The 5 Top (And 5 Bottom) Classic Gaming Consoles That Most People Overlooked

Here’s a summary of the article discussing various video game consoles from the 1980s and ’90s that fell into two categories: noteworthy successes and infamous failures.

Notable Consoles

1. TurboGrafx-16

   • Successful in Japan as the PC Engine.
   • Launched in the U.S. too late to compete effectively with SNES and Sega Genesis.
   • Featured proprietary HuCards and a great library of games but struggled with marketing and technical specs.

2. Sega Saturn

   • Introduced as a powerful fifth-generation system with CD-ROM capabilities.
   • Launched unexpectedly before the Sony PlayStation, leading to poor sales.
   • Had a strong game library but suffered from high pricing and poor management decisions.

3. SG-1000

   • Sega’s first console, launched in 1983.
   • Limited gaming library but released more games than Nintendo in its debut year.
   • Sold only around 2 million units, overshadowed by the Nintendo Famicom.

4. Neo Geo AES

   • Launched in 1990 with high-quality games but at a luxury price point, limiting consumer access.
   • Sold only about 410,000 units.

5. Pioneer LaserActive

   • A hybrid system with LaserDisc functionality and the ability to play games across various platforms.
   • Extremely costly, with fewer than 10,000 units sold.

Infamous Failures

1. 3DO

   • High initial price and poor game library led to limited audience and sales (around 2 million units).
   • Lacked substantial third-party support.

2. Nintendo Virtual Boy

   • Despite its 3D capability, its red monochrome display and design led to poor user experience.
   • Sold only about 770,000 units before being discontinued.

3. Philips CD-i

   • Marketed as an edutainment system but failed as a gaming platform due to poor game quality.
   • Known for awful licensed games, including those featuring Nintendo characters.

4. Atari Jaguar

   • Marketed as the first 64-bit system but failed due to reliance on outdated cartridge format and poor game library.
   • Sold about 125,000 units, with many left unsold.

5. Apple Bandai Pippin

   • Attempted to merge computing and gaming but launched poorly against stronger competitors like the PlayStation.
   • Sold only 42,000 units, making it rare today.

Conclusion

The article shows the diverse legacy of home video game consoles, highlighting the delicate balance of quality, marketing, and timing in achieving commercial success.