Is it normal that games have frame rate droppings?

Is it normal that (modern) games have frame rate issues? I played on my friend's Xbox 360 and he had similar frame droppings than I. Some games like GTA: IV and FEAR Files just didn't run verysmooth. I said about that and he answered it just lags a bit.

I don't remember anything like that while playing on Gamecube or PS2. Games from the older generations ran much smoother, I think. For me smooth frame rate is even more important than graphics. And btw, some games like GTA III and Temple Run Brave do lag on my Iphone 4S too.

So, please tell me: Is it normal that modern games have noticeable and annoying lag? How big drop in frame rate is "OK"?

I'm just worried that something is wrong with my hardware.

Yes.

Yeah the reason this happens is because consoles hardware now are like 6-7 years old so the games run like… Well.Sh! T. That's why I'm on a PC: D

When you start playing xbox your frame rate will stay at a steady pace, but the more you play it the more it effects the drive. Unfortunately it's something that will always be there, just like the PS3 they suffer from it as well but much worse than xbox does (phew).So yes, it is pretty normal! Nothing to worry about.

It depends.

For example, games like GTA4 and Dragon Age: Origins are built on graphically taxing or unstable engines which can be poorly optimized. This results in frequent framerate drops from a myriad of causes. Poor optimization is usually the biggest reason why framerate drops happen.

Older generation games were not immune to this as well. I remember games as far back as SNES that suffered framerate drops.

If there really was something wrong with your hardware. The difference in videogame performance would be very noticeable, and games could become unplayable. In many games, occasional dip in framerates can be pretty common.