Obi-Wanma

Despite your personal experiences, the PS2 was a hugely successful and beloved console.

fumanstan

I think most people would answer the question thinking about graphics, and the PS1 to PS2 generations was a pretty big leap, especially given the PS1 was the first introduction to 3D and polygons. Those graphics are rough and most games are hard to go back to.

I didn't really think about how great the resume feature is on consoles these days, that actually is a big plus this generation. I still can't imagine voting for the PS3/360 generation since it made so many other features standard like wireless controllers and solidifying online experiences (not just multiplayer, but things like digital stores).

RichC2

Yeah, you're right, the standardizing of HD/16:9 output, Wireless Controllers, Online Stores, Apps and Online Play were defining features for the PS3/360. So I guess I can't really say that was the least impressive leap forward, as it was basically game consoles becoming HTPCs instead of game consoles (despite some of this existing beforehand on the Xbox and lesser so on the PS2). I just found most of that generation really boring.

mattysemo247

Also, this isn't a discussion about the MOST impressive leap. I agree, the Seventh Generation would probably win that with everything the PS3 & 360 brought to the table. It also introduced a completely new format with Blu Ray. Saying that, the Eighth Generation is the LEAST impressive leap IMO, since the biggest thing we got with PS4 & XB1 are better graphics and the resume feature.

fumanstan

Yeah, as a primarily PC guy all the console generations kind of blur and feel like they've been playing catch up to PC anyway. But on the flip side, it made the weak technical specs of the current generation stand out more to me.

Michael Corvin

Minus a couple dozen features as well.

JuryDuty

I agree--have to go with the latest generation. Honestly, I'd still be playing my 360 if several of the titles I love hadn't become "One" only, plus I get backward compatibility. But when I switched, I was expecting a major difference...and it was kinda like...yeah, I guess it is a little better...

mattysemo247

Come on, a couple dozen? What are the notable features that would make it better than the seventh generation?

DVDTalker76

I'm sure a lot of us would like to hear you elaborate on this. I don't like the PS2 personally, but the generational leap overall was as clear as any other.

The Xbox in particular was a hell of a piece of hardware for the time.

Michael Corvin

A lot of what the 360 gets credit for perfecting began with the orginal Xbox. HD gaming, broadband only online gaming, arcade games, a hard drive for updates/DLC.

Exaggerating of course.

bluetoast

Also WTF @ the Dreamcast not being listed in the initial poll.

Dan

I dunno guys... Gen 1 to Gen 2 was pretty basic.
But I do agree, generally, that Gen 7 to Gen 8, while technically the biggest leap in specs, is probably the most imperceptible difference to average folks. Gen 7 allowed for a big bump in graphical improvement and features, and introduced the popularity of small/indie games. So with Gen 8, with all that in place, the only way it can be distinguished from Gen 7 is in regard to graphical improvements of AAA-type games and the re-introduction of VR. That improvement is there, and obvious to those paying attention, but otherwise, I don't think most people care that much. MS tried to push the "cloud computing" thing at the very beginning of Gen 8, and I still kind of wish that was somehow harnessed more (although I kind of get why it wasn't), but technically speaking, that could have worked on Gen 7, too.

Also, for what it's worth, the Switch/PS4Pro/Scorpio generation could be considered Gen 9. In a way, it should be, but that's another discussion altogether.

Michael Corvin

All three should have been what launched Gen 8.

RichC2

I wouldn't consider them Gen 9.

Adam Tyner

All three would've failed due to astronomical price points.

fujishig

I feel like the development costs have skyrocketed with the technology, so you have many smaller studios (and many Japanese studios) staying with seemingly last gen stuff with some minor improvements, or going full retro. That also means AAA games that push the technology take longer to develop... I think EA admitted that part of why the latest Mass Effect game seemed dated is because it was in development for so long. This also means that companies fill the gaps with remakes and re-releases which won't be as impressive to people who owned the last gen.

Otherwise if you take the best of the best, stuff like Horizon Zero Dawn compare to last gen or Breath of the Wild compared to Wii games is a pretty astonishing leap.

fumanstan

Gen 8.5!

Sub-Zero

Thanks for all of the replies.

I wonder if the majority of console gamers also think that the eighth generation of consoles have a less impressive leap in specs and abilities compared to previous generations.

Michael Corvin

Yep, pretty astonishing leap here. It's a wonder how Nintendo pulled it off.