In regards to console (not handheld which we all know who the clear winner is) sales and hardware power PS has beaten out Nintendo most of the time, barring last gen. However, as a brand and in regards to the industry even being here in the first place I have to give it too Nintendo. And in the end, I feel that being more recognizable brand all together is what matters more.
Think about it, why can Nintendo consider making sections of an amusement park and it actually make sense? Why can they make a mobile game and people assume it's going to sell well? Because Nintendo is the only one of the Big 3, in my opinion, that actually possesses brand power for their IPs.
Sure some Sony first party IPs sell well and are great, but it seems PS has really made it's name for being a media station that allows you too play key third party releases (such as GTA and COD).

Haha, good point.  But I still stand by my opinion!  Current or even overall success is just not what's being talked about here.  When you're talking about being iconic, Nintendo's the champion.  There are a lot of other words that you could give Sony over Nintendo, but not iconic.

I was actually referring to the impossibility of either party budging on the matter, but thanks for being petty.

Let me guess you disagree because of the wii right? the N64, gamecube and wii U didn't happen? Now that the handheld market is shrinking due to smart phones they don't have anymore saving graces. Let's not kid ouselves the real cash cow of Nintendo as always been their handhelds they better find a solution for that problem fast

As far as brand recognition goes, I would say at the very least they are even at this point. Sony has dominated 3/4 generations it has participated in. On the other hand, Nintendo has stuck with the same roster of characters for decades. I would say people have an easier time identifying Nintendo characters than Sony ones.

Of course Sony is more iconic.

Actually, no. We are comparing Nintendo (brand) X Playstation (brand). The problem is that Nintendo brand englobes its consoles (Wii + Handhelds) and its games, even playstation having a big mainstream appeal on the home console segment, this is still a unfair question

The younger generation grew up with sony playstation, while the older generation grew up with Nintendo. I guess it all depends on how old you are when you're giving your answer to the OP's question. I don't feel anyone is wrong if you say Nintendo or if you say Playstation because it all depends on your age and gaming perspective.

Me personally I feel playstation has surpassed Nintendo as far as gaming consoles go. Every generation you know playstation is going to bring their A game and be in the #1 sales spot. Playstation took a horrible misstep in generation 7 because of ego but it was remarkable to see playstation not make excuses and just climb their way out of the sales hole they created and surpass xbox360 as the generation is reaching a close and gain consumer trust again. Playstation4 is spanking Wiiu and Xboxone so bad this generation because they learned from generation 7.

I don't think anyone can compete with Nintendos mario, zelda, pokemon etc franchises because the one thing Nintendo does better than other companies is they keep their IP's alive. Sony retires IP's and brings out new IP's constantly even if the IP they retired was successful.

Yes

End of discussion. This guy nailed it. People in this thread don't even know WHAT ICONIC MEANS!!! It's embarrassing.