There can be only ONE...

[Shannon]

For me it would most definetly be either an Xbox with the biggest posible hard drive or a PC.

 

If a PC that was released around the same time the Xbox was discontinued, then I'd go with that.

 

PC mostly because of emulation, plus it can emulate the more modern systems that the Xbox has trouble with. Plus there is the other usual suspects.. Load it up with music, movies, tv series, whatever...

 

The Xbox is a close second because you can load it up with quite a bit of stuff including music as well. Play Xbox games, plus it can handle alot of the earlier PC titles with MSDOS Box, you can run linux on it, etc.

 

It'd be kinda nice to have some type of PC with the MS developers kit on it as well so I can continually tweak all the Xbox emu's.

[Chickybaby]

Treamcast/Dreamcast because it is portable, can run Emus, has everything from racing, to fps, rpg, even fishing, lol, puzzle games, some classic collections, ddr games, quirky weird games, even ps1 games etc etc. There's such an amazing library plus things like racing wheel, ddr pads, guns, fishing rods, keyboards, mouse etc. and ideally I would probably find a way to mod some kind of hard drive & upgrade modem so I could continue to go online and run an as new as possible os(delving a bit towards the fantasy side anyway). But, it still could keep me quite busy for a very long time. I might be worried about disk condition over time though it's easy enough to make back up copies of games.

 

I can definitely see the appeal of cart based systems due to the known longevity but the DC still edges out the 7800 or PS2 for me.

[BydoEmpire]

I hate to say it, because it's not even in my top 5 favorite consoles, but for sheer quantity AND quality, I'd have to say PS2. Quality games in every genre, tons of compilations for Genny, arcade and 8-bit gaming to satisfy my retro fix, and PS1 compatibility out of the box.

 

I was tempted to pick the Commodore 64 as well. Massive library, practically every genre well represented, lots and lots of unique games, but I think I would miss some of the modern conveniences and newer genres.

[Austin]

I've spent a long time thinking about it, and I guess it would have to be a modded XBOX, for obvious reasons.. ;p

 

Man I love technology!

[Chickybaby]

You are so right. I don't think I could part with my DOS w/ 3.11. Consoles aside that would probably be my computer choice.

Yup Doom, Wolf, Jazz, Anthology. Also have Heretic, Shadow Warrior, Lemmings, Need for Speed, Duke Nukem, Mech Warriors lol, I love that computer. Haven't booted it up for ages since I've been busy with Bean and working on carts but it is definitely overdue for some tlc.

 

 

Putting consoles aside, the next tough choice for me would be my IBM PS/2 286 w/ Windows 3.1

That machine introduced me to great games like Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Xargon, Zone 66, Blake Stone, Jazz Jack Rabit, BOWEP, and the first of the Activision Anthology series.

I miss that computer, a lot. I recently bought another used PS/2, and an unopened copy of Windows 3.1, so i'm hoping I can get some help getting it to run.

 

Now if we were going for handhelds I woudl have to choose the GBA. Because of playing classic GB games and GBC games.

 

I went through this phase where I just kept buying/getting systems and massive amounts of games. While granted it was a looong time ago and there was money then and no child, now I find myself looking through things and realizing I would be just as happy with a lot less. Besides the 7800, Dreamcast, and PS2 I'm ok with the NES, Genesis, Wii, and Colecovision. And for Handhelds the DS, GBA, Nomad, Game Gear. I have the old 3.11 desktop, IPod Touch, and as new as I can afford laptop.

Thankfully though I don't have to choose just one in real life *whew*.

[atarian63]

You are so right. I don't think I could part with my DOS w/ 3.11. Consoles aside that would probably be my computer choice.

Yup Doom, Wolf, Jazz, Anthology. Also have Heretic, Shadow Warrior, Lemmings, Need for Speed, Duke Nukem, Mech Warriors lol, I love that computer. Haven't booted it up for ages since I've been busy with Bean and working on carts but it is definitely overdue for some tlc.

 

 

Putting consoles aside, the next tough choice for me would be my IBM PS/2 286 w/ Windows 3.1

That machine introduced me to great games like Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Xargon, Zone 66, Blake Stone, Jazz Jack Rabit, BOWEP, and the first of the Activision Anthology series.

I miss that computer, a lot. I recently bought another used PS/2, and an unopened copy of Windows 3.1, so i'm hoping I can get some help getting it to run.

 

Now if we were going for handhelds I woudl have to choose the GBA. Because of playing classic GB games and GBC games.

