Who's gonna win the 2017 war: Nintendo VS Sony vs Microsoft

Whether it's a brand icon or a strong editorial mark, exclusivity is always at the center of the manufacturers' strategy and fuel the eternal war opposing major players in the market. Temporary or permanent, a simple release is able to switch a console destiny depending on its quality, its reputation is the only presence said machine.

Expectations, dreams and speculations, exclusivity will rule the roost in 2017. But which of Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft will be much impressive this year?

When it's about quantity, Sony smash the competition with 74 releases to 18 for Nintendo and 41 for Microsoft. But what are the reasons for such a production? Far from it’s done, the 30 games difference is to be searched in Japanese production available for PlayStation only. 14 J-RPG among some famous names (Final Fantasy XII, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8, Nino Kuni2, Tales of Bersia...) that land in our shores not including action games (Dragon Quest Heroes II, Berserk and the Band of the Hawk, Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers, NieR...) this lack of interests in the Japanese market for Xbox deprive its console from a lot of RPG and Beat'em all. The players have only one choice is to return toward Sony consoles.

Another criteria to take into consideration is ... the virtual reality.

While Microsoft delay on investing in VR (waiting probably the release of Xbox Scorpio later this year), Sony has already launched the PlayStation VR. 7 games 100% in virtual reality.

Also 2017 won't be stingy from triple A exclusive. Sony is the leader with 7 AAA incoming (Horizon: Zero Dawn, NieR Automata, Nioh, Persona 5, Gran Turismo Sport, Gravity Rush 2 and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy). Microsoft (Halo Wars 2, Crackdown 3, State of Decay 2, Sea of Thieves) and Nintendo (Splatoon 2, Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda:Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Yôkai Watch 2). However, Sony will probably make from 2017 one of its best year in its history with God of War, Detroit: become Human, Shenmue III and Spider-Man. 11 major titles exclusive for one console in the same year... INCREDIBLE.

The list of games for every console reflect the vision of the manufacturer and its ambitions. Sony emphasize on games with a heavy scenario and high quality characters. Microsoft focus on online functionalities and its ecosystem PC/Xbox and on independent productions. And Nintendo keep its friendly approach and take advantage of its franchise while innovating at the same time.

Nintendo looks like an Alien in video games market.

Big N renew the way they develop their games in every new console. The relative fail of the Wii U comparting to Wii didn't stop them from selling millions of games. Because Nintendo decided to focus on gaming experience rather than high quality and powerful games. And the franchise support this kind of evolution. Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox, Pokémon, Animal Crossing... Nintendo is riding on a success that last over 30 years and weave constantly between nostalgia and innovation.

The year has just started, but 2017 seems already smiling for Sony. Quantity and quality will support the Japanese manufacturer in the upcoming 12 months. Proud of its 1st Party strategy, plenty of rising titles will water the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. Nintendo will benefit from the buzz generated by its franchise, and the Nintendo Switch to transform 2017.

As for Microsoft, no one doubt that the company preserve something to show by the E3, otherwise it will suffer the next trimester.