I can't think of any time when a console hs gone from 3rd to 1st but didn't the Saturn go from 1st to 3rd?

Well, video game history is kind of short so there's not many examples of anything really.
The first two generations were too early and small to have much to offer.

The NES was basically alone with only the Master System as a minor challenger so no #3 to consider.

The SNES did come back from 2nd place (due to a late start) to beat the #1, the only example of a system passing a serious #1 aside from the Wii. #3 TG-16 pretty much stayed #3.

The N64 started at #3 but never passed the PS1 of course and the Saturn settled in at a permanent #3 after being quickly passed.

The Gamecube was passed by the Xbox early on but sayed close through out becoming the #3 that was closest to #2.

So no, no third place has ever supassed #1 and the only time third place even surpassed number 2 was because #2 launched earlier and was quickly passed.

Neither Coleco nor Intellivision caught the 2600.

A lot of speculation (PS3 will win) comes from two sources - Sony fanboys and analysts. And they are basing their beliefs on last-gen numbers. They are NOT looking at the parallels - they aren't looking at the fact that exclusives were key to the PS2's success.

Just look at this ... and I am just talking about the 360 vs. the PS3 - the Wii will win, but the 360 will close that gap ...

PS2 vs. Xbox

PS2 - first out of the gate
PS2 - won the hearts of developers
PS2 - won GTA exclusivity for two years
PS2 - had infamous disk read error
PS2 - ended up winning the last-gen war

Xbox - was last out of the stable
Xbox - was rather ackward
Xbox - had a much higher price point that dropped very, very fast
Xbox - was more reliable
Xbox - lost the fight due to the PS2's domination

Now, let's look at this fight - sans the Wii ...

Xbox 360 - first out of the gate
Xbox 360 - is definitely much, much easier to develop for
Xbox 360 - has the 3 rings of death and scratching controversy
Xbox 360 - locked up exclusives, and stole some PS3 exclusives - or bought them ...
Xbox 360 - has a software title that sold 2.6 million copies on the first couple days release

and the PS3

PS3 - last out of the stable
PS3 - much, much more reliable
PS3 - much higher price point
PS3 - very hard to develop, developers say - more than once, mind you ...
PS3 - is history repeating itself? Me thinks so ...

Anyone considering a PS3 should keep this analysis close to your heart ...

One thing that doesn't change between generations are strategies. The 360 may have some disadvantages, but still, it's running the PS2 playbook to a tie and winning ...

There have never been so many variables, also difference in  console capability has never been this big.

Technically, the PS2 passed the DC so it went from second to first. The SNES did the same to the Genesis.

Shame on all of you for missing that. :D

 While you're at it, maybe the PSP will come back too. After all, look at the huge gulf in capability there. 

Sigh... That doesn't matter. The Wii is not going to stop selling. It will be at $100-150 when the PS3 is at $300.

If you think the Wii is putting a hurting on the PS3 now, just wait until it hits mass consumer price points. It will start selling like free hookers in Las Vegas.

Um yea its happened from 3rd to 2nd such as with Xbox and GC. But at the current separation of sales that we see with PS3, 360, and Wii no that large difference has never seen a change from at least 3rd to 1st or 3rd to 2nd.

Consoles that tend to start off well stay doing well.

lol.....good comparison!......lol