What system looks the "best"?

[RASK1904]

Just wondering which retro system people think looks the coolest. I would want to say Nes becuase I love me some Nes, but that box aint realy got much going for it. So my pick is the old wood Atari 2600. Something about that system is the shit. The lines, the wood, the black, the controllers. All iconic. Classic. Don't get much more O.G. than that. And that makes it awesome. Which system looks the best to you. Why?

[BetaWolf47]

Genesis model 2, for sure.

[Cloud121]

Model 2 MegaDrive is up there yes, but I really like the look of the PC-Engine (American). Jaguar looks great as well.

[StoneAgeGamer]

I always thought the CDX was pretty cool looking system.

[WoodyXP]

Neo Geo.

[Nintega Grafx-16]

PC Engine. Very compact and sleek for its time.

[pepharytheworm]

Daewoo Zemmix Turbo, PC-FX and the Jaguar are my top favorite looking systems. Handhelds I think the original DS and the Neo Geo Pocket look cool. Now ugliest would go to RCA Studio II and Magnavox Odyssey.

http://www.msxarchive.nl/pub/msx/photos/hardware/Daewoo_CPG-120_Zemmix_Turbo.jpg

[123►Genei-Jin]

Neo Geo.

This.

Most PC-Engine revisions are also pretty cool (the different Core GraFX and DUOs)

[retroman]

Turboduo.

[Breetai]

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive model 1

It's also great with the model 1 Sega/Mega CD under it.

[PC-ENGINE HELL]

Supergrafx.

[Nintega Grafx-16]

Supergrafx.

HA HA HA HA HA lol

I am sorry but that has to be one of the ugliest consoles I have ever seen.


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/PCEngine_SuperGrafx_with_SuperCDRom2.jpg

This is much more sexy.

http://www.lingjr.com/images/nec_pce/DSCNa6948.JPG

[nebrazca78]

I though the first ever cool looking system was the Atari 5200. Then Atari came out with the 2600 Junior which was also nice. The best looking Atari was the 7800 though. Also from that time frame the Master System Model 1 was sleek and highly superior the the boring looks of the NES. The NES had much more attractive cartridges and cartridge boxes though. Even the 7800 had better carts and boxes than the SMS.

From the next era I would say Turbo Grafx 16 was the best looking with the Master System Model 2 (black PAL version) coming in at a close second. Until the Model 1 Sega CD came out, coupled with the Model 1 Genesis and the Power Base Converter. That whole setup just looks sweet and gives you a ton of gaming in a tight little package. The Neo Geo AES, Turbo Duo and JVC X'Eye also deserve a big mention here for looking cool as hell.

Personally I thought the Genesis Model 2 was nothing special, but in this next time period we got a ton of cool looking systems. Neo Geo CD, Sega CDX, 3DO FZ-10 and Sega Saturn were all rad.

After that things started looking rather ugly until the Playstation 2 and regular Xbox. Also the slim PS2 looks cool.

Now I think all three systems look decent. I am not a fan of the looks of the smaller PS3 but the original was smooth. Nintendo finally figured out how to make a cool design with the original Wii and IMO the black Wii is the best looking system out right now.


.

[Pichu]

Black Wii or Genesis model 2.

[eskobar]

I always liked the NES Top Loading, very clean design and looked ok in the year it came out.

[JimmyDean]

Turbo Duo. That, or the American SNES.

[Natty Bumppo]

I would go with the laseractive (with a stack of the various pacs right beside it). Also has IMHO the best looking dispay when in use.

[osprey]

Gotta go with the Jaguar - sleek lines - comfortable to use and sturdy.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/4617096870_a1e375ff62_o.jpg

[sylvestor]

the skeleton saturn is sharp. also P.C.E. Duo, AES.

[Nintega Grafx-16]

Gotta go with the Jaguar - sleek lines - comfortable to use and sturdy.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/4617096870_a1e375ff62_o.jpg

LOL such a sleek design indeed! Comparable to 3DO ;)

[PC-ENGINE HELL]

Jaguar looks great as well.

Gotta go with the Jaguar - sleek lines - comfortable to use and sturdy.

