I'd like to counter that with a simple observation:
People are stupid, and sheep.
I'd like to expand that observation with an example:
Madden, Dynasty Warriors, the modern CoD series, etc...
All sell EXTREMELY well, even though they're basically DLC being sold as full 60USD.
I'd like to expand that example with a more anime focused version of said example:
Naruto, One Piece, Bleach, DBZ GT, etc...
All have done/are doing, EXTREMELY WELL.
Yet they all kind of suck at this point.
FF7 was, and will forever be, the Madden of the FF games.
It was a poorly done JRPG that sold because of the rise of anime and little kids going 'OMG DAT POLT n' DEM GRAPHIX!'.
It doesn't matter what the spin-offs did.
The original game is nothing to write home about.
Just another mediocre game whose hype train managed to get to sell.
FF7 is overrated.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkxR4p7P74Y