One of the biggest highlights in 3D graphics history

One of the biggest highlights in the history of 3D graphics was the fifth era of video game consoles, which was known for its pivotal role in the video game industry's jump from 2D computer graphics to 3D computer graphics.

What distinguished this generation from the fourth generation was 3D polygonal graphics, texture mapping, 3D graphical capabilities such as lighting, Gouraud shading, anti-aliasing, texture filtering and pre-rendered computer animation. 

Gouraud shading was a major leap, with angular shading replaced with a noticeably cleaner look due to having three colours in a section instead of just one colour.

Anti-Aliasing was when a jagged aliased line had the edges blurred, to make the diagonal line look much more realistic and natural, and was a major improvement.

Every generation of consoles has improved upon the one before it, but the fifth generation really set the stage for greater improvements for 3D games, which are now the majority of games produced therefore, I see the fifth generation of consoles as being a highlight of the 3D graphics timeline.