The Ten Greatest Video Game Consoles in History

[Dittohead Servbot #24]

Though I had been working on this for a while, this is also in light of the article recently posted and commented on here. I took the liberty of creating and ranking what I consider to be the Ten Greatest Video Game Consoles in history. Before we begin, here are the ground rules:

 

1. No handhelds or computers--only home consoles that are designed to be connected to the TV count.

2. No Seventh Generation consoles--they still have at least a couple years left in them and it is far too early to tell where any of them rank in overall video game history.

3. I ranked these based on their overall impact in video game history first, with number of consoles sold and library of games also factored in. Another factor is how many key "firsts" the console created. I did not rank the consoles along the lines of "did one console have better games than the other from that generation" as that's a matter of opinion and personal taste.

4. Whenever I refer to "exclusives" (another key factor), I'm referring to not just a single title on one system only, but if a series of titles can only be found on one system. For example, only on the PS1 can ALL MegaMan games from the Fifth Generation be played.

5. Best Selling Game for each console does NOT include launch titles.

 

And with that out of the way, here we go...

 

 

10. Sega Dreamcast

==================

(1999-2002), 11 million consoles sold, 688 games

Launch Title: Sonic Adventure

Best Selling Game: Sonic Adventure 2 (1.4M)

 

After getting stomped in the fifth generation by the PS1 and N64, Sega decided to jump into the sixth generation pool early and created the Sega Dreamcast. It offered 1.2GB GD-ROM discs for its games (double the size of CD-ROMs) and was the first ever video game console to allow not just online gaming, but even Internet access (which would not appear on any other console until the Wii)! At first it looked like Sega had a chance at regaining its former glory from the Genesis era (with the help of the two Sonic Adventure games especially) but the Playstation 2 and the rest of the sixth generation consoles proved to be too much and in early 2002 the Dreamcast officially threw in the towel and Sega became a software only company. Ironically, Sega's mascot, Sonic, would be featured exclusively (until 2004) on Sega's former rival, Nintendo and its GameCube. Nevertheless, the Dreamcast enjoys to this day a strong homebrew community and remains a cult classic.

 

 

9. Microsoft Xbox

=================

(2001-2008), 24 million sold, 948 games

Launch Title: Halo

Best Selling Game: Halo 2 (8M)

 

Facing the same daunting task Sony did six years earlier, Microsoft, known mostly for its software, jumped into the video gaming pool in 2001, launching simultaneously with Nintendo's GameCube. It was the most powerful of the sixth generation consoles overall, offered four controller ports like the GCN, the only sixth generation console to offer a hard drive, and was far and away the most successful in terms of online play, with the PS2 not joining the online gaming revolution until later and the GameCube only offering two games with online capability. It's greatest strength no doubt was in the First Person Shooter genre and this was most fully showcased in its launch title Halo with its sequel, Halo 2, becoming the Xbox's top seller. But the biggest coup for the Xbox was the 2002 purchase of what had previously been Nintendo's staunchest ally, Rareware. Ultimately the Xbox was able to beat the GameCube in the US in terms of consoles sold, size of game library, and its best selling title selling about a million more copies than the GCN's best seller, though it was not nearly as successful in Japan.

 

 

8. Nintendo GameCube

====================

(2001-2006), 21 million consoles sold, 559 games

Launch Titles: Luigi's Mansion

Best Selling Game: Super Smash Bros Melee (7M)

 

Learning their lesson from the previous generation, Nintendo decided their newest machine (Project Dolphin, later called the GameCube) was finally ready for disc-based technology. Its mini-discs could hold about double the size of a CD-ROM and with the cramped space limitations of their previous console's cartridges gone, Nintendo recovered some of the third party support it lost the previous generation to Sony. Not only did the GameCube blow away the PS2 in terms of technical capability, it was nearly as powerful graphically as the Xbox and was $100 cheaper than either of its competitors (due in no small part to the fact that the GCN was a "pure" gaming console without extra features like DVD playability). The most surprising coup was that Sonic, previously Mario's arch-rival, was now a Nintendo exclusive along with the popular Super Monkey Ball games (until 2004). Nintendo also tried to shed its "kiddy/family" image by offering Capcom's Resident Evil series as a GameCube exclusive. Unfortunately for Nintendo, the PS2 still held the edge with their DVD-ROM capability, with its 8.4GB discs offering over five times more storage space and thus SquareSoft and it's Final Fantasy series (and the RPG genre in general) again remained firmly in Sony's camp. But Nintendo more than made up for it with not just their usual outstanding first party titles, such as the launch title Luigi's Mansion (first time Luigi, not Mario launched a Nintendo console), Super Smash Bros Melee, Super Mario Sunshine, Zelda Wind Waker, Mario Kart Double Dash, Metroid Prime (and its sequel), and Animal Crossing but offering several capabilities that their competition just couldn't offer. For instance, the Game Boy Player (2003) allowed all Game Boy/Color/Advance games to be played on the TV, the Game Boy Advance could be used as an extra controller in some games, and of course the only wireless controller of the sixth generation, the Wavebird.

