Here is an interesting read from Forbes on the decreasing individuality of the video game consoles. That as certain aspects of each console prove to be popular with the gaming public, the other consoles will copy that console and implement them into their current hardware.  Yes, there are still some major differences between the consoles this generation. But will the choice of the console matter next generation? Will we see Nintendo, Sony and MS create three consoles that are basically identical to each other? I think this premise is plausible. I would not be surprised if each company designs a console with Blu-ray, a motion controller like the Wii-remote, and similar hardware specs. So, the questions is: is the choice of a console becoming irrelevant?

http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/07/16/e3-xbox-playstation-wii-tech-gaming08-cx_cm_0716consoles.html

This has always been the case ...

Since the NES most consoles that are released tend to copy the most popular console that is currently on the market when they're released. In each generation every manufacturer tries to include features to distinguish its consoles from the competition and (if people enjoy it) it is copied by the competition in the next generation.

good one ,,
well that happens in everthing not only gaming consoles
for example tv channels copy each other, cars look alike nowadays
cheap + good = win

This wouldn't be much different than last generation. Each console could more or less be ported the same games, they all used similiar controllers with almost the same amount of buttons, and every console other than the Gamecube offered a rough online structure for online multiplayer gaming. They were practically interchangebale.

I think another question could be would each console still have it's fanboys if that were the case?

I think definatly yes.

I also don't think it would happen. I think each company would be geared enough into trying to keep it's image and come out ahead for this scenario to truly happen. Perhaps 1 console maker might be abit lazier than other 2 or possible 'nother but in the end I think iff the drawing board came up that similar they would then reverse gears and try to make something unique on theirs system. Cornballer maybe? LOL

 This.