So how much does releasing a console first in a generation relate to sales?

[Michael-5]

VGKing said:

zero129 said:
Wii launched last and wiped out the PS3 and 360 in sales.
@Chark i don't think the xbox 360 having a 3 million lead over the PS3 is having almost all their lead lost, if it was 1 million lead i could see where you are coming from, but the 360 has pretty much kept that 3 million lead all this gen.
Back to the OP, the Saturn launched before the PS1 look what happened there, same with the Dreamcast etc.
Launching first doesn't mean you are going to win. It takes a number of factors, such as price, games and mass appeal.

The Xbox 360 sold ~8 million within its first year.(Launch in late 2005 to end of 2006)

The PS3 has done an excellent job of brining the lead way down. If you align the launches, then the PS3 is the winner.(Anyone good with charts?)
That 3 mil goes down each and every year(except 2011 if you belive Microsoft over VgChartz)

That is mighty impressive for a console that infamously launched at $600.

Actually up to the point PS3 released, the lead 360 had was <5 million. It only reached 8 million in 2008 when there was a 360 price cut and new models. Since the PS3 Slim in 2009, Sony has beencutting that lead down, but pre 2009 it's actually up and down, generally in favor of 360.

So 360 grew to 8 mil, then Ps3 cut it to 3 (and likely 2 or 1 before the gen ends).