1UP's Jeremy Parish asks this very question in relation to how successful each console manufacturer is. Is gaming forum perception more important than actually making millions of dollars and adding cold, hard cash to your war chest? Hell no.

His editorial might amount to more of a defense of Nintendo's ability to actually post a profit, but lose traditional console market share, but it's an interesting read nonetheless.

Redefining Success: Who's really winning the console war? [1UP]