definitely true

Indeed.

Out of all three companies, Sony made the least amount of mistakes when it came to launch.

All of the above.

Probably because they played their cards right, unlike Microsoft and Nintendo. Sony was the only one out of the three who did not show their hands until the other two decided to go ahead and screw up.

What I mean by that is, Microsoft gambled immensely on concepts (DRM/Always Online/Kinect) and Nintendo gambled immensely on a concept (Gamepad). Sony did not gamble on an "out there" concept for console gamers. Neither concept from Nintendo or Microsoft resonated too well with the majority of consumers who are still playing games (not counting the Wii audience that just up and left). You could say they played it safe, and you'd be right. This was to their advantage, however, because after the relative failure of the PS3 Move to do anything substantial and the complete failure of Microsoft and Nintendo to sustain the audience they captured with the Kinect and Wiimote, respectively, Sony would've been crazy to do anything that would've "rocked the boat" so to speak. Market trends being what they are, a powerful video game console without too much fluff and priced competitively was what was wanted. Sony did that. Microsoft and Nintendo did not.

Nintendo could not foresee that the audience that they gained with the Wii would leave 'em midway and leave 'em for good. They gambled on the Gamepad tablet controller and lost valuable marketshare. They still make a profit, but the Wii days are gone. Microsoft should've been smart to see that the Kinect lost some steam after awhile and should not have built their console around it the initial time around. Also, you can't kill off things that people have been accustomed to just like that. They have to be eased into it, not forced. Microsoft should've been savvy enough to see their concepts were just not going to work this time around, especially if the other guy doesn't follow you. That's a recipe for disaster.

All in all, certain territories like Japan/Asia and most of Europe would've been Sony anyway, with Nintendo having some ground in Japan of course. Microsoft lost out in UK and US to Sony because the machine they developed was not to the average gamer's taste. They did a 180, but the damage was done. Sometimes, repairing reception takes years. You need to build that trust again. Nintendo gambled too much on one horse and did not bother betting on one or two others just to be safe.

nah, I was expecting less "because they're the best" and more "because this, this or this"

 I'm sorry I hurt your feelings 

Most of the Nintendo sites I go to (shudders) believe its hype....still.

OT: The PS1, PS2 and PS3 have enough good will that we know that the games are coming and its the best price/performance ratio out there.

That doesn't contradict what he's saying, however, as the PS4 is not in direct competition with the PS1, PS2, or PS3.

Better image - Yes.  Microsoft killed their image at the very start and Nintendo was following a console that: A) was aimed at a different demographic, and B) died a lingering death.  The PS3, on the other hand, was supported till the end, including with a strong GOTY contender.

Better Marketing - Yes.  Sony hit hard from the start, Microsoft had to recover, and Nintendo was being Nintendo.

Better brand recognition - Yes.  Worldwide, Sony either wins most areas or is a close second.

Better worldwide approach - Yes, I think so.  Related to above but also includes the fact that the Playstation catalog is usually very diverse.

Most of the rest is subject to opinion but you'll certainly find a good number of people who hold those opinions.  Sony won in most areas that influence consumers.  Buying a new console is typically a matter of weighing potential.  More people thought, based on the above factors, that the PS4 has the best chance of meeting their desires in a home console.

yeah I agree, I have a PC so that's why I'm more demanding when I'm going to buy a non-Nintendo console, without a PC the ps4 would be my only option.

They didn't fuck up and great marketing.

PS4 would have been number one regardless on brand recognition and Europe alone, but it would have been a much closer math. As people mentioned the other two really messed up