I'm talking about the average consumer, and the average consumer doesn't really care about "processors".
I'm not saying people don't look at graphics at all, but Joe Bloggs walking the street isn't going to say "Hmm I think I'll buy this console because it has 64 bit processors", he probably wont even know what 64 bit processors are. He would most likely compare graphics through gameplay.
The fact that SNES and Wii both sold the most in the two generations you mentioned should show you what consumers care about more.
I'm not saying that graphics are the most important factor; I'm saying that they have been used as a selling point ever since video games had recognizable graphics.
The SNES was more powerful in every way except CPU Clock Speed, which Sega pushed as Blast Processing. It had more available colors as well as colors on screen, better audio, as well as Mode 7 and eventually the use of pre-rendered 3D models.
People didn't know what bits were back then and a lot of people still don't know what they are today. However, one look at Strider on the Genesis compared to Strider on the NES made it clear that the Genesis was better in every technical aspect. It sold itself on the visuals, and it worked.