Stringer: Wii is an expensive niche game device

With all sorts of verbal fisticuffs likely to erupt following the E3 presentations of the big three over the next few hours, Sony CEO Howard Stringer has attacked rival Nintendo’s Wii console as analysts predict big things for Sony’s machine in 2008.

Bloomberg quotes Stringer as telling attendees at the Allen & Co media conference that: "I’ve played a Nintendo Wii. I don’t see it as a competitor. It’s more of an expensive niche game device. We’re selling a lot of PS3s now and it’s still the best way to buy a Blu-ray player."

The bullish statement comes as analysts predict success for PS3 in the coming months. Signal Hill Capital Group’s Tood Greenwald is also quoted by Bloomberg as saying: "For the first time since the console launched, I really think there’s more reason to buy a PS3 than the 360."

Wedbush Morgan’s Michael pachter has also added fuel to the PS3 fire, claiming ahead of the release of US June sales figures that:

"We estimate sell-through of 750,000 Wii, 235,000 Xbox 360 and 375,000 PS3 consoles. Our console sell-through forecasts reflect our belief that supplies for Wii hardware were steady this month, and our belief that PS3 hardware sales grew in the month due to the release of PS3 exclusive MGS 4 and a special Wal-Mart promotion."

All eyes will be on Microsoft’s E3 conference scheduled for 18:30 tonight to see what the firm has in mind to slow down, and even reverse, the speed with which PS3 is catching 360’s global sales numbers.