When it comes to dedicated portable video game consoles Nintendo and Sony are pretty much the only relevant players. The latest devices on the market from both companies include the Nintendo DS and PSP, respectively, and all of their iterations. While we’ve heard nothing official of a PSP2 out of Sony rumors suggest that they will be launching the device quite soon – potentially even this month.

On the other side of things we’ve known that Nintendo will be launching the Nintendo 3DS on March 27th for $249.99. So, which one will sell more? According to industry analyst Michael Pachter, the Nintendo 3DS by a healthy margin:

“I think that the 3DS will outsell the PSP2, because the 3DS is new and different, while the PSP2 is likely going to be a souped up version of the old PSP. Thus, I think that 3DS will have greater success in capturing the consumer’s imagination… I think this is Kinect vs. Move all over again. Kinect is outselling Move because Kinect is new and different, while Move is very similar to the Wii.”

While Pachter has definitely done his homework, if the past is anything go by this one is somewhat of a no brainer. Then again anything can happen as the Jets just beat the Patriots, right?

via destructoid

Michael Patcher, the analyst who recently said Project Natal would cost $50, has again gone on record about the motion sensing device. This time, Mr. Pachter suggests that Microsoft’s motion sensing solution will be much more popular than Sony’s. In fact, he thinks that Project Natal will outsell the Playstation Motion Controller an outstanding 5:1.

Of course, he is just an analyst, and sometimes analysts are wrong, so until the hardware is actually released we won’t know for sure which motion sensing solution is to reign supreme.

via cvg

Gaming world’s favorite analyst, Michael Pachter, has gotten his own, short show on GameTrailers TV, where he’s a regular contributor.

While the video game industry has frequently been called recession proof, just like every other industry, it was hit pretty hard by the recession. Luckily, if analyst Michael Pachter is to be believed, the industry will be seeing a comeback this year.

Despite falling sales, the number of high tier titles set to drop in 2010 will, according to Pachter, give the industry a much needed boost. And who does Pachter say will reap the most benefits? GameStop, of course. Not only are they the premiere video game retailer in the country but new games sales added to used game sales are sure to give GameStop exec’s wallets a bit of padding.

But anyways, with titles such as Splinter Cell: Conviction, BioShock 2 and Gran Turismo 5 launching early this year, the games industry will definitely be seeing some rise regardless of what Mr. Pachter has to say.

via gi.biz

Now I’ve never been one to put much stock into the speculations of industry analysts but Michael Pachter has a good track record and his latest analysis is one I like, so I shall tell you about it — Pachter predicts that the motion sensing technology from Microsoft currently entitled Project Natal will cost no more than $50.

He elaborates by saying that Natal is just a single camera and when compared to the PlayStation Motion Controller it will most likely cost a great deal less as Sony’s offering is both a controller and a camera.

Whatever the case, Microsoft is going to have to price Project Natal very competitively as it is essentially an add on for the Xbox 360 and they will have to do so to keep up with both Sony and Nintendo.

via industrygamers

Wedbush Morgan Securities analyst Michael Pachter and his team have compiled a 210 page report on the future of video game industry. In it, Pachter predicts that the Wii will win this console generation, and that Nintendo will release a WiiHD, most likely in 2010. He also said that the fact that Sony’s Blu-ray won the HD disc war, it will fuel PS3 sales for years to come, eventually surpassing the Xbox 360, which will, according to Pachter, end up third by the end of this console generation. Which is in 2015, in case you’re wondering. Or at least, according to Pachter.

Game analyst Michael Pachter is predicting that Nintendo will drop the price of the Wii before the holiday season, noting that supply has finally exceeded demand for the console.

However, even if supply exceeds demands, it doesn’t mean a price cut is needed — surely, if you want get as many system over the counter, but Nintendo is also concerned about making a profit on each console. Alternately, it could bundle a new game with the Wii this holiday season (or a extra Wiimote) to drive sales.

Noted game industry analyst Michael Pachter says that if Sony is to cut the price of the PS3 by $50, the company would slice $350 million from its profits (based on sales of 6 million units after a such price cut has taken place).

There is no doubt that the PS3 is in dire need of a price cut, the console currently retails at $400 and $500 — a lot more than the competitors. Although a $100 price cut has been rumored for a while, Pachter thinks that Sony will most likely only cut $50 off the price, and possibly bundle one of the first party titles, like Killzone 2.

Probably the only part of the NXE that was universally enjoyed was the possibility of streaming Netflix films from your queue for anyone with an Xbox Live Arcade Gold membership. Since the service launched in November people have been flocking to the flat-rate video rental service.

Redbush analyst Michael Pachter estimates that over eight million people are currently connecting to Xbox Live and figures that many of them are simply a few mouse clicks away from subscribing to Netflix. He places the number of Xbox subscribers who have signed up for Netflix at over 200,000 in the three months since the service launched and he expects another million to sign up in the next year, given the high install base and further expected sales for the console and Microsoft’s strong support of Xbox Live.