Which ''failed'' game system do you have the fondest memories of? [Archive]

TurboGenesis

07-02-2008, 09:13 PM

Lemmi_Is_God

07-02-2008, 09:15 PM

im going to list the ones i got close to launch date

TG16 for me
i bought it 4 months after launch, and before that i was playing the NES, then i sold it to pay for the Genesis and NHL hockey game that was out, then i bought it back from the guy i sold it to for $10 but it only had 5 games left of the 25 i sold it with

then the Atari 7800. bought a few months after launch also

i got the DC when they were discounted to $50 so no fond memories there

diskoboy

07-02-2008, 09:16 PM

Did the TG16 really fail, in the US?? I know it didn't set the world on fire, but I wouldn't really call it a failure - it survived it's 5 year shelf life.

It did fairly well until the SNES finally made both the Genny and the TG look like a old Colecovision. It had (and still has) some excellent titles, and did hold its own vs. the Genesis, when it was just Sega and NEC in the 16-bit market...

Tron 2.0

07-02-2008, 09:35 PM

TG16>Saturn>Dreamcast

Flashback2012

07-02-2008, 09:40 PM

TG16>Saturn>Dreamcast

This is my response as well, in this order. :wink 2:

Nophix

07-02-2008, 10:04 PM

Dreamcast, mainly from the hours of Tokyo Extreme Racer 2.

Vectrex, because of the hours of playtime when I was a kid.

guitargary75

07-02-2008, 10:11 PM

Dreamcast.

ShinobiMan

07-02-2008, 10:12 PM

Dreamcast for sure. The Sega of old lives on in our hearts.

jcalder8

07-02-2008, 10:18 PM

Well I don't know what you mean by "failed" so I'm picking the 3DO. I remember being amazed by the graphics and even rented the system at one point. I still holdout hope that I will find one in the wild at some point.

Sudo

07-02-2008, 10:18 PM

Dreamcast, hands down.

RegSNES

07-02-2008, 10:20 PM

At the risk of sounding like everyone else, Dreamcast. I picked up my black sports model in 2001 with Sonic Adventure, Soul Calibur, Crazy Taxi and Sega Rally 2 and fell in love.

retroman

07-02-2008, 10:23 PM

3DO, and the Dreamcast.

j_factor

07-02-2008, 10:30 PM

Saturn, followed by the Turbo. I don't consider the Dreamcast a failed system, at least not in this part of the world. It was short-lived, and there are various reasons for that, but it was a success in North America while it was around.

Did the TG16 really fail, in the US?? I know it didn't set the world on fire, but I wouldn't really call it a failure - it survived it's 5 year shelf life.

It did fairly well until the SNES finally made both the Genny and the TG look like a old Colecovision. It had (and still has) some excellent titles, and did hold its own vs. the Genesis, when it was just Sega and NEC in the 16-bit market...

The Turbo did indeed have games trickling in for a good length of time, but from a commercial standpoint, it was most certainly a failure in North America. Even from the beginning it was never successful here, and it only got worse as time went on. Both Genesis and Turbografx had games that held their own against or even surpassed anything on SNES; that wasn't the problem. It had very poor marketing, practically zero hype/recognition of even its flagship titles, and a general lack of retailer presence. By the time Bonk III CD came out, most Turbo fans had no option other than to purchase it via mail order, because most stores didn't carry that game and many didn't even have any remaining Turbografx stock left by that point. TTI never had the resources to properly manage the system -- after a decent (but brief) early push from them when they first took over and the Duo first released, the system languished badly. The Duo soon found itself in fourth place, behind Sega CD.

kedawa

07-02-2008, 10:38 PM

NeoGeo Pocket Color

grolt

07-02-2008, 10:41 PM

Here's a thread made for Sega consoles. I bought both the Saturn and Dreamcast at launch, and the years following were filled with wonder for both systems, but it was the Saturn's legacy that continues to endure with me today. So many totally unique games and genres that haven't ever really made it to other consoles (Panzer Dragoons, NiGHTS, Burning Rangers, Guardian Heroes, Astal, Mr. Bones, Virtua Cops, Enemy Zero, etc.) and a number of great console changing additions (NetLink and network gaming, built in hard drive, 3D control pad, etc.) that ensure it's a system that will remain forever in the history books. The Dreamcast started very strong, but I'd say that things started to go stale development-wise when Sega's net losses loomed over every developer. Compare the final release of the DC to the legendary final games of the Saturn (Panzer Dragoon Saga, Shining Force III, Burning Rangers, House of the Dead, Magic Knight Rayearth) and it's pretty safe to say the DC couldn't maintain the momentum it established at the start.