Really I had no problem with the looks of Jaguar itself either as a core deck. Visually it became a tad awkward at first though once the cd-drive was added, same kinda awkward issue with the Supergrafx to some degree once you add either the Super Cd Rom2, or Rau-30 and a briefcase unit. After a bit though you get used to how they look and it becomes a moot issue except to those who have never actually had the systems.

You cant really appreciate any systems looks from just pics alone at any rate. Only first hand experience allows you to view the aesthetically pleasing qualities of any given system, so I always find it humorous when someone will jump in to rag on any given system they have never even owned on threads like these. This seems to happen alot with the Jag+Jag CD system combo, along with other less popular systems like the 3DO or NeoGeo CDZ. Always people out there trying to take a crap on stuff they never got the chance to have.

[The 1 2 P]

Probably the JVC-X-Eye. It's a sexy looking system. And I also have to give props to the 3DO FZ-10 model and the 360 because they too are very sexy and slick looking.

[Nintega Grafx-16]

I always find it humorous when someone will jump in to rag on any given system they have never even owned on threads like these.

So what? An ugly console is an ugly console. Pictures speak louder than words. Jag and 3DO both are horrid consoles. I may have never owned those (thank god) but it is a known fact in the gamer community that those consoles SUCK.

[PC-ENGINE HELL]

Probably the JVC-X-Eye. It's a sexy looking system. And I also have to give props to the 3DO FZ-10 model
The X'eye is a fantastic looking system. Its layout worked well visually. The only real gripe I had with it were the large colored buttons. I wish they had made them smaller. The FZ-10 really was a smooth looking deck too. Always looked nice on a entertainment center regardless of what else was around it it seemed like.

[Foofie]

I've got to throw the good ole Famicom in here. It doesn't look like "generic electronics product" like most other products that adhere to the general guidelines of badass-looking squares. It looks special and different. The rainbow carts are kinda fancy, too.

[Astrocade]

Can't believe no one has mentioned the best looking console of all time, the Vectrex.

http://www.benwaysworld.co.uk/blog/Vectrex.jpg

[Arkhan]

PC Engine. Very compact and sleek for its time.

I am with Nintega on that one

But I will go one step further and say the Super Grafx takes the cake.

[kedawa]

I like the Super Famicom, NeoGeo AES, and PSone the most.
The Neptune prototype looked pretty cool, iirc.

[Ed Oscuro]

Can't believe no one has mentioned the best looking console of all time, the Vectrex.
Oh boy, all it needs is woodgrain... :above me:

I'll go with, hmm, actually the good ol' NES and Neo Geo AES are a pretty alright choices on the basis of the lack of pretentious finnery or racing stripes and general baloney on the sides. (Actually, I can't really diss consoles on the basis of looks; none of the ones I've got ever bothered me).

So is the 360 (and the old steel X form of the original Xbox), the Sharp Twin Famicom, and the clear red N64 actually. Getting into bling territory pretty rapidly here, but the SMS design isn't too horrible. Better designs come to mind when talking about computers and especially handhelds, though, but those are out of the discussion - otherwise the whole list ends up replaced by mostly Nintendo handhelds.

[bartre]

i always liked the look of the remodeled ps1, very slim, stylish, and functional.
though, i do like the original pc-engine and the duo-r as well.

[kupomogli]

I think the fat PS2 looks the best.

PS3 Slim, PS3, 360, Wii, GBA(original,) PSP, Dreamcast, Turbo Express Portable, Gamegear, N64, NES(all versions,) SNES, Gamecube, Sega CDX, and Genesis look good. Every other system I know of looks kind of ugly. The Genesis with both Sega CD, and 32X attached also looks pretty good.

*edit*

Added Dreamcast to the list. I forgot :(

[lakerstowin]

So what? An ugly console is an ugly console. Pictures speak louder than words. Jag and 3DO both are horrid consoles. I may have never owned those (thank god) but it is a known fact in the gamer community that those consoles SUCK.

PLAY STAR CONTROL 2, you wont say it sucks.


