Top Ten Worst Consoles of All Time

[Keranu]

Personally I'll take Sega CD over PS2 anyday as PS2 games have never really appealed to me. I do love the Sega Ages remake of Fantasy Zone though!

[Seldane]

Even the PS1 is better than the Mega-CD.







...And the PS1 is not good!

[offsidewing]

I never understood "this console sucks" "this console rocks"  I've always thrown those comments into the land of Fan-boyism. 

There will always be the obvious hardware configuration differences.  Like the loser that accausted my father and I while looking at the PS3 demo.  "sony lied, the refresh rate of true 1080P is 60MHz and the PS3 is only 20MHz."  The guy walked away and my dad and I shared a SGI joke from the early 90's.  (Silicon Graphics machines).

Games make the system, Period.  Regardless of system cost, configuration, and controller interface.  The way companies market and distribute games on their corresponding systems always leaves something to be desired (for more info, read up on a system called the TURBO GRAFX-16).

There is a game for just about every major console release that I love (yet the TG-16 will always be #1 in my heart) and everyone should play.  A gamer should embrace all things gaming, yes - even be tolerant of sports games.  If you disallow yourself to play a game because "it's on a console I hate" then Babbette, (you need to) get a clue!  You're not a gamer, you're a straight up blind loyalist.

Again, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I encourage all to share them. I'm just trying to help people from looking ig-nant when they do it.

[GUTS]

No I was talking to the guy who hated anything Sony because there is a lot of crap on those systems.  When you have a system like the Ps2 with 1000+ games you're going to have a way higher number of crap games, but you're also going to have TONS more good games since everybody makes games for it.  The PS2 has more quality titles than probably any other console ever released, I mean there's just so much variety with RPGs, shooters, 2D fighers, everything you could possibly think of.  I just can't fathom someone hating the PS2 and being able to love any other system, it seems like the PS2 would be the one system that everybody could agree rules.

[offsidewing]

I just wished my slimline PS2 played Puzzle Fighter

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Me, I can't stand systems that have tons of games that are mostly garbage. I want to be able to pick up a random game off the shelf and have the chances be good that it will be enjoyable.

This is not the case with systems like the CD-i, 2600, and everything that has ever carried the 'playstation' name. therefore I hate them. (except for the 2600, because the games are so cheap by now the quality to quantity ratio is irrelevant.

So don't buy every game for the system - problem solved.  If you only stock your shelves with quality games, you'll always pick a good one.  Admittedly, this will be nearly impossible to do with a CD-I (even with an extremely small shelf).

[Seldane]

Games make the system, Period.

As I said earlier in this thread:

What everybody means when they say "bad console" is actually the software library available for said console. Ignore the hardware, it's all about the games. The Mega-CD game library sucks, and therefore it is on this list. While there are a handful of Mega-CD games worth playing, it does qualify for this list.

I agree that fanboyism is stupid, but that's just how people work. They will favor what they have themselves, and at least in some cases, diss what they don't.

[guyjin]

No I was talking to the guy who hated anything Sony because there is a lot of crap on those systems.  When you have a system like the Ps2 with 1000+ games you're going to have a way higher number of crap games, but you're also going to have TONS more good games since everybody makes games for it.

Unfortunately, most of the good games never get to the budget bin, which is where I buy most of my games. So, to me, the good:crap ratio does matter.

The PS2 has more quality titles than probably any other console ever released, I mean there's just so much variety with RPGs, shooters, 2D fighers, everything you could possibly think of.  I just can't fathom someone hating the PS2 and being able to love any other system, it seems like the PS2 would be the one system that everybody could agree rules.

Its not that there aren't good games for it; I worship the ground beneath Katamari Damacy. But that's the problem; With the exception of KD, it's so mainstream it doesn't get the odd niche titles. Also, it doesn't have the first party titles I care about, like the Dreamcast and Gamecube did.

Also, I'm still a little pissed about the DC going away, so I'm still holding a grudge against Sony for that. If that makes me a fanboy, fine. I'm perfectly satisfied as a gamer without owning a playstation.

[Seldane]

Dude, it's the PS2 that GETS the niche titles. There are TONS of them! Looks like you don't know anything about the PS2. Get one today.

