Peacetime (1977 – 1981, 1983 – 1988)
A New Challenger (1995 – 1999)
The coming of 3D allowed a new challenger to enter and shake up the status quo. After being burned by Nintendo during a failed deal for a SNES CD-Rom add-on, Japanese tech giant Sony decided to just create a new console of its own: the PlayStation. With its polygonal graphics and then-revolutionary disc-based format, the PlayStation became the first console to sell more than 100 million units. Sony ended these console wars before they even got started. Like Sega, it promoted the coolness of its console but in a more mature way. With a PlayStation, it was okay to game even if you weren't a kid. Meanwhile, the Sega Saturn's failure marked the beginning of the end for the company, and though some of the most influential and beloved games of all time are on the Nintendo 64, even it couldn't halt Sony's rise to the top.
Microsoft Makes its Move (2000 – 2004)
Riding high on the success of its first two consoles Sony' had plans for the PS3 that were arguably a little arrogant. Even its pioneering use of Blu-ray couldn't make up for the high $599 price point, complicated processor infrastructure, and bafflingly condescending quotes from executives telling cash-strapped consumers to work a second job. Sensing weakness, Microsoft became the next company to take a page from Sega's book and jumpstarted the next generation early with the Xbox 360, just four years after the Xbox. During these wars fiery debates centered less on games and franchises—since most were on both platforms—and more on technical aspects of the machines themselves. Was the PS3 really more powerful? Was the 360 really easier to develop for? Was the PlayStation Network really that much worse than Xbox Live? Did 360s really break all the time?
While Sony and Microsoft battled in the red waters of competition, Nintendo chose a new path: a blue ocean strategy for its next console. Although the Wii was dismissed by hardcore gamers for its motion controls, underpowered non-HD graphics, and more casual appeal, it was a massive success, joining the PlayStation in the 100 million-units-sold club. The PS3 and 360 were ultimately both pretty big successes in their own right, but it's hard to argue Nintendo didn't reclaim its crown this generation.
The Frontline (2013 – Present)
Source : PCMag
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