Analyst: 360 Wins Holiday Battle, Wii Set To Win The War

Online traffic analysis group Compete has released the latest in its reports, showing the Xbox 360 dominating holiday traffic, PS3 interest taking a sharp hit, and the Wii maintaining the highest level of new year demand. Following the group's last report, which showed a definitive spike in Xbox 360 interest after Amazon.com launched its $100 off deal, Compete said demand remained high thanks to "spill-over interest" in competing consoles, and the release of the top-selling Epic title Gears of War. The report does not fare as well, however, for Sony's PlayStation 3. Calling PS3 interest a "flash in the pan that fizzled on the backs of negative publicity, its lofty price and supply shortages," Compete notes that after relatively few weeks at retail, demand for the PS3 barely rose above the levels of the 360. The two consoles now run in "lock-step," said the group, adding that in coming months it will be difficult for Sony to re-gain ground thanks to the console's higher price point and thin software catalog in comparison to that of the Xbox 360. Instead, the group found that the Wii, even barring what Compete calls its position as "the clear underdog with its relatively modest specs," has maintained the highest levels of post-holiday interest, and continues to outsell the PS3. In addition to its top demand, the group found that those most interested in the Wii are far less likely to consider purchasing an Xbox 360 or PS3, compared to shoppers for either of the latter, which it says is due in large part to the Wii's lower price and broader target market. Compete concludes that it's precisely that type of loyalty that will be "great news for Nintendo." Compete's full analysis and accompanying charts can be seen via its website.