Murton

    Sneaky Charlie Sheen quote there?

  • Murton #9 11 months ago

    @ M of the Sys

    Possibly :p

  • Kenshin001 #10 11 months ago

    Surprising given 18 months ago the head Xbox guy was saying 360 had a 1 million lead over PS3 in Europe. Either the PS3 sold really well or the 360 sold considerably worse than before.

  • miiiguel #11 11 months ago

    Surprising given 18 months ago the head Xbox guy was saying 360 had a 1 million lead over PS3 in Europe. Either the PS3 sold really well or the 360 sold considerably worse than before.

    Or probably no one knows exactly how many systems were sold in the +30 European countries, and are just guessing ?

  • Bulbatron #12 11 months ago

    "I still can't believe those Wii sale though, I don't think anyone was expected it to take off, I had it pegged to join the dancemats and G-Con guns in the cupboard under the stairs within 6 months of launch and look at it."

    I think that's where most of the Wiis do end up after about a month of usage.

  • metalangel #13 11 months ago

    @Murton: I know several Wii owners who might as well put it under the stairs for all the use it gets.

  • richarddavies #14 11 months ago

    Im disappointed. I was hoping there'd be some 13yr old idiot on here by now posting about how the PS3 dominates and the lolbox360 is a shitpile etc etc. It would've kept me entertained for a bit.

  • mr2ange #15 11 months ago

    @MRJones "Who the hell is buying all these PSPs and why? "

    Because like it or not, the PSP has some fantastic games.

    Monster Hunter - the most hardcore multiplayer handheld game available
    Little Big Planet - the game that keeps on giving and allows you create for yourself
    GT
    MGS Peace walker
    Valkyria Chronicles 2
    Persona 3
    Two great god of war games...

    Should I continue?

    Edit - Additional comments about the actual article...

    I'm amazed at how close it really is between this generation, and going by current numbers, the ps3+360 are going to be screaming towards the Wii over the coming months.. Nintendo better roll their sleeve's up, because next time its gonna be one hell of a battle.
    Edited by 1 at 31/03/11 @ 19:04

  • Beano #16 11 months ago

    @rodpad:

    best
    games
    line
    up

  • Widge #17 11 months ago

    Probably not, they should be educated more about those features.

  • handsonhips101 #18 11 months ago

    Hey Sony! Along with japan we are your biggest market! Our psn has the least content! What gives!!!

  • PeacockDreams #19 11 months ago

    I agree, with the 360 and PS3 being equal in sales, it can only mean we, the gamers are the true winners, having two consoles going neck and neck like that.

    Although the 360 was out a year before the PS3.... ;)

  • thesnowman #20 11 months ago

    If someone told us that the Xbox360 and the PS3 would be neck and neck worldwide during the last generation you would have laughed your head off. With the 360 launching early and early on having a better lineup plus all of Sony's fuck ups have really leveled out this generation, plus who would have though the Wii would have taken off the way it did.

    Either way I think this makes the next generation a complete toss up to see who "wins".

    Either way it is good for us as consumers, also with both consoles being relatively expensive, there is a long way to go, imagine the sales when we get close to $100/100GBP. (sorry have US keyboard, no pound sign)

  • IMD1_Pk #21 11 months ago

    Why are there way more PSP sales than PS3's and yet less game sales. Oh wait there's piracy

  • SeesThroughAll #22 11 months ago

    Either way it is good for us as consumers, also with both consoles being relatively expensive, there is a long way to go, imagine the sales when we get close to $100/100GBP. (sorry have US keyboard, no pound sign)

    Quoted for truth.

  • SeesThroughAll #23 11 months ago

    Im disappointed. I was hoping there'd be some 13yr old idiot on here by now posting about how the PS3 dominates and the lolbox360 is a shitpile etc etc. It would've kept me entertained for a bit.

    Well, I was entertained by the bitter xbox fanboys.

  • Arwin #24 11 months ago

    Doesn't IDG only track five Euro countries?

  • RumpyStumpy #25 11 months ago

    I have all 3 consoles and a iMac and it pleases me that I don't have to be a fanboy.

