Could get ugly! Rate the minor consoles!

[le geek]

There are the most successful consoles in their time, and there all the also rans, the hidden gems.

I rate the majors as follows:

Atari Video Computer System
Nintendo Entertainment System
Sega Genesis
Super Nintendo
Sony Playstation
Nintendo 64
Sony Playstation 2 (so far)

But I guess you could argue to add Colecovision, or remove Nintendo 64... :)

So what are some of the best and worst hidden gem consoles? I've left out Cube and Xbox since the jury's still out on them :)

For me:

BEST:
Sega Dreamcast - this system first showed what refined 3D gaming would be. Plus it had great 2D games as well. A very hi ratio of interesting games. PS2 graphics not that much better. Almost all interesting import titles got a domestic release :)

TurboDUO - While not powerful enough to handle the like of Gunstar Heroes in terms of processing power, has an interesting and more colorful library. not as much FMV drivel as Sega CD and "Region Free" CDs a bonus.

Sega Saturn - Technically less 3D than PSOne, but not by much. Lots of Original Titles, Superior 2D and import friendly

MIDDLE:
3DO - Solid early 3D, and some unique titles even though it's starting to age

Atari 5200 - less colorful than I'd like, but has a nice library of pre crash games, analogue games like centipede and missile command are a blast.

32X - dated, but has a surprising decent little library considering it's short lifespan.

WORST:
Atari 7800 - Better graphics than 5200, but odd mix post crash material. Haven't tried the lightguns yet. Nice version of Food Fight tho...

Sega CD - some top notch games, but buried with FMV Multimedia Drivel.

Atari Jaguar - Early 3D hasn't aged well esp. frame rate. Lots of dog titles.

HAVEN'T PLAYED ENOUGH OF:
Colecovision, Intellivision, Vectrex, Sega Master System

What's your take???

Ben

[swlovinist]

For me, the Sega CD IS a hidden gem, with games such as Lunar I & II, Dark Wizzard, Shining Force CD, Sonic CD, it is funny that not more people collect it. That is ok if you dont like it, you may have not played these. I have all but about 20 games for the system, it rocks!

[Rogmeister]

Hmmmm, you seem to have left out the XBox and GameCube. You can't say you're not including current systems since you did list the PS2.

I would probably move 5200 up to the best. If you have a good joystick (i.e. Wico) then the games are a great deal of fun and are mostly very good.

[le geek]

For me, the Sega CD IS a hidden gem, with games such as Lunar I & II, Dark Wizzard, Shining Force CD, Sonic CD, it is funny that not more people collect it. That is ok if you dont like it, you may have not played these. I have all but about 20 games for the system, it rocks!

That's cool. I like several games on Sega CD a lot (Popful Mail, Earthworm Jim SE, Snatcher, and the Lunar games [but I like the PSX versions better]), but guess I ranked it lower because of all the crappy FMV games...

BTW I plan on editted my first post with some explanations on the choices later today...

Cheers,
Ben

[le geek]

Hmmmm, you seem to have left out the XBox and GameCube. You can't say you're not including current systems since you did list the PS2.

Editted to reflect this. Feel free to list either console though if you think they will be a hidden gem. I tend to wait until the next wave of consoles come out beforehand... Also feel free to do your own list :)

[Rogmeister]

I can't comment on the XBox since I have no real experience with it. It's the one current console I don't own. I'd probably put GameCube up there in the best category. True, a number of companies have turned their backs on it but the software that is coming out for it (Beyond Good & Evil, Prince of Persia, Viewtiful Joe, etc.) is mostly excellent...and Nintendo itself is always bringing out first-rate efforts.

[AB Positive]

I might switch the 3DO and Sega CD but otherwise I'm in agreement. To comment on two that were left out, I'd add SMS to the top tier and coleco, I dunno I almost want to make a tier between best and middle for it. High middle. :)

-AG

[IntvGene]

For me..

BEST: Vectrex, DC, Colecovision, Intellivision, Lynx, Saturn (if incl. imports)

MIDDLE: 5200, 7800, SMS, 3D0, Turbo

WORST: Jag, 32X, SegaCD, etc.

I don't think that any of the current three will be hidden gems. There's too much support for all of them.

[esquire]

BEST: Turbo Duo, Dreamcast, Saturn and Colecovision

MIDDLE: Atari 7800, 3DO, Sega CD, SMS and Intellivision

WORST: Philips CD-i, Atari 5200, Atari Jaguar/Jaguar CD and Sega 32X

[ubersaurus]

Best: Atari 7800, Saturn, Dreamcast, Neo Geo
Middle: Colecovision, Intellivision, Sega CD
Worst: Vis. Nothing is worse then the vis.