I got into the SMS much later in life, although I'd played it at friends' places as a kid. Looking back though, I'd say it was every bit as strong as the Saturn, both creatively and in their game output. The 3D Glasses still remain a show stopping peripheral that make you wonder why the technology hasn't been re-introduced on later consoles since. As for the games, there's a ton of really awesome games that few can compare with. Wonder Boy III makes all other 8-bit platformers look like child's play, Golden Axe Warrior beats Zelda at its own game, Rescue Mission is a great burst of originality compared to your usual rails light gun game, and then of course there's all the classic franchises that first got their start on the console: Alex Kidd, Fantasy Zone, Space Harrier and Phantasy Star. Phantasy Star sits in pretty esteemed company on that system, with a ton of great RPG offerings like Golvellius, Lord of the Sword, SpellCaster, Miracle Warriors and the aforementioned Golden Axe Warrior.

For a neglected system with only 100 and so games Stateside, it definitely made up for quantity with quality. That Sega did this mostly on their own because of Nintendo's illegal third-party strong arming tactics is even greater reason for praise. So if we're saying "best" failed system, I'd say the Master System, but because I grew up standing behind the Saturn through all its life, I'd have to call it the system I remember most fondly.

Blanka789

07-02-2008, 10:53 PM

If you count it as a failure, then Sega CD. Otherwise, I'd have to go with the Dreamcast.

GM80

07-02-2008, 11:02 PM

I nearly joined the chorus of those singing "Dreamcast!" but decided I'd go with 32X instead.

I inherited my brother's Genesis and Sega CD combo when he got married and moved out about that time, and I saved for months to top it off with a 32X. I remember totally geeking out over Star Wars and its polygonal Death Star runs, adventuring through Blackthorne, the smooth polygonal performance of Virtua Racing, and passin' it around with NFL Quarterback Club.

Never did do much more than that with the 32X, but I remain fond because of the memories tied to it.

Rob2600

07-02-2008, 11:12 PM

The Atari Lynx. My parents bought one for me in mid 1990. I was amazed by the graphics, sound, and color screen, especially compared to the Game Boy.

I played California Games, Klax, Electrocop, and Ninja Gaiden a lot.

The Lynx failed as a portable, but would it have done better as a home console instead? It was practically one already anyway. The only time I played it was at home plugged into the AC outlet because I didn't have enough money to keep buying six AA batteries every two hours.

Dangerboy

07-02-2008, 11:19 PM

You know, maybe it's just me, but if you have 250 games...I don't really think that's failing. Especially when there are so many high calibur (pun intended) games on there.

Passed by before it's time? Yes. Failed? No.

You want FAILED systems?

I will whomp anyone in the thread with my US Laseractive. One giant mammoth that got 18 official discs printed for it, and of those 18, 10 are honest to god games. The rest are Educational or rehash of non-Don Bluth LDs

And while you're recovering from that, I'll be playing my Turbo Duo while waiting for the Macross games and Mortal Kombat to be released on it.

Alfador

07-03-2008, 12:13 AM

Virtual Boy all the way!!! I love that awesome misunderstood thing.

bgreenlee

07-03-2008, 12:44 AM

32x.
the dreamcast was horrible... not a single good game on the system.

otaku

07-03-2008, 12:52 AM

I like alot of failed systems. The NGPC was great but honestly I didn't play it much. The saturn was great but again not alot to play. Neo geo aes was pretty sweet to but...I'll say DC all those emulators and all those great games and man awesome!

diskoboy

07-03-2008, 01:03 AM

the dreamcast was horrible... not a single good game on the system.

Have you ever actually even played one?

I'm pretty sure the answer is 'no'.

Policenaut

07-03-2008, 01:10 AM

I have the best memories of the Turbo Grafx 16.

This was my first system after the NES and the Sega Master System.

I was the only fellow in the neighborhood with this console and I embraced it dearly. Very few retailers carry games for it and I got many games at Children's Palace as well as Toys R Us. Since games were tough to come by during its time, I kept them all and NEVER sold any. Those games are with me today! (as well as many more)

To this day I have strong love for the Turbo. I continue to enjoy it and the games that are on it even if they would be consider below average. I am Turbo Grafx fan and supporter for ever!

