Actually it was and wasn't. The confusion comes from most not understanding how games are developed. Typically games designed for new upcoming hard over shoot the spec requirement, then scale down through the graphics settings. It's why the Witcher 3 at 4k ultra settings looks and runs best on high and PCs (and soon probably gen 9 consoles) then it does on PS4 and X1. Both of which I remind you, were outdated on launch compared to the available chipsets at that the time. Hints the need for mid gen refreshes. A first for the industry since Gen 4.
Besides it's the highest selling consoles that often determine the base line. Not the weakest hardware. It's why most games are built to run on PS4 as a base line dispute the mid gen refreshes and Switch existing. It's also why the WiiU could not get much of any major 3rd party support that was built exclusively for it, or a gen 7 port.
Graphical settings are new to consoles. But have been a stable of the PC platform for decades now.