Game consoles have been the subject of Console Wars for years, even before the term was ever coined. In this regard, we all chose a side and only favored one over the other.
Some people have found a way to get around the "choosing of sides" and massively collected every console and most the games. The collectors enjoyed the consoles in their own, unique way but have surely had preferences of one over the other.
Since it was unavoidable, I have decided to run down my list of Top 5 favorites and show them all why I enjoyed them. I have even included some interesting facts I found.
Disclaimer: As this is a work based entirely on my opinion, your favorites may not be on here. I have also excluded the current and last gen consoles as they are still fairly new in their own regards. Ask me in another year or so and I may just let you know differently.
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
This was one of the first consoles I owned (my second to be exact). I can vividly recall all the fun times had playing with this brick (said with all the love in the world). Wide eyed and fresh into gaming, I logged many hours beside the small TV in my bedroom. This was what started my love affair with gaming.
Basic Info: Nintendo released the NES in 1985-1986 and it was called the Famicom in Japan. It sold over 61 million units worldwide and that was mostly due to North American sales. This console housed many iconic games, most recognized was the Super Mario franchise.
This gaming icon set the trend after the Atari, and left us with a great array of memories. I usually remember that many of our favorite series started off on the NES, including Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, and Mega Man. Without this console, we'd be finding ourselves with a whole different experience. Its game library totals at 709 games.
Fun Fact: NES has an assortment of accessories, some of which were ahead of their time. R.O.B, the more well known peripheral, and the Dance Pad. OK so it's not a true dance pad, it's used for the Track and Field Game, but I didn't really clue in on the existence of the DP until 3 years ago. This just shows that accessories we have now had roots closer to the beginning of the home console scene.
Party Trick: For those of you who like to delve into retro gaming sessions, I have a request. Pick up Fun House for the NES. If you can play longer than 3 minutes without quitting, then you beat my record. Plus it shows that you really are a glutton for punishment.
The PlayStation 2
In 2000, Sony launched their second console on the gaming scene in it's dark and mysterious box of goodies. The PS2 was one of the more permanent consoles in my early to mid teen life. I would always find my late night gaming sessions coming from it and I know I always shirked my homework in favor of playing another run of Jak and Daxter or Ratchet and Clank. While I do not condone skipping your school work, I do say you should at least get to enjoy the experience of a late night romp with your favorite console. Did that sound dirty to anyone else?
Basic Info: The PS2 set the trend in a few areas, one of them being in sheer game library size (3780). With it being in the 6th generation of the console war, they were fighting against the Xbox and the GameCube so it was on it's toes a bit but still managed to keep its composure. The PS2 sold 155 million units as of 2012, hitting the high notes in terms of sales. Later on, Sony tried to lightly implement online play with an adapter for the larger consoles, and one pre-installed in the slim models.
The most notable games/series released on PS2 were GTA series (3 and up), Devil May Cry, Jak and Daxter, Ratchet and Clank, and tons more. I could take up a whole list of the games I played for the PS2 but I'd be too afraid my fingers would be destroyed after typing all that.
Fun Fact: The PS2 held one of the longest runs for a game console before the company discontinued product. Even after the consoles were no longer being produced, games were being released for the system, all the way up to a month prior to the PlayStation 4 was announced. That's saying something when you have staying power to last close to two generations past yours.
The Sega Genesis
This one takes me back, as it was the first console I owned as a child. I started off with the Genesis, playing hours of Sonic the Hedgehog and Evander Holyfield's: Real Deal Boxing. Sure it seems like an odd combo, I just remember those off the top of my head, as I played so many games they all blurred together in one glorious game session. I know not everyone felt this way about the Genesis but I truly had my memories formed from this. Granted I also gained some nightmare fuel from it but you can see my Party Trick for more details.
Basic Info: Released by Sega in 1988-1989, Sega Genesis (also called Mega Drive) replaced the Master System. It sold 29 million units worldwide and toted a video game library of 900 games.
These games included: Jurassic Park, Sonic series, Altered Beast, Battletoads, Bubsy, Golden Axe, and Vectorman.
Done in 16-bit fashion, the Mega Drive reached a point where 32-bit gaming was the emerging technology. To compensate, Sega released two add-ons: Sega-CD and the Sega 32X. Sega-CD was an add-on to the console that allowed disks to be played and it improved graphical quality with an additional processor. Sega 32X was a secondary add-on in which the company wanted to use as a gap to tie fans over until the Sega Saturn came out. Both add-ons did not last long as they did not add up to the promises Sega set for them.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Genesis was given supposed to have an internet peripheral? Sega coined Sega Meganet and had started designs for an add on to allow players to play a total of 17 games online. This idea was implemented through a cartridge called Mega Modem, and was released in Japan and later Brazil. A North American version was in the works but Tele-Genesis was never released after being announced.
Party Trick: Play any Sonic game for the Genesis, alone or with friends, and reach a water level. Now try to make it through said water level without grabbing any air bubbles. Technically, if you had my luck, you could try to get them but somehow be blocked or unable to reach due to the water physics. I want you to listen real close to the warning sound and try not to have nightmares. I discovered this was the downfall of Genesis being my favorite console, playing it non-stop made for frequent trips to water levels.
