Best/Worst looking Game Console

[Sonicwolf]

the snes and its smoker yellow plastic makes it the ugliest system...

Not all of the SNES'S are like this. I have 3 and they arent yellow at all... It is still ugly though. lol.

[crom]

Not all of the SNES'S are like this. I have 3 and they arent yellow at all... It is still ugly though. lol.

yeah i know, its just the first gen ones with there defective plastic they used...

but still its funny that all the ones I come across at thrift shops are these ones... lol

[Sonicwolf]

but still its funny that all the ones I come across at thrift shops are these ones... lol

Exact opposite for me. Every SNES I see is unyellowed... Well, all but one.

[ApolloBoy]

Best:
Atari 2600 Jr/5200/7800
Atari XEGS (minus the pastels)
Famicom
SMS
PC Engine

Worst:
RCA Studio II
Amstrad GX4000
SuperGrafx

[Sonicwolf]

It seems that the Supergrafx is a heavy favorite for worst looking console. lol.

[crom]

after looking at the systems again, the ps2 just looks like a couple of rectangles on top of each other, its boring looking, nothing sleek about it...

[Sonicwolf]

In some of my old PlayStation magazines, the poll was what people thought about the look of the 'new' PS2 and the majority said it looked like some horrible 70's entertainment center. lol.

[Gentlegamer]

The original PS2 is ugly, but the slim model is nice and sleek, in my opinion.

[suppafly]

Best looking: Sega Genesis Model 3 (I love the way it looks very slick)

Ugliest looking: SNES. Specially compared to a sleek super famicom.

[Sonicwolf]

Best looking: Sega Genesis Model 3 (I love the way it looks very slick)

I like it too, the only downside to the Genesis 3 (aside from compatability issues and lack of Sega CD port) is the stupid side connectors...

[crom]

i think that officially, only the first gen of a system should count in this question,

[Sonicwolf]

I put the qualifier in the first post as any console that accepts outside media such as cartridge or disc. Thus, major variations count. For example. I hate the Genesis 1 but I like the Genesis 2 and love the Genesis 3. Its hard to make a generalization of opinion in that situation.

[Fanboy]

Best Looking-
Turbo Duo

Worst Looking-
PS3


I've can't understand how someone can love the TD, yet hate the PS3 -- they're almost the same design! I whipped up this animated gif to show the PS3 design process:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1079/digps32.gif


It seems that the Supergrafx is a heavy favorite for worst looking console. lol.

Only those unfamiliar with the C64GS would choose the Supergrafx as most ugly.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Commodore64GamesSystem.png/300px-Commodore64GamesSystem.png

^ The height of 1990 industrial design!

[Sonicwolf]

Only those unfamiliar with the C64GS would choose the Supergrafx as most ugly.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Commodore64GamesSystem.png/300px-Commodore64GamesSystem.png

^ The height of 1990 industrial design!

I would consider that the depth of 1980s industrial design. Looks like some sort of horrible 80s palm computer with blandness issues.

[A Black Falcon]

I always wondered what good that handle was. That and the color. That purple was completely awful and should have never been used. Nintendo wasnt helping their struggles out of the kiddy reputation with that decision...

They had a black Gamecube there on launch day too. That's the one I got. So it was also in purple... so? You didn't have to get purple. The Gamecube isn't my favorite system design, as I think I said earlier, but it is a good one. Not the greatest, but definitely good, with some nice touches like the replaceable central disc thing (with the "Gamecube" logo on it on top), nice orange wedge power light, cube shape once you add a GB Player onto it... I've always thought it's a perfectly good design, if not stunning or anything (like the N64 was).

So yeah, I was disappointed a bit, because I have always thought that the N64 looked so amazing, while I never did with the GC... but still, overall it is a good looking system.


I would consider that the depth of 1980s industrial design. Looks like some sort of horrible 80s palm computer with blandness issues.

I don't know if that's so much bad as it is just incredibly, incredibly boring... as boring looking as a console possibly could be. It doesn't look BAD or anything, really... just utterly bland and featurelessly dull. So yeah, not good.

But anyway... why in the world do people dislike the look of the SuperGrafx? Its really cool looks are one of the best things about the system, really! (that all seven games are good and worth getting would be another reason... it's too bad it wasn't more powerful and a true PC Engine 2, as well as successful. Oh well, I definitely want one sometime anyway...)


