What makes a console "next-gen"...?

[Cold-Flipper]

Mazty said:

Cold-Flipper said:
I'd say something is next-gen based off of release date and competition honestly.

1) Was it released within the generational pattern? (every 4-7 years, give or take)

2) What is it meant to compete with?

As for Wii U, it was released 6 years after the Wii and is meant to compete with Orbis & Durango. Nintendo chose not to compete power-wise but they are fighting for sales in the same business.

So then you'd say that what makes something next gen is irrelevant of then the actual console but is purely to do with what market the company is gunning for with said console?

Interesting take on it. 

Yes, the Wii U was released around the same time Orbis & Durango will be released, and will compete with them for next-gen sales. Release date also matters IMO. For example, say Microsoft & Sony decide not to release a new console until 2017. Nintendo also release Wii U 2 the same year. That would effectively make Wii U be considered Gen7 with the PS3, 360, and Wii. That would never happen though. It is like the next-gen is whatever the next line of consoles are.