pokemon red and green 1996 in japan 1998 in the us
gold and silver 1999 in japan and 2000 in the us a 3 year difference in japan a 2 year in America. ruby and shappire 2002 in japan and 2003 in America a 3 years difference.
Diamond and Pearl came out in 2006 in japan and 2007 in the us a 4 year difference
the 5th gen is coming out in 2010 in japan meaning 4 years past since Diamond and Pearl came out making it tied for the longest gen so i dont think its to soon