Craig

[lakerstowin]

There are so many I cant choose them all but if I had to make a list it would be this not in any order though.....


sega cdx
sega cd model 1
sega genesis model 1
fat ps2
black dreamcast
360 elite
black wii

I cant stand just 2 systems, everytime I look at them i never want to play those games again lol.Sega genesis\cd models 2

Craig

[HurricaneAndrew]

The 2600 Jr. is a good looking system, and it's just like playing a VCS, but without having to take up the huge amount of space. The only thing it really lacks is the "nostalgia factor".

I also like the looks of the NES top loader. Even the dogbone controllers are cool to look at. If it wasn't for the inferior picture quality when compared to a toaster, I would say it was an all-around better system.

I have never had a model 2 SNES, but I would say I like it's looks as well.

The Dreamcast was pretty cool in it's era.

Slim PS2s make me hard. LOL

As for current generation, the black Wii wins, hands down. I saw one for the first time a couple days ago at Walmart. I just stood there and stared at it.

[allyourblood]

My five best-looking consoles are the top-loader NES, CDX, Coregrafx, Jaguar, and Neo Geo AES. And to this day, I still think the Game Cube is cute.

Absolute bottom of the list? PS3, though the slim does look a little nicer than the original chunky model.

[Rickstilwell1]

@ Kupomogli - I love the nostalgia of the large PS2 when it first came out. It looked so sleek and sharp and it eventually became the system next to my bed that I could easily reach anytime while I moved the rest of the systems down on that shelf. I'd choose that but don't know if it's old enough as they still make games for PS2.

I showed my girlfriend the small PS One and she said it looked so cute so I'd say that would be her pick.

I did love the Sega Genesis model 1's looks as it was my first system. When it was brand new it looked so shiny black and so did the games. Ah the wonderful smell of fresh brand new Genesis plastic that I miss (now it smells like dust. boo!) it's really a tough competition to call.

As far as classic handhelds go, I really liked the Game Boy Pocket. Mine is red. The way it was sleek all around and flat on the back unlike the Game Boy Color with that odd curve to the back of it (although an atomic purple see thru Game Boy Color looks so good).

[dreamcaster]

http://i.testfreaks.co.uk/images/products/600x400/19/sega-dreamcast.439315.jpg
Sorry, but the correct answer is the Dreamcast.

[todesengel]

Model 1 Genesis and the PC-Engine/TurboDuo for me. Other than those I also love the look of most smaller sized versions of systems like the mini PS1, Genesis 3, etc.

[bunnybum]

I have to say the Magnavox Odyssey 200. It looks like a present-day USB DJ controller :D

Also, the Sega Mega Drive II is one sexy looking beast. Its bright red eyes burning deep into your soul.

[Eyedunno]

I guess I'll go with the following, and probably in this order:
Super Famicom
PC Engine (white)
Game Boy Micro (I love tiny hardware)
Xbox 360
PS2 Slim

[Rob2600]

Sorry, but the correct answer is the Dreamcast.

The Dreamcast console looks nice, but the controller has always been hideous.

[Soviet Conscript]

But I will go one step further and say the Super Grafx takes the cake.

it must be intresting living in bizzaro land where the SGX is seen as a thing of beauty and Hydlide is looked at as a good game.

i'll vote for the Wondermega

[Pantechnicon]

My favorite systems from a strictly aesthetic standpoint are the Atari 5200 and the Dreamcast, with the Playstation (PSX) receiving honorable mention.

[Rob2600]

My favorite systems from a strictly aesthetic standpoint are the Atari 5200 and the Dreamcast, with the Playstation (PSX) receiving honorable mention.

I agree with the 5200, but the original PlayStation looked like a cheap, ugly toy. The Saturn and N64 looked better.

[DevilRy]

Famicom with Disk System underneath.

The controllers being attached to the console permanently notwithstanding. I mean, we're talking pure looks here. Love the rainbow cartridges and yellow "floppy" disks too.

[Baloo]

Genesis Model 1 plus the Sega CD Model 1, with the 32x on top.

When cleaned and all shiny, looks ridiculously nice.

[Auto-Fox]

For a RELEASED console, the Sega Genesis Model 2 with Sega CD and Genesis 32X.
That thing was a BEAST, if you could get all the components to work reliably, and at the same time.
But I digress.
My absolute FAVORITE Console design, however, has to be the Panasonic 3DO M2. I'm just not sure if it counts, since it was never released to the public.

