I think a lot of people who don't acknowledge Sony's changes (we'll call it that) to the approach of the video game market, probably don't really know what the gaming market was like in Europe.
I was actually an N64 gamer at the time PS1 was taking over the world, then Dreamcast just before the PS2 dominated and GCN then went on to become my next format of choice. I had the PS1 and PS2, but they never clicked for me.
I will not deny though,"lol those are all kiddy games" was frequently thrown at me at high school for choosing the N64. PS1 was perceived as the "cool" console. Even if a lot of the people deciding this were actually kids themsleves.
I have massive respect for what Sony did, but it was certainly very interesting when this generation MS played them at their own game. But it wasn't luck. You should read the book that was written about the PS1 a few years back which explains a lot of what went on business-wise. It's a shame it's out of print. I wish I'd got my own copy :(
Btw, when Sony unveiled the PS1, they were mocked. Remember the Dinosaur tech demo that was included on the original demo disc? They showed that off, but it was just the head, that was where the perception that the system was "weak" came from.
RIP Dad 25/11/51 - 13/12/13. You will be missed but never forgotten.
