Insane Console History 2.0

[mckafka99]

This is pretty interesting

 

http://vimeo.com/m/#/13749287

Edited August 3, 2010 by mckafka99

[Reaperman]

nice vid. I did not know so many older game systems featured analog sticks.

 

surviving through all the pong systems to get to the 80's is a bit of an ordeal though.

kind of wish the video limited its built-ins and computers

Edited August 4, 2010 by Reaperman

[Rev. Rob]

I am going to watch the whole thing!!

[Lendorien]

This is pretty interesting

 

http://vimeo.com/m/#/13749287

 

Sheesh. No wonder there was a video game crash in 1977. Everyone and their brother made a pong console. There's like one for every week in the year.

 

This video is pretty cool. I've never seen every console collected into one place like that. unlike others, I actually found the parade of pongs interesting. You can really see which companies had good artistic sense and those that did not.

Edited August 4, 2010 by Lendorien

[Ze_ro]

Impressive list, but there are a lot of problems here: (NERD POWERS ACTIVATE!!)

• First off, listing dedicated systems (pong machines) is a bad idea. There are literally thousands out there, and you'll NEVER manage to get all of them. I can't think of any off-hand that they don't mention, but I had some obscure one as a kid that is definitely not listed. Also, this makes the video rather long and boring, often showing the same system twice in a row because different manufacturers released the same thing.
  
• Including computers is also a bad idea, for most of the same reasons. Japanese computers is a whole can of worms in itself, and notable systems missing are the Sharp X1 and Sharp X68000. Not to mention there are probably hundreds of different models of MSX's out there...
  
• Including aftermarket Famiclones is probably a bad idea too, but I'm not going to argue it too much.
  
• The list includes prototype hardware, like the C-65, Commodore 364, Konix Multisystem, and Envisions Evo (Or did that one actually make it out?), as well as really silly hardware variants like the C64 Gold, C64 Aldi, and Amiga 2500 (Yet misses more interesting ones like the SX64).
  
• On the other hand, only one model of Apple II, Mac, and Archimedes are listed, when of course there were dozens of each. Several Atari 8-bit and ST models are missing, and the only PC computers shown are the 5150, 5160 (which is mislabelled as "1560"), and several Amstrad models... surely the PC Jr should be included if nothing else?
  
• Astrocade is screwed up here... they list "Bally Astrocade" released in 1977... which is correct, except that it was called the "Bally Home Library Computer" at this time, and wasn't renamed to "Astrocade" until 1982 when Astrovision was calling the shots. They later list "Bally Professional Arcade" in 1978, which is actually correct, as that was it's name at the time. The names of this system changed over time, and it gets a bit confusing, so I don't really blame them...
  
• Other stuff that's missing: Super A'Can, RDI Halcyon, Interton VC-4000 (though they do mention lots of its clones), BBC Micro (though they DID get the Atom and Electron... did I miss this one?), a whole bunch of CD-i models, one model of SegaCD (They show the model 1 MegaCD, but they list MegaDrive and Genesis separately, so I expected both SegaCD's), V.Smile & Leapster (Hey, if you're going to list Pico...), Game.com Pocket Pro, and Neo Geo CDZ.

 

Nit picks aside, I'm impressed that they got the Casio PV-1000, Loopy and Leisure Vision.

[Rev. Rob]

Impressive list, but there are a lot of problems here: (NERD POWERS ACTIVATE!!)

• First off, listing dedicated systems (pong machines) is a bad idea. There are literally thousands out there, and you'll NEVER manage to get all of them. I can't think of any off-hand that they don't mention, but I had some obscure one as a kid that is definitely not listed. Also, this makes the video rather long and boring, often showing the same system twice in a row because different manufacturers released the same thing.
  
• Including computers is also a bad idea, for most of the same reasons. Japanese computers is a whole can of worms in itself, and notable systems missing are the Sharp X1 and Sharp X68000. Not to mention there are probably hundreds of different models of MSX's out there...
  
• Including aftermarket Famiclones is probably a bad idea too, but I'm not going to argue it too much.
  
• The list includes prototype hardware, like the C-65, Commodore 364, Konix Multisystem, and Envisions Evo (Or did that one actually make it out?), as well as really silly hardware variants like the C64 Gold, C64 Aldi, and Amiga 2500 (Yet misses more interesting ones like the SX64).
  
• On the other hand, only one model of Apple II, Mac, and Archimedes are listed, when of course there were dozens of each. Several Atari 8-bit and ST models are missing, and the only PC computers shown are the 5150, 5160 (which is mislabelled as "1560"), and several Amstrad models... surely the PC Jr should be included if nothing else?
  