 

 

7. Nintendo 64

==============

(1996-2002), 33 million consoles sold, 308 games

Launch Title: Super Mario 64

Best Selling Game: Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2.5M)

 

Dubbed "Project Reality" when in the planning stages, the Nintendo Ultra 64 (later to become simply Nintendo 64) was called that because Nintendo wanted their next generation (fifth generation) console to completely blow away their 32 bit competitors and be on par with the supercomputers of that time. But even more surprising, the N64 debuted in 1996 not at the $250 originally promised, but a mere $200 (but unfortunately no pack-in game this time); $100 cheaper than the PS1. It was the first ever console with a true 64-bit processor and though the PS1 could do more polygons per second, the N64 had superior graphical capabilities overall. It was also the first ever console to offer a true analog stick controller (though a few games used the D-pad instead or as an alternative) and standard four controller ports. In a controversial move however, Nintendo chose to stick with cartridges for their 64-bit console. The key advantages to the cartridges were faster load times, ability to save on the cartridge (though the N64 could use a memory card too), and of course the sturdiness of the cartridges. But the fact that N64 cartridges could only hold 10% what the PS1's CD-ROMs could hold (640MB vs 64MB) resulted in Nintendo losing the vast majority of its third party support, especially SquareSoft and the RPG genre in general. It didn't help that cartridges were far more expensive to make than CDs, thus more third parties were more willing to take a chance on the PS1's cheaper CD-ROMs. The end result was a library that was less than half that of either the NES and SNES. But what the N64 lacked in quantity, it made up for in quality and were able to create some of the greatest video games ever created, including Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Zelda Ocarina of Time, and Zelda Majora's Mask. But with Rareware by their side, they too added some outstanding exclusives such as Donkey Kong 64, Banjo Kazooie, Banjo Tootie, and GoldenEye 007.

 

 

6. Sony Playstation 2

=====================

(2000-present), 144 million+ consoles sold, 1800+ games

Best Selling Game: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (17M)

 

Though the PS1 was a smashing success and would ultimately stick around for six more years, Sony was not one to rest on their laurels and thus in 2000, released the Playstation 2. It was the first ever console to offer DVD-ROM technology and even played regular DVD movies right on the console which was a huge selling point as DVDs were still only a few years old at the time. Sony continued to hold their biggest edge in the RPG genre (especially SquareSoft and their Final Fantasy franchise) but their most notable exclusive series was the Grand Theft Auto series (San Andreas being the PS2's top seller overall). Another key edge for Sony is that it is the first console since the Atari 7800 to be (almost) fully compatible with it's previous generation PS1 games right out of the box (the Genesis needed an optional accessory) and even offered the options of Texture Smoothing and Faster Load Times for PS1 games (though they didn't work well for all games). It has by far sold more consoles (enough for just under half the US population to own one) and offered more game titles than any other video game console, with the console still active even four years after the release of the Playstation 3; about the same time both Nintendo and Microsoft dropped support of their sixth generation consoles pretty much cold turkey after their seventh generation consoles were released.

 

 

5. Sega Genesis

===============

(1989-1996), 29 million consoles sold, 915 games (146 Sega CD, 34 32X, five CD-32X)

Launch Title: Altered Beast

Best Selling Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (6M)

 

With the NES single handedly having a virtual monopoly on the video game market during the remainder of the 1980s, Sega knew that if they could not beat the NES on their 8-bit turf with the Sega Master System, they must up the ante with a next generation console and thus the 16-bit era (or fourth generation) was born with the debut of the Sega Genesis. With near perfect arcarde ports now possible thanks to the better graphics, as well as the raw horsepower (CPU speed or "blast processing" as they liked to call it) that both totally blew away the NES, and with all the celeberty based games (mostly sports games but even including one Michael Jackson starred in and helped produce!) the Genesis truly did what "Nintendon't". But the Genesis would not truly take off and pose it's greatest threat until they unleashed their own mascot to rival Nintendo's Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog in 1991. In addition to their Sonic games, the Genesis also had the edge in sports titles (the now famous Madden football series made its console debut in 1990 on the Genesis) with the help of their faster CPU, and made their mark also by offering Mortal Kombat uncensored (with red blood versus the SNES version's infamous "sweat") which caused the SNES to have no choice but to drop their traditional family friendly image by making the last two Mortal Kombats uncensored for the SNES. The Genesis even saw the addition of the Power Base Converter (played most Master System games on the Genesis), the Sega CD (one of the first ever CD-ROM based "consoles") in 1992 with somewhat modest success (but was clearly too ahead of its time), and the short lived 32X in 1994 that while it looked promising at first, did not live up to near its full potential due to it being released too close to the upcoming Saturn. The Genesis to this day remains an absolute classic console well loved by classic gaming fans, though of course Nintendo wasn't going to let the Genesis have all the fun during the fourth generation, so along came...