[punkoffgirl]

Going by your list of majors, my best would be Dreamcast, then Colecovision, followed VERY closely by the Vectrex.

[Aswald]

With an estimated user base of 3 to 6 million owners in 1986, the ColecoVision is hardly a "lesser" console.

It was also the last of the Great American Consoles.

Now, as for the poor 7800 and Jaguar...

[Arcade Antics]

ColecoVision and Intellivision both have to be considered major players. Intellivision is just as big as the 2600 to some folks. And the CV: when Coleco showcased Donkey Kong AND touted it as the "pack-in" game, they almost single handedly turned the entire industry on its ear. :)

Anyhoo, faves:

Dreamcast - simply outstanding for all the reasons already mentioned. :) Plus it has the grooviest controllers - maracas.

Vectrex - Awesome doesn't begin to describe it. Self contained vector display, an excellent lineup of games, great controller and bitchin' overlays make this one super-duper. A must have console. Where else you gonna play Armor Attack and Cosmic Chasm? :)

ColecoVision - amazing library including an excellent ratio of good/bad titles and several coin-op conversions not available elsewhere (Pepper II, Looping, etc.)

[Crush Crawfish]

As far as hidden gem consoles go, I like the game gear. It's got quite a few really good games on it, like the tons of sonic games and tails adventure, and it also has some damn fine RPG's on it like crystal warriors and shining force. Only problem: It goes through batteries like mad.

[le geek]

ColecoVision and Intellivision both have to be considered major players. Intellivision is just as big as the 2600 to some folks. And the CV: when Coleco showcased Donkey Kong AND touted it as the "pack-in" game, they almost single handedly turned the entire industry on its ear. :)

You very well may be right :). And my take in the first post is just my take. But for the sake of discussion, compared to the genesis/snes 16 bit competition which was very close, didn't the atari 2600 do much better in sales than colecovision? Or is than an unfair comparison?

Ben!

[D-Lite]

Funny thing is that the Turbo Duo is hardly a hidden gem to the japanese. The PC Engine had about 1000 games for it and had a very long run from 1987 to 1994 and even a few games trickled out later in 1995. Poor marketing screwed them in the US.

I assume handhelds weren't considered originally, but the biggest hidden gem of all things video game related has to be the Neo Geo Pocket. 30 US releases, about 43 european releases, and around 89 japanese releases. HUGE amount of quality for so few games. Very few bad games and still competes favorably with the GBA in terms of quality graphics.

[Darkness X]

My favorite consoles overall...

-Dreamcast: This system has it all, PS2 quality graphics, Tons of 2D fighters, Best online play(back when all the games where still online ofcourse), Some awesome 4-player games(PowerStone 2 anyone?), the ability to surf the net, And so much more.

-Playstation 1: Although it doesn't have any exciting features or nice graphics, the PS1 has so many games it's incredible. IMO the PS1 has the best RPG's (besides the SNES). And it still has a lot of awesome exclusive games (too many to list).

-Genesis: I dunno why, but I always have liked this system better then the SNES... The reasons I like it are mainly because of Sonic/Streets of Rage/VectorMan/ect

-Saturn: So many great imports, Best controller ever, Lots of games that are still exclusive(NiGHTS/Panser Dragoon:Saga/Radiant Silvergun anyone?)

-Nintendo 64: Mainly because of two games...Perfect Dark and Goldeneye...

Favorite underrated consoles...

-Dreamcast: This system should have been number 1 in the 128 bit console wars, The DC really was to hard-core for this generation of gamers(no offense to anyone, but that is how it seems nowdays)

-Saturn: Even though I love the PS1, I gotta say that this system should have kicked it's ass! If the Saturn would have got all the games it has in the past, plus lasted until around 2001 and got all the games the PS1 did....it would have been the best system ever(IMO)

-Sega CD: I'm not sure why exactly, but I have always thought this system/addon was great. I just wish it wasen't flooded with all the FMV crap.

-Intellivision: I love this system, and I think it was fairly underrated. At first the system was over shadowed by the Atari 2600, then the videogame crash did even more damage. And just as the Intellivision was starting to slowly recover the NES finished it off totally.

Least favorite systems ever...

-N-Gage: This is the only system I actually hate, I dislike everything about it. From the crappy design to the lame ports of old PS1/Saturn games, everything about this "game" deck sucks!

-Virtual Boy: Good idea gone wrong! I actually liked this thing, the reason I put it on this list is because there just wasen't enough games for it.