• Astrocade is screwed up here... they list "Bally Astrocade" released in 1977... which is correct, except that it was called the "Bally Home Library Computer" at this time, and wasn't renamed to "Astrocade" until 1982 when Astrovision was calling the shots. They later list "Bally Professional Arcade" in 1978, which is actually correct, as that was it's name at the time. The names of this system changed over time, and it gets a bit confusing, so I don't really blame them...
  
• Other stuff that's missing: Super A'Can, RDI Halcyon, Interton VC-4000 (though they do mention lots of its clones), BBC Micro (though they DID get the Atom and Electron... did I miss this one?), a whole bunch of CD-i models, one model of SegaCD (They show the model 1 MegaCD, but they list MegaDrive and Genesis separately, so I expected both SegaCD's), V.Smile & Leapster (Hey, if you're going to list Pico...), Game.com Pocket Pro, and Neo Geo CDZ.

 

Nit picks aside, I'm impressed that they got the Casio PV-1000, Loopy and Leisure Vision.

 

I agree with all of these things, and I noticed that some dates were off too.

 

Maybe we should make our own AtariAge video, and cut out the pongs, clones, and computers.

[Ze_ro]

Well, the real problem here is that it's surprisingly difficult to decide what counts as a game system and what doesn't. It seems very straight forward at first, but when you actually look into it, there are a lot of systems that fall into a grey zone where some people would consider them a valid game system and others would not.

 

Like, most people would consider the Odyssey a game system, but the cartridges aren't "real" cartridges in the traditional sense, so it's effectively just another pong console.

 

The GP32 had commercial game releases, but at it's heart, it's an open-source ARM-based handheld that relies on the homebrew scene.

 

Was the RDI Halcyon really released? The jury is still out, but there are definitely people out there who own one, so does it count?

 

Do add-ons like the 32X and SegaCD count? Well, then what about the N64 expansion pak? It's an add-on that some games require... For that matter, what about SNES games with SuperFX chips, or Virtua Racing on the Genesis... they've got extra hardware that's not native to the game system, so how is it any different?

 

All kinds of weird hardware is out there... like the LaserActive, Hi-Saturn, 3DO Blaster, Divers 2000 Dreamcast, CPS Changer, and Super Gameboy. Do any of these count as separate systems in their own right?

 

There are tons of computers that use cartridges. Systems like the VIC-20, C64, Atari 800, and TI-99/4a can be effectively used as consoles... but without a disk drive, you'll miss out on some of the best games for those systems... so then it's a computer, right? But what about a Famicom Disk System? That's still a console, isn't it? Meanwhile, there are tons of computers that can auto-boot games from a disk, so basically you have a game system that uses floppy disk instead of cartridges, and there are a ton of Astrocade games that load from cassette tape. So where do you draw the line? Systems like the Atari XEGS, Commodore 64GS, Amstrad GX4000, and Commodore CDTV & CD32 really cause trouble here.

 

So you see, it's impossible to make a list that would appeal to everyone. There will always be some jerk like me who will come in and piss on it all by pointing out the inconsistencies

 

--Zero

[Rev. Rob]

Well, the real problem here is that it's surprisingly difficult to decide what counts as a game system and what doesn't. It seems very straight forward at first, but when you actually look into it, there are a lot of systems that fall into a grey zone where some people would consider them a valid game system and others would not.

 

Like, most people would consider the Odyssey a game system, but the cartridges aren't "real" cartridges in the traditional sense, so it's effectively just another pong console.

 

The GP32 had commercial game releases, but at it's heart, it's an open-source ARM-based handheld that relies on the homebrew scene.

 

Was the RDI Halcyon really released? The jury is still out, but there are definitely people out there who own one, so does it count?

 

Do add-ons like the 32X and SegaCD count? Well, then what about the N64 expansion pak? It's an add-on that some games require... For that matter, what about SNES games with SuperFX chips, or Virtua Racing on the Genesis... they've got extra hardware that's not native to the game system, so how is it any different?

 

All kinds of weird hardware is out there... like the LaserActive, Hi-Saturn, 3DO Blaster, Divers 2000 Dreamcast, CPS Changer, and Super Gameboy. Do any of these count as separate systems in their own right?

 

There are tons of computers that use cartridges. Systems like the VIC-20, C64, Atari 800, and TI-99/4a can be effectively used as consoles... but without a disk drive, you'll miss out on some of the best games for those systems... so then it's a computer, right? But what about a Famicom Disk System? That's still a console, isn't it? Meanwhile, there are tons of computers that can auto-boot games from a disk, so basically you have a game system that uses floppy disk instead of cartridges, and there are a ton of Astrocade games that load from cassette tape. So where do you draw the line? Systems like the Atari XEGS, Commodore 64GS, Amstrad GX4000, and Commodore CDTV & CD32 really cause trouble here.

