So we all recall the absurdity that happened in the previous gaming generation - even in 2010, some people were calling the Xbox 360 and the PS3 "next-gen consoles". This, despite one of them having been out for five whole years.

As such, this thread serves as a public service announcement. The Playstation 4, the Xbox One, and the Wii U are all out, now, and may no longer be considered "next-gen" consoles. They, along with the Nintendo 3DS and the Playstation Vita, form the current generation of consoles, and should be referred to as such. If you must use terminology emphasising that it's the generation that has only just begun, you may use "new gen", although "current gen" or "gen 8" is preferable.

The PS3, the Xbox 360, the Wii, Nintendo DS, and PSP are now "last-gen". They should no longer be referred to as "current-gen". The phrase "next gen" is now for use when referring to the ninth generation, likely to begin between 2018 and 2020 for consoles and between 2016 and 2018 for handhelds.

The Ouya is to be considered current-gen alongside Wii U, PS4, and Xbox One. The Steam Machine may be considered current-gen so long as it releases within the next couple of years.

Finally, a refresher on the term "generation" itself - it does not refer to the amount of capability of the system, nor to specific features. It refers to release of systems that are distinct from their predecessor with a notable number of games that cannot be run on the predecessor. As a simplified approach, we group gaming generations by calendar dates, as the gaming industry has formed a fairly regular cycle of 5-8 years, with releases aligning fairly closely. Whether you feel that the Wii U is much more powerful than the Xbox 360 and PS3, or about the same, the release of the Wii U in 2012 makes it the same generation as the PS4 and Xbox One.

I think they're next gen until they're selling more than 360, PS3, and Wii combined. The previous gen is still in full swing sales wise and next gen isn't owned by many people.

i dont think the wiiU was ever accused of being such.

badum..tish.

I think some people just use the term 'next gen' to refer to the newest hardware. I'll remind you we are still in the transitional stages and there are waaaay more people with 'current gen' (PS3) consoles than with next gen, so I still think it is appropriate to refer to them as next gen, since they are the newest thing on the market and relatively few people have them.

One point at which I would definitely say a PS3 should not be referred to as next gen is when the PS4 was announced. That's the official time. Otherwise I would say two years after the release of the last console in the generation is an appropriate time to change it to 'current gen'

I doubt you'll agree with me, but the way I see it, it's not really that important anyway what we refer to it as.

mountains and molehills man, mountains and molehills

I agree with you but........people will continue to call them next gen until the buzz wares off a bit more

The very fact that you needed to call the 360/PS3/Wii the "previous gen" makes my point for me. And didn't they announce the PS4's launch sales and the XBO's launch sales both at roughly 1 million? That's easily more than the 360, PS3, and Wii sold, combined, in the same weeks.

I mean over a long, normal period.  At least wait until games stop coming for the current gen.  The next gen will be in it's 3rd year before it's really in full swing.  WiiU is current gen cause Wii is dead but PS3 still has plenty of life.  Yes they're the previous gen but that doesn't mean they're the old gen which is what they would have to be for PS4 to be current gen.  LoS2 and GT6 aren't coming to next gen so I'm not willing to call them old news yet.

You say tomatoe, I say tomato, who cares really?

Man, these NEXT GEN consoles sure are awesome!!!