[offsidewing]

Only slightly less annoying to me than fan boyism, "I only like niche, unknown, obscure games."  But don't get in that rut simple because of the price!  It' also been my experience your Valkyrie Profiles, Vagrant Stories, Orge Tactics, and other gems are more expensive in the used market.

I hear you though about the cost of games.  To compensate, I've befriended the local gamestop boys and it's handy getting first dibs at used titles (I'm Turbo-Dude).  That's the only way I can roll with the current systems, USED.  Money's not the issue, it's just the principle.  It sucks not playing Final Fanstasy XUIOH:KLJCCXXIII when everyone else is, but in a year us budget minded gamers can enjoy it.

I did I just call myself budget minded?? I just dropped $30 on Air Zonk!

[CrackTiger]

Games make the system, Period.

As I said earlier in this thread:

What everybody means when they say "bad console" is actually the software library available for said console. Ignore the hardware, it's all about the games. The Mega-CD game library sucks, and therefore it is on this list. While there are a handful of Mega-CD games worth playing, it does qualify for this list.

I agree that fanboyism is stupid, but that's just how people work. They will favor what they have themselves, and at least in some cases, diss what they don't.

The Sega/Mega-CD has at least 80 games worth playing-

http://www.sega-16.com/Sega%20CD%20list%20page.php

Thats makes a pretty good library.


I can see how many people might not like PS2 or any other console. No one has to like anything. But you should have a good reason to hate something.

[Seldane]

I found 13 games that I like like in that list (I did not include the few games that I "like" for other reasons than them being good, like Fhey Area). And yeah, I've played most of the games released for that console (except most of the fmv games as well as several japanese games with really odd titles). I played a LOT of Mega-CD back in 2003 or something. I don't hate the Mega-CD, but I don't think it even remotely features a solid library of games.

[PCEngineHell]

No I was talking to the guy who hated anything Sony because there is a lot of crap on those systems.  When you have a system like the Ps2 with 1000+ games you're going to have a way higher number of crap games, but you're also going to have TONS more good games since everybody makes games for it.  The PS2 has more quality titles than probably any other console ever released, I mean there's just so much variety with RPGs, shooters, 2D fighers, everything you could possibly think of.  I just can't fathom someone hating the PS2 and being able to love any other system, it seems like the PS2 would be the one system that everybody could agree rules.

You make a excellent point. My main thing is,I can easily acknowledge the fact the PS2 does indeed have a excellent library of titles,I hate the system itself because of the poor hardware design. This has nothing to do with the graphics capabilities either. Its the simple fact the system defect rate on it is extremely high. it does not seem to matter if it is the slim line or any of the original larger revisions,the systems laser eye,or other parts of the drive die out easily,and the fan on the older larger revisions was too small,and too slow on the RPM to keep it cool enough,and the venting was designed poorly and dust filled it to death,and was a pain to blow out well enough.

Sony builds these systems to die,just as they did the PS1,because they know that the system will die most likely around the time they start to turn profit on the hardware,and they can get a resale on it and keep you going on the platform. Sony is the only manufacturer of  a system I have purchased that has died in 3 months,and has managed to repeat this process for over 12 years,and get away with it with only minor class action lawsuits. Part of my entertainment needs and fun are met via reliable hardware. Because of this I will tend to stick to hardware known to last,even if it has a smaller library,like the Saturn did over here and because I know I can increase the size of the available library by importing.

nuff said

[PCEngineHell]

I found 13 games that I like like in that list (I did not include the few games that I "like" for other reasons than them being good, like Fhey Area). And yeah, I've played most of the games released for that console (except most of the fmv games as well as several japanese games with really odd titles). I played a LOT of Mega-CD back in 2003 or something. I don't hate the Mega-CD, but I don't think it even remotely features a solid library of games.

When I can find 25-35 titles I know I enjoy and want to own,and will continue to enjoy,on a platform well over 10 years old,with many of these titles being classics,I feel the library released is solid. But,thats just my feelings on that,and not how the overall scope of users will feel like,nor will they enjoy everything I enjoy.