    My preference is based on the games I wish to play and not some miss guided brand loyalty.

    I would hope that they all do well while still trying to out do each other as this is the greatest benefit fir us gamers.

    I realise that not everybody can have all 3 but I believe that if you have to choose your preference will match your needs as you see them and therefore there is no wrong choices.

  • callum9999 #26 11 months ago

    IMD1_pk - Piracy is a big problem yes, but there are other reasons. The PSP isn't supported with games to anywhere near the level the PS3 is (at least partially down to piracy I agree) and although they are both media centres, the PSP is more "useful". The functionality of the PS3 is amazing - I actually use that more than games nowadays - but if I'm going on a long journey/away from home, the PSP offers something very little else does (that's changing now, but these are legacy sales as well - including a large chunk when the features on the PSP were "revolutionary" and you couldn't really get them elsewhere.

  • J.C #27 11 months ago

    I dont believe the ps3 is ahead of the 360 in europe. Load of bollocks imo.

  • gjgjg #28 11 months ago

    i find this a surprise based on my personal experience and experience in a large games retail chain, but thats just this peice of europe i guess

  • RodHull #29 11 months ago

    I wouldn't describe a 1 million console lead as being slightly ahead. That's quite an achievement for a late starter as the PS3. The 360s dominance in the US will miff Sony though, as our American friends spend an awful lot of bucks on digital purchases and that's where the big profits are at.

  • Gastrian #30 11 months ago

    Food for thought and muddying the waters the article states installed base which means they may not have taken into account the multiple repurchases due to the RROD issue, PS3 failures or console upgrades but at the same time they would include "free gifts" in those figures such as Sony/The mobile phone provider giving away free PS3s when a Sony Ericcson handset is taken out or free PS3s with Sony Bravia TVs.

    These figures may not correspond completely with actual sale figures.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #31 11 months ago

    Multiple repurchases due to RROD? They were fixed for free by Microsoft even after the warranty expired, I don't think that's a factor at all.

    Surprising news nonetheless, I knew the race was much closer than in the US but I still would not have thought that the PS3 is already outnumbering the 360. Not that it matters even a litte.

  • Claudiov1.0 #32 11 months ago

    A few years back, the PS3 sounded like a huge fail, but as it turns out things are getting better, and the PS3 will probably beat the 360 in sales in the next few years...

  • bladdard #33 11 months ago

    It is good for gaming that both platforms are equally successful, I still think the 360 is a little bit ahead in the UK but I also think if the PS3 and 360 were the same price the PS3 would have sold way more than the 360.

  • IneptPercy #34 11 months ago

    I do think over the lifetime the PS3 might actually sell more, but it shows how much Sony dropped the ball this gen. By all means the PS3 is doing well, but they didn't manage to convert the absolute dominance of the PS2 into absolute dominance with the PS3.

    Personally I will probably never own a PS3 now, by the time the PS3 price got down to reasonable (in my opinion) my PC had surpassed it and does everything better than it, I do still have the 360 around but thats more due to it not have much value to sell so I still use it for the few exclusives.

    By all means the competition this gen has been nothing but good for us gamers.

  • bladdard #35 11 months ago

    @IneptPercy

    Not owning a PS3 this gen is fast becoming as bad as missing out on the PS2 goodness last gen, many of the best games I've played this gen are on the PS3.
    Edited by 1 at 31/03/11 @ 21:02

  • IneptPercy #36 11 months ago

    I will admit there is a few exclusives I wouldn't mind playing, but as I have got older my gaming time has reduced massively and I get more than enough entertainment with my PC (with occasional 360 and wii) to plug that gap.

    As I say I can see some excellent quality exclusives, but I don't feel I need them as much as I would have in my younger days.

  • ronuds #37 11 months ago

    For those of you saying that WW the consoles are even... I'm not claiming to be any sort of mathematics major, but I think it's time for you guys to go back to class.

    PS3 Japan = 6.5m
    360 = 1.5m
    +5m for PS3

    360 US = 25m
    PS3 = 15m
    +10m 360

    And then Europe - +1m PS3

    How is that even?

