PlayStation 3: Call it a comeback?

According to the mutterings of bitter rivals, the PlayStation 3 is only selling well at the moment because of a “short term bump” of interest following the launch of the PS3 Slim. Fortunately such words are like water off a duck’s back for Sony. In any case the newly-released NPD numbers for US sales do the loudest talking...

September’s figures are decent for all consoles, although none moreso than the PS3 with 491,800 units shifted. That’s not quite as many as the reliably dominant DS, but, crucially, it’s a darn sight more than the Xbox 360 – and let’s not forget that the big ‘Box is enjoying a discount-boosted purple patch of its own right now too. Anyway, here’s how it all breaks down, with previous month’s totals in brackets.

• Nintendo DS – 524.2K (552.9)
• PlayStation 3 – 491.8K (210K)
• Wii – 462.8K (277.4K)
• Xbox 360 – 352.6K (215.4)
• PSP – 190.4K (140.3K)
• PlayStation 2 – 146.0K (105.9K)

So the PS3 has just outsold the Xbox 360 in the USA – just as Microsoft peevishly predicted. No doubt the case could be argued that the 360 already has a massive audience Stateside, hence has less room to expand. In contrast the PlayStation 3 has a smaller US user-base, thus has a greater potential to achieve such sales spikes. Or could it be that this is the true beginning of the PlayStation 3 fightback?

Thanks to a combination of poor planning, high pricing and sheer bad luck, Sony has struggled to put a foot right with the PS3 over the last couple of years. Until recently, that is, when things have been coming together almost magically. The console is now properly affordable for the first time, has a slick consumer-friendly shape and boasts a rapidly expanding library of cool and attractive games – the unmissable Uncharted 2: Among Thieves being an instantly compelling example.

In short, then, the NPD figures would seem to indicate that the playing field is finally levelling out, and that could mean a tougher choice for anyone looking to buy a next-gen console from now on. But which way will you jump and what factors will influence your purchasing decision – price, availability, function, fashion, a handsome and talkative salesman?

The PS3’s recent success may or may not prove to be a flash in the pan, but, with Christmas around the corner, we suspect we're about to receive a convincing argument one way or the other. Meantime your informed thoughts and wild reckonings on all of the above are most welcome.