Isn't the only thing you're proving here is that brand doesn't really matter if the product is bad or inferior when compared to competition?

We can see with Wii U (& even Virtual Boy I guess) that if you bork the hardware design then you're toast, regardless of the logo on the packaging.

The N64 (my favourite console of all time btw) wasn't borked exactly but their choice of cartridges over CD caused more problems than it solved, which ultimately seeded 3rd party software advantage to Sony. I'm simplifying a little, but you get the point - the brand seems to have a lot less impact on hardware sales than you're implying - your own examples serve as proof of that.

EDIT : it's also worth mentioning that Microsoft is itself is a massive brand (dare I say bigger than Nintendo) - just because it wasn't in the gaming space for a time doesn't mean that it doesn't have some pull. If Apple starts releasing TVs, it's going to have a significantly better chance in the sector than a new brand that nobody has heard of.

So your argument falls down on both sides... Figures show that brand doesn't move much hardware if the product is weak. Figures show that a known brand entering a new market doesn't necessarily hinder sales (look at PS1).

Well said. The Xbox X and XB1 have proved quality is more important then power and price. UHD player is irrelevant outside a very small niche. Sony absolutely made the right decision dropping that despite all the critics on this site. It's too early. PS5 is the right time plus Sony probably want to make the upgrade from ps4 Pro to ps5 as big as possible. 

Software is up

https://venturebeat.com/2019/02/20/january-2019-npd-sales-down-as-kingdom-hearts-tops-charts/

Kingdom Hearts over 1 million
Mario Bros Deluxe over 300k

Nintendo dominated the portable market which is parallel to the home market to a near monopoly though this is why the Switch's hybrid form factor merging both userbases has led to a turn around because the dedicated portable market is a major branch of the industry, Nintendo just cleverly used one major advantage to offset a major disadvantage. MS don't have the same luxury as PC is an open platform dominated by Steam and companies trying to emulate Steam meaning they have have to take the PS brand head on.

Agreed.  And really, seeing as it is only down 4% weekly so far, that is all that is really needed.  If PS5 launches next year, then I see them dropping it to a permanent $199.

I would argue that they are just riding it out.  Sure, in the first year or so they dropped Kinect and made sure to secure some big exclusives, but in the past 2-3 years what have they really done that hasn't been to get things ready for next gen?  It's really MS's MO since they entered the market.  For the first 2-3 years they make a big push in terms of exclusives/content.  But, in the back half they always peter out, focusing instead on next gen.  It's even more apparent when the gen doesn't go their way.  Sony, on the other hand, makes sure to keep pumping out quality exclusives all the way through. 

@ OP

Very good performance by Switch.  It will interesting to see how it does in Feb if the Smash/SMB affect wears off.  Very good for PS4, as well, given it is only 4% down weekly and still being sold at $299.  And a BIG ouch for XBO.  Down drastically, even though it is by far the cheapest option of the three.  That's the importance of a good flow of quality exclusives for you.

Switch has a nice bundle going on where you get $35 eShop credit so Feb should still be strong even if Smash/SMB affect wears off (which I doubt will happen).

January 2019:

1. NS ~ 284K (+5%)
2. PS4 ~ 195K (-23.5%)
3. XBO ~ 101K (-57%)

• NS ~ 71K per week
• PS4 ~ 49K per week
• XBO ~ 25K per week

January 2018:

1. NS ~ 270K
2. PS4 ~ 255K
3. XBO ~ 235K

I think we'll have to wait for next month NPD to be sure. KH3+RE2 certainly provided a much bigger boost in the west then MH3 last year, so February is more representative of the coming months imo.

What was per week last year  

• NS ~ 67.5K per week
• PS4 ~ 64K per week
• XBO ~ 59K per week