I've can't understand how someone can love the TD, yet hate the PS3 -- they're almost the same design! I whipped up this animated gif to show the PS3 design process:

Interesting comparison... the PS3 probably looks a bit more interesting, but I thought that the PS3 actually looked decent, and was disappointed that they dropped the boomerang controller. The TurboDuo looks good too, though. Not as good as the SuperGrafx, but good. Not sure about the Duo-R or Duo-RX, that probably depends on if you prefer black consoles or whiteish ones... this stuff is all opinion, though. And most console designs are at least decent... though something like that C64GS could have used a lot of work.

[Sonicwolf]

They had a black Gamecube there on launch day too. That's the one I got. So it was also in purple... so? You didn't have to get purple.
Alot of it was the fact that they actually thought that purple would have been a good console color. There is so many other colors they could have picked that would have been much better for a system launch. Grey, White, Dark Blue, Silver etc.

[SuperNES]

Best - either Xbox or Sega master system (that thing was smexy)

worst - either virtual boy or Game gear...

[Sonicwolf]

Personally, I always found the Master System to be pretty hideous. It has an awkward shape, it is not symetrical and it has that funky red cheesy 80s diagram on the top.

[freckledpeas]

I really like the look of the Panasonic Q...

I find the RCA Studio II, on the other hand, to be butt ugly...

[cyberfluxor]

It was nice to see a few praises for the 5200 console design before the first negative. I'll do each with a set of 3.

Best:
5200 PAM - The behemoth for the gaming Gods. Massive retro design goodness.
Dreamcast - Solid layout all around and fits in tight places.
Turbo Duo - Top tray on right and card slot on left, compact, sleek and elegant shell design.

Worst:
Virtual Boy - Main stream game system on stilts? Most likely not a "console" or really a "handheld"... Dunno to this day.
NES model 2 - Love the top loader but it's proportion to cart sizes just looks odd as hell. If made more to scale with the toaster then we'd be balling.
Intellivision 2 - Just don't know what to think of this machine. The original has a classy design, but this one looks cheap and more like a toy.

Lets add worst add-ons:
32X - Just what was Sega thinking as it's wierd, bulky + weight, and extra wiring doesn't help much.

Honorable mention:
Neo-Geo AES - The follow-up to the 5200 by SNK

[ApolloBoy]

I would consider that the depth of 1980s industrial design. Looks like some sort of horrible 80s palm computer with blandness issues.
Actually, I kinda like the C64GS design.

[makaar]

BEST: There aren't too many that stand out as bad to me, every one has its own unique look, but my favorite so far for look is the 360 or N64. Just look nice under a big 47 inch tv...

WORST: Although I don't know if these count, as one is most likely vaporware...but the unreleased early photos of the Phantom:

http://blog.wired.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/06/07/phantom.jpg

Otherwise the clunky N-Gage...bleg:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Nokia_N-Gage_wikitt%C3%A4%C3%A4.jpg

[Sonicwolf]

Yes, the original Ngage shall forever burn in the depths of Video Game Hell. TacoTalk. what a crock.

[boogiecat]

I've can't understand how someone can love the TD, yet hate the PS3 -- they're almost the same design! I whipped up this animated gif to show the PS3 design process:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1079/digps32.gif



Only those unfamiliar with the C64GS would choose the Supergrafx as most ugly.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Commodore64GamesSystem.png/300px-Commodore64GamesSystem.png

^ The height of 1990 industrial design!

HAHAHAHAA!!Love that GIF you've made,talk about Dig-Dug!!:love: Yeah i really don't like the PS3's design,seems like Sony's been lazy designing consoles in the 1st run and then they'll make it more slimmer in the latter part...


I almost bought a N-Gage Gen 1 CellPhone but i've decided to skip this one and settle for the 2nd gen N-Gage..

[j_factor]

Lets add worst add-ons:
32X - Just what was Sega thinking as it's wierd, bulky + weight, and extra wiring doesn't help much.

The mushroom was pretty ugly, but I still say Jaguar CD was worse. It looks like a toilet. And considering the library, it's probably best used as a toilet too.

[Jisho23]

I dont think it has been mentioned but the original DS was pretty fugly. Not worst, but certainly when compared to the GB Micro or DS Lite.

[Nirvana]

Best:

-X-Box 360 (Elite) - I always loved the unique shape of the system, and the black just makes it muhc cooler. The red one looks badass too.

-Nintendo DS - Very sleek, I love the design.

Worst:

-PS3 - Looks like a grill, I think it looks really lame.

-SNES - Like many people mentioned in this thread, it honestly just looks really stupid o_O I still love the system though.

[cyberfluxor]

The mushroom was pretty ugly, but I still say Jaguar CD was worse. It looks like a toilet. And considering the library, it's probably best used as a toilet too.

