Which hardware models do you prefer? Mk I or Mk II?

[Gemini-Phoenix]

Various systems have had more than one incarnations...

Mega Drive / Genesis for example, had three hardware versions (More if you also count the Nomad and MultiMega); The Snes had a couple, as did the NES; PlayStation; PS2; And most recently, the N-Gage...

And don't forget the GameBoy and all it's various incarnations...


But which versions do you prefer and why?

For example, I prefer the original N-Gage compared to the QD because the original (Although beefier and has side-talkin') has a lot more features over the QD model.

I also prefer the first Mega Drive over the second, mainly due to the extra outputs.

[jajaja]

It doesnt really matter to me that much, but I do prefer the first version (toaster) of NES than the toploader. Most because it gives me good memories from when I first got it.
We didnt have toploader NES over here in Europe so I have no memories with it.

[wufners]

Channel F II > Channel F
I don't have the Channel F II, but it looks a lot slicker and more compact. The original version is just so dang bulky and I can never get the controllers to stay in their compartment right.

Atari 2600 Heavy Sixer > 6 switch > wood 4 switch > all sears > darth vader > all jr's
After complaining about the bulkiness of the Channel F, I am indeed choosing the bulkiest 2600 as my favorite. 6 switches are visually more interesting than 4 or the flat black switches on the jr. The woodgrain gives it that cool retro look you want in an Atari, and that heavy trim gives it a nice solid feel. I actually do like the more marbled look of the Sears versions, but I gotta give Atari's design the nod for being the original.

Odyssey II with detachable joysticks > Odyssey II with raised logo > Odyssey II with flat logo.
Not only are the controllers detachable, but they're SILVER. Come on, that just looks cool. And the raised logo? Nice.

Intellivision II > Intellivision I > Intellivision III
This is probably personal bias since the Intellivision II was my first ever console. But I do like it's smaller shape and the gray helps it to stand out from a sea of mostly black consoles. Yeah, the on/off switch is lame, but at least those easily breakable gamepads are detatchable!

Astrocade woodgrain > Astrocade white
I'll always choose woodgrain over a solid color. Guess I must be old.

Atari 5200 4-port = Atari 5200 2-port
If it wasn't for the retarded power cord/RF connector design, the 4-port would be tops. As it is, I'll call it a draw.

Original NES > Top Loader NES
Again, personal bias here as the original NES was my second ever console. I got my first top loader a couple of weeks ago and actually am quite taken with it. It's much smaller than I thought it would be and it's definitely one of the funkiest looking console designs I've run across. The original NES really isn't much to look at. But let's fact it, it's iconic. Add to that audio/video outs and I give a nostalgic nod to the original. I didn't include the Famicom here, but I might rank that ahead of both of these.

Genesis I > Genesis III > Genesis II
Genesis III is another console that was a lot smaller than I was expecting. Let's face it, it's cute. Never the less, I still prefer the original design. Despite being another all black console, it has enough visual flair to make it interesting to look at, and its audio/video outputs overcomes the cuteness of the Genny III. And a volume control/headphone jack right on the console? Dig it. I would rank the Genesis II as one of the more UNinteresting consoles to look at--but this could just be because I see the thing at thrift stores so darn much. Since I think of the Nomad as its own animal, I'm not including it in the Genny comparison.

SNES > SNES II
The smaller iteration is kind of dull looking in my opinion.

Sega CD I > Sega CD II
Hands down, it just looks better. However, there is something to be said for the freakshow that is a Sega CD II with an extender and a Genesis I. It's so ugly and awkward (especially if you toss a 32x on to boot) that it makes for one of the more interesting conversation pieces in a collection.

Goldstar 3DO > FZ-1 > FZ-10
I've never seen nor used at FZ-10, so I probably shouldn't include it. But there's just something I dig about the look of the Goldstar. Yeah, the sliding CD tray is annoying, but overall, that's a smart lookin' console.

CD-I
It's a CD-I--who cares? :P How did such a crappy system get so many versions? Although I don't care that much, I'd probably choose something smaller like the 450 over the bulkier 220.

Saturn oval buttons > Saturn round buttons
I think I'm in the minority here, but I prefer the original Saturn controllers to the updated ones that came with the round button console.

