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[nial]

Let's make this clear, generations are basically meaningless. They're just the way Wikipedia and gaming journalists decided to group past consoles based on technical advancements and release dates. Yet it's still something fun to discuss, it sort of gives all these consoles a sense of collectivism within their own time periods, that can reflect certain trends, influences and stylistic choices from their respective eras.

The 8th generation of (home) consoles was kick started by Nintendo with the launch of the Wii U in November 2012, just a year before both SCE and Microsoft would launch the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One to the market in November 2013. Exactly like Microsoft kick starting the prior generation.
The Wii U's terrible performance forced Nintendo to replace it way earlier than expected, launching the hybrid console that was able to be played as both a handheld and home console, the Nintendo Switch, in March 2017, 3 years and 8 months before both SIE and Microsoft both launched the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S to the market in November 2020.
People have long discussed the Nintendo Switch's status as 9th generation system, some stating that it just came out way too early compared to its competitors, others that the console power isn't a determining factor as the Wii is widely considered a 7th generation system, while others argue that it cannot be part of the same generation of handheld consoles as its predecessor, the Nintendo 3DS and SIE's PlaySation Vita.
So, NeoGAF, what do you think about this in light of the Nintendo Switch 2 being around the corner?

 

[AzekZero]

I consider it an 8th-gen console. The fact Switch 1 crushed its 9th-gen peers doesn't change how I'd categorize it.

Its run as a flagship console for Nintendo isn't even unprecedented. The Xbox 360 was Microsoft's flagship console for a similar timespan. (360 Flagship Status: 2005-2013, 8 years) (Switch 1 Flagship Status: 2017-2025, 8 years)

 

[Scrawnton]

I consider it whatever generation Wii U, PS4, and X1 are in. But it doesn't really matter.

 

[NeverYouMind]

The lost generation. Soon to be forgotten.

 

[kevboard]

it's the successor to the 3DS, which is an 8th gen system. and a successor to the Wii U, another 8th gen system.

9th gen

 

[Gaiff]

It's Nintendo's 9th generation system. Its life overlaps with the PS4 and PS5. It's incorrect to call it 8th or 9th using the chronology of the PS5 and Xbox because it wasn't in sync with them.

 

[MrCunningham]

This console generation thing really started with wikipedia trying to categorize console releases into 'generations'. But then again, consoles were always marketed as 'next generation' or 'last generation'. Categorizing them...

Console Generation 3: NES
Console Generation 4: SNES
Console Generation 5: N64
Console Generation 6: Game Cube
Console Generation 7: Wii
Console Generation 8: Wii-U
Console Generation 9: Switch
Console Generation 10: Switch 2

Yeah, Switch is Nintendo's 9th generation console. I guess the Swtch 2 is the start of the 10th console generation?

 

[Ozzie666]

Don't think it matters really, all people will do is compare to the same generation, which of course it's weak against. Nintendo has moved well beyond that type of paradigm, marching to their own drum. All they care about is it's an upgrade. It's Nintendo's most current offerring a long line of consoles at the time.

 

[tr1p1ex]

I have a headache now.

 

[Coconutt]

 

[yurinka]

Switch 1: somewhere between the PS3 and PS4 generation.
Switch 2: PS4 generation.

Yeah, Switch is Nintendo's 9th generation console. I guess the Swtch 2 is the start of the 10th console generation?

3203947029304th generation, you forgot to add new generations for Ouya and Souljaboy.

 

[Robb]

It followed the WiiU/3DS, so whatever comes after that.

 

[Kataploom]

It's a 9th gen system in terms of hardware capabilities, just as Switch 1 was a 8th gen hardware as well. Of course I'm not talking about raw performance but actual tech inside following standards (fast SSD, modern GPU, built to use with upscaler, AI, RT, etc.)

 

[EverydayBeast]

Switch never felt like PS5/Series X and Switch 2 is just launching really late plus no one is expecting PS6/Xbox Series X 2 or Nintendos plan beyond the Switch 2. Console generations in general are fascinating, it's good when consoles launch around the same time.

 

[Plies]

It's not even more powerful than the PS3, so 7th generation.

 

[Games Bookstore]

There are many factors you could consider how to classify switch and Nintendo consoles in general.

If you are rating it in terms of straight up graphic prowess then Nintendo stopped chasing that crown since Wii and I would determine it as Gen7 as its more comparable to PS3 and X360 in terms of graphics.

If you are rating it in terms of year of hardware release akin to how we categorise people born in certain time periods (boomers gen x, y, z etc) then it would fall into gen9 (for home consoles).

Give it a generation or 2, I believe factors of dimishing returns, advances in Ai and upscaling will mean negligible perceivable difference between all console offerings.

 

[cireza]

PS360U generation.

Switch 2 will be PS4One generation.

 

[FalconPunch]

PS360U generation.

Switch 2 will be PS4One generation.

Correct. In terms of Nintendos classification, it's their 9th gen system. In terms of technology, it's an 8th gen system. It's better in my opinion to classify by technology than by naming. It allows like devices to be grouped and makes technological comparison possible across the stack.

At the end of the day, the Wii U was a giant failure that might as well not exist.

 

[Baemono]

I believe gens are mostly defined by their games, so the Switch would be gen 8, it didn't get gen 9 games (or almost none), unlike Switch 2.

 

[Hudo]

Generations don't mean anything nowadays.

 

[Esppiral]

While nowhere near as powerful as a PS4 or Xbox One, it was way more powerful than a PS3 or 360, but even though the hardware is lacking, it it contemporary to the PS4 Xbox one gen so you got your answer.

 

[Moses85]

7,5 for the realists
10 for the Fanboys

 

[Kataploom]

Correct. In terms of Nintendos classification, it's their 9th gen system. In terms of technology, it's an 8th gen system. It's better in my opinion to classify by technology than by naming. It allows like devices to be grouped and makes technological comparison possible across the stack.