[Joe Redifer]

Michael, you forgot that by selling replacement consoles for ones that have died after warranty Sony (and maybe even Microsoft these days) can increase their "installed user base" to make it seem like there are more console owners than there actually are.  This works great when courting companies trying to get exclusives and the such.

[PCEngineHell]

Michael, you forgot that by selling replacement consoles for ones that have died after warranty Sony (and maybe even Microsoft these days) can increase their "installed user base" to make it seem like there are more console owners than there actually are.  This works great when courting companies trying to get exclusives and the such.

I think most major game companies are wise up on that now since PS1 days. I think it does play a factor however,and is a good point,but the installed user base of PS 2 was massive even before the masses of defect units started to come up,other then the original Japanese unit release date recall from the electrical fires.

[CrackTiger]

I found 13 games that I like like in that list (I did not include the few games that I "like" for other reasons than them being good, like Fhey Area). And yeah, I've played most of the games released for that console (except most of the fmv games as well as several japanese games with really odd titles). I played a LOT of Mega-CD back in 2003 or something. I don't hate the Mega-CD, but I don't think it even remotely features a solid library of games.

When I can find 25-35 titles I know I enjoy and want to own,and will continue to enjoy,on a platform well over 10 years old,with many of these titles being classics,I feel the library released is solid. But,thats just my feelings on that,and not how the overall scope of users will feel like,nor will they enjoy everything I enjoy.

I'm happy with even 6 fun games for a console. But even if there are only 2 or 3 I want to play, its still worth it to me to pick up a retro system if the price is reasonable.

[Keranu]

I agree with CrackTiger, I can enjoy a system even with a very small amount of good games, like the PC-FX.

[nat]

I think the PC-FX easliy has more than 6 worthwhile, fun games.

At least twice that, maybe closer to 20.

[OldRover]

I do love the Sega Ages remake of Fantasy Zone though!

I don't. The game locks up all the time and is full of flakey flaws. Most of the rest of the games on that disc suck ass, ESPECIALLY their half-assed attempt at a remake of Golden Axe. I plan on trading in my copy of the disc.

Buying a console for a few good games isn't a bad thing. I originally bought the PS2 for Smackdown 4. My library hasn't grown much since then, I can count the number of PS2 games I own on my fingers and have spare change. I'm gonna buy a Saturn for a single game. I want an Xbox for one single game. I also want a Gamecube for a single game (or a Wii I guess, since it runs GC software). So it's not such a bad thing.

[CrackTiger]

I do love the Sega Ages remake of Fantasy Zone though!

I don't. The game locks up all the time and is full of flakey flaws. Most of the rest of the games on that disc suck ass, ESPECIALLY their half-assed attempt at a remake of Golden Axe. I plan on trading in my copy of the disc.

Buying a console for a few good games isn't a bad thing. I originally bought the PS2 for Smackdown 4. My library hasn't grown much since then, I can count the number of PS2 games I own on my fingers and have spare change. I'm gonna buy a Saturn for a single game. I want an Xbox for one single game. I also want a Gamecube for a single game (or a Wii I guess, since it runs GC software). So it's not such a bad thing.

I wanted to buy a PS2 to play Tengai Makyou III. Before I had a chance my girlfriend gave me one for X-Mas, I bought the game and have been happy with the system ever since. The only other games I have for it are Ys I & II, ys III, Taito Coll 2, Tengai Makyou II and Wonderboy Coll though. But thats enough to justify the console for me(I still want the Phantasy Star remake).

[Seldane]

I guess I don't work that way. I've bought consoles a handful or fewer games before, and I've always come to regret it (PS1 for Symphony of the Night, Gamecube for Zelda TWW, etc)... I actually bought my Mega-CD for Popful Mail, I didn't really like it that much, (too hard) but I found other enjoyable games for it, and I definitely do not regret that.

[CrackTiger]

I guess I don't work that way. I've bought consoles a handful or fewer games before, and I've always come to regret it (PS1 for Symphony of the Night, Gamecube for Zelda TWW, etc)... I actually bought my Mega-CD for Popful Mail, I didn't really like it that much, (too hard) but I found other enjoyable games for it, and I definitely do not regret that.

The cheap difficulty of the Working Designs Popful Mail also turned me off. But I did make it to the Ice area.

