NES > Atari 2600: Atari 2600 was IMO the definitive birth of home console gaming. However, the NES profusely introduced full-fledged games that are completable rather than aimlessly achieving a high score. The Atari 2600 certainly had games that are beatable but 9 times out of 10 they were either extremely easy or downright impossible. The NES was also one of the first consoles that actually had characters and environments looking similar enough to what was on the boxart, and properly arranged music in games that have become memorable. The NES had save functionality (though some were secretive unless you read the Nintendo Power magazine e.g. Mario Bros). The NES was also the debut of some of the most renown video game franchises of all-time which inspired other developers. The Legend Of Zelda, Mario Bros, Metroid, Castlevania, Mega Man, Bomberman, among other classics. The controller for the NES was also the pioneer to what is classified as a traditional controller nowadays. Nintendo created the d-pad, which is widely used in those. The SNES was more revolutionary in this aspect generally though, as it introduced shoulder buttons and the ABXY format which the Xbox brand recycled.
NES games don't really hold up today, but back then, it was a turning point for gaming- even aside the NA crash of 1983. No other console has managed to match that level improvement in one generation, at all. As for other consoles, I would argue the PlayStation brand helped expose the gaming audience to home consoles as currently, it dominates in those for lifetime sales. However, the conception of "significance" dwells on progression IMO. So PSX helped standardize CD ROM technology, much better negotiation with third party developers, actual cinematic cutscenes...but I can't think of much more than that
Existing User Log In
New User Registration
Register for a free account to gain full access to the VGChartz Network and join our thriving community.
