The more things change, the more they actually change. Microsoft's original Xbox never had legs like Sony's fleet-footed PlayStation 2, only managing to sell around 25 million units worldwide -- a nibble compared to Sony's 140 million.

What a difference getting your system out first can make (well, unless you're the Dreamcast, may it rest in peace). Microsoft said recently that the Xbox 360 would finally muscle past the original Xbox's sell totals by the end of November, but it's happened a week earlier than expected. Also: Two years faster. The first Xbox took five years to hit 25 million, while the Xbox 360 which debuted in November 2005 made it in just three.