Ever since Sony released the PlayStation back in 1995, they've completely changed the world of videogames as we know it, introducing CD technology and ful 3D gaming to the public... That's why PlayStation has been so successful over the years, it's because of Sony's relentless attempts to change the world of videogames for the better.
This stragtegy previously belonged to Nintendo, the world-wide leader in videogame entertainment and the leader of portable gaming.
Ever since PlayStation was released, Nintendo's been pushed out of the spotlight, reducing their popularity and world-wide success they've earned for the past 15 years.
Now Sony releases the PS2 (PlayStation 2) and again, the world of videogames is changed with the introduction of a built-in DVD player and even more advanced features.
Where does this leave Nintendo? Well, they're busy trying to design a system that is more powerful and developer-friendly than the PS2...smaller discs, and a more powerful proccessor boost the GameCube sales up a bit, but they are nowhere as high as the overall PlayStation 2 sales [which are currentlly boosting over the 30 million mark].
Then Microsoft enters the fray, trying to boot out Sony with their "most powerful systems ever"...the Xbox. Many people consider the Xbox to be the future of videogames. Did you even hear anyone say anything like that about the GameCube? No. That's because Xbox has the most advanced features and the general gaming public likes more powerful and advanced systems. With Xbox's 700+ megahertz proccessor, an Intel Pentium 4 proccessor, NVIDEA graphics, built-in ethernet port, built in hard drive... and the ablility to record music from CD's it seems the Xbox will surly beat all of its competitors and take the lead from Sony.
So where does this leave Nintendo, well if they want to have the most success, it's back to the drawing board...they need to design a system that has a bunch of advanced features in it if they want to succeed in the future console wars.