-32X: Pretty much the same reasons as above, Not enough support and a high price tag.

Most overrated systems ever...

1.Playstation 2: Is it good? yes! Is it as good as PS1? Hell no! In the USA atleast the PS1 was the best of the 32/64 bit wars, but now that Sony isn't the best anymore I wonder how it continues to be called "Best system ever!" and get so much support. Not to mention Sony has made some really stupid mistakes: Making defective/cheap units, Only having 2 controller ports, Not including a modem and harddrive, ect. And yet their still in the lead!

2.There is no 2nd PS2 is the only system I can think of at the moment that is really overrated. LOL

Worst system ever...

...That would be N-Gage!

Systems I don't know much about but want to get...

-Atari 2600
-3D0
-Jaguar
-Vectrex

*Puts on flame suit* I think I'm gonna need this!

[tom]

Favorite console/computer (why don't you guys never like computers???):

1972 Odyssey, VCS, XE, C-64 (those four are my loves, I can spend hours with these even still today)

Middle of the road:

PC, iMac, SMS, Coleco, 5200, Amiga, SNES, CD32, 3DO, CDi, Lynx, Game Boy, Game Gear, MegaDrive, PSX, DC

Worst:

ST, NES, Jaguar, N-64, 7800

[le geek]

Favorite console/computer (why don't you guys never like computers???):

1972 Odyssey, VCS, XE, C-64 (those four are my loves, I can spend hours with these even still today)

I'm a fan of the C64 as well :) but I prefer the Amiga. I'm not sure if either would have been a minor computer. I left out Computers because I wasn't sure which ones were the most popular in their day. Obviously it's Wintel now, heh.

Cheers,
Ben

[ghostangelofcky]

my fav systems are
PS1
SNES
NEO GEO

My mids
3DO
GENESIS
SEGA CD
TURBO
JAGUAR
DC

Dislikes
SATURN
N64
JAGUAR CD
32X

[Rogmeister]

I can't really argue with those who put the Jaguar in the "Poor" category. It does have a handful of really strong titles (especially Tempest 2000 and Alien Vs. Predator) but a few great games does not a classic make...

I would suggest that, as long as you're doing this, you might rank ALL the systems in order from best ever to worst ever but I doubt you'd manage to get everyone agree on an official standing...

[dreamcaster]

Favourite consoles:
Dreamcast - the best the 3D era has to offer
Super NES - the best the 2D era has to offer
Saturn - one of the biggest 'hidden gem' archives
PlayStation 2 - I've been so satisfied with this excellent machine.
Sega Mega CD - I just love it :D

Middle of the road:
NES - it just doesn't strike me in any particular way, yet is solidly entertaining

Dislike:
GameCube - Bah! Rubbish! :P
GBA - SNES re-hashes at $70+ just doesn't cut it for me.

[Arqueologia_Digital]

Best of the bests ---> Master system
Best ones --> Saturn, DC, Atari 2600, Neo Geo
In the middle --> Game gear, Game boy, Atari 7800, NES
Mmmm...if i could i play...if not, no problem --> Colecovision, Atari 5200, Jaguar, 3DO
NOOO...Holy shit --> 32X, Game.com, Supervision

[ApolloBoy]

Best
2600
7800
NES
SNES
GCN
GBA
SMS
Genesis
NGPC
C64

Great
5200
Atari 400/800/XL/XE
Lynx
GB
GBC
Game Gear
Saturn
DC
PSX
PS2
TG-16/PCE
Intellivision
Colecovision
Vectrex


Good/OK
Jag
N64
Virtual Boy
Sega CD
32X
3DO
O2
VIC-20
Astrocade
Neo-Geo AES (if only it wasn't so damn expensive)
X-Box

Bad
CDi
VIS
Game.com
N-Gage

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

Is it my turn yet? You guys know what I'm gonna say.

The Odyssey2 ROX0RS!

Man, you could make a drinking game outta me.

[ClubNinja]

One of my favorites, which has yet to even be mentioned, is the Arcadia 2001. Some of the games are terrible, but many are very enjoyable. Also, the system is the picture of obscure and minor. Go Emerson!

[Algol]

My favorite hidden gem consoles:

Dreamcast
Neo Geo Pocket
Saturn
Master System
Colecovision
7800

[RetroYoungen]

I'd say the NGPC was the greatest underrated system of all time, and is one of the greatest consoles ever. Not many releases, but all of them are good ones (except the Dive Alerts, I haven't tried them yet and I've heard they're not spectacular).

