I would tend to agree on the 'lasting effect' part. Even if I don't think I could pick a greatest generation myself.

Since I can't edit my first post, I would like to add to it a bit.

I still stick by the impactful games comment. But to add to it, we have to look at what systems brought to the table in the era.

in the 8 bit era, I would say the Nintendo was the most impactful. My reason for that is every modern controller uses and advanced version of the original NES gamepad.

in the 16 bit era, there was no real advancements so beyond impactful games, the systems didn't revolutionize or change anything.

in the 32 bit era, the PS1 was the most impactful because that was the first time a game system was used for more than "just" games. It was the first game system to double as a cd player.

in the 128 bit era, I would give it to the PS2 since they were the first to make the game system a movie player as well as a game machine.

in the PS3/360 era, I would have to give it to the 360 because they were the first console to really push online gaming to relevancy for home game systems. Yes the ps2 and original xbox did it, but not at a prominent level.

the PS4/XBO generation, much like the 16 bit era didn't bring anything new to the table out side of graphics.

And for the record, I have a tough time placing things like VR or Nintendo's motion control right now because Neither is prominent yet. If VR becomes mainstay that changes of course. And Nintendo has toned down on the motion control push.

I think someone's age will naturally affect their favourites. Not just cos of childhood nostalgia but by how much time they can grow attached to games or consoles at a given time.

I kinda missed out on a generation cos I was really busy for a few years. Didn't play nearly as many games or for as long.

I have gamed in every generation so far. For, me it is 360/PS3/Wii generation. The competition was fierce amongst the three, and there was a ton of innovation to what modern games are today.

Next for me was the second generation. Going from simple pong to things like evolution, pac-man, asteroids, centipede, donkey kong, etc. just lit up the possibilities and sent gaming on constant growth.

By their best five games or best twenty games? Or the library overall?

And what about games that were rated highly at the time but are hard to enjoy nowadays for their poor framerates or outdated controls?

The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.

Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.

15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.

Let me be clear. This is sarcasm