@thehig1: You're right, maybe I should have asked in 5-year increments but it just seemed like too many options and I got lazy. I hoped the replies would supplement the numbers.

Anyway, my logic was that a game console is "current gen" for 4-5 years, with many not adopting the next gen right away. This, combined with the fact that many people have older sibs who get them into gaming, means anyone in their 20s-30s very likely had exposure to an NES or SNES as a kid (or a similar SEGA). Judging by the responses so far, it seems to be people in their late 20s and up who play, so nothing surprising here.

What I'm looking for are people who weren't naturally exposed to these systems as a kid (maybe grew up with ps2) but ended up getting into them anyway, for whatever reason. My central question being: do those older games have value outside of nostalgia?

You would want to believe so, but the poll is saying otherwise...