Console Variations: Most and Least

[Flack]

This last round of PS3 and Xbox 360 hardware revisions got me thinking: which consoles have had the most hardware revisions, and which consoles have had the least? I'm talking about differences in hardware here, not packaging or included titles. So, what say you? Which ones have had the most and which ones have had the least? Back up your claims with evidence in your responses and I'll update this main post with your responses! Any early guesses on which ones had the most and which ones had the least?

[jperryss]

Are we counting minor (internal) hardware updates, or actual console redesigns?

For least number of updates, the Gamecube comes to mind: No hardware revisions (unless you count the Wii ;)) and I don't think there were even different MB revs. (EDIT: I've been corrected on this one.) The original XBOX had no hardware redesigns either, but the MB and internals were updated through quite a few different revs. Does that count?

For most number of updates, the PC Engine had many, and even more if you count the Duo systems.
PC Engine
CoreGrafx
CoreGrafxII
PC Engine Shuttle
PC Engine LT
PC Engine Duo
PC Engine Duo-R
PC Engine Duo-RX

Do these count?
Pioneer LaserActive
PC Engine GT
SuperGrafx

[Kiddo]

This can be a bit tough to call, since some hardware reivisons are advertised, and some are not.

For example, while the Sega Genesis has had multiple obvious "models", there also tends to be variations in the specifics of each model that might affect things such as audio/video quality or game compatibility.

Anyway, for me this will probably be easiest to list the hardware revisions I know of for each system;

1) NES/Toploader NES/Sharp NES-TV Combo, Famicom/Sharp Twin Famicom/Sharp Famicom Titler/Sharp Famicom-TV combo
2) SNES/SNES Jr./Super Famicom/SFC Jr./Sharp SFC-TV Combo
3) Game Boy/Game Boy Pocket/Game Boy Light (and if you count these, Color, Advance and Micro lines, and Super Game Boy?)
4) Genesis Model 1/Model 2/Model 3/future variants based off model 3, X'eye, CD-X, way too many others to count (Genesis probably has the most hardware variants I know of)
5) Game Gear... uh, GG Kids? I dunno. :(
6) Turbografx-16. Most of the revisions were on the JP PC-Engine "Core Grafx" lines and whatsuch, I don't know much on them.
7) PC-FX has only one known model I'm aware of.
8) Sega Saturn has a few subtle model changes. I'm only well aware of the Model 1/2 ones, but I think there were others as well.
9) Playstation/Subtle model changes before PSOne/PSOne
10) N64... uh, more or less didn't change besides special casings to my knowledge.
11) Dreamcasts with Mil-CD/Dreamcasts without Mil-CD.
12) PS2/PS2 Slim/PS-X
13) Xboxes with sublte changes, mostly to try to break homebrew mods.
14) Gamecube/Panasonic Q
15) 360 Pro/Premium/Elite/Arcade/etc.
16) PS3 20/40/60/80gb models, upcoming PS3 Slim
17) PSP, PSP Slim, PSP Go
18) DS, DS Lite, DSi
19) Wonderswan, Wonderswan Color, not sure what else.
20) NeoGeo Pocket, NeoGeo Pocket Color

^ Obviously not a remotely complete or comprehensive list.

[BetaWolf47]

For least number of updates, the Gamecube comes to mind: No hardware revisions (unless you count the Wii ;)) and I don't think there were even different MB revs.

That's not exactly true. They removed the component video output after a while, so later Gamecubes can only output up to s-video. Plus, like Kiddo said, the Panasonic Q.

[MASTERWEEDO]

I have 3 different playstations. one has the composite holes on the back with a door on the back that opens, one has the thing to open on the back with the standard ps cables to use it. and one doent have the door in the back. what was that door for anyway?

[tom]

This can be a bit tough to call, since some hardware reivisons are advertised, and some are not.

For example, while the Sega Genesis has had multiple obvious "models", there also tends to be variations in the specifics of each model that might affect things such as audio/video quality or game compatibility.

