Playstation 3 Console Sales

I still remember queuing outside my local electronics shop in the rain, wallet in hand, desperate to get my paws on a PlayStation 3 back in March 2007. What I did not fully appreciate at the time was just how rocky a road those console sales had travelled before the machine ever reached British shores. Looking back now, the story of the PS3's commercial journey is one of my favourite tales in gaming history, because it is a genuine story of redemption.

When Sony launched the console in Japan and North America in November 2006, things did not go to plan. The price was eye-watering — here in the UK we were asked to part with a staggering £425 for the 60GB model. I winced writing that, and I winced even more when I paid it. Microsoft's Xbox 360 had a full year's head start, and Nintendo's Wii was capturing casual audiences at a fraction of the cost. Early sales figures reflected all of this, and plenty of pundits were quick to write off Sony's behemoth entirely.

Gripping the Controller Through the Early Struggles

Yet those of us who gripped that glossy black controller knew there was something special under the hood. The Cell processor was a beast, the built-in Blu-ray player felt genuinely futuristic, and titles like Uncharted 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4 gradually gave people a reason to take the plunge. Sony eventually swallowed its pride and cut prices, and the arrival of the slimmer, cheaper model in September 2009 changed everything. I watched the sales charts climb month after month, and it felt vindicating to see the console find its feet after such a stuttering debut.