Is Nintendo always going to be behind Microsoft and Sony in graphics?

[superchunk]

Absolutely not to the degree your suggesting.

1. MS and Sony will NOT produce the type of leap in hardware that this generation saw.
2. WiiU when fully detailed will be proven to be 5 to 10x more powerful than PS360.
3. MS and Sony will at best be 5x more powerful than WiiU solely because they will strive to be more powerful but won't want to get raped for the first three years with loss leading hardware.

Many of you are simply being unrealistic. Both companies have demonstrated their desire to be satisfied with what they have and not want to bleed money again. They will put out new consoles within a year of WiiU's launch just because they don't want to be seen as 'old' or last gen. Considering that all signs are showing that WiiU will have the latest CPU and GPU architectures, its not like MSony will have much room to improve without creating another $600 device.

They will all aim for price of $300-$400. Thus, they will all be within the same realm of power.

PS2 certainly didn't lose out because it was technically inferior to Xbox/GC. Aditionally, 3rd parties don't have any interest in large scale exclusives unless the console maker is heavily paying for it. Expect every one to essentially get the same 3rd party games with minor tweeks similar to how PS3's MK game had God of War's Kratos.

Visual differentiation is in the past. We won't be able tell much of any difference anymore. Now its up to the system specific uniqueness and 1st party games.