I think several factors.
1. 3 part/developers.
2. Developer of the system.
3. Commercial/buissnes plan
4. Money
5. The time the console is launched
6. First games.
7. 1/2 part/developers
8. Hardware
9. Design
10. Hype
11. Reputation
12. price
I give them my ranking with a system based on 10 p, 8p and 5p
1. Sony 10, MS 8, Nintendo 5
2. Nintendo 10, Sony 8, MS 5
3. MS 10, Sony 8, Nintendo 5
4. MS 10, Sony 8, Nintendo 5
5. Sony 10, nintendo 8, MS 5
6. Nintendo 10, MS 8, Sony 5
7. Nintendo 10, Sony 8, MS 5
8. MS 10, Nintendo 8, Sony 5
9. Sony 10, MS 8, Nintendo 5
10. Sony 10, MS 8, Nintendo 5
11. Nintendo 10, Sony 8, MS 5
12. Nintendo 10, MS 8, Sony 5
Score based on numbers:
Sony 95
MS: 90
Nintendo:91
Score based on must 10s
Nintendo 5
Sony 4
MS: 3
I know this is meaningless but still fascinating.
Please post thoughts.