 

I went through this phase where I just kept buying/getting systems and massive amounts of games. While granted it was a looong time ago and there was money then and no child, now I find myself looking through things and realizing I would be just as happy with a lot less. Besides the 7800, Dreamcast, and PS2 I'm ok with the NES, Genesis, Wii, and Colecovision. And for Handhelds the DS, GBA, Nomad, Game Gear. I have the old 3.11 desktop, IPod Touch, and as new as I can afford laptop.

Thankfully though I don't have to choose just one in real life *whew*.

Atari 800 series for me or 7800. plays all the classics I want. Dreamcast would be my close 2nd as it just is the most fun semi modern with emu's for me.3rd would be Turbo grafx16 some many good shooters and others.

Edited November 29, 2009 by atarian63

[atarian63]

The Coleco ADAM. The ultimate early 80's gaming computer imo (and a really cool word processor/printer). There's the ADAM "extended memory" games plus over 200 Colecovision games and with the Expansion Module #1 hundreds of Atari 2600 games that can be played on the ADAM.

You actually got one that worked?

[The_Laird]

I really thought this thread was meant to be which Retro console would you pick and everyone is picking PS2's which are still sold and PC's

[Mirage]

I really thought this thread was meant to be which Retro console would you pick and everyone is picking PS2's which are still sold and PC's

 

Yeah, I thought picking PS2 or a PC with emulation was too easy myself, but it seems it was within the rules, so... Otherwise, I'd have probably picked DC or something like that where I could emulate many old systems (even if not perfectly) and have newer games as well. I'd have excluded emulation, and excluded anything currently sold or sold within the last couple years.

[The_Laird]

It clearly says in the first post that NO CURRENT CONSOLES CAN BE INCLUDED and seen as the PS2 is still being sold and games still being made it must be included in this catagory

[Mirage]

It clearly says in the first post that NO CURRENT CONSOLES CAN BE INCLUDED and seen as the PS2 is still being sold and games still being made it must be included in this catagory

 

Actually, no. He clearly says No current GEN consoles, then goes on to say very clearly that PS2 is okay. I wouldn't choose any currently-sold system or any form of emulation purely out of principle (the question is too easy if you allow those things), but that's not what the OP's rules were.

Edited November 29, 2009 by Mirage1972

[Chickybaby]

I dunno. The Most Current Gen would be PS3, 360, Wii. So, While he is wrong because It does say that PS2 is ok, I can understand Laird's point since they are still making games for PS2 afaik. Dunno if they are still making XBox games or Gamecube though.

 

It clearly says in the first post that NO CURRENT CONSOLES CAN BE INCLUDED and seen as the PS2 is still being sold and games still being made it must be included in this catagory

 

Actually, no. He clearly says No current GEN consoles, then goes on to say very clearly that PS2 is okay. I wouldn't choose any currently-sold system or any form of emulation purely out of principle (the question is too easy if you allow those things), but that's not what the OP's rules were.

It's why my choice is Dreamcast. I don't have any emulation for it (though I would love to have someone help me set that up definitely) and I'm still very happy with it.

[Mirage]

I agree that PS2 should not be included if going by the OP's original sentence. But then he goes on to say that PS2 is okay. So.... I'm just restating what it says in the OP, not making any sort of statement myself about that.

[jeremysart]

You are so right. I don't think I could part with my DOS w/ 3.11. Consoles aside that would probably be my computer choice.

Yup Doom, Wolf, Jazz, Anthology. Also have Heretic, Shadow Warrior, Lemmings, Need for Speed, Duke Nukem, Mech Warriors lol, I love that computer. Haven't booted it up for ages since I've been busy with Bean and working on carts but it is definitely overdue for some tlc.

 

 

Putting consoles aside, the next tough choice for me would be my IBM PS/2 286 w/ Windows 3.1

That machine introduced me to great games like Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Xargon, Zone 66, Blake Stone, Jazz Jack Rabit, BOWEP, and the first of the Activision Anthology series.

I miss that computer, a lot. I recently bought another used PS/2, and an unopened copy of Windows 3.1, so i'm hoping I can get some help getting it to run.

 

Now if we were going for handhelds I woudl have to choose the GBA. Because of playing classic GB games and GBC games.

 

I went through this phase where I just kept buying/getting systems and massive amounts of games. While granted it was a looong time ago and there was money then and no child, now I find myself looking through things and realizing I would be just as happy with a lot less. Besides the 7800, Dreamcast, and PS2 I'm ok with the NES, Genesis, Wii, and Colecovision. And for Handhelds the DS, GBA, Nomad, Game Gear. I have the old 3.11 desktop, IPod Touch, and as new as I can afford laptop.