Blue N64 > original > other colors > Picachu
I break my own rule here and prefer the at the time trendy see through plastic to the original design. I don't know, I just like the blue. The Picachu versio is UGLY--but I'll still buy one as soon as I see it for a good price.

Gameboy Pocket > Orginal Gameboy
The cuteness factor wins out.

Lynx II > Lynx I
Just an aesthetic perference. Plus the original seems unnecssarily looong.

Gameboy Advance SP > Gameboy Advance Micro > Gamebody Advance
The SP finally broke me down to get a handheld. Finally adding a light to the Gameboy was long past due and the clamshell design was just too cool to pass up. Maybe when I see the Micro, my opinion will change, but as of now I could care less about it. For whatever reasons, the orignal Advance design never appealed to me.

PSONE > Playstation
I was late to the Playstation scene, so I don't have any attatchment to the original design. Cuteness wins again--and I prefer the white to the gray.

Playstation II > PS2
Again, I'm impressed by the PS2's small design, but I prefer the solidness of the original.

[Raccoon Lad]

The SG-1000 Mark I
http://mo5.com/MHI/Firmes/Sega/sg1000.jpg
is way cooler looking than the redesigned SG-1000 Mark II.
http://www.emulazone.com/Systems/SG-1000/System.jpg

[GarrettCRW]

With some consoles, the original version is superior simply because of some functionality that was removed when the console was redesigned. Namely, the NES (composite output), Super NES (S-Video), and Master System (the card slot).

For the Famicom, the hierarchy goes:
Famicom AV w/Disk System=Twin Famicom (one can accept US controllers, the other has composite and the microphone on controller 2)>Famicom w/Disk System (Japanese RF only).

Genesis:
Model 1>Model 2>Model 3

Sega CD:
Model 1>Model 2

PlayStation:
PSOne>PlayStation

Atari 2600:
Modded Flashback 2.0>Heavy Sixer>Six Switch>Lord Vader>Four Switch>Jr.>Sears models

[Push Upstairs]

I'll take a Model 1 Genesis over any of the other ones anyday.

For the Saturn, i like the design of the Model 2 oval button. The system (case actually) looks sleeker and is better looking.

[Jumpman Jr.]

NES Toaster over Toploader
SNES over SNES II
PS2 Slim over Regular PS2
PSONE over PS1
Black Gamecube over any other color
SP over GBA
White GBA over any other color

Edit - whoa, 1000 posts @_@

[BrokenFlight]

I'm not sure if I prefer the Megadrive 2 over the 1 or not. The 2 is sleek but I have a lot of sentimental value over the 1.

I certainly prefer the PSOne and PSTwo over the originals. Smaller is always better IMO. And I don't like the dull grey and jagged edges of the PSX.

I prefer the black and blue/dark purple Gamecubes over the normal purple and other colours.

I can't think of any other variations I've personally come across.

[Julio III]

Going purely on aesthetics here:

Mega Drive II > Mega Drive > Genesis 3
Small and still looks excellent today. The MegaDrive 1 looks good too but not as smart.

NES > Toploader
I guess its because we never had toploaders in the UK

PSone > PSX
It looks too small to be true. The original PlayStation is ugly anyway

Slim PS2 > PS2
Again, its the size which does it.

GBA SP > GBA
Its the clamshell design really.

UK/Jap SNES > USA SNES
The American one is far too bulky shaped and looks ugly compared to the smooth lines of the original

GB > GBC > GB Pocket
The original just looks so classic now. And the green screen just makes you feel like you are playing a Game Boy. The Pocket model looks kindof a little wrong.

[jdc]

I prefer the Genny 2 over the Genny 1 for it's smoother look.

I prefer the older PSX over the PSOne for it's ease of disc removal.

I prefer the PS2 over the PSTwo for its HDD capabilities.

I actually prefer the original GBA over the SP for it's larger size, button layout and lack of stupid lid. LOL

[Jagasian]

It is nice to see the NES toaster getting more love than the horribly overrated NES toploader. I've owned both new, and the NES toploader's video is just terrible, and it is incompatible with the game genie and the game action replay... unless you use adapters. The toaster is problematic, only if the system has not been taken care of. I have an original toaster NES that has its original parts and has never had the 72-pin connector cleaned or refurbished. I have no problems with it. Those who do have problems need to have their system professionally refurbished. However, for the ultimate NES, I'd have to go with the AV Famicom and a NES to Famicom adapter. That way you get compatibility with all NES and Famicom carts and peripherials.

