If you could only keep ONE console, which would it be?

[Rick Dangerous]

I've thought about this from time to time. I think ideally i'd always like to have at least 5-10 consoles, if not more, but there is definitely fat that could be trimmed.

 

For some reason these consoles have come to mind for me:

 

XEGS--Depth of A8 Library

 

NES-Everdrive, library, good homebrew

 

Genesis--Ease of collecting, relatively affordable, everdrive, library, good homebrew scene

 

Gamecube--Seems to be built like a tank, some of the best graphics of the era, many good exclusives and ports

 

PS2--Deep library

 

Jaguar--Unique library and homebrew scene.

 

After giving it a lot of thought if I could only keep ONE console it would probably be the gamecube, just because of the ability to put the gameboy player on the bottom and have access the the GB/GBC/GBA library. Plus I have a lot of respect for the gamecube library, I think it's deeper than most give it credit for. Certainly much deeper than the Wii U library. Also it has decent wireless controllers.

 

What about you, and why?

[VectorGamer]

ColecoVision cuz it's the greatest home console of all time

[MockyLock]

'llo

Mine would be the N64, because it's the on i have the more good memories.

The last console i really share play session with my bro before each one followed his own life.

The last console i could feel the "too-long-but-too-exciting" wait for the next game release soon.

The last console i could buy dedicated magazines

[+save2600]

Atari 7800 ProSystem

[AMenard]

Either a SNES or a Genesys. 16bits Rules!

[+-^CrossBow^-]

Yeah..for me it would have to be the Genesis most likely at this point in time. Though I grew up with Atari most of my life, the Genesis was the console and games that brought me back into retrogaming, and is my second largest collection of games next to my Atari stuff. I've thought about this question myself from time to time, and the Genesis is the one system that I always make sure is constantly connected and at the ready.

[Ransom]

If I can still use emulation and/or system changers, then I'd keep the Intellivision. It's the console for which I most prefer using actual hardware (followed by the 5200 and Vectrex). And it can play 2600 games with the adapter.

 

If I can't use emulation and/or system changers, then I'd keep the 2600. It's the best all-around game console ever.

[Omega-TI]

Nostalgia makes it the TI-99/4A for me.

Besides all the new free games that have been coming out for it, the VGA upgrade and with a converter HDMI capability makes it VERY enjoyable to play the many games for it. From an expansion perspective, this machine also has many ways to expand and many of them with new and emerging hardware upgrades. For an old system, it seems exciting and fresh.

[Skippy B. Coyote]

For me it would be the original Wii. There are a small mountain of Wii games I love, and since the Wii is backwards compatible with the GameCube and capable of emulating almost every 8-bit and 16-bit system from the Atari 2600 to the Sega Genesis flawlessly I'd probably have enough to play on the Wii alone to keep me busy for the rest of my life.

[Tanooki]

If it had to be a legit first party console, the Gamecube because of why you said in the opening post -- GC plus all things Gameboy. But I'd rather just have the Gameboy Advance to save even more space as that's already too many games as it is between regions it has been around nearly 20 years from 1989-2008 to the very last licensed title.

 

So much variety there, and since people are throwing everdrives around, if the shady angle is allowed up until the PSP came out it was probably the most versatile emulator based handheld gaming system. NES, SMS, GG, GB and GBC, TG16+CDs, Coleco, various old computers, some arcade emulation too. If that's allowed it gets really insane what you can roll up into it.

[godslabrat]

I suppose I would have to go with the Cube+GBA player combo, as long as I could have the re-releases of all the NES and SNES games that went on the GBA. Hardly a perfect solution, but it’s probably the best bang for the buck if you need to pair it down to one system.

[Gabriel]

I'd probably go with my Genesis. If my 32X and Sega CD were included in the deal then that would just make it a better choice.

[+davidcalgary29]

The only gaming system that would truly give me pain to sell is my Lynx(es).

[KeeperofLindblum]

GameCube feels nice, but I think I'd choose the Super Nintendo.

 

I've always really wanted one (and had one up until preording that Analogue Super NT).

 

Has a lot of great games spread throughout, and if we're playing "add-ons are okay", then you can technically buy those silly NES, Genesis, and GBA add-ons by Retro-Bit!

[+LS650]

It would be a tough call between my Vectrex and my Jaguar. I think ultimately I might lean to keeping the Vectrex.

[Nebulon]

Dreamcast

[NE146]

Yeah.. if emulators count:

 

1. the PSP since it can emu a lot and play PSP games. And these days you can shove in a huge micro SD card with the use of an adapter which opens up the world.

2. The GBA-SP 101 with an Everdrive.. similar to the PSP, except more or less limited to 8-bit emulation, and of course plays GBA games natively

3. Xbox (original) Same reason as all the above.. except console based, so needs a TV

 

I guess all things considered, it'd be the Xbox simply because of the choices. The only thing that beats it is an actual PC, which isn't a console.

 

I will say if the Switch is ever hacked and gets a library of emulators, that would be my de-facto goto choice.

 

-------------------

<Edit> Else, if we're isolating ourselves to a single console and its library.. hard to say. Maybe I'd go 3DS.

Edited January 11, 2018 by NE146

[PFG 9000]

I think it's cheating to pick the Gamecube for the Gameboy Player. That's essentially keeping four consoles. But if we're allowing that kind of stuff, I'd go with my Wii, because it's modded and I have all the major retro platforms on there with a stupidly big number of games, as well as a pretty great controller.

 

If we're talking strictly one console and not counting backwards compatibility or any grey area like that, I'd go with the Lynx. It's what I grew up with and I know there's a ton of great games that I enjoy, and there's also a ton of reputable games that I've never put the proper time into. And because somebody's gotta do something about all these AA batteries they keep making.

[zylon]

Original Xbox because I can put anything else on it that I might want to play.

[dj_convoy]

Genesis does.

[+x=usr(1536)]

Vectrex. I've had the same one since I was nine years old, and there's nothing else out there like it if you're a fan of vector games.

[Punisher5.0]

I'd have to go with a Cart system based purely on longevity. The optical based systems aren't going to last 50 more years if it's my only system. I would pick the SNES. Runner up goes to the Genesis.

[Tanooki]

The GB Player just like the not yet brought up Super Gameboy are both not cheats. They're both legitimate devices that require the base console to function, and those games from the point of those devices hitting the market would even recognize those devices on boot, in the options for color choices, and get notated in the manuals as well. They're totally fair game and part of the choice. I would argue the same on the 32X, Sega CD, PCE/Turbo CD, Jaguar CD too and so on. They're still part of the primary system and require it as your one console.

 

Unlicensed and unsanctioned after party emulators would be the cheat. So like no Wii with the homebrew channel, no PSP busted open, xbox with a fat HDD and whatever else.

[NE146]

Well I put my choices for both scenarios.. so I'm good.

 

Actually now that I think about it if we are indeed limited in such a way.. then the loophole would be the GBA SP 101 with Everdrive

[imstarryeyed]

Sega Saturn for me... I absolutely love that system.. I have almost every US game and like 80 % of all Japanese Games that are US player friendly, and the unique PAL games... so for all that work I would desert island this console for sure!