ps3, because it started out as a dumpster fire, but Sony recovered and kept their brand image largely intact.

The PS3 won. The only objective thing I can come up with is consumer intent as evidenced by where they invest their money.

In terms of my preferred console, Xbox 360 is the winner. Superior controller, better collection of first-party games, and more reliable performance when it comes to big third-party games.

In terms of legacy, PS3 is the winner. While Xbox 360 performed well from a software perspective between 2005 and 2010, it fell off fast starting around 2011. Yes, Microsoft crapped the bed with the Xbox One launch, but that launch didn’t emerge from a vacuum. I think the early success of Kinect on 360 really hurt the future of Xbox gaming.

Sony, conversely, used this period to build up its brand. At a time when Xbox was investing in Kinect and mismanaging its flagship franchise, PlayStation was reaping the rewards of its investment in first-party content. Now, personally, I think the shift toward filmic/arthouse games that prioritize graphics, emotional resonance, and narrative was a mistake, but there’s no denying the appeal among consumers. And Sony used that appeal (and Microsoft’s self-inflicted wounds) to catapult the PS4 to great success.

This is an example of why counting and comparing units sold is not really very useful. The PS3 was a colossal failure. It lost a ton of money and damaged their brand. It just so happens that 80m was about the floor for a PlayStation home console at that point. They couldn’t really have done much worse and a late gen minor renaissance didn’t change much, except get onto better footing for the PS4 gen.

Very interesting question. I loved my PS3 and, technically, Sony won that gen as PS3 managed to edge out the X360 by a few thousands units.

However, X360 really had an incredible run, considering how much bigger the PS2 was vs OG Xbox. The final sales are almost a tie and X360 was the leading console for most of the gen (also due to the 1 year head start).

I think X360 was the winner as it beat initial expectations. Unfortunately for Microsoft (and us gamers/consumers), this didn’t translate in strong subsequent generations and I feel it was kind of a wasted opportunity from them, as X360 managed in the no easy feat of establishing the Xbox name in the console gaming market.

A strong Xbox is great for us gamers and, even if I prefer Sony’s consoles, I would love to see Xbox being back to the X360’s highs. The PS3 slim and the ton of amazing PS3 exclusives were the result of Sony trying to catch up the X360 lead in the market.
I don’t think Sony would be able to raise PS5 prices every other day if Xbox was more successful…

I agree with the sentiment, but I wouldn’t call the PS3 slim a “minor renaissance “. It really turned things around for Sony and the floor for a PlayStation home console would have been way under 80M. 

I kind of agree. It was a great gen with a real “console war”! 

We all did.

I think that whoever becomes main target platform for third party support is who wins the gen. So, 360 beat the PS3 and Wii that gen. Target platform for third party games is by far more important than everything else. 

To me it was a draw. 360 had very good games then than now. PS3 came up with nice new games like Uncharted, Little big planet, Heavenly Sword, Resistance, MAG, Motorstorm, etc.