  • randompanda #38 11 months ago

    You can buy a BD player for under Ł50 now, so the argument about people picking a PS3 up as one is almost moot.

    Almost. The PS3 is still an exceptional media hub when combined with PS3 Media Server.

  • theonlyix #39 11 months ago

    Playstation brainwashed us Europeeps long ago...
    However, i call shenanigans on this one. The 360 has sold far more in europe then PS3 the last year. However, sony may have SHIPPED alot of consoles to make some empty warehouses a little less empty.....

    Its either that or we in europe really are less intelligent then our american offspring....

    i own both, but in my book, the ps3 is a catastrophy of a console. They made their bed and now they have to sleep in it, and they know it.
    Tricking people into thinking it would be the superior console is just very very low.....
    Edited by 1 at 31/03/11 @ 21:29

  • funkateer #40 11 months ago

    So what do you guys think has held back the 360 in europe?
    I mean, it has a lower entry price, performs better in most multiplatform games, has the biggest selling games, better marketing...
    Is it just PS brand recognition? BluRay? Exclusives? Look & feel?

    I have to admit I bought into Sony's hype a bit, and I bought a PS3 for the then announced exclusives like MGS, GT and for BluRay. I've given away my 360 after getting bored of Forza 3 because the 360's strong points didn't appeal to me so much personally, and still I prefer my PS3 (the exclusives just 'click' more with me, especially the titles from PixelJunk & ThatGameCompany, GT, MGS, FF and Uncharted).
    But all things considered I'm not sure why PS3 is leading in Europe?
    Edited by 2 at 31/03/11 @ 21:42

  • ronuds #41 11 months ago

    The Playstation brand is a lot more popular in Europe.

  • RobTheBuilder #42 11 months ago

    Re PS3: I'm glad we have a proper contest this generation, but I do wonder (genuinely, not a silly fanboy remark) how many of those are used mostly as BR players and what the attach rate is. I doubt it's a ridiculous figure but I bet it's a few percent at least.

    Re PSP: In Hong Kong the tube is full of PSP's. I must have seen at least 4-5 every single day.

  • Murton #43 11 months ago

    "but they didn't manage to convert the absolute dominance of the PS2 into absolute dominance with the PS3."

    That's because unlike last gen there's an actual competition this time, we also have increased prices all round and there's been a global recession to boot. The PS2 more or less ran unopposed in Europe and US as the GameCube had very little in the way of third party support and many first party games didn't see release outside of Japan and the Xbox simply arrived too late to be considered a real contender. To expect to tranfer your monopoly into a competitive market is folly and I think Sony knew that going in, look back to 2006 and most commentators were predicting that the two brands would be on level footing by the end, they just got their reasoning wrong by placing it all on the 360's headstart rather than being truly competitive, which it is, they both are.

    I think regardless of who sells how many this generation will be chalked up as a draw to be honest, all eyes will be on the next generation too see which can deliver the better experience, and personally I'm hoping for another high competition outing from both brands and another draw as a result. The way I see it if neither machine can push ahead of the other and claim a definitive win the way that the PS2 did then we all must be getting the best our chosen brand/s can offer, and that's sort of the point isn't it? To play and enjoy games regardless of what colour your box is?

  • Killerbee #44 11 months ago

    What held back the 360 in Europe? I can't speak for everyone, but the reasons I bought a ps3 and not a 360 are:

    - blu-ray
    - the RROD fiasco was a big issue when I was deciding which to get
    - I generally think PS3 has more interesting and better exclusives
    - many 360 console exclusives also come to PC (Gears of War, Mass Effect) so I play them on that
    - free online play
    - a bit of Sony loyalty from the PS2 era (and PS1 before that)

    I fully understand how people could come to the opposite conclusion and others may equally have had different buying priorities (such as the price!) but I honestly didn't find it that hard to choose between them and I've no regrets for passing on the 360 as a games console.

  • Phantom_Dynamite #45 11 months ago

    My dad will have your dad.

    But only on european and japanese shores

    who cares.