 

 

4. Super Nintendo Entertainment System

======================================

(1991-1998), 49 million consoles sold, 725 games

Launch Titles: Super Mario World

Best Selling Game: Donkey Kong Country (8M)

 

Originally Nintendo was perfectly content with letting the NES go on and be a fixture in homes for many years to come. But even with the smashing success of Super Mario Bros 3 in 1990, the Genesis was quickly becoming a threat thus forcing Nintendo's hand and leaving them with no choice but to come up with a 16-bit console of their own. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System was released in 1991 (just after Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog) and thus what most consider the greatest console war ever (and some consider the Golden Age of Video Games) was born. Though the SNES lacked the horsepower (CPU speed) the Genesis had, it more than made up for it with its superior graphics and sound capablities (especially the Mode 7 and the 32,768/256 color palette that dwarfed the Genesis' 512/64 palette). And just like the NES, they were able to push the SNES more with special chips inside the cartridges such as the Super FX which made 3D polygonal graphics possible (StarFox) and Capcom's C4 chip which made vector graphics possible (MegaMan X2 and X3). But of course with the help of Rareware, they used 3D rendering to create beautiful graphical masterpieces such as the Donkey Kong Country Trilogy and Ken Griffey Jr's Winning Run. This on top of the outstanding first party titles such as Super Mario World, Super Mario All-Stars, Zelda Link to the Past, Super Metroid, and Capcom's MegaMan and Street Fighter games (both SNES exclusives). And last but not least, they had a huge edge in the RPG genre with all the SquareSoft RPGs such as the Final Fantasy series, Super Mario RPG, and the masterpiece Chrono Trigger all exclusive to the SNES. But this RPG monopoly would not last as another console single handedly snatched most of them (including all of SquareSoft) right out from under Nintendo's nose...

 

 

3. Sony Playstation 1

======================

(1995-2006), 102 million consoles sold, 1100 games

Best Selling Game: Grand Turismo (11M)

 

Originally started as a CD accessory for the SNES to compete with the Genesis' Sega CD, the deal between Sony and Nintendo ultimately fell through and not wanting to let such good technology go to waste, Sony decided to try using the technology from the proposed SNES addon and make a console of its own. It was a very risky move, because Sony was a home entertainment company (TVs, VCRs, stereos, and the like) and had no experience in video games whatsoever. The Sony Playstation was released in 1995 to compete with the Sega Saturn and took the video gaming world by storm. Not only was it $100 cheaper than the Saturn, but it was much easier to program for. And with the new CD-ROM technology which could hold a whopping 640MB per disc (ten times more space than N64 cartridges), it created much more room for things like voice acting and cut scenes which caused the RPG genre to move from mostly the SNES's domain to the PS1's; the most notable of which was the Final Fantasy series; which took up to 3-4 discs each!). Furthermore, the discs were much cheaper to make than cartridges causing third parties to be more willing to take a chance on the PS1. Consequently, Nintendo would lose the vast majority of its third party support that it had the previous two generations in general. Even MegaMan, previously exclusive to the NES and SNES, was snatched up and the PS1 was the only console to offer all the MegaMan games from the fifth generation. But unlike Nintendo or Sega, Sony chose to let only third parties create the software and didn't create any first party titles for itself, though it did try to make Crash Bandicoot its unofficial mascot. Though Crash didn't work out as Sony's mascot, it did become by far the PS1's most popular series. Even with the release of the PS2 in 2000, Sony continued support of the PS1 (including a smaller version called the PSOne released at the same time as the PS2) for another six years. In the end, the PS1 would end up with the largest library of software of any gaming console (until the PS2 broke that record); over 100 more games than even the Atari 2600 and became the first ever console to sell over 100 million systems.

 

 

2. Atari 2600

=============

(1977-1991), 30 million consoles sold, 970 games

Lanuch Title: Combat

Best Selling Game: Pac-Man (7M)

 

Though it was not the first ever video game console (Odyssey) or the first ever cartridge based console (Fairchild Channel F), the Atari 2600 was the first truly great video game console and unquestionably started the video game craze. Although the console was obviously quite priminative (the CPU was just under 1.2MHz; and most cartridges were only 4KB in size), clever programmers figured out special tricks and other ways to truly push the console to its limits. It was the first console to include games with hidden secrets (Adventure was the first), games produced by a third party (Activision), as well as the first console to make home versions of arcade games practical (Space Invaders was the most notable; Pac-Man on the 2600 didn't go over so well though). The Atari 2600 was so popular that in the early 80s, even non video game companies tried their luck with creating video games (Johnson & Johnson, Chuckwagon Dog Food, Kool-Aid to name a few) though the games themselves weren't always all that great. Unfortunately, the overwhelming number of software titles (and with it the increasing number of not-so-good games), which started out as Atari's calling card (as opposed to the previous one-game-only consoles) ended up almost killing the video game industry in 1983-84. But from the ashes of the Phoenix came the greatest home video game console ever...