At the end of the day, the Wii U was a giant failure that might as well not exist.

How is it 8th gen in terms of technology is it literally has everything 9th gen have (PLUS features they don't yet) except for raw performance?

I mean, everything of it screams "9th gen design philosophy", everything, AI, ultra fast SSD, hardware data decompression, RT, there's nothing last gen consoles had that was even comparable lol

 

[Baemono]

How is it 8th gen in terms of technology is it literally has everything 9th gen have (PLUS features they don't yet) except for raw performance?

I mean, everything of it screams "9th gen design philosophy", everything, AI, ultra fast SSD, hardware data decompression, RT, there's nothing last gen consoles had that was even comparable lol

Did you see the poster ?

 

[Soodanim]

Correct. In terms of Nintendos classification, it's their 9th gen system. In terms of technology, it's an 8th gen system. It's better in my opinion to classify by technology than by naming. It allows like devices to be grouped and makes technological comparison possible across the stack.

At the end of the day, the Wii U was a giant failure that might as well not exist.

The graphics whore's approach to game generations.

 

[Kataploom]

The graphics whore's approach to game generations.

Truly graphics whores wouldn't be taking about generations in terms of consoles like putting a number on them, they'd be taking about generations in terms of GPU architectures because they know consoles are budget gaming. So yeah, it's funny to see PS/Xbox fans shitting on Nintendo because of the performance of their machines...

 

[ハトリス]

Switch 2 starts the new gen that Sony will join with PS6.
Generations aren't about technical abilities.

 

[keefged4]

Let's make this clear, generations are basically meaningless.

/Thread.

 

[Ribi]

Considering how Nintendo uses tech, 7th

 

[Baemono]

Considering how Nintendo uses tech, 7th

You had DLSS, VRR, 4k@120hz portable screens during the 7th generation ?

 

[PeteBull]

Nintendo Switch - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The Nintendo Switch is a video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. Released in the middle of the eighth generation of home consoles, the Switch succeeded the Wii U and competed with Sony's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's Xbox One; it also competes with the ninth generation consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Specs wise it was beneath 8gen, but it was succesful enough as a handheld to compete with both 8th and 9th gen of stationary consoles.

Same way og gameboy from 89/90(us eurobros got it year later) even tho specs wise it was similar or even weaker from nes/master system it still competed with snes/megadrive(genesis in the US) and later even psx/saturn/n64.

Game Boy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Ribi]

You had DLSS, VRR, 4k@120hz portable screens during the 7th generation ?

I had phones

 

[hemo memo]

Wii - PS3 - 360
Wii U - PS4 - Xbox One
Switch - PS5 - Series X/S
Switch 2 - PS6 - Xbox?

 

[kruis]

Generations don't matter, but for diehard Nintendo fans they absolutely do and they won't rest until everyone agrees their favorite device is considered part of current gen or even next gen.

 

[Baemono]

I had phones

I had too, got this

 

[hemo memo]

I had too, got this

You charge it once a year. I miss the old days.

 

[Schmendrick]

It´s the 9th Nintendo generation.
However since the different platforms aren´t in sync anymore that means absolutely nothing outside of the Nintendo ecosystem.
The classic term "generation" in the console business implied comparability with direct competitors which has not been the case for over a decade now.

 

[Ribi]

I had too, got this

Oh look the switch 1

 

[Baemono]

Oh look the switch 1

You fool, it's an LG KP 501

 

[Gryllis]

It always felt like a replacement for the abandoned Wii U in the same generation to me - having another crack at it with a better concept. Not a next-gen successor. So 8th generation for me.

Switch 2 feels more like it's part of the PS5 gen than getting the jump on PS6. It'll get plenty of third party games that are on PS5, but I doubt it gets many that are on PS6 (and not cross-gen).

 

[Judge Magister]

Nintendo is at least one generation behind.

 

[Parazels]

With Full HD resolution support Switch 1 is certainly closer to Xbox One, than to Xbox 360.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Switch 1 was the Greatest Generation

Switch 2 will be the Greatest Generation 2

 

[apple_of_enlightenment]

WiiU PS4 XBONE everyone agrees was 8th gen.

Switch doesn't share a gen with another Nintendo console released 5 years prior. Therefore Switch is 9th gen shared with PS5.

Switch 2 is the first of the 10th gen consoles.

 

[Ribi]

You fool, it's an LG KP 501

What's the difference?

 

[hemo memo]

Switch 1 was the Greatest Generation

Switch 2 will be the Greatest Generation 2

Switch 1 was a great console in the worst generation.

 

[Majukun]

it was the 6th generation of portable devices.
it does not mater you can hook it up to a tv, it's still a portable

 

[Baemono]

What's the difference?

It's Korean

 

[Larxia]

Same gen as ps3 / 360 / Wii U

 

[Idleyes]

Console             | Traditionally Gen | Hardware-Based Gen | Reason
--------------------|-------------------|---------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------
Nintendo Switch     | 8th               | 7th or 7.5          | ARM-based, closer to Xbox 360 than PS4 in raw power.
Xbox One / PS4      | 8th               | Start of 9th        | Full x86 PC-like architecture and GPGPU; closer to modern computing.
PS3 / Xbox 360      | 7th               | 7th                 | Complex custom CPUs, but far from x86 structure.
PS2 / Xbox / GC     | 6th               | 6th                 | Custom chips, fixed-function pipelines.
Wii                 | 7th               | 6th (maybe 5.5)     | Basically overclocked GameCube — didn't leap much in tech.
PS5 / Series X      | 9th               | 10th (arguably)     | SSDs, ray tracing, variable refresh rates, DLSS-like features = big architectural shift.