15 – Nintendo DS
Seeing how this console has been out for 5 years and has already been succeeded by the DSi, we think its fair to start judging this handheld now. The DS is one of Nintendo’s best selling handhelds ever ( just below the Game Boy and the Game Boy Color). The system may have a plethora of games, but most of them are shovel ware. The reason this console is number 15 is because although it may have great sales and great hardware, the console fails to deliver more then 2 must have games every year.
14 – Nintendo Gamecube
The purple lunchbox that tried, Nintendo’s successor to the Nintendo 64 did not do as well as many people thought the console would. While the system itself was a great console for a low price it only sold 21.74 million consoles worldwide. The console did however capitalize on Nintendo’s best franchises like: Super Smash Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. The Gamecube also marked the first time Nintendo made CD technology standard in their console.
13 – Sega Dreamcast
Even though this console was only in North America for 2 years and in Japan for 3, the Sega Dreamcast was Sega’s last console in the home console market. Although the console didn’t do bad for its first 2-3 years ( it sold almost 11 million ), Sega decided to cut its loses and announce on January 31, 2001 that it was no longer supporting the Dreamcast. The Sega Dreamcast was the first true console to have online gaming and have a built in modem. The Dreamcast was certainly ahead of its time. Because of great hardware, decent sales, and great games for the first two years the Dreamcast gets number 13 on our list.
12 – Sony PlayStation Portable
This device was the first handheld console to challenge Nintendo’s dominance over the handheld market and actually do well against Nintendo ( 50 million+ sold and still going ). This console has also been out for 4-5 years (depending on where you live), and is also getting a successor soon, the PSPGo! So we believe it is fair to judge this console also. With a decent library of games, great sales, great hardware, and some good marketing (better then PS3’s marketing) the console has officially laid a foundation for more handhelds to be made by Sony (ala PSPGo!). It has also made people believe that 3d games can be done on handhelds and be GOOD. For pushing the Handheld industry Sony’s PSP is number 12.
11 – Nintendo Game Boy
Yes, this is the handheld that…. well made the handheld market so profitable. With games like Tetris on the go how can you not like the system. Combined with the sales of the Game Boy Color it almost sold 119 million. There isn’t really much to say except “Thank you Nintendo”. Thank you for creating this awesome handheld.
10 – Microsoft Xbox
When Sega dropped out of the console race someone had to take it place. The Xbox filled that void perfectly. With graphics that wowed (just like the Dreamcast), some great games (like the Dreamcast), and online ( Hey! like the Dreamcast!). The only difference from the Dreamcast is that its made by Microsoft, it sold more, and the Xbox stayed the entire generation.
9 – Sega Genesis
Sega’s best selling console. That’s right it was Sega’s best selling console believe it or not. The console sold about 29 million. With games like Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and the now famous marking campaign ” Genesis does what Nintendon’t” Genesis helped Sega’s hardware division, even if it was only for a little while.
8 – Nintendo Game Boy Advance
Improving upon what the Game Boy Color did, Game Boy Advance had smoother graphics and game play. Some of Nintendo’s best selling games are on the system. When the system released my mind went crazy. At the time I loved Pokemon and Gold/Silver versions of the game just blew my mind away with some great animations and good looking art design. The console sold well, had a great marketing campaign, great games, great control scheme, and it was very popular to have it.
7 - Nintendo Game Boy Color
Nintendo’s best selling handheld. Because of this console, Nintendo can make 3 generations of failures for home consoles and still be in the industry working on another system. All of this thanks to this little device. Many handhelds tried to go up against this mighty little guy to no prevail. Maybe it was the hardware, maybe it was the games or it might have been the awesome marketing. No matter how you look at it, the Game Boy Color changed the handheld industry forever.
6 - Super Nintendo Entertainment System
When this console came out in North America I was born. It was like destiny that I became so involved in video games. Anyways back on subject, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES for short) was a powerful contender in the game industry during the 16-bit era. It sold almost 50 million units worldwide once it was done. With every great game going on this console. No wonder it won the the 16-bit console war.
5 – Nintendo 64
Nintendo is on a roll on this list ( I just noticed), there’s a reason for that. Nintendo knows how to create hardware and good software to go with it. The 64 was the successor to the most loved console ever ( during that time), and it needed to deliver. Fortunately it did with a great controller, good advertising, sick games and reliable hardware. Games like Star Fox 64 and Super Mario 64 were some of the best games on the console, if not Nintendo’s best made games ever. It is these reasons that the Nintendo 64 places so high on our list.
4 – Sony PlayStation
C-c-c-combo breaker, sorry couldn’t resist. The PS1 did however stop Nintendo’s dominance over the industry. One of the reasons gaming became so mature and appealed to the masses IS because of the original PlayStation. Before PlayStation people thought gamers were just little kids or some nerd in their parents basement. After PlayStation however the masses saw something else. Video games became a popular medium. The industry boomed when PlayStation released and the industry was up there with movie industry and the music industry. And it’s all thanks to the original PlayStation…….. oh did I mention some of the most loved franchises started on PlayStation like Spyro, Metal Gear Solid, and Resident Evil? Must have slipped my mind.
3 – Atari 2600
Want to know why games aren’t built into the systems anymore? Because of the Atari 2600 of course. It was the first console to have switchable cartridges. This system was responsible for the rise of the game industry but also was responsible for the 2 year long crash of the video game industry ( ya the crash only lasted two years ). Its because of this system that people noticed video games and what they were (and also drew some unwanted attention for some pornographic games). The console also has the longest lifespan of any console ( 1977- 1992, ya it stuck around for quite some time). Thanks to this console, video games (software) was made possible and that is why it is number 3 on our list.
2 – Nintendo Entertainment System
Deemed the “savior” of the video game industry and Nintendo’s best selling home console (really) this system really did it for the industry. One, every game had to be given a stamp of approval from Nintendo so things like the porn games on the Atari 2600 would never happen again. Two, it was the best selling console…… ever, up until that point ( then PS1 came out), selling almost 62 million consoles worldwide. Metriod, Mario, Zelda and many other popular franchises had their start here, on the NES. Thanks to this console gaming became popular again and began anew. Although I myself wouldn’t call Nintendo the “savior” of the industry. I mean after all it was only a 2 year crash. But if that’s how everyone sees it then I guess that’s how it is. This is after all just one mans opinion.
1 – Sony PlayStation 2
Okay don’t tell me you didn’t see this coming. Remember everything good about the PS1? Now add smoother graphics, quality hardware, a DVD player, and some of the best games EVER CREATED, and what you get. We’ll first you get a PlayStation 2. Second you get the best console (sales, quality hardware, and games) EVER. If you had to chose your favorite game before this gen most people would say their favorite game was a PS2 game. Gran Turismo, Final Fantasy X, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, God of War, Kingdom Hearts, Ratchet & Clank, Jak and Daxter, Sly Cooper, SOCOM, ICO, Shadow of the Colossus, Devil May Cry, The Getaway, Yakuza, And Metal Gear Solid are just some of the exclusive games/franchises that were on the PS2. The PS2 was also the console that brought in many hardcore and casual gamers and didn’t cater to one particular crowd. PS2 also has some of the longest appeal I have ever seen for a console with people still happily playing their PS2’s to this day. No wonder the console is almost at the 140 million sales point. The PlayStation 2 IS the best selling home console, ever.
To see Pros and Cons go here
I agree with that list 100%, unlike that IGN list.