Anyway, for me this will probably be easiest to list the hardware revisions I know of for each system;

1) NES/Toploader NES/Sharp NES-TV Combo, Famicom/Sharp Twin Famicom/Sharp Famicom Titler/Sharp Famicom-TV combo
2) SNES/SNES Jr./Super Famicom/SFC Jr./Sharp SFC-TV Combo
3) Game Boy/Game Boy Pocket/Game Boy Light (and if you count these, Color, Advance and Micro lines, and Super Game Boy?)
4) Genesis Model 1/Model 2/Model 3/future variants based off model 3, X'eye, CD-X, way too many others to count (Genesis probably has the most hardware variants I know of)
.

4: Teradrive, yeah
http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=193634&g2_serialNumber=2

[Soviet Conscript]

Are we counting minor (internal) hardware updates, or actual console redesigns?

For least number of updates, the Gamecube comes to mind: No hardware revisions (unless you count the Wii ;)) and I don't think there were even different MB revs. The original XBOX had no hardware redesigns either, but the MB and internals were updated through quite a few different revs. Does that count?

For most number of updates, the PC Engine had many, and even more if you count the Duo systems.
PC Engine
CoreGrafx
CoreGrafxII
PC Engine LT
PC Engine Duo
PC Engine Duo-R
PC Engine Duo-RX

And the PSP will have like 4 revs by the end of the year, heh.

don't forget the PCE shuttle. you can possibly count the PCE GT if your going to count the LT since its just a portable PCE as well.

does the laseractive PCE module count?

[jperryss]

does the laseractive PCE module count?

Yeah I thought about the TE/GT, didn't think about the Shuttle.

And yeah, if the Panny Q counts then the Laseractive should. I updated my post.

Can we count the SuperGrafx?

[garagesaleking!!]

ya if you count all the sega genesis and cd hardware i would sega is probably up there if not number 1

[Soviet Conscript]

Can we count the SuperGrafx?

good question. i would say no since the SGX was ment to be an entirely new system with backwards compatibility to the PCE.

it would be like counting the PS2 as a PS variation because it could play PS1 games. you just have to ask yourself was the origional intention of the SGX to play PCE games and a few SGX games or was it intended to play SGX games primarily and have PCE compatibility as an extra feature. the only diffrence between it and the PS2 was that the SGX flopped so hard they never made many super HU cards for it.

and speaking of pc/console hybrids the PCE had its own as well, Sharp X1 Twin

[Flack]

Wow, you know, I didn't think about revisions that weren't advertised, like the original PlayStation. Hm, maybe I'll have to rethink the guidelines!

All the info that everyone has provided so far has been great -- keep it up!

[NoahsMyBro]

I'm not even close to expert on either, but I'd guess there were no, none, nada, zero, zilch revisions to the Vectrex or the Colecovision. (I wouldn't count the Adam, personally.)

The VCS/2600 went through many iterations, and the Intellivision had a few as well.

And of course there are the systems that failed so clearly there was never any time for a revision - Channel F, Studio II, etc...

[Kid Ice]

I'm not even close to expert on either, but I'd guess there were no, none, nada, zero, zilch revisions to the Vectrex or the Colecovision. (I wouldn't count the Adam, personally.)

The VCS/2600 went through many iterations, and the Intellivision had a few as well.

And of course there are the systems that failed so clearly there was never any time for a revision - Channel F, Studio II, etc...

The Dina console is a variant of the Colecovision so to speak.

There are at least two different Vectrex models.

Atari Jaguar, 0 revs/variants?

[tom]

The Bit 90 is a Coleco variant
The Bit 60 is a VCS variant

[chrisbid]

I'm not even close to expert on either, but I'd guess there were no, none, nada, zero, zilch revisions to the Vectrex or the Colecovision. (I wouldn't count the Adam, personally.)

The VCS/2600 went through many iterations, and the Intellivision had a few as well.

And of course there are the systems that failed so clearly there was never any time for a revision - Channel F, Studio II, etc...

the channel f had two variations

[Rickstilwell1]

RCA Studio II had a color variation in certain countries.

One system that is said to have many many clones is the Emerson Arcadia 2001. So many different names and shapes from different countries.

[tom]

One system that is said to have many many clones is the Emerson Arcadia 2001. So many different names and shapes from different countries.

Wow, licensed too:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcadia_2001

I think MSX has the most variants, also licensed, approx 100 perhaps, but it's not a console (uses carts though).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_MSX_compatible_computers
.

[The 1 2 P]

Least revisions: the Wii.

