That system is just like pong, it doesn't use cartridges to play lots of different games. Sega made a cartridge system before Nintendo made theirs (NES).

When considering the first home video game console of any kind, the Magnavox Odyssey was actually the first in 1972...

just to put my comment, I dont have read the others comment, sorry,

1/ Mascot concept :

u are completely biased on this part, sorry man
MGS, Cloud, Sephiroth, Dante were all Sony mascot.
but the strenght of a console is not to have a mascot, it is to have good games
Gran turismo : no mascot : big sales : PSX win.

to say it differently : mascot are useless.

2/ Identity,

I agree that all console need an identity to appeal more or less some category of gamers.
I also agree that fo the moment, the PS3 is laking of identity.

3/ oh u are a Dreamcast supporter, that explain ur biais.

4/ Yes Sony is hatred.
It is why plenty of people are saying "I will buy a PS3"
And remember that if some people (who saied people from NA ?) hate Sony, it is just because they loved it so much, and love never die

5/ see you in 2008

Nintendo made a home entertainment system before Sega. The end. Rationalize the rest to your heart's content.

Um, I never thought Nintendo or Sega was first at anything, but the original poster said that Sega was second to Nintendo and that is simply not true. I am old enough to have been around when this was happening so I know very well how things came to be. I am not admitting defeat in anything, but I will admit that you are a dumbass.

The power of branding is an amazing marketing tool and has been around for many years.  Mario-branded merchandise (games and otherwise) often sell simply by the power of Mario as an icon.

None of the characters you claim as Sony mascots have anywhere near the recognizability nor widespread fame Mario has achieved throughout his many years of gaming adventures, movies, and TV shows.

If the best response you have to my statements is an insult then I am done with you.  Flame wars are distasteful.

Considering you started it I really don't give a crap what you say...

Welcome to VGC on my behalf.

Just like someone said, i wouldn't call Manhunt a quality game either.
The PSX did hit the market with competition. Saturn was out few months earlier. And as a newcomer, it had great sales. Although Sega had pissed off its fans, so they propably saw PSX as viable option.
PS2 didn't have slow start at all. It had the fastest start than anything before, it actually sold at the same level what Wii is selling now. Although, it was out only in Japan, but in everywhere else, it had as fast start as it had in Japan.

But you're definately right about the identities, PS3 seems to miss one. Although i earlier said, that 360 misses one, but it was 6 months ago and it really has identified itself with shooters and EA:s sports games.

I disagree with your classification with GC, it didn't have the "casual non-gamer", since it had no games for them.

@Chrono: I think nobody is putting words to Sonys mouth, if we make assumptions based on "it will sell 5 million even without games" and "it will have 15 million sold by the end of 07". All three consoles will have better year next year than what this year was. But the question is how much better. Although, in worst case scenario, 360 sales have already peaked.