[Gentlegamer]

Nintendo64 - beautiful curves

[Nez]

I like the vader 2600s and the AES

http://compoundstatement.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/p10000171.png?w=400&h=225

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/a16btsuicide/sale002.jpg

[vivaeljason]

The Genesis II is my personal favorite, but in a close second and third are the N64 and the Dreamcast, assuming neither one has any controllers attached.

[Emperor Megas]

I don't know if I'd call it the best, but I think the styling of the Atari 2600 Jr., with it's stealth-like sleekness, was years before it's time.

[csgx1]

I thought the design of the PC Engine Shuttle was pretty cool looking even though NEC was trying to market the system towards younger kids.

Though they should have offered it in other colors.

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo187/tugboat450/shuttle-japanese-1-sml.jpg

[rimsky82]

Jag and 3DO both are horrid consoles. I may have never owned those (thank god) but it is a known fact in the gamer community that those consoles SUCK.

I had a Jaguar when it hit the market, and the graphics were far superior than any other games I'd played. It was a good console in it's time. I loved playing Aliens vs. Predator in the dark. Zool 2, Troy Aikman Football. I loved that system.

Best looking systems-

Jaguar
Genny2
PSOne
Dreamcast
N64

And I think the original playstation for personal, nostalgic reasons.

[buzz_n64]

Amstrad CPC 464 (GX4000 model)
http://www.theoldcomputer.com/roms/dirLIST_files/custom_development/images/manufacturers_systems/Amstrad/GX4000/932975amstrad-gx4000.system.jpg

Wondermega
http://www.mega-cd.de/wondermega.jpg

Neo-Geo CD
http://kotaku.com/assets/resources/2007/03/neo-geo-cd-2wtmk.jpg

N64
http://i47.tinypic.com/2m28goy.jpg

[kupomogli]

http://i.testfreaks.co.uk/images/products/600x400/19/sega-dreamcast.439315.jpg
Sorry, but the correct answer is the Dreamcast.

I forgot to add this to my list. Added.

[nectarsis]

Supergrafx with the Super CD add on, followed closely by the US Turbo Duo.

[tomaitheous]

Supergrafx with the Super CD add on

Yeah, I love that look too. I have that setup and use it over my original PCE+CD or Duo. The SGX is such a sexy beast :pimp:

[Jehusephat]

I think the Dreamcast is the happiest looking system. If the Dreamcast were a person, I'd probably want to be friends with it.

I know they weren't proper "systems," but I have a fondness for the old Tiger handhelds--the cheap LCD knockoffs of Castlevania, Gauntlet, Mega Man, etc... when I was a kid, just looking at one of those things made me smile.

[buzz_n64]

I think the Dreamcast is the happiest looking system. If the Dreamcast were a person, I'd probably want to be friends with it.

I know they weren't proper "systems," but I have a fondness for the old Tiger handhelds--the cheap LCD knockoffs of Castlevania, Gauntlet, Mega Man, etc... when I was a kid, just looking at one of those things made me smile.

Happiest?

Famicom
http://gamesworldbodmin.co.uk/images/Famicom.jpg

PC-Engine
http://www.max-emulators.com/aimg/pc-engine/pc-engine.jpg

Pikachu N64
http://www.odddiscoveries.com/salewhale/item_img/33.jpg

CX-1 Dreamcast
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_h327jbSGoh0/RgmMvQSooAI/AAAAAAAABLQ/AW5Q1BMp-G0/s400/D2.bmp

[thom_m]

Dreamcast, Model 2 Genesis, Game Cube., PsOne

[The 1 2 P]

Amstrad CPC 464 (GX4000 model)
http://www.theoldcomputer.com/roms/dirLIST_files/custom_development/images/manufacturers_systems/Amstrad/GX4000/932975amstrad-gx4000.system.jpg

I have never seen this system in my life before. Right off the bat I'd say it's either really cool looking or really cheap looking. Probably both.


Wondermega
http://www.mega-cd.de/wondermega.jpg


I definitely like the look of the X-Eye more but this one is still cool looking as well.

[Arkhan]

So is the 360 .