In Japan a black model was released but that had nothing to do with a hardware revision. As far as I can tell, the Wii has the exact same engine in it that it had when it launched in November '06.

[Robocop2]

I'd say that the Genesis/MD by far has the most different licensed variations because you have
Genesis 1 high definition graphics model
Genesis 1 with the lockout chip (mostly to prevent you from playing unlicensed games i.e. Accolade/Ballistic's early releases)
Genesis 2
Genesis 3
The new "sonic head" one
MD 1,2
CDX
X'eye
Wondermega
Wondermega 2
Nomad
Tera Drive
Mega Jet
Amstrad Mega PC
Aiwa Mega CD
Samsung Super Aladdin boy
LaserActive PAC
not to mention the various x number of games in one plug and play units though I think counting them as console revisions is really splitting hairs.

I don't think that the Atari 5200, 7800 or Jag ever had a hardware revision but someone more steeped in Atari knowledge would probably correct me.

[Sonicwolf]

Genesis most likely had the most major model variations.

[mobiusclimber]

11) Dreamcasts with Mil-CD/Dreamcasts without Mil-CD.

19) Wonderswan, Wonderswan Color, not sure what else.


The Dreamcast also had Divers 2000 which I believe had some hardware modifications in it, tho I'm not certain (it could just be the guts of a regular Dreamcast in a different casing w/ a screen and etc).

WonderSwan also had the Swan Crystal. But should we even be including handhelds as "consoles"?

[Baloo]

It's gotta be the Genesis, the Genesis has at least 10-15 different variations of hardware design.

And can the platinum Gamecube put out S-Video? I have an S-video cable that can work with Wii, SNES and N64 as well from Pelican.

[Sonicwolf]

I think that color variations and outside visual changes that dont involve drastic hardware operation or physical size changes should not count as variations.

[Kid Ice]

I don't think that the Atari 5200, 7800 or Jag ever had a hardware revision but someone more steeped in Atari knowledge would probably correct me.

I think they changed something in the 5200 because of problems with the switch box/power cord thingy. Also, didn't the 5200 have and lose compartments for joysticks, or am I thinking of a different system?

[Kid Ice]

I think that color variations and outside visual changes that dont involve drastic hardware operation or physical size changes should not count as variations.

I would say the opposite...to me a system with two different casings is more "different" than say, two "variations" of the PlayStation that have different CD speeds. But I think both should be valid for the purposes of this thread.

[Sonicwolf]

I would say the opposite...to me a system with two different casings is more "different" than say, two "variations" of the PlayStation that have different CD speeds. But I think both should be valid for the purposes of this thread.

Those PlayStation variations arent very major though. From eye, its not really easy to tell if one PS plays at a different cd speed. Unlike something with the Genesis where the console was primarily redesigned 2 times.

[Robocop2]

I don't think that the Atari 5200, 7800 or Jag ever had a hardware revision but someone more steeped in Atari knowledge would probably correct me.

I think they changed something in the 5200 because of problems with the switch box/power cord thingy. Also, didn't the 5200 have and lose compartments for joysticks, or am I thinking of a different system?



You're absolutely right, I forgot about the fact that there were 4 and 2 control port models of the 5200

[BetaWolf47]

Least revisions: the Wii.

In Japan a black model was released but that had nothing to do with a hardware revision. As far as I can tell, the Wii has the exact same engine in it that it had when it launched in November '06.

Actually, I've been told that newer ones have been shipped with a BIOS that makes it harder to install homebrew on. Something different than these Menu Updates we keep getting.

[ProgrammingAce]

The PS2 had 19 revisions, that's always fun. Xbox had 7. 360 has 6. PS3 has.... a lot, but less then 19

[jperryss]

Actually, I've been told that newer ones have been shipped with a BIOS that makes it harder to install homebrew on. Something different than these Menu Updates we keep getting.

The Wii has definitely gone thru a few chipset changes (at least partially to combat modchip installs) but AFAIK you can never really know without cracking the thing open. Pretty sure none of these changes affected functionality otherwise.

[Flack]

I guess what I had in mind originally was physically different models of the same console. Like for the Wii, I would say there is only one model, even though internally they have made different motherboard versions to make installing mod chips more difficult.

Also I guess there was:

Atari Heavy 6
Atari 6 Switch
Atari 4 Switch
Atari Vader
Atari Jr.

