Well, 2010 is 5 years after the 360 launched. Since getting a jump on the competition was probably the biggest advantage the 360 had, I would expect MS would want to do it again with the next Xbox.

If actual hardware doesn't show up in 2010, I would expect hype to start showing up sometime that year.

Based on Nintendo's previous release history, it seems unlikely that we will see their next console prior to seeing their next hand held. They won't release them within the same year. If they did, it would be a new play for them.

So I'd use news of their next hand held to gauge about when we can expect to see another console.

Second, I don't believe the release of another console means that the Wii will be discontinued. As long as it continues to sell, Nintendo will keep it in production, even if it means adopting a two tier console plan like Sony. By then, it's not unreasonable for Nintendo to be able to sell them for $99, which will continue to move units.

As for Sony, most seem to think that because the PS3 has been oft quoted as having a "10 year life span" that they have no plan for releasing a new console prior to 2016. But consider the life span of the PS1 before production finally stopped: December 1994 through March 2006. Eleven years plus.

PS2 from March 2000 to current, with no sign of being cut from production. March 2010 doesn't seem like a big stretch to keep it in production since it still generates profits.

PS3 from November 2006 to November 2016, going by Sony's estimates, with a new system being introduced most likely six years into its life span in 2012, based upon past release trends. Still at least four years from now, but that is far from being eight years away.

2010 is waay to early for Ninty - maybe about right for 360 tho

I see the PlayStation 4 and Xbox 720 comming on 2011, while Wii 2 on 2012.

It depends on whether or not microsoft gets in bed with intel on their upcoming GPU. If so, then 2011 but 2010 is very plausible. It was out in 2005 so thats a 5 year span, which is long enough really.

2011/12 is more realistic. The names of the consoles PS4 is certain. Nintendo is unlikely to name their next console Wii 2. XBox 720, that name sounds ridiculous.

Microsoft is the only one to possibly think about launching in 2010, mainly because they launched a year earlier and with the success that they had from the year head start they will probably try to do it again. Microsoft might get a year head start even if they launch in 2011. Nintendo and Sony won't even consider anything before 2011, I wouldn't be surprised if Sony launches their console the same time as Microsoft to avoid the 1 year head start.

It's impossible to say for sure, but all the signs are suggesting that this generation will be notable longer than the previous ones.

The Wii is demonstrating exactly how little people care of powerful hardware, while the PS3 and 360 are both pretty much guaranteed to hit at least 30M, and still getting a steady stream of new multiplats announced all the time. To put it simply, everyone has a lot to gain by keeping their current consoles on the market for as long as possible, and nobody has all that much to gain by launching a successor very soon.

It depends if MS decides to add on a new control scheme to the existing generation or wait for next. If they repackage the 360, then no reason to come out with a new console. Don't forget, one reason they dropped the xbox and came out with the 360 is because they couldn't get parts to make the old unit. They probably setup manufacturing agreements this time round so that will not force them to stop making a console because of parts. If Nintendo increased production enough to flood the market, they could be ready in a few years, but... they want the console to last long enough, and as long as they are selling the best they will not be releasing a new console...

Some analysts have no idea at all.  Next generation would start in 2011/12 I assume.