Holy grail systems that turn out to be a huge let-downs

[smokehouse]

Over time there were systems that I put on a pedestal. I clearly remember reading about many systems that at the time, I couldn’t afford. In my years of retro collecting I have picked up some of these systems and found them to me massive disappointments, some because the were piles of garbage, other because I had higher expectations and the system couldn’t deliver. What are your not-so-holy-grail finds that turned out to be losers?

3DO- I know many like this system and I have to admit that when I finally got one around 1999 I was stoked. Over time however I found this system to be lackluster. I tried many games and simply did not like the system. It was sold last summer.

Atari Jaguar- This is one system I never understood. I got a great deal back in 2000 on a sealed unit and some sealed games. I did find Tempest 2000 to be a great title but every other game I played I found to be rather lame. Yep, including the elusive A-vs-P. I found it to be really rough and clumsy. The low meg cart also made for some horrible soundtracks on most of the games I tried. Simply put, this system was a HUGE letdown. It too was sold last summer.

Sega Dreamcast- I know this will get a collective “Booo, hiss!” from most of the members here but when it came to the DC, I simply never saw the allure. I bought one around 2000 and really tried to get into the experience. I had many games and even the keyboard. I tried playing PSO and even played it online for a while. I quickly lost interest with the game. My DC sat unused for a few years before it too was sold last summer.

Turbo Duo- This is a big one. I had a TG-16 for years and found it to be OK. Most games were mediocre and I only played them from time to time. I finally got a region modded Duo R last summer and wanted to try some if it’s games. Sadly enough I find that 90%of the good games are Japanese and are not playable (Japanese RPG’s to be exact). I did get Dracula X but I found I much preferred Symphony of the Night. Most of the US released games are OK at best. I will not sell this system anytime soon as it truly is a collector treasure but it really doesn’t see much use.

I guess I’m beginning to find that most limited systems aren’t really that great. Some are (the Neo geo is a favorite) but most really suck. They look great sitting on the shelf but my PS1, SNES, NES, Genesis and Neo see all the action while others sat there looking good.

Please take in mind that I’m not saying that these systems are crap, I just don’t see the good side to them and like most gaming, its all opinion.

[Nez]

There have only been 2 systems that I've purchased that I have a general dislike of.

Sega Master system. Shure the graphics are pretty good, but still not all that great compared to the NES. But man the music and sounds, the NES stomps the SMS in the sound department. Plus I don't like the damn controllers. The SMS disc is just bad and the joysticks are just laughable. I had one for a short time, Ugh good riddance.

3DO. Boring titles. Had some of the bigger releases and generally didn't like em. Gex and Samuri Shodown were fun (Until I got SS on my AES). Most the other titles just looked and played like ass.

[smokehouse]

I had Samurai Showdown for the 3DO as well but never liked it until I played it on the Neo, what a difference. My one and only favorite for the 3DO was Super Street Fighter II, if I could have got my hands on a good joystick (did they make one for the 3DO?) I might have kept it.

I also found the Master System to be a disappointment as well. It wasn’t a huge disappointment, as I wasn’t expecting much.

[Damion]

Turbo Duo- This is a big one. I had a TG-16 for years and found it to be OK. Most games were mediocre and I only played them from time to time. I finally got a region modded Duo R last summer and wanted to try some if it’s games. Sadly enough I find that 90%of the good games are Japanese and are not playable (Japanese RPG’s to be exact). I did get Dracula X but I found I much preferred Symphony of the Night. Most of the US released games are OK at best. I will not sell this system anytime soon as it truly is a collector treasure but it really doesn’t see much use.

Military Madness, Y's, Devils Crush and Bonks adventure (if your into that) were the best on that system. I can't think of one game that I even cared for on the 3DO or Jaguar in there entire history. in fact is there even one game worth the trouble for those two?