[Joe Redifer]

I beat the game!  The ice place is pretty close to the end if I recall.  The character just ran too close to the edge of the screen, making your reaction time to oncoming enemies and situations extremely small.  Plus I'm sure WD added a ton of HP to each enemy, especially the bosses.

[RCduck7]

At the time the Sega CD came out i was more intrested in music and going out and when i played road avenger and an other type of this sort of game it made me turn my back on gaming for a a few years until the PS1 came out.
That was the only time i was not into gaming anymore though.
Now i know there are a few good games on it and many collectors see the mega CD in a worthwhile investment.
But it's certainly not the worst console, the Philips CD-I maybe???

[Dark Fact]

Well I checked that video out on the ten worst consoles and I definitely think it's a crock.

Okay, the Phantom? How could a system that never even got released and properly judged by gamers even make the list? Nobody knew how it played or what titles it got.  Calling it worst is meaningless if it had no official release.  I think the GT crew just got lazy with that one.

Philips CD-I? Well, that deserved it.  One of the biggest black marks on Nintendo's career.

Ha ha! The N-Gage? Man, I feel sorry for anyone who bought that and think that they can use that as an official phone and organizer. Let's not forget that the 3D games released for that were blocky crap.

Michael, you forgot that by selling replacement consoles for ones that have died after warranty Sony (and maybe even Microsoft these days) can increase their "installed user base" to make it seem like there are more console owners than there actually are.  This works great when courting companies trying to get exclusives and the such.

In other words, people will still buy because of their "loyalty" to the company? I just think companies are doing this to squeeze out more money from their consumers.

[TR0N]

Philips CD-I? Well, that deserved it.  One of the biggest black marks on Nintendo's career.

Agreed still at least there remix clips are entertaining.

[Dark Fact]

"I'm so hungry, I can eat an Oktorok!". 

Does it get any better than that?

[Kitsunexus]

Okay, the Phantom? How could a system that never even got released and properly judged by gamers even make the list? Nobody knew how it played or what titles it got.  Calling it worst is meaningless if it had no official release.  I think the GT crew just got lazy with that one.

Actually a list of titles WERE released. It was mainly casual gaming $10 PC games, like Bejewled, Sorry!, Monopoly, Jeopardy, and other shit like that.

No one gives a fuck about those games, this is why the NUON and Phantom both failed.

This is actually proof that console gamers are more hardcore than PC gamers. Console gamers don't tolerate this shit on their systems.

[Seldane]

PC gamers don't need weak consoles. Phantom was an idiotic idea, and I trembled in fear the first time I heard about their ideas (downloading games off the net instead of buying them, etc).

[Nazi NecroPhile]

This is actually proof that console gamers are more hardcore than PC gamers. Console gamers don't tolerate this shit on their systems.

Personally, I agree.  XBOX Live Arcade would beg to differ.

PC gamers don't need weak consoles. Phantom was an idiotic idea, and I trembled in fear the first time I heard about their ideas (downloading games off the net instead of buying them, etc).

Looking at the downloadable content on the current consoles makes me think that everybody will eventually take this route.  Nostradamus envisioned a future where store bought games would be very short and limited, forcing people online to download the 'good' parts of the game.  Actually, this could be a good way for developers to push a game into the market early and at a lower price.  They could then use this money to pay for the rest of the development costs, which have risen too high for smaller companies to stay competitive.

[Kitsunexus]

I don't want to download games like Zelda or Halo, but would LOVE to download games like Tetris DS and Ikaruga.

That's the line I walk.

[Joe Redifer]

Did Nostradamus envision kissing my ass?  Because that's what he can go do!

[Kitsunexus]

Did Nostradamus envision kissing my ass?  Because that's what he can go do!

Hopefully this is a peck on the cheek, not a French kiss.

[guyjin]

Actually, I suspect the 'phantom hardware' is real, to an extent; you're probably using one right now.

I'd bet anything that what they were planning on was basically a PC with more copy protection and DRM than you can shake a stick at. Think about it: the biggest problem for PC game publishers since the dawn of time has been piracy. If you make a locked down gaming specialized PC look "cool", then you might aleviate that old problem.

and then microsoft came along and peed in their cheerios. (at least I think - the phantom was announced before the Xbox, right?)