I know there are a couple of juniors (short label, long label).

[Icarus Moonsight]

Least revisions: the Wii.

In Japan a black model was released but that had nothing to do with a hardware revision. As far as I can tell, the Wii has the exact same engine in it that it had when it launched in November '09.
:oops:

I better pre-order a Wii pronto. I have a feeling that it will sell really well, call me crazy. :p

EDIT: Opp, you got it while I was replying... Why must you ruin my fun!? LOL

That certainly narrows things down... but what about the trivial physical HW changes that were special cases (such as the Pikachu N64)?

[tom]

Emerson Arcadia number one spot, closely followed by Genesis/Megadrive so far.

[Kid Ice]

Like for the Wii, I would say there is only one model, even though internally they have made different motherboard versions to make installing mod chips more difficult.

I think there's a black one out there too.

[smork]

There are at least two different Vectrex models.

Hmm? There's version from three different regions (GCE, MB, and Bandai) but I don't think that counts as a different model.

Super Cassette Vision only has one model, and no regional variants. There's plenty of obscure consoles like that (Supervision 8000, PC-FX, Visicom)

[Kiddo]

If we try to document different casings (where the internals might not otherwise be different), this would actually be a fairly daunting task. We haven't even gotten around to all the actual hardware changes yet (I didn't get to bring up Famicom Box, Super Famicom Box, for example), and there's potentially thousands of different "Special edition" casings, mostly limited, with limited releases, etc.

I mean, we have Pikachu N64, Char Gamecube, a bunch of Limited edition Saturns including the Sonic one (and on that note I nearly forgot the Hi-Saturn, which I think is an actual hardware revision), Dreamcasts ranging from the mostly-common "Sports" Dreamcasts to the rumored "Gold" Dreamcasts which were the very last ones produced and went straight to employees, Halo-edition Xbox 360s, a MESSLOAD of LE Game Boys with themes ranging from Pokemon to Hello Kitty, and God knows what else.

[RASK1904]

With the new consoles every development team that makes a new game makes 1,2, or 3 vey limeted Xbox 360/PS3's.

And the system with the most has to be the Gameboy. Theres like 1000 diferent colors of like 8 different Gameboys.

[Famidrive-16]

How many did the Master System have, including all regions?

[tom]

Epoch Cassettevision had four:
Cassettevision, Super Cassettevision, Cassettevision Jr., Cassettevision Lady's Set (pink, with carrying case)

[Dr. Dib]

Well the Gamecube supposedly had another that flew a little bit under the radar. Well at least I think it did. I remember reading a forum post, coincidently in a topic about the Xbox's many variations of disc drives, that the older Game Cubes had to wait a little bit longer to be turned back on after being turned off than newer Game Cubes. I never tested this, so I have no idea if this is true or not. I don't really know why I would do that unless my reset button broke...

As I mentioned, the Xbox had 3 different DVD drives and all of them were sold at the exact same time! The only way to tell the difference between them was to look at the DVD drive while it was open. There also was that problem where Xboxs made between certain dates could set carpet fires, but I have no idea if that was because of a console revision or a manufacturing error. I just remember that weird plug that they sent out later on.

But yeah, I think it is impossible to tell how many times a console has been modified because it is possible that consoles had slight differences depending on where they were made. As a classic example, at one point I had two model two Saturns. There internal guts looked a bit different probably due to the time or place where they were manufactured. A more recent example is the original Nintendo DS. They were being manufactured in a few different countries and the touch screens differed depending on where they were manufactured. Well at least at launch they did, not sure if that changed as production went on.

[Black_Tiger]

Are we counting minor (internal) hardware updates, or actual console redesigns?

For most number of updates, the PC Engine had many, and even more if you count the Duo systems.

PC Engine
CoreGrafx
CoreGrafxII
PC Engine Shuttle
PC Engine LT
PC Engine Duo
PC Engine Duo-R
PC Engine Duo-RX

Do these count?
Pioneer LaserActive
PC Engine GT
SuperGrafx

I'd count the last three, but not the CGII or RX. The TG-16 and PAL TurboGrafx are also unique enough to count as variations and not simply revisions.

There's also the Vistar, Sharp X-1 Twin.