 

So you see, it's impossible to make a list that would appeal to everyone. There will always be some jerk like me who will come in and piss on it all by pointing out the inconsistencies

 

--Zero

 

• Odyssey counts
  
• GP32 counts as a handheld
  
• Halcyon counts because it, and its two games, are in circulation, and I believe it did have a limited release
  
• 32X, Sega CD, and Jaguar CD are consoles
  
• LaserActive is a console all on its own
  
• I wouldn't count multiple version of the same console as being separate
  
• Computers don't count
  
• XEGS, CD32, et cetera are consoles
  

 

And I've seen plenty of good lists before. A "good" list separates pongs from consoles, and consoles from portables, and groups all of the various version of the same console altogether.

[akator]

Agreed with others, that if it is a "game console list" then computers should be left out.

 

Unreleased systems and prototypes should not be listed, even if they are now in circulation.

 

Out of all of the mistakes already mentioned, I'm surprised no one noticed that Tandy Radio Shack products, game and computer, are completely missing from the video.

[Tempest]

Was the RDI Halcyon really released? The jury is still out, but there are definitely people out there who own one, so does it count?

I think the best that can be said was that it was 'test marketed'. I think it was only available in a small number of areas for a short time. The company was basically bankrupt at that point, I don't see how they could have done a wide release. The small number of consoles found seems to back this up.

 

Tempest

[SoulBlazer]

I'd love to talk to someone who HAS a RDI Halcyon, see pictures of it in action or some videos. No one seems to actually have one, just the little bits of info here and there on the net.

[Seob]

I'd love to talk to someone who HAS a RDI Halcyon, see pictures of it in action or some videos. No one seems to actually have one, just the little bits of info here and there on the net.

Do a youtube search and have fun watching. Here's one to start you off:

[98PaceCar]

I'd love to talk to someone who HAS a RDI Halcyon, see pictures of it in action or some videos. No one seems to actually have one, just the little bits of info here and there on the net.

 

What do you want to know?

 

Here's a review and some pics of mine I put together a while back:

 

VGCL - RDI Halcyon

[Rev. Rob]

I'd love to talk to someone who HAS a RDI Halcyon, see pictures of it in action or some videos. No one seems to actually have one, just the little bits of info here and there on the net.

 

What do you want to know?

 

Here's a review and some pics of mine I put together a while back:

 

VGCL - RDI Halcyon

 

By the way, though the site appears to be incomplete, this is a great example of a proper list of consoles. I love this site.

[98PaceCar]

By the way, though the site appears to be incomplete, this is a great example of a proper list of consoles. I love this site.

 

Yea, we're still working on getting all of the reviews done. It tends to take a while since we all try to play as much of the library as possible before making judgements. Or at least try the big name titles that we can. I'm knee deep into the CPS Changer right now, but it's slow coming as my free time is pretty limited right now.

 

But we certainly like to hear that people enjoy our work!

[Animan]

Well, considering it is called the "Insane" console history, I have no issue with the Pong, Computer, etc. system on there.

 

Who is nerd enough to sit through that whole video? The video...needs...MST3K...

[Chuck D. Head]

Well, considering it is called the "Insane" console history, I have no issue with the Pong, Computer, etc. system on there.

 

Who is nerd enough to sit through that whole video? The video...needs...MST3K...

 

There are very few videos in this world that would not benefit from a little help from Mike, Tom and Crow. Morgan

[Animan]

Well, considering it is called the "Insane" console history, I have no issue with the Pong, Computer, etc. system on there.

 

Who is nerd enough to sit through that whole video? The video...needs...MST3K...

 

There are very few videos in this world that would not benefit from a little help from Mike, Tom and Crow. Morgan

 

All videos need MST3K, but some videos need it more than others.

 

Besides, what about Joel, huh?

[akator]

All videos need MST3K, but some videos need it more than others.

 

Besides, what about Joel, huh?

 

Yeah, Joel could do that some justice

[Animan]

All videos need MST3K, but some videos need it more than others.

 

Besides, what about Joel, huh?

 

Yeah, Joel could do that some justice

 

Say, why not we all do our own commentary?

 

Get a few of us on Skype or something and record ourselves watching the video and put the audio in the original video. Anyone interested?

 

*nudge nudge* *wink wink*

Edited August 24, 2010 by Animan