The PlayStation
Typically referred to as the PS1, the PlayStation has always been in my game collection ever since I started buying consoles on my own. I've had a soft spot for Sony and the work they do, since it is usually on par with what I like. The PlayStation held many hours of Crash Bandicoot, Twisted Metal, and so many other great games. I remember the joy of swapping out the memory cards to trade saves with the local kids, as well as to compare their Tony Hawk scores. I had to stay on top somehow!
Basic Info: Sony's first foray into the gaming scene, the PlayStation was released in 1994-1995. As of 2005 the console sold 102 million units, being the first to ship 100 million units, which is a pretty high achievement. The PlayStation was the first successful disc based console, which carried over a strong edge of reliability to future installment.
With one of the highest toting game libraries I've counted, totaling at 7918, this console set the standard for gaming content. Besides the games I listed above, the library also included Castlevania, Mega Man X 3-6, Final Fantasy 6-9, Resident Evil, The OddWorld Series, and Metal Gear Solid. Games for the console were still technically being made, most being in anniversary collections of game series that started on the PS1. The last time a game was developed for the console was in 2012 with the Resident Evil 15th Anniversary Collection.
Fun Fact: While the PlayStation had many supporters, one of the more notable ones was, Microsoft/Xbox's own Bill Gates. He said "Our game designer likes the Sony machine."
Rather interesting seeing as how years later, his company created the original Xbox. Not sure if we should see it as he (or his team that was on Xbox) was inspired by the PlayStation or thought they could do better.
The Nintendo 64
The N64 can be seen in old pictures of my room dating way back when. Besides making me feel old, I get a sense of pride that, along with the other consoles in my life, this one was made a part of my collection. I remember Donkey Kong 64 being my top played game, along side of Super Mario 64. There wasn't a time I didn't enjoy the N64, especially when The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time came out. I played so much the controllers paint peeled off (I didn't have the standard gray, I picked up a red painted one which one day became yellow).
Basic Info: Released by Nintendo in 1996-1997, The Nintendo 64 was competing against the PlayStation and the Sega Saturn and was one the last consoles in that generation to be released. That being said, they were also the ones that still shied away from disc format, sticking with the tried and true cartridges. It sold over 32 million units worldwide and has been hailed as one of the best consoles released.
The game library sits at 387,with some exclusive outside the US, but the games released where enough to keep it afloat. Listing Super Mario 64, Donkey Kong 64, Goldeneye 007, Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time/Majora's Mask, and Super Smash Bros. Many of the other releases were filler/party games for Mario as well as some off the radar classics that I didn't discover until years later.
The Nintendo 64 also was one of the first consoles to "mod" themselves. This being the colors offered to gamers weren't just the standard black. They ranged from some very neon colors, Orange and Purple being one of the most notable. The controllers were even changed when bundled with these new colors to match the console.
Nintendo also intended for the N64 to have internet and disc capabilities with the help of an added peripheral. The 64DD or Disk Drive allowed for use of N64 disc based games (only 9 were released) and supported connection to an internet service. The games, which were said to be better preforming than the cartridges, and the internet use were sold through a limited mail order service. These two features were soon discontinued. The product and online service were only available in Japan for a short time and they were never seen over here in an official release.
Fun Fact: Did you know that game studios like Square and Konami were originally slated to have games on the N64 but backed out? While Square was on board, they dropped out and supported the disc based consoles in the generation, leaving Nintendo high and dry. Konami stuck around but released a limited amount of games, while they pumped out larger numbers for the disc consoles.
Honorable Mention: The Sega Dreamcast
Now I know this is a Top 5 but I always feel like I need to mention just how much I respected the Sega Dreamcast. This console wasn't in my life for long, not by my choice, but it was one of the ones that really impacted me. It was a time in my life when I was working through a rough patch and the announcements and ideas behind the Dreamcast were so huge and imaginative, it allowed for me to pour my focus into it instead of the daily minutia.
I wont go into specifics or release dates, as it doesn't qualify for the Top 5, so to say, but I will say this: It was the first console with a built in modem, designed for online game play. Phantasy Star Online was one of the most hyped games I heard about when I was reading up on the Dreamcast. The fact that I could have fought against giant creatures with someone from Japan was new and exciting. I daydreamed about the idea of it and it really consumed me as a player.
Some of my favorite games came from this console, including the Sonic Adventure games. I have spent countless hours playing those games and day dreaming of the day I could own another Dreamcast again.
Best thing I can say is, if this console wasn't left by the wayside, we could have seen some fairly interesting results out of Sega. Now they are just a third-party developer and seem to have lost their touch somewhere along the way.
Fun Fact: One of the most expensive games ever developed for the time, came from this console. Shenmu.
That was a very interesting trip down memory lane, sometimes I'm surprised that my mental memory card hasn't been wiped clean with the amount of gaming memories I have kept stored.
How did my list stack up against your Top 5? Did I hit the nail on the head and reveal some interesting facts you may not have known? Have I missed the mark entirely and your list differs greatly than mine?
Let me hear yours as well as some great memories they have brought you in the comments below.
