The 16-bit generation was a golden era of gaming. Sega and Nintendo each owned about half the market. The direct competition benefited gamers like no other generation.
When Sony entered the market for a three way split things changed. We lost Sega right when the Dreamcast set things right. Then Microsoft entered for another three way split and the fanboy wars really got out of hand. It used to be you either had a Sega or Nintendo console and you'd play what you didn't have at a friends house and have fun regardless of who made the game. Now the fanboy wars have ruined gaming culture to the point that some people won't even consider the other side and are incapable of enjoying a game exclusive to a rival company.
Yeah, the 16-bit bit generation was a better simpler time. The games have aged remarkably well too.