Thankfully though I don't have to choose just one in real life *whew*.

 

Chicky, I am just getting out of that phase myself . When I moved in to my own place, I started unpacking and realized I had a lot of systems from back in the day. I already had my 2600 woody, 2600 jr., 7800, 400, Intv II & Ecs, Colecovision, Snes, Gamegear, GBA, and N64..

Then I discovered a place in my area that has several vendors that sell classic game consoles.. and of course eBuy.. and over the past 2 years I have accumulated about 30 consoles, 7 handhelds, and 4 vintage pc's

 

But the way I see it, when the time comes that I do have a kid, or decide to suck up my fear of going to a major art school.. I can sell it all off and get some pretty decent cash for it.

[A2600]

The SNES but with the NES at a close second

[Jess Ragan]

"I'm the last man in the world, and this Xbox 360 is the last console. Oh well, at least I have all these wonderful games to play..."

(RROD)

"It's not fair! It's n-not fair! There was time now! There was TIME...!"

[JamesD]

If I could only choose a console and the PS2 is allowed, that would be the one. I didn't care for any consoles before it.

Game selection and quality is why I'd choose it.

 

If a Pentium class machine is allowed I'd choose it. Volume of apps and programming languages would be the reason.

If all Pentiums are excluded then an Amiga would be my first choice for a computer. Probably a 4000.

Expandable, responds like much faster machines for apps, very powerful OS, cool games, and I really liked programming it.

 

The CoCo 3 or Apple IIgs would be the top 8 bit machines.

CoCo 3 for OS-9, 6809, and powerful enough to do this:

 

IIgs for volume of Apps, 65816 (best 6502 anyway), expandability, and CPU upgrades for more speed.

I prefer the CoCo 3 but the IIgs was more expandable so it would be a tough decision.

[BydoEmpire]

Personally I think emulation isn't within the spirit of the question - I mean, why pick any console if you can just pick a slightly old PC or Xbox and emulate everything? But I guess that's a personal choice.

 

If not PS2, I would definitely go c64.

 

I went through this phase where I just kept buying/getting systems and massive amounts of games. While granted it was a looong time ago and there was money then and no child, now I find myself looking through things and realizing I would be just as happy with a lot less.

A couple of years ago I started selling my consoles that I never played, and I don't regret it for a minute. I used the money for a specific purpose, and I concentrate my collecting to the (slightly) fewer systems I actively play.

[accousticguitar]

I'd have to go with the 2600. It has the best controllers ever made, over 400 original releases, around 100 prototypes, and who knows how many hacks and homebrews (with more coming all the time). It's a hard system to beat with the quality hardware and software.

[Rev. Rob]

I think we have this thread come up like once a year.

 

I'd have to be out of my mind to not pick a Windows 7 PC. I can emulate almost anything, still use it for work, and the interwebz.

[OldSchoolRetroGamer]

"I'm the last man in the world, and this Xbox 360 is the last console. Oh well, at least I have all these wonderful games to play..."

(RROD)

"It's not fair! It's n-not fair! There was time now! There was TIME...!"

 

 

He He, nice Twilight Zone reference!

[JamesD]

I think we have this thread come up like once a year.

 

I'd have to be out of my mind to not pick a Windows 7 PC. I can emulate almost anything, still use it for work, and the interwebz.

Check the original machine. Modern machines are excluded.

[JamesD]

I think we have this thread come up like once a year.

 

I'd have to be out of my mind to not pick a Windows 7 PC. I can emulate almost anything, still use it for work, and the interwebz.

Check the original machine. Modern machines are excluded.

Check the original machine? I must have been really tired.

Original post.

[Rev. Rob]

I think we have this thread come up like once a year.

 

I'd have to be out of my mind to not pick a Windows 7 PC. I can emulate almost anything, still use it for work, and the interwebz.

Check the original machine. Modern machines are excluded.

Check the original machine? I must have been really tired.

Original post.

 

Fine, I choose Dreamcast. Emulation on that console is great!

Edited December 1, 2009 by Rev. Rob

[Jess Ragan]

"I'm the last man in the world, and this Xbox 360 is the last console. Oh well, at least I have all these wonderful games to play..."

(RROD)

"It's not fair! It's n-not fair! There was time now! There was TIME...!"

 

 

He He, nice Twilight Zone reference!

 

I'm just amused that I make the joke and you get the rep.