Next would be the Dreamcast. The great games, the top-notch 3D titles, and most every game on it somehow unique, from Space Channel 5 to GiGa Wing, and Capcom vs. SNK to Jet Grind Radio. Dude, JGR ALONE would save this system!

As for worst consoles, yes, I'd say the Taco-Gage is in there, but I think the worst system would be the Game.com. The only two things that may save this console are 1. the built-in Solitaire, and b. Lights Out. It was so bad that I actually waited for the batteries to corrhode in mine so I have more of a reason to get rid of it. LET IT DIE!!!

[Aswald]

I can't really argue with those who put the Jaguar in the "Poor" category. It does have a handful of really strong titles (especially Tempest 2000 and Alien Vs. Predator) but a few great games does not a classic make...

I would suggest that, as long as you're doing this, you might rank ALL the systems in order from best ever to worst ever but I doubt you'd manage to get everyone agree on an official standing...

Actually, I meant it literally. Both (Jaguar and 7800) were excellent consoles, but those fool Tramiels never gave them the chance they deserved. The best console in the universe will lose to the Odyssey 2, if it doesn't have good games.

[SFCfan]

These are my favorite minor consoles.

1. SwanCrystal :love:
2. ColecoVision
3. Intellivision

[classicb]

Since people have been mentioning handhelds here and there this is my handheld list.

BEST:

Neo Geo Pocket Color
great games, simple design, small but not too small

MIDDLE:

Game Gear
good games, nice size if you have big hands like me, backlit screen (eats batteries)
Lynx
I really like this system for some reason, easy design to play and hold
Virtual Boy
maybe not a true portable but still tons of fun, small number of games
Game Boy

Low:

Game Boy Advance
cramped design for people with bigger hands
Game Boy SP
even more cramped design

CRAP:
Game.com
never played one but then why would I

OTHERS
Turbo Express & Nomad
didn't have their own games

Wonderswan & GP32
never played them but would like too

[MonkeyWizard]

Best- Dreamcast, Master System, Neo Geo, Saturn, Turbo Duo

Middle- Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Colecovision, Intellivision, Odyssey^2, Sega CD, Vectrex

Worst- 3D0, Cd-i, Jaguar, Sega 32X

[sleepycal]

I think there should be more of a dividing line between consoles that "made it" and those that are considered "minor".

Probably more of a number of units sold threshold.

However, it seems that some are interpreting "minor" as a console that did not get to achieve its full potential.

Certainly Coleco and Intellivision could hardly be considered minor.

But back to the topic.

Colecovision was one of the best systems of that time. And still one of my all-time favourites.

Master System was also very good. Dreamcast is also excellent.
Saturn wasn't bad.

I don't have experience with several of the others.

I recently picked up a Jaguar. Didn't really thrill me. I almost never use my Sega CD. But that may just be from not having the right games. [/list]

[vincewy]

No regards to how sucessful they are, I rate the following systems' software from NES to present (no need to explain, already done by others), even though I may be biased, consoles only:

Best - Dreamcast, Neo-Geo, PC-Engine/CD/SCD/ACD, SNES/Super Famicom, MegaDrive/CD (not Genesis)

Very Good - Gamecube, N64, Saturn, Genesis/SegaCD, LaserActive, Pippin, NES, Sega Master Systems, Neo-Geo CD, Atari 7800

Fair - TurboGrafx/CD/SCD, CD32, FM-Towns Marty, PS2, Xbox, Virtual Boy, PSX

Piss Poor - CDi, Jag, 32X, 3DO, Amiga CDTV, Memorex VIS

[TNTPLUST]

Ok I'm probably dating myself but when I saw the title and 33 posts I figured one of you would pick for:

Obscure/minor worst:

RCA STUDIO II - Monkeys throwing crap at your tv would be more entertaining! Doesn't get any more minor than this.

What am I the only one here over 35.........please don't answer that O_O

Stepping out of the stoneage and into the modern era and since I like handhelds:

GB32 - I don't own one yet. But I'm considering offing my friend so I can get his. This thing emulates everything - Very cool

Wonderswan and Pocket Neo Geo should get nods for being the little trains that couldn't make it up the hill called Gameboy.

Someone took a knock at the Game.com. Honestly this system is not as bad as you would think. Such a bizzare piece of hardware with some heavy hitting game titles behind it. Want obscure try finding the a Game.com Pro version with backlight!

For consoles I'll go with Oddysey II, TGFX/PCE, Sega 32x, Saturn, and DC

Lets make sure to save room on the list for future inductees: N-Gage and Phantom!