This thread got me thinking. What do you think was the best gaming system ever? As far as game quality, controllers, looks, etc?
I would have to say the SNES. Some of the best games ever made. Terranigma, FF2, FF3, Tales of Phantasia and many more. Plus it was one of the most durable systems even made. Possibly the most durable. I’ve read an article about how one guys brother would take out his anger on the SNES by throwing it off the roof. It still worked. They dropped a tv on it puncturing the shell and exposing the insides. It still worked. Another persons SNES was one of the only things to survive when they’re house burned down. Plus well, its sexy. Just look at the thing. Raaaawwwwwwllllllllllllllll…
I would have to say the SNES is my favorite system too. There were so many good games to play. I used to spend hours playing Super Mario Bros. Plus, as you mentioned it was durable. Even after years of my brother and I throwing the controllers at it and actually falling of the shelf many times, it still worked. I still have mine but I don’t play it much anymore.
All my time is devoted to NCAA Football 2003 for the PS2. I swear, one day i’m gonna win a game on Heisman.
I would say GameCube has great potential for being my favorite, though it maybe not as popular as the SNES. With “Star Fox Adventures” coming… (Zelda like control with some flight sim, and BEAUTIFUL graphics), and Eternal Darkness being my current favorite, the system is off to a pretty good start. It’s second best technically, has a great controller, and has great games (imho, THE BEST games).
Game Boy/Game Boy Color is #1 as of now. Graphically they aren’t great machines, you can hardly see the screen, the control is bulky and doesn’t conform to the hands, and the sound is crap. The charm is what they do with all the limmitations. Even certain music to certain games sound pretty good… I mean, they have a great ‘tunes’ that would sound great on more advanced systems. If you don’t beleive me, listen to “Donkey Kong Land’s” water level… (not the water level that plays a remake up of DK Country), or on the same game, some of the construction levels. -I’m such a loser- The graphics and tecnology were limmited, but publishers pushed them to their limits. The games had old-time charm, and were fun to play.
My heart says the Dreamcast. The controller is just awful, but I’m willing to overlook that because of the quality of the games. For a two-year period there, it was like Sega just kept pumping out brilliant, nonsensical games that were just overloaded with style – Jet Set Radio, Space Channel 5, Samba de Amigo, Seaman, and Typing of the Dead.
But I guess practically, it’d be the PS2. I don’t particularly care for cases; as long as the thing’s not as big as an Xbox it doesn’t make much difference to me one way or the other. The PS2 just sits there, all black and purple, and does what it’s supposed to do. Same with the controllers. And of course, it’s got all the great PS1 games plus the PS2 stuff, in particular, Gitaroo-Man.
I would’ve said the Atari 2600, which still stands out as the coolest use of fake-plastic-woodgrain ever. But the joystick knocked it out of the running. It’s been decades, and I still get a painful twinge in my thumb whenever I even look at an Atari joystick.
I never owned a Vectrex, but my office-mate did. It had a cool box.
And wearia, please don’t ever describe a videogame machine like that ever again. :::shudder:::
Since you said gaming system and not console, I will say the PC. I have yet to play a game on the Xbox that compares to the average PC game. I did like atari 2600 though
I went through 3 of these in the late80’s/90’s. I still have my unit and do play it on a regular basis.
It was the sole platform for the most awsome game ever created, ToeJam and Earl I hear there’s another coming soon for XBox. Now, I have to go rent a unit to play the new TJ&E.
But as for newer systems? Definatly the PC. It’s uses other than Gaming are so obvious it makes it perfect.
The PC is the best, but if we are just counting console’s, then my vote would go for the Genisis as well. It kicked the snot out of the SNES in sports games and that is what console’s do best. Pretty much every other style of game is much better on a PC. I have given the kids the old SNES and Genisis to play on in their room and other than Mario, they dont touch the Nintendo. Could be the games I guess though. They are playing NHL '95 on the Sega right now.
dead0man
I’m surprised that no one has mentioned the original Playstation. Although I have fonder memories of the SNES (it was my golden age of gaming), there is no question in my mind that the Playstation is the dominant console system. So many games were made for it that it dwarfs almost any other competition. Even now, PSones are strong sellers, and I still love playing PS games.
I as well would have to say PC. Console gaming is pathetic compared to the power of a PC.
If I were to choose just out of the consoles, I think the Sony Playstation (the original) was the ground-breaker and would win my vote. It was the console to own when it came out. It eclipsed consoles with better graphics and such by having a far superior library of available titles. Since franchise licenses and title availability are the only real strengths of console gaming, the PSOne is the king of consoles.