 

 

1. Nintendo Entertainment System

================================

(1985-1994), 62 million consoles sold, 768 games

Launch titles: Duck Hunt, Gryonite, Super Mario Bros

Best Selling Game: Super Mario Bros 3 (18M)

 

Though the Atari 2600 may have been what really started the video game craze, it was the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that saved video games from being nothing more than a passing fad and lead it to become the multi-billion dollar industry it is today. To convince very skeptical retailers, Nintendo offered not only to buy up all unsold consoles, but used a robot accesory and the design of the console itself (to more resemble a VCR) to make it appear not like a typical video game console, but to resemble both a toy with the robot and to also appear more like a serious home entertainment system with the front loading design (hence the name). Furthermore, their strict licensing and quality controls ensured that the glut of too many Atari 2600 games which lead to its demise would not be repeated for the NES. Though the robot didn't pan out (only two games were released for it) and the VCR-like design caused some problems with games not always working properly (72 pin connector wearing out over time and dirty cartridges being the main culprit), the NES was a surprisingly smashing success. It no doubt created more "firsts" for home video game consoles than any other in history--such the Zapper and Duck Hunt, the first side scrolling adventure with hidden secrets (Super Mario Bros), first games that saved your progress with either passwords (Metroid; also first game with both horizontal and vertical scrolling and first true female video game protagonist) or battery backup (Zelda) as well as the first home video games with endings. Even some more recent video game accessories such as Dance Dance Revolution and the Wii Remote can trace their roots back to NES accessories (Power Pad and Power Glove respectively). The NES was also the first ever console to allow four player play with the help of the Four Score or the Satellite. At the NES's peak popularity, 1 in 3 households had an NES and playing video games was also called simply "playing Nintendo". Furthermore, at Mario's peak popularity, he was recognized by more school children than Mickey Mouse or Bugs Bunny! Finally, even many of today's most popular and enduring video game franchises all got their starts with the NES; including Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, MegaMan, Castlevania, Dragon Warrior/Quest, Final Fantasy, Ninja Gaiden, Metal Gear, and many more. Even when the SNES was released, Nintendo not only kept the NES going for another three years (and released the popular top loader NES in 1993 to make games much easier to load/boot up) but even encouraged SNES owners in the owner's manual to have both consoles connected together to the same TV so both could be played.

 

 

I'll also include a little later exactly why I ranked the consoles as I did.

Edited June 8, 2010 by Dittohead Servbot #24

[DickNixonArisen]

I don't personally like the PS, but I can't argue it was a big deal. The 64, I think, is an overrated system. A recent poll in nintendo power showed that it was the first system of many people who are active in game collecting and culture at the moment. I believe nostalgia is swaying them in a way that is unsustainable and that the system's halo will eventually fade.

 

All together though, not a bad list. Here come the quibbles. Samus was most certainly not the first female protagonist in a game! Ms. Pac-man or earlier. Definitely not the first game with both vertical and horizontal scrolling (sinistar? probably much earlier?) Mario and DK didn't start on the NES. I don't believe metal gear did either (SMX version?). Secret quest on the atari used passwords for save games. SMB was not the first platformer with hidden secrets. better post this now and continue in another post since others are probably busy doing the same thing as I am doing even as I type

[tsgthesportsgamer]

Wow, thats a very thought out list. I guess I can't disagree with it that much, you pretty much nailed it for the most part. I don't think the challenge here is really picking the top 10 as much as ranking them. Per your rules, I'd agree on the ten you picked.

 

I'd probably put the PS2 a bit higher, and higher than the PS1. The PS2 really dominated its era. It launched before both the Xbox and Gamecube and is still ticking 3-4 years after those consoles fizzled out. The PS2 showed us something not seen since the NES - Domination and staying power. I don't think it'll end up eclipsing the 2600's long run, but who knows. The game library is massive, littered with classics. I think the knock for the PS2 these days is it is played out - it's not become a classic system yet because it's hanging on with sports rehashes and kiddie games (though Sakura Wars and the latest Syphon Filter PSP port are worth checking out). To some people it's kind of become a joke with how long it's held up. That and the majority of people who played a PS2 have gone on to the current-gen and are far more wowed with it. I think it's harder for people to play last-gen games as it is to either play current-gen or go back at least a couple generations to some true retro. It might take a few years for people to really look back and see the PS2 for what it was.

 

The only other suggestion is maybe pushing the Dreamcast up a few notches. Somewhat of a failure in a sense, but such an innovator, especially with graphics and online play (as well as some very unique titles). It's also held its own as a true fan system that gamers can appreciate, I think moreso than the Gamecube or Xbox.

 

Just my thoughts. Good read.

[DickNixonArisen]

I also wouldn't call the DC homebrew scene "strong" right now. No disrespect meant at all to programmers who put hard work in to provide their community with new material, but it ain't exactly popping with great new titles, nor do I expect it to be.

 

Also, I'm as big a Nintendo fan as you can find (as long as you don't look TOO hard), but I'd hardly agree that nintendo had a strict quality assurance policy for game content. There was plenty of what we'd now call shovelware on the system.

 

Not picking on you, I actually like your top ten list better than most. Just pointin' out!

[tsgthesportsgamer]

The 64, I think, is an overrated system. A recent poll in nintendo power showed that it was the first system of many people who are active in game collecting and culture at the moment. I believe nostalgia is swaying them in a way that is unsustainable and that the system's halo will eventually fade.

 

Weird to think that. I guess I'm "old" at 28, but I started with the NES - I actually never have had an N64, though I imagine I'll get one for cheap one of these days to round out my modern console collection. I do agree that it is and always was overrated for the time. I wonder how many people 25-50 have "graduated" from game collecting/culture over the past decade or so? I hope I don't ever feel like leaving my gaming passion behind.

