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Which console will win Fall 2009?

We examine the best Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft have to offer

Words: Brett Elston, GamesRadar US

THE VERDICT

We’re not about to judge all of these unreleased games based on their quality (we already did that here), so instead we’re picking a winner based on their likely sales impact. Who’s going to sell the most games, and therefore become the “winner” of Fall 2009?

Aw c’mon, there’s no doubt about this. Mario, Zelda and Wii Fit? All launching within weeks of each other? This could end up being a record holiday for Nintendo, especially compared to last year’s soul-shattering Animal Crossing / Wii Music fiasco. Even if all three turn out to be weak cash-ins (which is highly improbable), they’ll still sell more than Sony or Microsoft’s comparable titles.

But for the sake of stirring the hornet’s nest, we’ll name Microsoft as the number two victor. Why? Halo 3 alone pushed eight million copies. Uncharted was a standout game and the sequel looks even better, but its star power isn’t enough to overshadow another Halo marketing campaign, even when the game doesn’t feature Master Chief.

That said, there’s a chance PS3’s lineup, combined with PSP Go advertising and solid third party games, could be attractive enough to chip away at the hardware gap currently separating it from the 360.

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80 Comments
Order Comments: Newest First | Oldest First
babo_u_da  - 5 months 20 days ago 
gran turismo psp.. must get
MechGyver  - 5 months 20 days ago 
Is this some kind of trick question?.....
NipplesTheSuperHippo  - 5 months 20 days ago 
I am leaning more towards Microsoft. I can't wait for Uncharted 2, but man, even though it won't look as good as uncharted 2, L4D 2 is not what I wanted from the L4D . . . franchise but it is going to be epic. Couple that with Splinter Cell, you have a good line-up.
Also, if you are talking sales, Microsoft wins hands down just because STUPID halo is so popular and ODST has the beta thing for Reach + all the halo 3 maps, which if you are buying Halo ODST, you have halo 3, so that helps. Screw that game in it's stupid face though.
EchoBlade  - 5 months 20 days ago 
Nintendo will win financially, and financially only.
As far as ACTUAL GAMES go, well, Microsoft has Halo. The fact that Sony has enough good stuff to give that a decent challenge THAT is good for everyone.
Rad_Bracket  - 5 months 20 days ago 
If we're strictly talking about money then I'd have to agree with this. We all know how many people own Wii's.
Still I think this is the year PS3 is finally going to prove itself useful and since I just got one that makes me very happy.
Rad_Bracket  - 5 months 20 days ago 
I'm with you NipplesTheSuperHippo.

SCREW HALO.

This whole Reach beta is just marketing BS.
KingEamon  - 5 months 20 days ago 
Lol, I was actually following this thread until I realized it was only a poor fanboy bait.
KingEamon  - 5 months 20 days ago 
Thread? wtf. I mean article
Pocotron  - 5 months 20 days ago 
@KingEamon

Way to feed the troll
crabbo  - 5 months 20 days ago 
Good article, and for what its worth I agree.

But on a personal note, I think the only people who TRULY win are the people who've invested their time and money into all 3 current gen consoles. I have the least interest in Nintendo's fall lineup, but I still plan on buying NSMB Wii, and Zelda Spirit Tracks (assuming it isn't a DSi exclusive).

But I'm still much more excited for Left 4 Dead 2, Uncharted 2, MAG, Some more GTA DLC, and pretty much every thing else being released this holiday season.
CharismaReaction  - 5 months 20 days ago 
That Super Mario Bros. 2 trailer had such soothing music. I just want to listen to it forever.
Ramijiman  - 5 months 20 days ago 
lol i like the little twist in the end.

Great article!!!
helix92  - 5 months 20 days ago 
I think nintendo will win money-wise but Sony has the best line up and i think anyone who has played Uncharted 2 will agree. Although a new Splinter Cell intrests me and L4D2 will undoubtedly be awsome. Its the 3rd party games that intrest me most this year. Assassins Creed, Batman Arkham Asylum, Brutal Legend. Good year
H2A2I00  - 5 months 20 days ago 
ya i will admit
nintendo wins financially
sony win in games and microsoft is only good for the microsoft fanboy who can't get enough halo
THORSTEINTHESTAFFSTRUCK  - 5 months 20 days ago 
I hate "console wars." My console is better than yours. I look at it this way, will MS release anything that would want me to buy their system... they already have in some damn good games. I own a PS3 and am stoked about what is coming. I own a wii also and look forward to what they have in store.

MAG I think is a system seller. If it can deliver what we have already seen, it will own anything out there. You just can't argue with 256 players at once. Also, I think Sony has pulled Neck and Neck with 360, but will cleanup in Japan due to FFXIII and FFXIV (other options isn't a guarantee).

I think the future prospects of the PS3 vs the 360 are astounding. Blueray... This year/ next year, we will have healthy competition, but if MS is smart, they can grab us PS3 fans by releasing for the PC. I love Fable the Lost Chapters. I like the software, but not enough to spend that much on a console, separate modem, subscription fees, when it didn't come with a game like my MGSIV version did.
chucknorris69  - 5 months 20 days ago 
i hope sony and microsoft win becasue thats all i play my wii has been collecting dust for a while
NathanCipher  - 5 months 20 days ago 
I know, and you know that sony got the Beginning of 2009, and that because Killzone 2 and inFAMOUS.. and i'm very exited for Uncharted 2.. but we cant say that microsoft and nintendo doesnt got a big titls.. and i'm happy for next generation till now :}
RebornKusabi  - 5 months 20 days ago 
Thankfully I was able to save up all of my money and buy all three current consoles! Fanboyism be goddamned!

I'm not saying this to harp about myself but instead, I am saying this to all of the 360-only or PS3-only fanboys:

Just suck it up, get a job, buy all three consoles and quit acting like this is a ****ing religion.
Spybreak8  - 5 months 20 days ago 
Yea you know it looks like everyone wins this holiday season. Can't wait to frag, drive on my 360/PC and swipe my stylus this fall! Lets just hope they fixed the design problems, doing the same temple multiple times!, from the last Zelda DS game.
Pumbli  - 5 months 20 days ago 
I'm hyped for MAG and L4D2 but that's pretty much all I can afford to be hyped for... Maybe Uncharted if I get lucky. :P

Man, Splinter Cell is looking good though, hope someone I know gets it so I can check it out.

RebornKusabi: I'm sorry, but have you heard of a thing called recession? Well if you haven't, allow me to enlighten you, it's a thing where almost everything gets more expensive and lots of people lose their jobs.

I prefer to buy food and gas over video games, but maybe that's just me. I'm sure everyone can get a job that allows them to buy all 3 consoles, and hey maybe they'll even have enough leftovers to buy a supercomputer.

Out of all the fanboys and whiners, I hate people that brag about their "all 3 consoles" the most and how most of them say "we're not fanboys" and even "everyone should get all 3 consoles and stop being fanboys!", most of them are as arrogant and annoying as any other fanboy.
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