[Kitsunexus]

Uhh, why the hell is the Phantom so mysterious to everyone? I SPECIFICALLY remember there was an issue of EGM where they announced that it WAS nothing but a PC...

In fact, it's here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_%28game_system%29

[Monster Bonce]

Why was the CD-i so bad? I realise the games were all terrible but is there a technical reason for this or was is all just bad programming?

[Kitsunexus]

It was part of the "edu-tainment" craze, although certainly not to the extent of the Memorex VIS. All the games that weren't education shit were hampered by the fact that the hardware wasn't deigned to do much more than play music and video. The fact that they were even able to get a simple Wolfenstein clone out of the box is an achievement much like a hamster learning to split protons.

All toasters toast toast, and all coasters hold drinks. Lucky for us, the CD-I library has plenty of those.

[Seldane]

Why was the CD-i so bad? I realise the games were all terrible but is there a technical reason for this or was is all just bad programming?

The problem is that the CD-i wasn't intended to be a video game console. They originally designed it as a multimedia player, but when they realized nobody wanted something like that, they just made a controller for it and called it a video game console instead (it was all a marketing thing, it was never a console). They never changed the hardware. That's why they couldn't make games for it, it barely cannot handle sprites, layers, etc like a normal console, and it is incredibly slow. It's kind of like a dvd player. That's why ALL of the "games" for the CD-i are crap - they aren't actually games!

[Kitsunexus]

Yeah, just like 3DO, the only difference being 3DO had some good games.




OK, so I lied.

[Hobo Xiphas]

How dare you badmouth Plumbers Don't Wear Ties!?!?!

Plumbers Don't Wear Ties is the most innovative game ever.  Just the title alone puts it into contention as one of the greatest games ever!

[offsidewing]

This is actually proof that console gamers are more hardcore than PC gamers. Console gamers don't tolerate this shit on their systems.

Personally, I agree.  XBOX Live Arcade would beg to differ.

PC gamers don't need weak consoles. Phantom was an idiotic idea, and I trembled in fear the first time I heard about their ideas (downloading games off the net instead of buying them, etc).

Looking at the downloadable content on the current consoles makes me think that everybody will eventually take this route.  Nostradamus envisioned a future where store bought games would be very short and limited, forcing people online to download the 'good' parts of the game.  Actually, this could be a good way for developers to push a game into the market early and at a lower price.  They could then use this money to pay for the rest of the development costs, which have risen too high for smaller companies to stay competitive.

I seriously wrote EA after the whole Sonic/Knuckles plug-in thing and asked them to do the same thing with NHL series of games so I could have a "base" and buy updated rosters that plug into the top every year.  Never heard back...

[MotoRoaderMike]

Can't think of 10, but I definately think the 32X and the CD-i are in there!

[CrackTiger]

I seriously wrote EA after the whole Sonic/Knuckles plug-in thing and asked them to do the same thing with NHL series of games so I could have a "base" and buy updated rosters that plug into the top every year.  Never heard back...

I remember kids back in the day saying that EA was releasing a chip that plugged into the yellow(?) indented part on the cart to update stats every year. You know, so people wouldn't have to buy the exact same game at full price every year just for slightly different stats. 

[Turbo D]

 wtf? I heard that rumor too 

[Keranu]

I remember kids back in the day saying that EA was releasing a chip that plugged into the yellow(?) indented part on the cart to update stats every year. You know, so people wouldn't have to buy the exact same game at full price every year just for slightly different stats. 

Hahahaha, that would be too funny and awesome! Man I should really open up that yellow lighting bolt thing on those EA cartridges, there has to be something in there! Could it be all the secrets of mankind?

[Turbo D]

I always thought that it was like some special ram or fx chip, something like that. It didn't help that those EA carts were bigger too, just more for the imagination

[Keranu]

Sega CD (original model) + Genesis (original model) + Game Genie + Sonic & Knuckles + EA cartridge (preferably Skitchin).

The tallest structure in the world.

[Joe Redifer]

Not without a 32X on there it isn't.

[Turbo D]

What about the powerbase???