PS3 won't pass 360 for at least two years "without a price advantage," says Pachter

Global PS3 sales will take at least two years to pass those of 360 unless Sony can bring the machine to a "price advantage" position, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter told VG247 today.

"Without a price advantage, they will not pass Microsoft for at least two years," the analyst said.

"I think that means that they have to be priced at the same level or below the 360 to outsell them by a substantial amount, and I don't see that happening this year.

"I expect a price cut, but not big enough to drive an incremental 2 - 3 million unit advantage."

Pachter was responding to a question on whether or not he thought PS3 could get passed 360 in 2009, given that Sony announced global sales of 21 million for the machine today.

"I don't think so without a price cut," he said. "Microsoft has been doing a great job in keeping in front of people, and I don't really see sales slowing down.

"That means Sony would have to outsell them by around 5 million, and they are only gaining in Japan at a 1 million annual rate, are selling more slowly than Microsoft in the US, and are gaining in Europe by probably 1 million annually."

Xbox 360's global sales hit 25 million in November 2008.