I totally agree, but I was trying to stick with what I own or used at some point. I'm confident there are far worst units out there I'm just not aware of.

[c0ldb33r]

Best? I dunno, I love the way the CDX looks, and I really like the way the Super Famicom looks too. I'd also add the model 2 genny. It looks super-fine when compared to that abortion of a console the model 1 genny.

Worst? The Supergrafx with the cd-rom attachment. It goes from bad to worse with that sucker stuck on its ass :(

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s182/c0ldb33r/250px-PCEngine_SuperGrafx_with_Supe.jpg

[Sonicwolf]

The mushroom was pretty ugly, but I still say Jaguar CD was worse. It looks like a toilet. And considering the library, it's probably best used as a toilet too.

The Angry Video Game Nerd took that quite seriously. lol

[A Black Falcon]

Best? I dunno, I love the way the CDX looks, and I really like the way the Super Famicom looks too. I'd also add the model 2 genny. It looks super-fine when compared to that abortion of a console the model 1 genny.

Worst? The Supergrafx with the cd-rom attachment. It goes from bad to worse with that sucker stuck on its ass :(

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s182/c0ldb33r/250px-PCEngine_SuperGrafx_with_Supe.jpg

I really don't get it, why do people on this site dislike the SuperGrafx's design? I'm far from the only person who thinks it looks really cool...

Still though, I would agree that it looks worse with the Super CD drive. The colors don't even match, and the thing just looks kind of awkward.

But hey, at least it's better than how it looks connected to a standard PC Engine CD unit. I mean, with that one you have to connect it via a cord, it's not even connected by a direct connection or base unit or anything... :(

Of course, if you have a Duo (or standard TG16/PCE plus CD) also, you don't really HAVE to attach the SuperGrafx to anything, given that no SuperGrafx games use either the CD drive or saving. Those would only be needed for PCE/PCECD backwards compatibility, and there are a lot of other ways to play those games. But still, if you get it modded to support US HuCards, as the only way to play all TG16/PCE/CD/SGX games, function-wise, it's pretty cool. And as I said, it does beat out the SuperGrafx + PCE CD drive, at least.

Of course, the remaining question is how much it's worth to buy a fairly expensive system with only seven games... even if they're all at least good, and the system looks really cool, that's a lot of money for very few titles. But anyway, the number of games released for the system, etc, really shouldn't matter in a discussion of aesthetics... just design, style, etc. should.


The mushroom was pretty ugly, but I still say Jaguar CD was worse. It looks like a toilet. And considering the library, it's probably best used as a toilet too.

I probably agree, but really they're both pretty bad looking. I like the look of the Genesis 2 + Sega CD 2, but the 32X... not so much. But still, I would give 'the mushroom' an edge over 'the toilet seat', I guess.

[Sonicwolf]

It seems that most console addons rarely do anything for the cosmetic appearance of the system. Most times it is just acceptable looking (sega CD), sometimes it is terrible(sega 32x).

[j_factor]

One that hasn't been mentioned yet: the Amstrad GX4000. Pretty obscure, it was only released in Europe, and only supported for a short time. It was an 8-bit console, very similar to the CPC in hardware, released in 1990. Needless to say, it didn't compare favorably to the Mega Drive (although it did have a larger color pallette) and only lasted a short time. It's also hideous:

http://www.imageurlhost.com/images/a1nuz247l6iba4pdfcms.jpg

Another obscurity: the Master System Girl. This is a rare variant of the SMS released only in Brazil. It's an alternate version of their Master System Compact, which was a small console with the controller built-in, that transmitted to a TV via a wireless RF signal. The regular version is already kind of weird and ugly looking, but the Girl version is, of course, pink. And it ain't pretty:

http://www.imageurlhost.com/images/pg3lza066m72ceqxh9a.jpg

[Sonicwolf]

http://www.imageurlhost.com/images/a1nuz247l6iba4pdfcms.jpg

Those controllers vaguely remind me of the Turbografx16's.

[A Black Falcon]

It seems that most console addons rarely do anything for the cosmetic appearance of the system. Most times it is just acceptable looking (sega CD), sometimes it is terrible(sega 32x).

Yeah. The 64DD is one of the only exceptions to that, it looks pretty cool under the N64, and matches the system design and style perfectly... makes the N64 look complete, really. :) After that, the Sega CD is about as good as you'll get, I think. Usually you're right, addons make systems look worse.