Well, I can pretty much agree with you, I had almost the exact same experience with the TG-16. I just can't get enough of it and actually I'm exploring PCEngine games as well and boy, there are so many games for it that it still amaze me. On second place I can agree with much of you guys about the DC. We did so many tourneys for the great fighting games for the console, enjoyed every shmup for the console and still have dearly memories of PSO. Great stuff for the DC, I am truly sorry it didn't last longer in business.

EX-Soldier

07-03-2008, 01:15 AM

dreamcast in my opion was not a failure, that thing was crazy popular out here, everyone had it, ppl just lost interest when da ps2 dropped, so its not that they did something wrong, what they did they did well, sony just did it better, the best man won (arguably)

but to stay on topic, my favorite failure easily the n64, how the hell this hasnt been mentioned yet is beyond me, many a weekend were spent playing blastcorps & waverace....oh &pilotwings!!! that game doesn't get mentioned enough sadly

Rob2600

07-03-2008, 02:03 AM

my favorite failure easily the n64, how the hell this hasnt been mentioned yet is beyond me

It hasn't been mentioned yet because it wasn't a failure.

Icarus Moonsight

07-03-2008, 02:19 AM

Master System if only for Wonder Boy 2/3 and Phantasy Star.

Sega consoles really have a hold on me. ;)

NYLatenite

07-03-2008, 04:02 AM

The Dreamcast without a doubt. While many consider it a failed system because it didn't make it to the end of it's generation, I can honestly say I've never regretted my purchase of one. From launch day forward, it provided me with hours upon hours of entertainment.

Failed in the market, yes. Failed as a game system, no. :)

EX-Soldier

07-03-2008, 04:05 AM

It hasn't been mentioned yet because it wasn't a failure.

beg to differ, nintendo fucked up majorly by arrogantly sticking to expensive carts when the industry was clearly shifting to the more efficient & cost effective disc based games, add to that the long standing tradition of keeping 3rd party developers at arms length reinforcing the stigma that the only good games found on this nintendo system came out of the nintendo camp themselves (this includes rare)

the failure of the n64 to remain relevant for that era, lose exclusivty deals with squaresoft & thus allowing relative newcomer sony (who nintendo inadvertently caused to enter the system war)to muscle there way in, gain headway & usurp the once proud nintendo from its throne and go on an 10 year tyrannical rampage, virtually unchallenged for the next 2 generations in console gaming...yea i'd call that a fuck up....i'd call that a colossal fuck up =(

SpaceHarrier

07-03-2008, 04:31 AM

I'd love to say 32x or Lynx, but Dreamcast wins by a landslide.

Aussie2B

07-03-2008, 04:37 AM

For some reason I've always had a knack for avoiding the systems doomed to failure when they were new, which I'm sure has saved me a lot of disappointment and cash. I guess then I was part of the problem by not supporting a struggling system, but what can ya do. The closest I came was buying the Dreamcast when it was still somewhat alive but dropped to $100. I barely touch the thing, though, so I wouldn't say I have that many fond memories with it. Honestly, I probably should've waited for the price drop to $50.

I do love an underdog, though, so there's a special place in my heart for all the niche systems I've gotten into over the years. I have gotten loads of enjoyment out of systems like the PC Engine, Sega CD, Virtual Boy, and Neo Geo Pocket Color. As much hate that some may get, I can't help but stand up for them since they all have their merits.

Icarus Moonsight

07-03-2008, 06:51 AM

bcks007

07-03-2008, 07:33 AM

I will be unique and say N64

16bitter

07-03-2008, 09:29 AM

This is an interesting thread because I was thinking about this topic the other day, specifically, what constitutes a console as a failure? Most people say the Dreamcast was a failure, but I always believed that it was a huge success, especially at launch. It had a lot of third party support and tons of great games. People seemed to really embrace the console and it wasn't until the PS2 and X-Box came out that that the popularity died off.

So my questions are: What makes a system a failure? How long does it have to last in the marketplace to be considered a success? Can a third place system be considered a failure? What kind of numbers, ie consoles sold through, make a system a success?

I'm betting that the Dreamcast had better market penetration than the Neo Geo, but the latter is considered a success even though it was a niche console.

These are the burning questions that keep me up at night. Maybe there should be another thread for just what makes a console a failure.

Pantechnicon

07-03-2008, 10:11 AM

I'm going to step a little further back into history and say the Atari 5200, by all accounts a "failed" system. Absolutely fell in love with the thing from the first day I saw one back in 1983, although I only had a few opportunities to ever lay hands on one from that point forward. I finally got one of my own in 1998 and it was the 2nd system for which I started aggressively collecting after the 2600.

