Nintendo announced the 3DS as a new handheld. I guess history is repeating itself because if you remember the 7th generation started with the release of the Nintendo DS.

So does this announcement mean the 8th generation will start in 2011?

If so, will we also have announcements from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft on their next consoles this year?

Please Discuss.

No. Handheld generations aren't on the same time scale. The DS and PSP came out before the Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360.

Not this year, but maybe next year or the year after, Sony will probably announce the PSP2 soon, and once NATAL and Move flop, then the move to PS4 and 720 will start

Why two thread about the same idea(starting of the new gen')?
Nope but it may be its prequel.

I see how what you're getting at, that the next gen will follow on the heels of this. In that context I say "plausible".

I think this signifies the next generation, and here's why: The DS is unstoppable, in a way better sales position than the Wii relative to its competitors. The thing has 70% market share, and 125 million units sold. Nintendo's pushing out a new system despite no clear threat to the DS. Up until now I thought that the next generation would start with MS announcing the new X-Box, because Nintendo would never release a new console first. 3DS throws that assumption out the window. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a Wii 2 (not a Wii HD, but a Wii with vastly improved motion controls, as well as a new 'gimmick', and better graphics) at E3 2011.

Yeah the 3DS will be the first gaming system of the 8th generation. The 7th generation will continue for a while though, as most software released will still be for Wii/360/PS3.

I guess the 7th gen was DS/PSP/N-Gage to iPhone/Move/Natal/Vitality, with a bunch of consoles in the middle. It was the generation of new controls becoming the most important unique feature of a system, and it started with the touchscreen and microphone of the most successful gaming system of all time.

yep, 8th generation here we come!

It sounds like the 3DS will be an significant change from the DS, DSi, DSblah, blah, blah, so yes, I'd say that the start of Generation 8 is right around the corner...

No, Reggie said the Wii still has some game.