 

Oh - and just to add to your shovelware comment, I agree. People talk about current possible rares on the Wii (gotta love the speculators), and so many people talk about how even if some shovelware titles end up being rare down the line, no one would want them anyway. Then you look at some of the rarest NES games, and a lot of it is shovelware crap. That said, I have a hard time believing their will be Wii completists out there...that's just too crazy. Don't mean to offend anyone though, more power to you if you have something like that in mind.

Edited June 8, 2010 by tsgthesportsgamer

[mbd30]

"Samus was most certainly not the first female protagonist in a game! Ms. Pac-man or earlier."

 

Was Samus the first human female protagonist in a game?

 

There's "Cabbage Patch Kids" for Colecovision from 1984. Pretty close to being a female human protagonist, I guess.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anpjRg0WaiU

[DickNixonArisen]

Weird to think that. I guess I'm "old" at 28, but I started with the NES - I actually never have had an N64, though I imagine I'll get one for cheap one of these days to round out my modern console collection. I do agree that it is and always was overrated for the time. I wonder how many people 25-50 have "graduated" from game collecting/culture over the past decade or so? I hope I don't ever feel like leaving my gaming passion behind.

 

Oh - and just to add to your shovelware comment, I agree. People talk about current possible rares on the Wii (gotta love the speculators), and so many people talk about how even if some shovelware titles end up being rare down the line, no one would want them down the line. Then you look at some of the rarest NES games, and a lot of it is shovelware crap. That said, I have a hard time believing their will be Wii completists out there...that's just too crazy. Don't mean to offend anyone though, more power to you if you have something like that in mind.

 

I hear you man! I am also 28. I can imagine a future where I play games much less frequently because I have reproduced and need to pay attention to offspring, but I don't really ever want to get rid of my stuff. Not until I'm in the nursing home, and can't beat LOZ anymore because I keep forgetting where every palace is.

 

Wii completists? Crazy, but I'm sure it'll happen. There are very few systems for which a complete set is feasible for most people, anyway. 2600 is pretty rough! The virtual boy must be the easiest, I imagine. Many rare games are rare because the system was just about to retire and so the game sold poorly, but was decent due to the fact that programmers had plenty of time to learn the ins and outs of the system. Thusly, the games have both good quality and poor sales, which is a decent recipe for making a desirable collectible game. I personally love Baroque, which isn't around much, is very unpopular, and I think is really good. It's on two other systems though, so that's got to hurt its potential future value.

 

No Fucking way I'm going to start a collection of build-a-bear's to trade away on the Wiiage forums twenty years hence.

[DickNixonArisen]

Yep, and mommy kangaroo too

[tsgthesportsgamer]

No Fucking way I'm going to start a collection of build-a-bear's to trade away on the Wiiage forums twenty years hence.

 

lol, that's classic. That's exactly what I'm thinking. I actually have a pretty sizeable Wii collection (40 titles) and once thought of just making it larger for the heck of it - seeing as in a few years I'd have a big head start on Wii collecting. But there is so much garbage on that console not worth having and I imagine those build-a-bears will be pennies on the dollar down the road.

 

Anyway, don't mean to stray from the topic at hand, shovelware is definitely something to keep in mind when we look back on the Wii in a few years time and also maybe when you look at the NES. I remember crappy games for every console really, but shovelware is a rather new term that's come about with the Wii. Do you decide to hold it against that console...that's the real argument.

[DickNixonArisen]

 

Anyway, don't mean to stray from the topic at hand, shovelware is definitely something to keep in mind when we look back on the Wii in a few years time and also maybe when you look at the NES. I remember crappy games for every console really, but shovelware is a rather new term that's come about with the Wii. Do you decide to hold it against that console...that's the real argument.

 

It does seem to be a pretty new term, and it's a pretty colorful one if you think about it. I love the NES but I just can't pretend there aren't plenty of projects that should never have seen the green light on the system.

 

I don't choose to hold it against the Wii for this reason: Nobody makes me buy those games, and they don't make the good games any harder to find. Concede for a moment the extance of two wholly fantastical systems, the Sega Amaranth and the Nintendo Asafoetida. The first console has 3,700 total titles, 110 of which rate above 85% on Metacritic. The second platform offers only 300 titles, with 52 that rate above 85% on Metacritic. Despite the proliferation of pap on the Amaranth, it still boasts 58 more great titles than its archrival.

 

As a collector in the secondary market, however, I'd understand your rage at finding 348 copies of "Gilbert Gottfried's Great Golf" for every copy of the brilliant rpg/shooter hybrid "Heaven's Tears: Chartreuse Ninja Blast"

Edited June 8, 2010 by DickNixonArisen

[malducci]

The N64 shouldn't even be on that list. It wasn't the first game console to have an analog joystick. Might have been the first one to have it packed in, maybe. Other than that, there's nothing significant about the n64 compared to the Saturn and PlayStation - other than the retarded move by Nintendo to stick with carts and the fanboys that always try to back up that decision was some sort of excuse.

 

Take off the N64 and put on the PC-Engine. Or TG16 if you're sticking to US only systems. It was the first gaming console to feature a CD drive. Even in the US if you go by that date.