[Sonicwolf]

Yeah. The 64DD is one of the only exceptions to that, it looks pretty cool under the N64, and matches the system design and style perfectly... makes the N64 look complete, really. :) After that, the Sega CD is about as good as you'll get, I think. Usually you're right, addons make systems look worse.

I have heard a lot of people say they like the Game Boy player on the cube but I think it totally lopsides the appearance of the system. The symmetrical appearance of the grey area surrounding the controller inputs vs the black area surrounding the grey area at the front of the system is wrecked when that GB Player is attached.

[A Black Falcon]

I have heard a lot of people say they like the Game Boy player on the cube but I think it totally lopsides the appearance of the system. The symmetrical appearance of the grey area surrounding the controller inputs vs the black area surrounding the grey area at the front of the system is wrecked when that GB Player is attached.

I think the GB Player looks great, actually. It makes the system a true cube, which is pretty cool... the system is one inch wider than it is high on its own, and the GB Player adds that inch to make it a cube. Cool. :)

It is too bad that they only offered it in black, so anyone with any other color GC will have a pretty weird looking system, but as mine is black, that doesn't matter so much to me at least. But that is really the one flaw. I've never minded at all that the controller input area isn't symmetrically positioned anymore.

Function-wise I was somewhat disappointed by it, though. It should have had Super Game Boy compatibility; the fact that it didn't really is too bad. It's just a GBA on a TV... no options like special borders, exclusive features, multiplayer, anything like what the SGB had. It was a definite missed opportunity. But it is the one easy way to play GBC or GBA games on a TV, so it's a must-own accessory anyway.

[boogiecat]

One that hasn't been mentioned yet: the Amstrad GX4000. Pretty obscure, it was only released in Europe, and only supported for a short time. It was an 8-bit console, very similar to the CPC in hardware, released in 1990. Needless to say, it didn't compare favorably to the Mega Drive (although it did have a larger color pallette) and only lasted a short time. It's also hideous:

http://www.imageurlhost.com/images/a1nuz247l6iba4pdfcms.jpg

Another obscurity: the Master System Girl. This is a rare variant of the SMS released only in Brazil. It's an alternate version of their Master System Compact, which was a small console with the controller built-in, that transmitted to a TV via a wireless RF signal. The regular version is already kind of weird and ugly looking, but the Girl version is, of course, pink. And it ain't pretty:

http://www.imageurlhost.com/images/pg3lza066m72ceqxh9a.jpg

The Amstrad looks like a big crappy console(it is a crappy console!!)...The MS Girl was awful....Thank goodness Sega didn't made a Mega Jet Pink version!!^^;

The GBA Player on the Gamecube wasn't bad..

[Atarileaf]

BEST - Easily, the original woodgrain 2600, so sexy.

WORST - NES Toaster. ITS A GRAY BOX PEOPLE!

[c0ldb33r]

People are going to kill me, but I never really dug wood grain on consoles. I think it looks ugly ^^;

As for the GB Player on the cube, I really like it. It makes the cube a cube. I dig it! But you've got to keep a game in it, because without a game in it, the gaping hole is pretty unattractive.

[CosmicMonkey]

http://www.imageurlhost.com/images/a1nuz247l6iba4pdfcms.jpg


I really wonder what Amstrad were doing releasing the GX 4000. Did they honestly think it could compete in the market place? This is one of the reasons why Sir Alan really pisses me off on The Apprentice; he acts so high and mighty like he's the best businessman in the world.

[Sonicwolf]

Did they honestly think it could compete in the market place?

That same question can be asked of many system making companies back then...

[j_factor]

I really wonder what Amstrad were doing releasing the GX 4000. Did they honestly think it could compete in the market place?

I guess they figured fans of the CPC line (which was decently popular in Europe) would automatically buy any extension thereof. They also released a new CPC computer model alongside the GX4000 that was compatible with the cartridges. But it also failed. The 8-bit technology was just too old by that point, despite the enhancements. It was cheaper than the Mega Drive and Amiga, so it could be argued as having gone after a budget market, but the Commodore 64 and Sega Master System were better options for that.

[Ed Oscuro]

One that hasn't been mentioned yet: the Amstrad GX4000. Pretty obscure, it was only released in Europe, and only supported for a short time. It was an 8-bit console, very similar to the CPC in hardware, released in 1990. Needless to say, it didn't compare favorably to the Mega Drive (although it did have a larger color pallette) and only lasted a short time. It's also hideous:
The ugliest thing about the GX4000 was its library of cassette refugees and not enough original software to take advantage of the color palette. Personally, I think the console's actual design looks like a boss out of Star Soldier, and I sorta like that.