With regards to the SNES. I'd go with:
SFC 1 > NTSC SNES 1 > NTSC SNES 2 or SFC 2 > PAL SNES

The Super Famicom has a better case design than the NTSC SNES 1, and it doesn't yellow. Furthermore, backup devices fit the SFC 1 better than all of the others as they physically rest ontop of the system better. The version 1's of SFC/SNES can also do S-video and even RGB! The version 2's cannot. The worst of all is the PAL SNES, which is incompatible with NTSC games and controllers. Extensive modding, however, can make a PAL SNES worth owning.

GBASP > everything else except the Super Game Boy 2
Reasons: The GBASP has a lit screen, backwards compatibility with all Game Boy games (the GB Micro lacks this), and it has a flip case design that protects the screen. It is also nice and small, so it is very portable. I make an exception for the Super Game Boy 2 because there are Game Boy games, such as the original Pokemons, that have enhancements such as color graphics, improved sound, and custom screen borders, which are not available on any other Game Boy. This is why I like to refer to the Super Game Boy as the forgotten Game boy. When Super Game Boy games are played on a GBASP, they lack all of these enhancements and play as if they were old black and white GB games. Furthermore, the Super Game Boy 2 has a multiplayer link port that the Super Game Boy 1 lacks.

[Jagasian]

To the Atari 2600 experts, I own two Atari 2600 6-switch wood grained systems that were made in Taiwan. They are very heavy, but are not the "Heavy Sixer". They are basically the model that was released right after the Heavy Sixer. Is it worth getting a Heavy Sixer, if I am a big 2600 fan? It was my introduction to video games, so I figure I might as well get a really nice setup.

[Pantechnicon]

Sentimentally, I lean toward Mk I's or whatever version I'm exposed to first.

Pragmatically, I appreciate any incarnation of a console that can be re-done smaller and cheaper the 2nd time around.

One exception to this would be Gameboy in its many incarnations. Depsite having a model I at release, both the Pocket and Color incarnations were such marked improvements with respect to screen res, battery life and overall size that I just cringe at the prospect of ever playing GB on my old grey brick again.

[Garry Silljo]

Anyone who prefers the Genny 2 over the Genny 1, hasn't played Zany Golf.

[Xexyz]

PS1 > PSOne

I only ever owned a PSOne, but I like the look of the bigger, bulkier origional. I also like the fact that it has a reset button!

Genesis 1 > Genesis 3 = Genesis 2

I have no preference over Model 2 or 3, but the origional was just awesome. it's design, the round bulbous area that circles the cartridge slot, the Red stripe, the aluminum (i think) 16-bit letters, but the best part, as someone else mentioned, a headphone jack and volume control right on the console!

PStwo > PS2

I just think the origional PS2 is ungodly ugly. The whole design is just shunning. The slimline looks so much better.

SNES > SNES mini

The SNES mini is very bland looking and uninspired. However, I do think the European SNES/Super Famicom looks the best.

NES > Top Loader NES

I know it's bigger and boxy, but I just love the way it looks. It's just plesant to look at.

[Retsudo]

Nes- never had a Top loader, so I say Toaster
Snes- Had both, and it doesnt matter. Currently have Mini
Playstation- Never had a PSone
Genesis- Only had Model 2
PS2- never had mini, so i say biggie
Sega CD- Have Model 2, never had M1

[Poofta!]

CD-I
It's a CD-I--who cares? :P How did such a crappy system get so many versions? Although I don't care that much, I'd probably choose something smaller like the 450 over the bulkier 220.


the CDI, like the 3d0 was outsourced to different electronics manufacturers, so each company created its own versions, and companies like SONY (who has a knack for backing up failing formats) upgraded on its own models, trying to push it into mainstream living room entertainment arena.

i agree with every selection you made there wufners, althought my reasoning is usually more practical than aesthetic, i agree with your choices wholeheartedly.

[starchildskiss78]

Let's see:

Toaster NES > Toploader NES (only by a small margin cuz you don't have AV on the Toploader without modding it)

Genesis Model 2 > Genesis Model 1 > Genesis Model 3 (I've owned all three systems and like the Model 2 the most because it is modest in size without being too small and didn't have those useless [in my opinion] headphone jack and volume controls!)