Edited June 8, 2010 by malducci

[Dittohead Servbot #24]

Okay, first come answers to some common questions:

 

1. Female protagonist: Slapping a bow, lipstick, and freckles on a Pac-Man really doesn't count. And Cabbage Patch Kids aren't a video game character. So Samus Aran gets the credit for first true female protagonist on a home video game console. And I remember seeing one "all time video game characters" list (on Yahoo I think) that had Lara Croft on there but not Samus!! That'd be the equivalent of having an "all time comic book characters" list including some recent female character but yet leaving out Wonder Woman!! And I do consider Samus to be the Wonder Woman of video games.

 

2. Passwords--I didn't know there existed an Atari 2600(?) game with passwords; I didn't think they could fit on a tiny 4KB cartridge. But you could say the NES is there passwords came into regular practical use.

 

3. Other questions regarding firsts--I meant the first to be featured on a home console; being in arcades first doesn't count. Or at the very least, it was the first game to truly make that "first" really successful.

 

And now, why I ranked the consoles as I did.

 

* Why N64 over GCN?

That one was the toughest call; it practically could've been a draw. The GCN had more titles, more interesting/useful accessories and more blue chip titles. But I chose the N64 because it sold more consoles than the GCN, was clearly more powerful than anything else up to that time point (but the cartridge format made it much more difficult to push that technology to its limits) and it had several of what most consider among the greatest and/or most ground breaking games ever, especially Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time. That is, the GCN may have had more blue chip games, but the ones on N64 were truly ground breaking.

 

* Why is the PS2 ranked so low if it sold the most consoles and had the most games?

Quantity isn't everything. Overall historical impact as well as key "firsts" in home video game console history take priority. And I ranked the PS1 way above it because there wouldn't have been a PS2 without the huge success of the PS1. And up until the PS2, the PS1 blew away the record for most consoles sold and most game titles offered. Plus it was the first truly successful CD-ROM based console which allowed space for things like voice acting and more elaborate cutscenes.

 

* How did the Genesis and SNES beat the PS2 but not PS1?

Obviously the Genesis and SNES belonged side by side as they were unquestionably the greatest ever console war. Just like the NES and Atari 2600 in their generations, the PS1 stood out so much above everyone else in their generation (though the N64 gave some pretty decent competition), made the disc format for games successful, and at the time held the record for most consoles sold and game titles offered. The PS2 did beat those records and was the first to offer DVD-ROM format, but I think the Genesis/SNES (especially together) had a far greater impact on video gaming history.

 

* How did the NES beat the Atari 2600?

Because although the 2600 is what first made video games popular, the NES is what saved the video games industry from just being a fad and becoming the multi-billion dollar industry you see today. The NES pioneered and started so many different things and so many top franchises got their home video game console starts on it. And the NES and its games/characters I believe had a far greater impact on pop culture than even the Atari 2600 did, and that was tough to beat!

[Dittohead Servbot #24]

The N64 shouldn't even be on that list. It wasn't the first game console to have an analog joystick. Might have been the first one to have it packed in, maybe. Other than that, there's nothing significant about the n64 compared to the Saturn and PlayStation - other than the retarded move by Nintendo to stick with carts and the fanboys that always try to back up that decision was some sort of excuse.

 

Take off the N64 and put on the PC-Engine. Or TG16 if you're sticking to US only systems. It was the first gaming console to feature a CD drive. Even in the US if you go by that date.

 

First, the Saturn. Though the Saturn certainly looked quite promising when it was being developed and released, it only lasted three years (it was discontinued at least year before even the Dreamcast!), it only sold 9M consoles (a very distant third behind the 33M N64's sold), and it didn't even have a true Sonic game (a beefed up port of Sonic 3D Blast, a racing game, and an "All-Stars" game was all you got). You might also want to read my "Top Five Reasons You Can't Blame..." post regarding the N64 using cartridges. And the N64 was the first ever console to feature a standard (not optional accessory) analog joystick controller--the Atari 5200 tried to make one (I think) but it definitely couldn't get it right.

 

As for the TG-16, it sold a very meager 2.5M consoles in the US, was definitely not a true 16-bit console, and barely made a dent in the US market at all (my list was based on the US video game market, mostly).

 

So clearly the N64 is far, far more deserving to be on the list than either of the consoles you mentioned. Check and mate.

Edited June 8, 2010 by Dittohead Servbot #24

[JerryTerrifying]

The N64 shouldn't even be on that list. It wasn't the first game console to have an analog joystick. Might have been the first one to have it packed in, maybe. Other than that, there's nothing significant about the n64 compared to the Saturn and PlayStation - other than the retarded move by Nintendo to stick with carts and the fanboys that always try to back up that decision was some sort of excuse.

 

Take off the N64 and put on the PC-Engine. Or TG16 if you're sticking to US only systems. It was the first gaming console to feature a CD drive. Even in the US if you go by that date.

