Does releasing a console a year before the competition actually help?

[HollyGamer]

not always there are several condition to success on releasing earlier for example:

1. The console should be the same as powerful and cheaper with their rival which will come out later ( Xbox 360 with PS3 for the comparison )

2. If the console is less powerful it should be famous or have more brand recognition ( PS2 and Xbox original )

3. If the later console is powerful and have more brand recognition but failed by there own mistake also will help the earlier one win by default ( N64 and PS1 ) .

just my own observation trough history thou

edit: yeah for Xbox 360 they did on last even they started one year earlier but imagine if they didn't get the opportunity, they wouldn't get on the same praise like now.