[blaketaya]

I think the jaguar is pretty bad. Especially with the disk drive on it. On the other hand, the slim ps2 looks real nice. It hides seamlessly with my other black electronics.

[Sonicwolf]

I think the jaguar is pretty bad. Especially with the disk drive on it. On the other hand, the slim ps2 looks real nice. It hides seamlessly with my other black electronics.

Another awesome black system is the Genesis 3. Very nice little console.

[adam_devry]

Best : sega master, turbografx and the N gage i think look cool

worst atari lynx its bigger then my foot and has such a small screen is really bad

[boogiecat]

The rare NEC PC Engine LT portable handheld console??Heck it looks like a oversized Gameboy Advance SP!!!That's ugly!!@_@

[c0ldb33r]

...and the N gage i think look cool
The original or the QD? I've got the original and think it's pretty meh, but the QD is a sexy beast.

[thom_m]

Best: PsOne, 2nd gen Genesis. Both beautiful in their simplicity. I also like the 1st gen SMS.

Worst: The SNES. I'll never undesrtand why they changed the Super Famicom's cool design to that thing. The NES is kinda ugly, too.

[Sonicwolf]

Best: PsOne, 2nd gen Genesis. Both beautiful in their simplicity. I also like the 1st gen SMS.

Worst: The SNES. I'll never undesrtand why they changed the Super Famicom's cool design to that thing. The NES is kinda ugly, too.

I remember hearing that people were complaining that resting drinks on the Super Famicom caused damage to the system in Japan so they destroyed the design to make it less drink friendly and more unevenly shaped on top.

[thom_m]

I remember hearing that people were complaining that resting drinks on the Super Famicom caused damage to the system in Japan so they destroyed the design to make it less drink friendly and more unevenly shaped on top.

On the other hand, the Famicom-to-NES redesign made the system much more easy for one to rest a glass on...

[Sonicwolf]

On the other hand, the Famicom-to-NES redesign made the system much more easy for one to rest a glass on...

Oh the irony. Never noticed that one.

The N.E.S was pretty ugly too, like the Super Nintendo.

Few people have complained about the Virtual Boy which surprises me

[Rickstilwell1]

My favorite looking console is the Neo Geo CD. Big and black and nice looking controller with different colored buttons. I like the thumbstick myself. The cosole doesn't look as awkward as the skinny Neo Geo AES, taking normal sized cds instead of humongous cartridges. Apart from the hardware the games' graphics just look excellent

My least favorite looking console is the RCA Studio II. Beige and brown? No controllers? eww. Apart from the hardware being ugly, the games only being black and white makes this system lose in that category as well.

As far as the common systems go, they are just such a usual sight to see I can't say which ones look better than others. I had to pick more unusual systems.

[Famidrive-16]

One that hasn't been mentioned yet: the Amstrad GX4000. Pretty obscure, it was only released in Europe, and only supported for a short time. It was an 8-bit console, very similar to the CPC in hardware, released in 1990. Needless to say, it didn't compare favorably to the Mega Drive (although it did have a larger color pallette) and only lasted a short time. It's also hideous:

http://www.imageurlhost.com/images/a1nuz247l6iba4pdfcms.jpg



There's a ton of Famiclones that ape this style, too.

[Sonicwolf]

There's a ton of Famiclones that ape this style, too.

I thought Famiclones ape'd every style imaginable...

[Atarileaf]

I think the jaguar is pretty bad. Especially with the disk drive on it. On the other hand, the slim ps2 looks real nice. It hides seamlessly with my other black electronics.

Like AVGN said, it looks like a toilet.

[j_factor]

We've all been saying it looks like a toilet since long before AVGN was around.

[Sonicwolf]

I find the original GameBoy to be kind of ugly. Not just in casing but in its pea green screen.

[otoko]

If I remember there was a commercial from Sega on the Game Gear. It basically compares the Green monotone screen to eating pickled pigs feet.

[Sonicwolf]

It wasnt that bad but still. Horrifying green color on everything. It was kind of depressing. Thank god the GameBoy pocket made it grey/white.

[j_factor]

If I remember there was a commercial from Sega on the Game Gear. It basically compares the Green monotone screen to eating pickled pigs feet.

I think you're conflating two commercials. One commercial called it "creamed spinach color" (as opposed to the Game Gear's full color). Another showed a hick family entertaining themselves with a bug zapper (with the narrator comparing it to the Game Boy), ending with, "then again, some people like pickled pork lips". These commercials were pretty clever, but obviously their impact on the Game Boy was negligible (if existent).