 

First, the Saturn. Though the Saturn certainly looked quite promising when it was being developed and released, it only lasted three years (it was discontinued at least year before even the Dreamcast!), it only sold 9M consoles (a very distant third behind the 33M N64's sold), and it didn't even have a true Sonic game (a beefed up port of Sonic 3D Blast, a racing game, and an "All-Stars" game was all you got). You might also want to read my "Top Five Reasons You Can't Blame..." post regarding the N64 using cartridges. And the N64 was the first ever console to feature a standard (not optional accessory) analog joystick controller--the Atari 5200 tried to make one (I think) but it definitely couldn't get it right.

 

As for the TG-16, it sold a very meager 2.5M consoles in the US, was definitely not a true 16-bit console, and barely made a dent in the US market at all (my list was based on the US video game market, mostly).

 

So clearly the N64 is far, far more deserving to be on the list than either of the consoles you mentioned. Check and mate.

 

The Saturn is one of the most innovative consoles of all time. It can do everything a modern console can do.

 

The Saturn was the first console to officially support online multiplayer co op and competitive play with the Netlink and also had web browsing software. Which still works today, and for free except for any long distance rates.

 

 

That's a link to my hour long video about the netlink, showing actuall online footage recorded in May of this year.

 

You could use a Floppy drive to back up saves. Some games saved directly to the floppy drive. In Japan it had a fully featured text editor that would work with it too. Ever wonder about that extra port on the back of the Saturn? That's where the floppy drive was attatched.

 

There was a video expansion card that allowed playback of Video CDs and photo CDs.

 

There was even a Saturn with a mini LCD screen and GPS functionality. You'd have to keep the parking break on to access the GPS unit though. You know to keep people from playing a Saturn while driving. Seriously...GPS navigation software in 1997 on the Sega Saturn. Awesome.

 

The N64 had some sweet games featuring licensed Nintendo Characters but the Sega Saturn was the most innovative system that generation. By far. The biggest factor killing it was Bernie Stohler and all the in fighting at Sega of America and Sega of Japan. Had they pushed RPGs harder in the states they could have had a real chance at at least giving the N64 a run for its money.

 

Also you list total sales as a reason the N64 is better than other consoles. Twilight New Moon sold a whole lotta movie tickets...but it sure as hell ain't good. Popularity and sales do not equal quality or worth.

Edited June 8, 2010 by JerryTerrifying

[JerryTerrifying]

I couldn't come up with a top 10. I like consoles that support multiple formats so it consolodates my list quite a bit. Also it makes it different from the usual lists you see. This is all crap I own.

 

07. Neo Geo AES

It's awesome. The carts are huge and smell like solder. It's by far the most macho game system of all time.

 

06. Playstation 3 (60gb)

I'd only put the 60gb model on this list. It can function as a PC with a Distro of linux, assuming you haven't updated your firmware recently. So that option still exists for a few.

 

It allows me to play every playstation game I've ever bought. That's pretty amazing. I also use it to stream music and video from my PC as well as a blu ray player making it a very competent media machine.

 

05. Sega Saturn

some of my absoloute all time favorite games are on this system. It's easy to mod and add a region switch too opening up an entire new world of amazing. It was the most innovative console of its time and Im an active netlinker and still use it to play online Bomberman. ONLINE.BOMBERMAN.FOR FREE. Spectacular.

 

04. Sega CDX

I love the Sega CD. It has amazing wonderful games. Snatcher is a master piece and this machine being able to play that game is enough to put it high up on the list. The Sega CDX is small, sleek and sexy. It's not quite as cool looking as the model 1 genesis/model 1 Sega CD but it comes close. It definitely frees up some room on your system rack and you only need one AC adapter. It's ugly but you can even plop a 32X on there if you're so inclined.

 

03. Laseractive with the Sega and NEC PACs

I'm a big fan of Laserdiscs as a video format. They look wonderful and are fun to collect. The Pioneer CLD A-100 Laseractive is one of the most amazing consoles I've ever owned. With the Sega PAC I can play Mega LD games on Laserdiscs, Sega CD games and Sega Genesis Carts. Swapping it out for the NEC PAC I can play Turbo LD games on laserdisc, Hu Cards and any region Turbo CD/PCE CD games. It might be the hugest game console of all time but damn if it doesn't support a hell of a lot of different formats of video game software awesomeness.

 

02. Super Nintendo

Legend of Zelda LttP, Donkey Kong Country, Super Marip RPG, Super Metroid...come on. This thing's great. Even if it's hideous.

 

01. Nintendo

Really, almost everyone puts the NES as the best console of all time. We've all heard it a million times.

Edited June 8, 2010 by JerryTerrifying

[The_Laird]

I don't agree with any of that list but hey its personal opinion.

 

The NES wouldn't even make my list neither would the SNES either. Not a fan of modern consoles at all but I would probably include the 360 for XBL. My list would be very Atari & Sega centric.

[Nukey Shay]

http://www.atariage.com/screenshot_page.html?SoftwareLabelID=25

[DickNixonArisen]

Good point, 2600 was the first system to feature adult content. That's gotta count for SOMETHING.

 

Sure Ms. Pac-man counts! You may as well say that Ken isn't a real character because he was a palette swap of Ryu. Luigi too, come to think of it.

