Sony boss doesn't see Wii as a competitor

Dismisses console as "expensive niche game device"

14 July 2008 16:49 GMT / By Verity Burns

Sony boss Howard Stringer, has brushed off ideas that the Nintendo Wii is a competitor of the PlayStation 3 slamming the console as "expensive niche game device".

Speaking at a media conference in the US last week, the CEO of the Sony Corporation of America said that the Blu-ray disc drive and internet connectivity capabilities set the PS3 apart.

"I've played a Nintendo Wii. I don't see it as a competitor," he said.

"It's more of an expensive niche game device. We're selling a lot of PlayStation 3s now and it's still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player."

However, the sales figures don't lie. While 1.2 million PS3s were sold across the US in the first five months of 2008, more than double that number of Nintendo Wiis were sold, racking up 2.8 million sales in the same period.

Of course, this may have something to do with the difference in price - the PS3 currently retails for $399 (£200),while the Wii rings up at $245 (£125).

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