The 360 Looks like a giant maxipad with lights on it.



it must be intresting living in bizzaro land where the SGX is seen as a thing of beauty and Hydlide is looked at as a good game.


Look, just cause you cant get 3 screens into Hydlide doesn't mean it's a bad game! :D

and, any consoles resembling space ships/etc automagically win <3 points with me.

The Super Grafx is a giant space dock waiting for the awesomeness of Aldynes to come dock itself.


I like the PCE Shuttle too!



also, yeah, the Dreamcast kicks ass.

[BetaWolf47]

I like the vader 2600s and the AES
http://compoundstatement.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/p10000171.png?w=400&h=225
Wow, after seeing that I have to change my opinion a bit. That thing is beautiful!

[ConsoleAddict]

A lot of those consoles designed in the 20th century aren't too sexy. I do think the "Darth Vader" Atari 2600, the Sega Saturn and the 2nd Sega Genesis are very attractive looking machines.

[Nintega Grafx-16]

I also love the design of the Japanese Super Famicom/European SNES. Our SNES looks cheap compared to the foreign one.

http://images04.olx.com.ph/ui/4/92/76/45318676_1-SUPER-NES-NINTENDO-SUPER-FAMICOM-COMPLETE-with-Controller-none.jpg\

The SNES Mini looks better than that ugly brick too.

http://blitzedit.tripod.com/games/snes_mini.jpeg

[otaku]

no love for the neo geo aes?

[Robocop2]

I always thought the AES was just too plain given what it was supposed to be.

My vote goes to in no particular order:
Vader 2600 all the clean looks of the VCS without that hideous woodgrain
Jaguar (sans CD attachment) I just always thought it looked really futuristic
Model 1 Genesis but that may just be nostalgia talking
JP SFC/European SNES always looked better than the US model

[Soviet Conscript]

The 360 Looks like a giant maxipad with lights on it.



Look, just cause you cant get 3 screens into Hydlide doesn't mean it's a bad game! :D

and, any consoles resembling space ships/etc automagically win <3 points with me.

The Super Grafx is a giant space dock waiting for the awesomeness of Aldynes to come dock itself.


I like the PCE Shuttle too!



also, yeah, the Dreamcast kicks ass.

i beat hydlide, it was a terrible experence.

i honestly am suprised by the love for the SGX. i honestly felt it was one of the most hideous things i have ever seen. i do however find the super cdrom2 unit pretty sleek.

[BetaWolf47]

no love for the neo geo aes?

Look around in this thread. It's getting as much love as Sega systems here!

[Canadian Psycho]

I love the look of many consoles, but my two favourites are the Super Famicom/European SNES (which I don't have) and the PS2 phat (which I have).

[Canadian Psycho]

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive model 1

It's also great with the model 1 Sega/Mega CD under it.
That too.

[MarkM2112]

Atari 5200. Without a doubt. I always had a weakness for the black w/ chrome look.

[Ed Oscuro]

The 360 Looks like a giant maxipad with lights on it.
So it's a thing of feminine beauty. (You're trying too hard...haters gotta hate.)

The PC Engine series has its own range of monstrosities. The SGX may have been designed to look like a high-performance engine, but inside it's really a moped.

The Amstrad CPC 464 looks like something I'd drop on the floor at the thrift and not bother picking up. Actually, I'd probably be looking for the V-Tech logo.

[Ed Oscuro]

The 360 Looks like a giant maxipad with lights on it.
So it's a thing of feminine beauty. (You're trying too hard...haters gotta hate.)

The PC Engine series has its own range of monstrosities. The SGX may have been designed to look like a high-performance engine, but inside it's really a moped.

The Amstrad CPC 464 looks like something I'd drop on the floor at the thrift and not bother picking up. Actually, I'd probably be looking for the V-Tech logo.

http://www.odddiscoveries.com/salewhale/item_img/33.jpg
Look, children! The Pikachu has molted and left its shell!

[dreamcaster]

I also love the design of the Japanese Super Famicom/European SNES. Our SNES looks cheap compared to the foreign one.

http://images04.olx.com.ph/ui/4/92/76/45318676_1-SUPER-NES-NINTENDO-SUPER-FAMICOM-COMPLETE-with-Controller-none.jpg
Thumbs up!