Nintendo.

Only gaming system with a touchscreen and a microphone on it.

Only gaming system with (good) accelerometers, IR pointing, and a speaker on the controller.

The Virtual Console, finding hidden gems from all throughout gaming history and keeping them alive. I think this is the most important contribution to gaming this decade.

New games that create new genres with tons of horrible clones (Brain Age, Nintendogs, Wii Sports, Wii Play, Wii Fit).

And making the best 3-D platformer ever made, Super Mario Galaxy.

Shouldn't Microsoft at least be given partial credit considering Xbox live Arcade does the same thing to a lesser extent and did come first?

I would Say both Sony and Nintendo and to a lesser extent SEGA

Sony was actually one of the first companies to push the idea that games could be seen as an artform. They also used their system's monopoly to try new Ideas and whatnot, Even during this gen Sony has shown its creativity with LBP.

Nintendo seems to be set on revolutionizing gaming every few generations. I mean NES and SMB reshaped the gaming industry the same with the Wii.

Sega Pionnered Online Gaming.

Nintendo only existed untill the psone came right? Come'on nintendo's contribution is A LOT GREATER then the one from sony... They've always made better games then sony, they've always made more money then sony's gaming devision except for 2003... They've ruled the handheld market for ages and even rule it now(psp is crap salewise compared to the ds). They rule the console market for 3 years now and have ruled it a lot more before Sony gaming devision even existed. Guess what, without Nintendo playstation would have never existed.

Will Wright deserves a mention for the sims. Which popularised casual gaming on the pc long before nintendo pushed it.

I would say that all three made great strides in the industry. The PS2 continued the opening up to new gamers that the Playstation started. It also had a controller that would be the industry standard and would be key to helping progress a number of genres leading up to the Wii.

Microsoft has made incredible strides online with a great interface and lots of community features. Many of which Sony has had in the PS3. Both MS and Sony have stretched the bar in terms of video content and multimedia access. Integration is now a big part of our game console environment. With HD and media integration, they have also really allowed gaming to enter the realm of high production values and cinematics. The Game Industry has never been closer to Hollywood prestige, thanks to their efforts.

But I think the award goes to Nintendo. They have continually driven the industry even when they were in the background. They had the first analog stick, shoulder buttons, rumble, worthwhile wireless, etc. They kept the handheld market vibrant so that Sony could feel it a viable undertaking and then completely redefined the model with DS and the Wii. They retook the industry which a lot of people really don't realize or accept yet. Thanks to Nintendo the industry won't forget that games could one day be completely immersive. With Nintendo playing their hand, what the next generation will hold for our imaginations is nearly impossible to fathom.  They have also above the other companies helped the industry keep an open mind to creativity, nostalgia, and new styles of play.  And last but not least, they have been key in keeping retro gaming alive both with their DS and Wii environments.

Mario, Metroid, Kid Icarus, Pikmin, Donkey Kong, Wario, Pokémon, Kirby, Zelda,Starfox, Fire Emblem, Earthbound,etc

Please, gtfo out.

Nintendo slightly > Microsoft definitely > Sony in terms of contribution.

Nintendo:
- Motion Sensor (depends on how big this is next gen)
- Balance board
- Touch Screen gaming
- Casual games
- Pikmin
- Art style > graphics proven
- 3D platforming
- 3D play controlled camera
- 3D lock on system


Microsoft:
- Live
- Downloadable content
- Wireless controllers out of the box
- FPS on home consoles
- Strategy games on home consoles
- HD graphics (360 came first, so it can claim it)
- Amazing new franchises (Mass effect, Bioshock, Gears)
- Built-in Storage (hard drive)

Sony:
- Blu ray
- Pushing graphics every generation
- Pushing the limits of social acceptability in gaming (GTA is a big one)
- New and interesting franchises (LBP, Uncharted, Resistance, R&C, God of war, Gran Turismo etc)
- Competition (to nintendo)


Now before people hang me, I list them based on who did it first. So HD graphics go to MS and motion controls go to Nintendo.

consumers...

go figure

Going by your definition that I've bolded these are wrong.