The Xbox 360 had struggles on its launch (mostly, not being enough 360s + the ring of fire). The PlayStation 3 is hitting some woes, too:

• Sony May Have Missed PlayStation 3 Goal, Analysts Say
• A Weekend Full of Quality Time With PlayStation 3 - New York Times
• Sony begrudgingly promises fix for PS3 720p output issues - Engadget
• ps3-bluray-has-issue-with-720p-216037
• PS3 Freaks Out Wife

The New York Times article is the most damning of the PS3. There have also been reports of the PS3 crapping out just like the early Xbox 360s with the ring of fire (I have an early generation 360 so I'm always keeping an eye on it).

There have been backwards compatibility problems with the PS2 games, too. I'm not throwing too many stones on that point given that the 360 is only partially compatible with first generation Xbox games - though of course the PS3 was sold as being 100% backwards compatible.

Now, I'm not anti-Sony. I own a PSP. I really like my PSP, but I don't tend to play it that much. I appreciate the software design and the system software updates, mostly. I use it for watching movies while traveling more than anything. And I love Lumines. I just wish more interesting games had come out for it.

This has been a huge gamble for Sony. Sony is on the top end, with Blu-Ray and mega-features. The 360 is in the middle, chugging along. And Nintendo's Wii is happily sneaking in on the bottom. If the Wii is anything like the DS (got one of those, too) it's going to be kicking some serious retail butt. Along with the PS2. I think the PS2 will keep going for a while given the great game base.

If the PS3 ends up being a super-success then it will be a true case-study of chutzpah cubed. It will be fascinating to follow and see how the business story ends up.