Here's what I'd list all together-

PC Engine
CoreGrafx
PC Engine Shuttle
PC Engine LT
PC Engine Duo
PC Engine Duo-R
Pioneer LaserActive
PC Engine GT
SuperGrafx
Vistar
Sharp X-1 Twin


If counting silly revisions within models, like the HDG and non-HDG Model 1 Genesis', then we'll never be able to compare consoles since there are likely hundreds of different revisions across models of each console and most aren't widely documented.

[smork]

Epoch Cassettevision had four:
Cassettevision, Super Cassettevision, Cassettevision Jr., Cassettevision Lady's Set (pink, with carrying case)

Cassette Vision is totally different from Super Cassette Vision. I agree with about the three Cassette Vision variants but the two are not the same system.

Cassette Vision carts are different size and shape from Super Cassette Vision carts and the two are not cross-compatible.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3881774114_b3bfbf8fa0.jpg

They are different cart sizes.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3881774336_eb0c72e3db.jpg

And the connectors are different. CV carts won't fit in an SCV cart slot. I collect both systems :)

[Cryomancer]

As for the Jaguar only having one variant....does it rebirth into dental equipment count?

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/976/jag2b.jpg


Also, the Saturn has a couple of variants too, like the HiSaturn Navi.

Are we excluding handhelds? Gameboy has several of course.

[slapdash]

@cryo: gorgeous! Even if I'd thought to mention that dental apparatus in this context, I probably wouldn't have bothered attaching a pic. Bless you for making me laugh.

@[someone]: Visicom? Isn't that a cone of the RCA Studio II?? Might be confusing it with something else though...

[CDiablo]

Isnt PS2 on like its 16th revision?

[smork]

@[someone]: Visicom? Isn't that a cone of the RCA Studio II?? Might be confusing it with something else though...

Sort of. It's got color output, though, so it's really a different console.

[migo]

Those PlayStation variations arent very major though. From eye, its not really easy to tell if one PS plays at a different cd speed. Unlike something with the Genesis where the console was primarily redesigned 2 times.

There were some major differences with PS revisions though. In one of the local thrift stores there's 2 PSXes side by side, one has an AV out port while the other has 3 RCA plugs and a serial port.

[Ed Oscuro]

I would say the opposite...to me a system with two different casings is more "different" than say, two "variations" of the PlayStation that have different CD speeds.
Not to be a dick, but this is backwards. Hardware differences (apparently Flack didn't mean what I thought he did, but whatever) make a hell of a lot more difference in programming than what color the shell is.

For example, there was some frantic work done on the CD-i to make models work correctly with sound (don't recall the details exactly but it's on the 'net). That ended up having an impact for all future programs written on the system.

Everything else is just kind of aesthetic. To me, it's most interesting to find the Neo Geo AES with the best capability for video, or the Genesis with the best sound, and so on. 'course, YMMV.

Likewise for the PlayStation CD-ROM read speed. Now, I don't think any PlayStation units read at different speeds than others, but if it were true, people would be searching out "faster" PlayStations. It would make a small but noticeable impact on gameplay and enjoyment.

[ScourDX]

Gamepark - GP32, GP2x & GP2x Wiz.

I notice the Neogeo Pocket Color has a slight difference between the Japanese & the N. American model

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v27/scourdx/collection/P1010133.jpg

[MachineGex]

The PS2 had 19 revisions, that's always fun. Xbox had 7. 360 has 6. PS3 has.... a lot, but less then 19

Here is a new PS2 that just recently came out....it counts right?
http://www.cartoys.com/products/product.cfm/Audiovox/Audiovox_VOD10PS2_10_2__Flip_Down_Overhead_LCD_Mon itor_with_Built_In_PS2_Pl

Also, I think revisions that add a function or take a function away should count. Like the original PSX had the port on the back and the Gamecube that had port on the back removed are both great examples of what I think should count.

[migo]

Gamepark - GP32, GP2x & GP2x Wiz.

GP32 had the original release, BLU and BLU+. GP2X had a couple F-100 revisions as far as I remember, but I don't recall any F-200 revisions. Wiz only had one that I'm aware of.



I notice the Neogeo Pocket Color has a slight difference between the Japanese & the N. American model


My understanding is that there was a slim Japanese one. So there's a NGPC for Japan and US/EU that's physically identical to one from another region and then another Japanese one that's slimmer.