first console: Sega Master System. my parents, sister and i used to all sit taking turns every night, think we got it when i was barely old enough to read (3 or 4). but, you dont need to read to play sonic, right?
the first console i bought myself was an original phat DS. bought it because...there were so many great-looking games i wanted to play, and i was dating an anti-sony fanboy at the time who didnt want me playing a PSP. then i bought a Wii about 8 months after launch, for twilight princess (and the added GC-game playability meant i could give my brother my gamecube).
i never bought any others because i've never needed to. i've always known someone who had the consoles i didn't have, my boyfriend has a PS3 and his brother has a 360 and a PSP Go so i get lots of playtime :D