I think everyone is missing the bigger point here.
One of the biggest reasons (at least I think so) that people do this with Nintendo is they have less room to maneuver than either MS or Sony.
Nintendo is a GAMING company, nothing more nothing less. That is what they are, that is what they have to be and this is what they have to do to remain successful. And as such, they will polarize both types of responses (placing them on a pedestal and unbridled hate) more than either of the other two. This might also lead the media and some of us gamers to just plain expect more out of Nintendo.
If Sony's or MS's gaming business completely dies, will the companies die? Absolutely not, they will just have to restructure (it will definitely hurt them both tho). What about if Nintendo's gaming business dies? They are lights out as a cohesive unit, falling into the role of probably #1 third party developer (sort of like Sega did, but much bigger)
