I know what you mean. I wasn't here during Generation 7, but I was on some forum totally unrelated to gaming. One guy messaged me about video games and asked why I thought Nintendo made the Wii when it wasn't doing well at all. I had to correct him that the Wii was actually doing awesome. The average level of knowledge about video games outside of VGChartz is actually pretty low by comparison.
curl-6 bet me that PS5 + X|S sales would reach 56m before year end 2023 and he was right.
My Bet With curl-6
My Threads:
Master Thread, Game of the Year/Decade
Switch Will Be #1 All Time
Zelda Will Outsell Mario (Achieved)
How Much Will MH Rise sell?
My Bet With Metallox