Top 9 Gaming System Brands in 2009

24 May 2009

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Posted by:Ferry

Research firm Millward Brown has released its fourth annual list and report, which ranks the most valuable brands in the world, titled the “BrandZ Top 100: Most Valuable Global Brands 2009″.

It’s the world’s largest study of consumers and business-to-business users’ brand preferences. Google is #1 with $100 billion, followed on #2 by Microsoft at $76.2 billion! Nintendo comes in with $18.2 billion at #32 and is the last videogames-related company in the top 100 brands. While technology giants top the list, our favorite gaming systems have also been very successful in business and brand management. Let’s forget about value and take a look at their popularity in the Top 9 gaming console and handheld brands.

Popular Gaming Brands — Brand Value in Millions of Dollars

1. Nintendo DS — 9,659
2. Nintendo Wii — 8,256
3. Microsoft Xbox 360 — 4,681
4. Sony PlayStation 3 — 341
5. Microsoft Xbox — 313
6. Nintendo Game Boy — 222
7. Sony PSP — 144
8. Sony PlayStation 2 — 119
9. Nintendo GameCube — 96

“The economy may challenge the industry, too. Reduced disposable income could have an immediate impact on sales. And any layoffs among game producers could have the long-term effect of reducing the supply of new, compelling games in an industry that depends on them. Still, with more people spending time at home with family, seeking security and saving money, these difficult times could actually drive sales.”

To quote the report’s findings:

“The leading players in the home console market are the Nintendo Wii, the Microsoft Xbox 360 [which has the most brand momentum], and the Sony PlayStation 3.

Nintendo Wii revolutionized gaming by allowing the player to control the game with body motion rather than the traditional joystick. The console also encourages gaming as a social rather than a solitary pursuit, often crossing the generations in family groups. And it delivers all of these benefits at a competitive price.

The relatively expensive Sony PlayStation 3 also reflects a corporate strategy. The console comes with a Blu-ray device, which can be used with a television to watch movies and helps Sony distribute its proprietary Blu-ray technology into the market.

The category’s leading brand, Nintendo DS, with about 34 million units sold [in America in 2008], is a handheld console. While it can be played at home, its main advantage is its portability.

Portability poses a challenge to the gaming console category. Many of the latest mobile phones, such as the iPhone, come with interactive screens that can provide a portable console alternative.”

Sources: Millward Brown Optimor, including data from BrandZ (PDF), Datamonitor, Bloomberg.