I tend to find that a large amount of the console versus console arguments that go on occur because of differing measures of success used to define a particular console's position in the market. I believe that there are six primary measures of success that can be applied to the console industry. I'll list a brief summary of them, as well as my opinion on how each console has fared within the category. What I'm interested in is whether anyone feels I've made any mistakes, and more importantly what level of importance you all place on each category.
Note: I haven't listed the categories in order of importance.
Sales
This one is rather obvious. It comes down to how much first and third party software each console sells, and more importantly, how many consoles are shifted. This one so far is a no-brainer.
Nintendo: EPIC WIN!!! Owning the generation both in LTD (life-to-date) sales and WTW (week-to-week) sales across all major regions. Currently first-party sales account for too great a percentage of software, though this is slowly changing.
Microsoft: Doing ok in both regards. Though it has seen a YOY (year-over-year) increase, it is not selling as well as the PS3 WTW and must rely on its LTD advantage over its rival HD console. Fantastic third-party sales, especially in North America, with an excellent attach rate.
Sony: Gamecube like start, recovered to respectable WTW sales, but is being hammered by the Wii just like the 360.
Game Quality
Nintendo: Stellar first party line-up. Unfortunately, the Wii is currently lacking in third party gems. That said, it is starting to get some strong TP titles like Zack and Wiki and No More Heroes, amid a general shift of resources towards the Wii.
Microsoft: Currently the generational leader in AAA 90%+ games (comfortably). As the generation progresses, it will struggle to avoid losing exclusives to the Wii.
Sony: Sony doesn't yet have any 90%+ exclusives, however that looks set to change with the arrival of MGS4. Whilst the PS3 is awaiting it's sure-fire hits (And probable 90%+ titles) in FF, GT and R2, it is struggling to accumulate the large number of third party hits neccessary to define a generation-winning console.
Profit
Nintendo: EPIC WIN!!!
Microsoft: Like last generation, Microsoft had extremely large initial loses on the Xbox 360 and enormous sunk costs. However, with two straight profitable quarters, things appear to be turning around for Microsoft's gaming division. For the first time, it appears possible for Microsoft to make up all of its 360 investment in profit over the course of the generation. Certainly the next two financial years should look healthy for the division.
Sony: Sony has lost almost $3 billion on the PS3 in the last two years. Last quarter the console lost money, but these losses were balanced out by PS2 and PSP profits. However, an uptick in sales has allowed Sony to maintain pricing on the PS3 for a decent period of time, meaning it is possible the console itself will be profitable in the quarter just past.
Perception
Nintendo: Nintendo has been the only real winner when it comes to public perception of consoles this generation. Never in recent memory has a console inspired such a broad shift in the gaming market's demographics. Nintendo have gone from dominated to dominator this generation.
Microsoft: Microsoft have shown this generation that they are capable of establishing a console with a broad range of high-quality games. What might have been an excellent public perception of the console, was unfortunately devestated by chronic hardware failures. Thankfully, Microsoft now seem to have gotten that issue under control with new consoles.
Sony: In two of the three major markets (NA and Japan), the Sony gaming prestige established by the PS1 and PS2 has taken a beating. In the EU, Sony has kept much of it's brand power with the PS3, though it is largely overshadowed by the Wii.
Market Share (generation over generation)
Nintendo: EPIC WIN!!!
Microsoft: The uneventful console with regard to generation-over-generation market share. The 360 has experienced a medium-to-strong increase in market share over the Xbox, which it is likely to maintain (in relative terms). Essentially, this has taken the Microsoft console division from non-viable (in normal company's terms) to viable.
Sony: EPIC FAIL!!!
Momentum
Nintendo: Nintendo came out of the Wii's launch with momentum that noone could have anticipated. Even with massive production increases, the company still cannot keep up with the demand for their consoles, consistently selling out on a worldwide basis. Neither of the Wii's competitors can touch it's momentum.
Microsoft: Microsoft's Xbox 360 has seen consistent YOY increases in sales in the United States and Europe, whilst continuing to struggle as per usual in Japan. What has changed is the 360's momentum relative to the PS3. The console is consistently being outsold by Sony's machine worldwide by varying amounts.
Sony: What was originally a catastrophic start in which all of Sony's PS2 momentum was negated has been partially offset by an excellent rise in YOY sales of the PS3 attributed mainly to hefty price drops and SKU modifications across all regions. In the EU in particular, a large amount of this momentum is credited to Sony's brand power.
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