So we all know how the PS2 was MASSIVE all around the world. The PS3 was essentially set up for success, but Sony botched up the launch of the PS3 very badly with an insane price tag and choosing a difficult architecture for the devs to initially code for. Although the OG Xbox didn't stand a chance against the PS2, the 360 managed to one up the PS3 at launch by covering up its weaknesses.

This leads to my question. Would the 360 have been as successful by its own merits if the PS3 had launched at a similar price point and a nice PC like architecture? Or was the 360's success merited mostly to the PS3's failure at launch?

At the launch, it would have been much less popular. In the long-term, I think it would have been about equal.

For sure. 360 would still have done better than og xbox, but not by much.

Probably not. PS3 was very hyped.

Sure 360 would have done better than the OG Xbox. I think we all expect that.

But would it have been as good as it is now if PS3 launch wasn't so messed up? That's the question.

No doubt about it. The year to year and a half lead it had coupled with the PS3's misfortune CREATED the 360's succes.

The 360 would still have been more succesful than the first Xbox though, as Microsoft made much more effort to capture our attention.

Well, Xbox360 had it's issues, too. Red Ring of Death probably scared more than one consumer. You essentially had to choose between "easily broken" or "expensive as fuck". There also was the Wii, which isn't exactly easy to break (You know, Ninty's consoles are made out of Nintendium) and was very cheap, but that's a totally different story since it was aimed to another market.

Edit: DAMMIT FORGOT TO ANSWER THE ACTUAL QUESTION. Well, given what I said, the answer is: No, if the PS3 didn't "screw up" it would've been considered far superior than the, let's say, "unreliable" Xbox.

Wait your asking what would happen to product X if its competition performed good/badly???

C'mon man...

"Or was the 360's success merited mostly to the PS3's failure at launch?"

"For sure. 360 would still have done better than og xbox, but not by much."

;)

Not nearly as good. Maybe a bit better than the original box but with a nice launch(and a slightly better system) the PS3 would've crushed the X360. Much like the PS4 is doing now on the back of the bad PR for MS.