Last year, Nintendo came out with their next-generation Wii U video game console.  They staked their impressive market share on the fact that many gamers, including the casual gamer, wanted better hardware for at least the option of playing more hardcore games.  They also banked on tablet-like screens.  Nintendo was right about the hardware desires of consumers and the continuing proliferation of more and more screens into the hands of technology users, but sales of the Wii U device have been horrible.

This leaves Sony's PlayStation and Microsoft's Xbox in the running for taking the throne as king of the next wave of consoles (we're in the eighth generation, if you're counting).

Sony all but shot themselves in the foot during their soft announcement of the upcoming PlayStation 4.  Critical missteps were taken by not devoting enough attention to non-gaming living room applications, not revealing their actual hardware, and, arguably, continuing on with an x86 processor instead of evolving into x64.  Of course, from the business side, it can be said that Sony also made errors by not announcing their pricing options, and--here comes the big one--by announcing way too far in advance of a launch.  Eight to ten months is a long time to keep hype alive for a video game console.

‍So, we're left in a situation where Microsoft, who has yet to announce their upcoming Xbox 360 replacement device, simply has to avoid blowing themselves up.  But that may be more difficult than it sounds if any of the DRM and user-monitoring rumors turn out to be true with the next Xbox.  But, being the last to present their next generation console, Microsoft is given the benefit of time, which allows them to test reactions to any questionable concepts through controlled media leaks and make the require course corrections.

Market share is currently leaning in favor of Microsoft in the final months of life for the current console generation. Simply not screwing up could push Microsoft clearly into the top spot for the next several years.  Good luck, Redmond, good luck.

We know that Nintendo is out of the running in this generation, so who will be king? Sony's PlayStation 4 or Microsoft's Xbox 720? Share your comments, and good-natured flames, below.