  • DazzeL190 #46 11 months ago

    For me, it's just all about the controllers and at the moment Sony need to move on from 1996. 360 controller is just so much better, the sticks are tighter and more responsible and the shape feels better in the hand.

  • Capa26 #47 11 months ago

    Which home console do I prefer out of this generation? The one which didn't die of hardware failure and had more than a handful of decent games. Never cared for sony's platforms in the past but it 'won' by default.

    Would be interested to see what percentage of the 360 sales is made up of consoles which still work...

  • mr2ange #48 11 months ago

    @Rumpy Stumpy

    But you are loyal to the Mac.

    you have to be, otherwise you would know that the pc has thousands upon thousands of game that the mac doesn't.
    And basically any multi platform game that comes out has a PC version.

    Sorry Strike me dead, but id rather that than own anything from apple.

  • mr2ange #49 11 months ago

    @Nobber "the ps3 is garbage"

    dude the answers in your name.

    You Fucking Bellend.

  • Mister-Wario #50 11 months ago

    I expected this to be the other way round, frankly. However, I recently got a PS3 (having owned a 360 for a few years) and love it.

  • mr2ange #51 11 months ago

    @CharlieChan

    God you really are pathetic.

  • thesnowman #52 11 months ago

    The reason I went 360 this generation rather than PS3 (after having a Ps1 and PS2) were for three reasons.
    1. The PS3 price I thought Sony were taking the piss. Also by the time it came out I had moved to america and there was a $200 difference.
    2. I was still pissed about Sony from the PS2 era promising the world, "toy story" graphics etc. I got a PS2 at launch and was really pissed until GTA3 and GT3 came out. I also bought an xbox and I remember playing halo and thinking this was such a leap from the PS2 launch games.
    3. Even though I was in the USA by then I still appreciated MS effort to release game in europe fairly quickly after USA and Japan. Also if you think back it has really forced Sony and Nintendo to focus more on Europe. I remember like 8 months waiting for MGS2 to come out in the UK.
    The thing is I would quite like a PS3 now, there are some games I would really like to play, but now having a wife and two kids my gaming time is limited, so I dont know if I could even justify it to myself.

  • firef7y #53 11 months ago

    #In Europe, Sony seem to actually try. They have a strong brand, but they also have stuff like BBC iPlayer and LoveFilm.

    MS do bugger all, unless they can make a dime, like the stupid sky player.

  • Sevens #54 11 months ago

    theonlyix: "i own both, but in my book, the ps3 is a catastrophy of a console. They made their bed and now they have to sleep in it, and they know it.
    Tricking people into thinking it would be the superior console is just very very low..... "

    You are just very very stupid.

  • Mr_SRS #55 11 months ago

    "Worldwide" Totals to date:
    DS: 146.6 mil
    Wii: 86.1 mil
    PSP: 66.9 mil
    Xbox 360: 52.7 mil
    PS3: 49.0 mil

  • theonlyix #56 11 months ago

    @sevens
    "You are just very very stupid."

    No not really. But there really isnt much idea for me who likes alot of games to use my PS3. The lower quality of the (multi) releases alone is reason enough not to use it. The controller really hasnt evolved at all since mid 90s, and the only reason we have rumble in them is thanks to MS for using it in theirs. The exclusives arent enough , the clumsy menusystem isnt a plus, i dont want a bluray collection, hence they shouldnt MAKE me pay for a bluray player that clearly isnt NEEDED in a games console.
    Edited by 1 at 01/04/11 @ 06:27

  • RumpyStumpy #57 11 months ago

    @mr2ange

    I run windows 7 64bit in my quad core i7
    Mac. So again I don't have to be a fanboy :-)

  • GamesConnoisseur #58 11 months ago

    I m hoping that next gen, European will get far far better parity to other regions in term of contents and release dates.

    This gen Microsoft been treating European pretty good but bottom of the pile, Nintendo usually forgots or leaves European waiting long long time comes top, Sony much better but not as much as Microsoft.

    Just look at US PSN Store contents, prices and see if comes close in Europe?

    However in all platforms, there been improvements, including PS3 region free games, a real heaven send for serious gamers but still some backward steps including 3DS regions locking. So my importings DS games days are over.