 

And as I said, the kangaroo from Kangaroo was a female. Not really a compelling character by any means, of course. Actually though, you read that in my essay. Ok. Then you also read that I'm a big Samus fan, so you'll get no argument.

[NE146]

How about that mommy pig in Pooyan?

[high voltage]

Wow, many errors, I correct some already:

 

The NES didn't create many firsts at all, maybe one innovation was the built-in microphone in the Famicom joypad

 

first 4 controller ports were on Atari 5200 (1982) (and Atari 400/800 in the 70s)...not N64

first true analoge sticks: Interton VC 4000 (1978), Atari 5200 (1982), Vectrex (1982), many Pong consoles in the 70s.....not N64

first Battery backup in cartridge: Dragonslayer on the Epoch Super Cassettevision (1984)....not NES

shooting gun accessory: numerous Pong consoles throughout the 70s.....not NES

female: you could say the selectable female character in Ghost Manor (VCS,1982)...Ms. Pac-Man actually counts....so NES loses again

first video game with endings: try on VCS Pitfall, Pitfall 2, Smurfs etc...not NES

accessories: on VCS: Exus Video Jogger/Reflex complete with jogging mat, Amiga Joyboard, Milton Bradley's accessories for VCS.....not NES

first online gaming or downloadable games: Intellivision

first 4-player on 2 port console: VCS paddles....not NES

'let's play Atari', was already coined before 'play Nintendo'

 

internet access: already happened on Genesis and SNES years earlier before DC

 

Actually, launched in 1977 the Atari VCS CPU was not primitive at all, but Nintendo were still hammering out primitive Pong consoles

 

 

BTW, the quality control sticker on NES games only meant the cart works in said console, nothing more (you obviously haven't seen the 'glut' of bad games on NES).

Edited June 8, 2010 by high voltage

[high voltage]

I couldn't come up with a top 10. I like consoles that support multiple formats so it consolodates my list quite a bit. Also it makes it different from the usual lists you see. This is all crap I own.

 

07. Neo Geo AES

It's awesome. The carts are huge and smell like solder. It's by far the most macho game system of all time.

 

06. Playstation 3 (60gb)

I'd only put the 60gb model on this list. It can function as a PC with a Distro of linux, assuming you haven't updated your firmware recently. So that option still exists for a few.

 

It allows me to play every playstation game I've ever bought. That's pretty amazing. I also use it to stream music and video from my PC as well as a blu ray player making it a very competent media machine.

 

05. Sega Saturn

some of my absoloute all time favorite games are on this system. It's easy to mod and add a region switch too opening up an entire new world of amazing. It was the most innovative console of its time and Im an active netlinker and still use it to play online Bomberman. ONLINE.BOMBERMAN.FOR FREE. Spectacular.

 

04. Sega CDX

I love the Sega CD. It has amazing wonderful games. Snatcher is a master piece and this machine being able to play that game is enough to put it high up on the list. The Sega CDX is small, sleek and sexy. It's not quite as cool looking as the model 1 genesis/model 1 Sega CD but it comes close. It definitely frees up some room on your system rack and you only need one AC adapter. It's ugly but you can even plop a 32X on there if you're so inclined.

 

03. Laseractive with the Sega and NEC PACs

I'm a big fan of Laserdiscs as a video format. They look wonderful and are fun to collect. The Pioneer CLD A-100 Laseractive is one of the most amazing consoles I've ever owned. With the Sega PAC I can play Mega LD games on Laserdiscs, Sega CD games and Sega Genesis Carts. Swapping it out for the NEC PAC I can play Turbo LD games on laserdisc, Hu Cards and any region Turbo CD/PCE CD games. It might be the hugest game console of all time but damn if it doesn't support a hell of a lot of different formats of video game software awesomeness.

 

02. Super Nintendo

Legend of Zelda LttP, Donkey Kong Country, Super Marip RPG, Super Metroid...come on. This thing's great. Even if it's hideous.

 

01. Nintendo

Really, almost everyone puts the NES as the best console of all time. We've all heard it a million times.

 

Almost everyone in USA (or Japan) but not the rest of the world.

[high voltage]

Before I forget, the Vectrex analogue controllers were standard pack-in, as were the Interton VC 4000 analogue sticks. The Vetrex even featured 4 fire buttons (long before SNES), the Interton VC4000 had two fire buttons and a full programmable keypad:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interton_VC_4000

[VectorGamer]

I would switch the 2600 to first and the NES to second. The NES has no industry to revive if the 2600 didn't help launch it.

 

Also, I thought there were well over 1,000 titles available for the VCS?

[The_Laird]

I would switch the 2600 to first and the NES to second. The NES has no industry to revive if the 2600 didn't help launch it.

 

Also, I thought there were well over 1,000 titles available for the VCS?

 

The NES also did crap in the UK and Europe where as the 2600 sold really well worldwide.

[high voltage]

I would switch the 2600 to first and the NES to second. The NES has no industry to revive if the 2600 didn't help launch it.

 

Also, I thought there were well over 1,000 titles available for the VCS?

 

Also, the computer industry did very well after the video game crash, with leading computers like C64, Apple 2 and Atari 8-bit. Activision started on VCS, and continued on C64, very easy.