It seems like people have completely forgotten how atleast in the U.S. the PS3 was not taken seriously until 2009. Even now when the XBOne launched my local news station mentioned it. No word on the PS4 launch.....

No.

MS really should not win the 4th quarter anymore even in the U.S. (by that much) since the PS4 is competing so well in the U.S. MS did a great job with bundles last Christmas. If I was a guy who was on the fence I would have gotten an XBOne due to its awesome bundles. 

Investing in new IP's since the PS1 with the focus on (realistic) graphics. The Playstation is like a journey through all kind of landscapes and that deserves a lot of appreciations from gamers in general. The Halo's and Mario's just have to wait a little longer this time...PS4 first.

The US is a powerful market when it comes to consumption. The Xbox One and the 360 (of their generations) won black friday and there is no way to get around that. Of course it came out of Microsofts pocket because the Xbox One had to drop the Xbox Ones price by $150 in total since launch just to make those numbers and now they are forced to stay there because its the only way they can compete. They have a compelling argument since they have 90 percent the same library as Sony. As for the rest of the year, its pretty much owned by Sony. If Sony cuts price this year on the PS4 (which they don't need to) Microsoft is going to be in a world hurt to catch up with them for the rest of the generation. A $350 priced PS4 would be just the checkmate Sony needs to stop Micrsoft from cutting price for another year or two while widening the gap.

But what I am saying is the PS4 and the Xbox One are in a dead heat in the U.S. and I do not see how they can dominate the 4th quarter in the U.S. this gen like they did last gen.  I think the PS4 will get knocked down to 349$ at E3 this year due to prices of GDDR5 ram dropping from them buying so much. MS will not be able to react and knock the One down to 300$. They will have a 349$ bundle next Christmas. I do not believe MS can cut the price anymore yet

Thats easy, give them an even  lower price bundled with games or just bundle two or three of the years best games in the console at the $350-$399 price point. Microsoft wont have a compelling price point this year unless they want to start to cut price again and that would start profitability bleeding for the Xbox One. Microsoft is going to have to use the games as leverage so they'll probably pack in more games with an extra controller. Fourth quarter is going to come at a cost to Microsoft. Knowing them, they get very desperate when they expect Sony to win, so truthfully gamers win then if they like Microsofts offers and dive in.

I agree but a bundle does not have quite the same appeal as a lower price point. I think going into Christmas this year they will both be 349$ the PS4 will come with 2 games (The Last of Us: Remastered and "X") and the Xbox One will have a 3 game bundle.

 
There is zero indication that IGN lumped in PS2 numbers. It was based on an analysis from the IDC. They were saying that its amazing the PS3 was able to accomplish outshipping Microsoft while Microsoft pretty much outsold for years. As for the 360 it does have better legs, but its best legs are in fourth quarter. No one is denying Microsofts ability to sell the 360. I was only bringing to light the fact that the PS3 is a dominant brand and its because of that dominance why they were even able to salvage the the PS3 generation even though they personally won for themselves by saving the PS3 and Blu Ray in one fell swoop. 

True. Sony could wreck Microsofts Black Friday (or even their holiday season) for once by dropping the PS4's price to $350. If Sony matches price with Microsofts wider market price consumers will go PS4 over the One. The hype is already in their corner. It would just add insult to injury.