    What will next gen will bring for serious European gamers? I just hope we not going to send wrong message by rewarding those who treated Europeans the worse but charges the most!!

    Thats our story.

  • Chris1810 #59 11 months ago

    "For me, it's just all about the controllers and at the moment Sony need to move on from 1996. 360 controller is just so much better, the sticks are tighter and more responsible and the shape feels better in the hand."

    This, i would love to buy a PS3 but i hate the pad. C'mon Sony make it better!!!
    Edited by 1 at 01/04/11 @ 08:34

  • mkreku #60 11 months ago

    I chose to buy a 360 because.. well, it sounded so good with all the exclusives and all it could do. But since I do not enjoy playing online, I have remained a silver user and there's really nothing you can do as a silver user! I never turn on my 360 just to fiddle around. I have access to games and ads, that's it.

    My cousin bought a PS3 and everytime I visit him, we use it for something. Most often we rent Blu-Ray's and watch, or we fool around with all the features that are free on his system.. or just listen to music or whatever. The point is that it's being used much, much more than my 360.

  • Trent_Steel #61 11 months ago

    It's just more socially acceptable to have a Sony box under your TV than a Microsoft one.

    360 doesn't have the same megadork stigma as it's predecessor but when it was out a year ealier, has been half the price of it's competitor for most of it's lifespan and had better games for the first few years, it really should have sold more. it's all down to the brand image.

  • Tinrib72 #62 11 months ago

    I'm with DazzeL190 on this. I just prefer the contollers on the 360, though I have noticed some unofficial copies of them for the PS3 which has made me consider getting a PS3 at some point...but do I really need another console which essentially has the same games (give or take)? Blu-ray doesn't really interest me, as I watch all my films on Sky HD.

    More interested in Sony's other console getting released later in the year as I'm a big fan of the PSP.
    Edited by 1 at 01/04/11 @ 09:28

  • Ginola14 #63 11 months ago

    They have turned it round after the bad start they made.
    I remember when all ps3 had going for it was a web browser
    that crashed all the time and super star dust.
    Now I hardly ever turn mine off!

  • irve77 #64 11 months ago

    roll on the fanboys !!

    there are about 4 million more 360's in the world but they all have a firm installed user base

    the winner is the Wii but everyone considers it a dead format.... debates about formats as as tiresome as ever

  • AmarMah #65 11 months ago

    Im gonna be one of those people who supports something that they really love to play, and believes in the fact that Nintendo are just the business. If you aggree thats brilliant, but if not, youre loss! Rock on Ninty, and from what I hear there is a great e3 planned too!

  • AmarMah #66 11 months ago

    Im gonna be one of those people who supports something that they really love to play, and believes in the fact that Nintendo are just the business. If you aggree thats brilliant, but if not, youre loss! Rock on Ninty, and from what I hear there is a great e3 planned too!

  • IronGiant #67 11 months ago

    C&VG have just posted a story stating that the PS3 is now ahead of the 360 in worldwide total sales, last place this gen is not where MS wanted to be! Seems kinect has sold well to existing 360 owners but hasn't pulled in that many new 360 buyers but then we all knew that just like we didn't expect Move to sell many PS3's. The PS3 should continue to extend it's lead with the decent exclusives on the way this year.

  • CypherQ #68 11 months ago

    It would be interesting to know how much money each company is actually making on their consoles in terms of software sales etc.

    I expect the PS3 has had a fair upsurge in sales due to the little security hitch Sony had with the PS3 too.... :)

    Have all 3 of the consoles so don't really care who does what really...as long as decent games get released on each. Over the lifespan of all the machines though have to say the 360 has had much more use than any. And I usually have a dislike of anything MS... :D

  • king26 #69 11 months ago

    PS3 is my conole of choice bt I don't give a shit whether it sells more than the xbox.

  • natureboy #70 11 months ago

    What about the Japanese scene?

  • DRUNK3N-_-DRAGON #71 11 months ago

    @ineptpercy
    tell the truth!
    your poverty stricken lol!!