Rob2600

07-03-2008, 10:31 AM

beg to differ, nintendo fucked up majorly...

33 million consoles sold and some of the highest selling games of all time is not a failure.

mindlesspunk77

07-03-2008, 11:28 AM

Trevelyan

07-03-2008, 11:36 AM

the Sega Cd seemed so rad at the time. CD's! Woah, its futureriffic.

Dreamcast though.

bgreenlee

07-03-2008, 03:26 PM

Have you ever actually even played one?

I'm pretty sure the answer is 'no'.

http://www.brandongreenlee.com/misc/Sega_Dreamcast_Small.jpg

</trolling>

ROFL

Cloud121

07-03-2008, 03:37 PM

Hm... Let's see...

I didn't get any "failed" systems until after their discontinuation (okay, I bought my Dreamcast exactly two weeks before NHL 2K2 came out, but that doesn't really count).

As a hardcore Sega nut, I love all the Sega consoles pretty much equally. Though I'm probably more of a 32X fanboy more than anything. I absolutely love the thing.

I finally got a 3DO back in December, and a Jaguar in May. I absolutely LOVE the 3DO. Considering I love the entire fifth generation more than any other, that's pretty much a given. 3DO is probably my new favorite console. Well, not my number one, but easily in my Top 5.

EX-Soldier

07-03-2008, 03:52 PM

33 million consoles sold and some of the highest selling games of all time is not a failure.

Agreed I have no idea where ex-soldier is coming from. Maybe an alternate universe or just a sony fan boy.

the ps3 sold more units within its 1st year than the the 360 did its 1st year yet the ps3 is considered a failure by many, reason being that sony much like nintendo b4 it is held to much higher expectations than its competition due in no small part to previous successes

but this wont be the blanket answer i'm gonna give, specifically what i meant to point out was due to nintendos arrogance, they allowed the then new kid on the block sony to secure a foothold in the industry and become the seemingly unstoppable machine they are today, how many years did the n64 remain a viable console realistically speaking?

im a gamer pure & simple, i have my wii right next to the ps3 much like i had the gamecube next to the ps2 & n64 by the playstation b4 it, i draw no pleasure in purging one system in the purifying fires of critical opinion while singing praises for another so that its brilliance is that much more in the absence of competition, i play games period, the system is irrelevant, i just made an objective observation

i loved the n64, its the system i have the fondest memories of, i just say they dropped the ball with that one in more ways than one, no need to catch feelings

Blanka789

07-03-2008, 04:15 PM

the ps3 sold more units within its 1st year than the the 360 did its 1st year yet the ps3 is considered a failure by many, reason being that sony much like nintendo b4 it is held to much higher expectations than its competition due in no small part to previous successes

but this wont be the blanket answer i'm gonna give, specifically what i meant to point out was due to nintendos arrogance, they allowed the then new kid on the block sony to secure a foothold in the industry and become the seemingly unstoppable machine they are today, how many years did the n64 remain a viable console realistically speaking?

im a gamer pure & simple, i have my wii right next to the ps3 much like i had the gamecube next to the ps2 & n64 by the playstation b4 it, i draw no pleasure in purging one system in the purifying fires of critical opinion while singing praises for another so that its brilliance is that much more in the absence of competition, i play games period, the system is irrelevant, i just made an objective observation

i loved the n64, its the system i have the fondest memories of, i just say they dropped the ball with that one in more ways than one, no need to catch feelings

I see where you are coming from, but I think everyone just thinks failure is too extreme of a term when describing the N64. Yes, Nintendo screwed up, and they should be held to higher standards. However, most companies would KILL for a "failure" like the N64.

From Nintendo's Point of View, probably a failure.

From everyone else's, not so much.

EX-Soldier

07-03-2008, 04:24 PM

EX-Soldier, I can't understand how one can say the Dreamcast wasn't a failure yet, the N64 was. It simply does not compute. The N64 may have been the beginning of Nintendo's console slump but, it was received by many more people than the DC. Plus, the N64 wasn't the Swan Song that the Dreamcast ended up being. A record breaking launch can not compensate that much.

when i said that i wasnt going off numbers or how much money was ultimately made by their respective companies, i based my opinion purely on the merits of the system itself and what they accomplished within their lifespans

as a system, the dreamcast did what they did well, sony just happened to do it better, they lost the race thru no fault of their own, the competition just had better marketing and deeper pockets, from a purely gaming standpoint the dreamcast was almost every bit as powerful as the ps2, they did the best they could with what they had

the n64 however had every advantage afforded to them as a pillar within the gaming universe, still even to this day, within developing nations & 3rd world countries with access to next gen systems, regardless of manufacturer many refer to all gaming systems as nintendo (this is especially prevalent among spanish cultures, including those within the US), a testament to the impact nintendo had on the world, now with all that clout and development muscle & experience, the fact that upstart sony (which they foolishly spurred into entering the 32 bit gaming era) could just walk in and not only survive but THRIVE in this hostile environment is not just unforgivable but as was aforementioned by MUAAAA....A COLOSSAL FUCK UP!!!