Playstation > PS One (have trouble getting discs out and I like the old power cord over the one with the prongs that fold down which seem to fold down when you don't want them to while plugging it in!)

SNES Model 1 ? SNES Model 2 (never played a Model 2 SNES so don't know much about them so I can't form an opinion)

Any Colorful (incl. Pikachu edition) > black N64 (the N64 looked nicer when it wasn't just plain black)

Dreamcast ? Other Models (I've only owned the American model so don't really have an opinion here either although I wished I had won the Dreamcast signed by all of those designers [I think] from SEGA)

GBA SP > Gameboy Color > Game Boy Pockey > Game Boy (Original) (having seen/played all of the above mentioned I think the SP is best laid out of the systems)

Atari 2600 ? Other Versions (only owned the woodgrain 4 switch version so I don't have an opinion on the others)

Saturn Model 1 = Saturn Model 2 (I own a Model 2 but I don't see much of a difference with the exception of the buttons and controllers...I think my Saturn came bundled with the Model 1 controller)

"Indigo" Gamecube > Platinum Gamecube > Black Gamecube (what can I say? purple (indigo is close enough!) is my fave color)

[cyberfluxor]

NES 2 > NES
I must say, even though I've never played off a NES 2 system, it is just a better design to have it inserted from above, otherwise the SNES wouldn't have been that way. There's so many loading problems with the NES and it's spring action. Along with the contacts not meeting, it can get frustrating sometimes to reload cartridges over and over just get a game to click or get away without that evil flashing screen.

SNES > SNES 2
The original just looks and feels right for it's generation.

Genesis > Genesis 2 > Genesis 3
Although yes it is bulky and has all those extra unnecessary on-board controls it works flawless with every game. I have heard and had some issues with the GEN2 not running games, game genie, or even the 32X. As for the GEN3, it wasn't produced by Sega like the others making it a oddball to deal with plus didn't have the expansion port. Comming to the SegaCD, the Chunky base that goes under the GEN1 gives it a funny yet awesome expansion feel raising it up with an eject bay; the GEN2 becomes longer like a GEN1 and feels like a conventional CD player add-on.

Wooden Atari 2600 > Other 2600 designs
I just like the design of this one over all the others simply because it's wooden with a classy look that makes it distinguished from all other systems period.

Gameboy Pocket > Gameboy > SNES Gameboy Adaptor
Because the Gameboy is a portable system, smaller is better plus it doesn't eat up as many batteries as the older. As for the adaptor, sure it's a nifty feature for the SNES but if I get a Gameboy game, I'm getting it for something to play while away from home.

Gameboy Advanced > Gamecube GBA Adaptor
Same as above BUT because the GBA has higher resolution and graphics than the older gameboys I can see it being a bit more of a great add-on for a Gamecube.

[DonMarco]

I liked my Panasonic Gamecube fifty times more than my current (standard) game-only one. It played music CDs, DVDs and games. It had a remote with 800 buttons on it and looked pretty cool next to my real stereo system. Like it belonged there.

Other systems not yet mentioned are the NGP/NGPC and various wonderswans.

[wufners]

I liked my Panasonic Gamecube fifty times more than my current (standard) game-only one. It played music CDs, DVDs and games. It had a remote with 800 buttons on it and looked pretty cool next to my real stereo system. Like it belonged there.

Other systems not yet mentioned are the NGP/NGPC and various wonderswans.

Yeah, that Panasonic Q is awfuly dern purdy. I've never seen one in person, but suspect it'd by far my favorite of the Cubes.

[BrokenFlight]

GBA SP > Gameboy Color > Game Boy Pocket > Game Boy (Original) (having seen/played all of the above mentioned I think the SP is best laid out of the systems)


Can you really compare all of them? That's like saying the PS2 is better than the PSX.

[starchildskiss78]

GBA SP > Gameboy Color > Game Boy Pocket > Game Boy (Original) (having seen/played all of the above mentioned I think the SP is best laid out of the systems)


Can you really compare all of them? That's like saying the PS2 is better than the PSX.

As far as I'm concerned as long as Nintendo lumps them all under the "Game Boy" moniker I'm gonna lump them together in my comparison. And I'm only talking design. Not graphics...not backlit displays, etc.

[Memnon]

woops. Didn't see there was a newer thread on this.