What defines a gaming "generation" ?

[Bursche]

Magnific0 said:
Bursche, by your logic Wii tech is laughable compared to 360 and PS3 , it's not 'relatively same technology' by a long shot

 How is it laughable? Its not the super highpowered consoles that the other two are but the gap, while large, isnt enough to classify it as last gen. Because it is higher than last gen, with improvements in other areas like its controller instead of just its core unit. If you argue that the Wii is last gen because of lower specs, then the PS3 and 360 are last gen because their controller's tech is "laughable".