you know, i honestly think that the generation this and generation that regarding consoles is really "The War of Sexy" because the only difference is the graphics, and unfortunately, as a result, that's the only thing they seem to focus on. when i read a review for Persona 2, the dude said that it's a great game that is forgotten amongst the mass of shooters and action(i would say "guts and glory")games. unfortunately, i only own a GBA,a DS, and a PSP, but while it sucks to some, i'm not that bothered by it; the most i've had to pay for a good time is forty dollars.

Metal Gear Solid 4, Grand Theft Auto 4, and Fallout 3

Depends, I don't think Kirby Canvas Curse would be as awesome as it is on the DS. As for home consoles the only thing I can think of is online content.

My only 'next-gen (I hate calling it that after all this time) experiences are Mass Effect, and Killzone 2 (I feel that it couldn't have been that immersive on PS2).

I would add Madworld and Boom Blox to that list. Mirror's Edge and Mass Effect tried a few new things. Little Big Planet wouldn't have been possible in previous generations. I think Harold's point has to do with completely novel design ideas. If you look at the way KZ2 for example was designed, it didn't bring up any novelty beyond graphics and sound.

@Patrick: I agree. I don't think GTA 4 or Fallout 3 are novel in the sense that he means. In previous generations graphics could be the design innovation. Dreamcast and PS2 are when 3D graphics truly arrived (i.e. GTA 3, Shadow of the Colossus.) I agree with Patrick about Boom Blox. That was something specific to this console generation. Similarly, I think PixelJunk Eden and Braid are too. These aren't about graphical upgrading - which is certainly beginning to experience diminishing returns - but rather, its about using the tools available to disseminate games that may not have been possible on PS2, Gamecube, and XBox. I guess it really depends on what you define as a next-gen experience. It's different now; in prior generations it just meant bleeding edge graphics.