:2gunfire: bang bang bitches =)

miaandjohnrule

07-03-2008, 04:33 PM

I would start with the TG-16 as it has several of my all time favorites even though I have only had it for the last 5 years. I would also say the Sega Master System as it was the first system and I remember getting it around Christmans and playing it for several years before I recieved any others.

rkotm

07-03-2008, 10:30 PM

DREAMCAST. For many reasons, the times i played it (and still do) and the games. also, the virtual boy. *weird stares* I really love the times i played VB with Wario World and Mario Tennis, back in 97. i loved the VB's private atmosphere and quiet buzzing, until i left and it was all green vision afterwards.

Kevincal

07-04-2008, 01:53 AM

I've had a soft spot for the Jaguar since 1994. I only have a handfull of games, but they are great... Tempest 2000, Alien vs. Predator, Doom, Cybermorph, Zool 2, Iron Soldier & Wolfenstein 3d. Good times then and now... ;)

Knoxximus

07-07-2008, 02:37 AM

TurboGrafx-16. Hands down!

Nikademus1969

07-07-2008, 03:03 AM

Hmmmm....

Dreamcast, 3DO, and Sega Master System.

Brian Deuel

07-07-2008, 08:38 AM

There's always at least one person in these threads that has to bash the Dreamcast, if it's a thread where the DC gets mentioned numerous times in a favorable light. Pretty funny :)

alec006

07-07-2008, 02:22 PM

Same as alot of people have said,Dreamcast & Saturn. I wish they would have came out with some great Sonic games for the Saturn like Sonic Xtreme,even thou the 3D woulds be as smooth as they are today,it would still have that 2D sonic feel in a 3D world. Dreamcast,i mean its the only console to use the GD-ROM right,that could have been a better alternative to the mini gamecube discs,then again dont both have the same amount of space? And also,lets not forget the online play,it would have been intresting to be able to play many good dreamcast games online. TG-16 and 3DO,thou i havent played them,they look like they have some pretty intresting games that could have been fun to play. Sega CD,that could have went places for the Genesis,if only the 32X hadnt failed so much. CD-I.....well what can I say....*king of hyrule voice* "My boy,this is what all true warriors stribe for!" It would have been pretty cool to have a cd attachment for the SNES,i mean imagine what mode 7 could do if it had 650 MB worth of CD-ROM data to work with,could have been a great Metroid game out of that. Speaking of Disk Systems,How bout the N64 DD,i mean..there again could have been alot of great addons,online play,Metroid And Zelda Like games with lots of data,the possibilitys were endless.

RadiantSvgun

07-07-2008, 05:19 PM

Turbo Duo hands down. I don't consider the DC a failure, and even if I did, I would still put the Duo ahead of it.

AdamAnt316

07-08-2008, 12:02 AM

I got into it nearly a decade after it failed, but I'd have to go with the Atari 7800. Excellent arcade translations (granted, of games released years before the system was introduced), as well as 2600 compatibility, making for a large game library. A shame it was so badly marketed, and so flimsy...
-Adam

LiquidPolicenaut

07-08-2008, 12:49 AM

I would have to say the Sega CD and 3DO, especially the Sega CD. I still play both to this day....

AMG

07-08-2008, 07:50 AM

The Dreamcast. Got it in 99' and I loved the console to death (still do). It's a shame it crashed and burned so badly at the end. I would have loved to see what they could have done with the system in later generation software. The console had a lot of untapped potential.

DigitalSpace

07-10-2008, 02:39 AM

I almost went with the Game Gear, but that was considered the biggest competitor to the Game Boy until the PSP came along, and Majesco even brought it back to life for a while, so I don't really consider it a "failure."

So instead, I'm going with the Sega CD. My cousin used to have one, and brought it over once back in the day. He had two games - Sonic CD and Ecco - and we had a fun night of playing both games. My mom even liked Ecco, and she's never been much of a gamer.