Rationale for choices:

Each console on the list ahead was selected for its influence on the industry and the gaming culture as a whole, with special consideration for their benchmark titles, peripherals, monetary success, and total hardware sold. But beyond sales figures and critical reception, one of the biggest contributing factors in our ranking process was our lasting impressions of each console, and how it contributed to our love for gaming and inspired us to become involved in the industry.

In other words -- what we liked and did not. So some at IGN don't care for the Wii, it got rated down, even though it was an unstoppable sales juggernaut for two years and brought motion-based gaming to the forefront.

Similarly, people probably liked the Genesis because they grew up playing it, so it ranked in the Top 5.

Mike from Morgantown

the only one they got rigt was NES in number one. Everything else is pure garbage. Ps1 most definetly is better than the 360 and should have been in the top 3. PS2 should have been in 4th or 5th and 360 had no place being in the top 10

I can agree with the top 3.

What a stupid list.

Seriously, how people forget, the Dreamcast was hated, the damn thing stopped selling. Yes, it had some great games, but so do most consoles.

The PS1 was one of the most dominating console ever, it reach 100 million consumers where no other consoles never reached.

The Wii opened it whole new market even the PS2 couldn't reach, introduced new ways of gaming that actually succeeded. It brought gaming to people who looked down on it.

A very stupid list indeed.

The reactions to this list over this week have been amazing to read, I'm glad IGN made it, it has entertained me far more then it should have.

To actually be on topic here, NES deserves the top spot and Atari 2600 deserved second, both systems saved the industry after a crash and started the basis for consoles today. Honestly the Wii is the best spiritual successor to the NES, both were very ambitious feats, they both did a lot of experimenting sometimes good sometimes bad, and both have the main focus being bringing more people into gaming.

Personally I think PS1 deserves PS2's spot and then PS2 take PS1s but it's all a matter of opinion, and I didn't make this list, really this list is no different then any random person making a list, a list is a list, making a list just helps them with traffic and money and is something for their editorial staff to do while this slow period of gaming is going on before the big holiday season.

Like I said in the other thread... as long as the NES was #1, I have no beef.

The Dreamcast was hated because it was too damn expensive it was the 3DO/PS3 of its time, people loved the games and things it did but as a factor for "greatest console" I'm certain they weren't thinking about price.

I don't remember price being an issue at all, in fact the Dreamcast started very hot, It was the fact the PS2 hype was so great, it sales started to fall off until Sega put it to rest. A I believe the PS2 cost way more, sir.

The Dreamcast was only $199 at launch. No problems there.

As for this list, overall it isn't too terrible. There are a few that may seem off - I think the 360 was placed higher than it should have been, mainly to give Microsoft a nod for its role in the industry. The same may have been done with Sega and the Genesis, though I could be underestimating it.

As for the top 5, I couldn't say. I wasn't there when the 2600 came out... (otherwise it looks good)

Why is everyone fighting over personal opnion? Act like your opinion is greater.us The nes is first? If it weren't for the nes PCs would dominated and consoles wouldn't exist. 2600 is imported because it brought gaming to the households