Dreamcast had some awsome games just not to many that come to mind at the moment

[Sosage]

Sega Dreamcast- I know this will get a collective “Booo, hiss!” from most of the members here

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSsssssssssssssss.......... .*

Game Gear- I have to say, at the risk of being flamed by the hardcore GG fans lurking these forums, that this handheld's library still comes off mediocre at best. I'm going to hold out hope that this opinion will change because of some gems in the library I haven't tried yet, but so far this machine's line up has been dissapointing.

[Trebuken]

I was never let down by any system I bought at launch. I believe the systems you quoted are overwhelmed by systems with greater game libraries, but virtually every system has games with excellent play value.

I had a TG-16 and later a Duo (Still have 'um). They have great games not as many as the SNES or Genesis, and since a Duo costs a penny or two more than a SNES it is not as financially rewarding. I loved Gates of Thunder and Lords of Thunder, awesome soundtracks for the time. The Duo was my first introduction to Bomberman. I even enjoyed Keith Courage in Alpha Zones. Exile, Dragonslayer, Bonk, Legendary Axe, Neutopie, DUngeon Explorer, Ys, etc...

3DO...tougher for me. I got into Crash n' Burn immediately. Total Eclipse, Guardian War. I think it would be tough to play these games today, more so than the Duo.

Jaguar, I haven't played it enough, though you can't go wrong with Tempest 2000.

Dreamcast, I loved mine til it was stolen. Expendable was great fun for me. Was not able to replace it after it was stolen; by the time I could it was PS2 time...I think I need to spend more time with this system. Soul Calibur still looks darn good...

I try to appreciate each system for it's strengths; try to find it's great games. In Intellivision has been the only real problem for me. Have not found a game that looks interesting...

Later,
Trebuken

[Retsudo]

For me:

Sega CD

I got this from a guy trying to get store credit at EB games for 10 bucks with 9 games and 2 genny carts.
When I got it home, I played all the games and didnt like not one of them. One of the games was a complete copy of Snatcher. I still didnt like it. I just think it sucks.

N64

I got this at a pawn shop when I traded a spare PS1. It just didnt have that great feel like the Snes, so I gave it away to a friend.

Dreamcast

I didnt pay for this so I said what the heck. I know the system has a lot of good 2d fighters, but the controller turned me off and I wasnt going to hunt for a Arcade Stick.
The only game i could get into was Soul Calibur.

[FlufflePuff]

I have to agree with one and add one other:

Dreamcast: Very overrated. Couple of games worth playing (Skies of Arcadia, Seaman, Typing of the Dead, and Soul Calibur), but most games were just straight ports of sub-par arcade games or sports games that were outdone by the PS2.

N64: I skipped a generation in gaming and never had a N64, Playstation, or Saturn when they were current-gen. I always thought that the N64 was the best of the systems, judging by what my friends had, and the little I played (Zelda, Super Smash Bros). But, now that I own one and have an ok library of games, the system really isn't that good. Jaggy graphics, horrible controller, and lack of a quality library make the N64 the most overrated system I own.

[boatofcar]

The biggest system letdown for me has been the PSP. Aside from using it as a NES emulator, it has no other uses for me.

EDIT: Just remembered this was in the classic gaming section.

I guess the only classic system I've been let down by is the Genesis. Aside from Sonic, I never found anything too endearing.

[smokehouse]

I guess I found the N64 to be a massive let down but I bought one on launch….then one week later returned it. I would have included it if it wasn’t for the fact that bought it when I did.

[DonMarco]

What about the Game Boy Advance?

1. Small screen resolution?? It was 240x160, instead of the SNES/TV-friendly 320x240. Note it wasn't back-lit or even side-lit. And unless you were under 200-watt florescent lights, you didn't see the colors like the programmers meant you to see them.

2. The GBA only had two surface buttons, instead of 4. Even with the 2 triggers, it was like a GBC with to more buttons. Not a SNES controller with a screen, like everyone had hoped it would be. Imagine the games that would have benefied... Like Chu Chu Rocket or Smash TV or Super Mario World 1 and 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. NO NEW 2D MARIO GAMES. All the Mario games of the system were ports of NES and SNES mario games. Not even cool ports, like Mario All Stars. The Mario vs Donkey Kong game played more like a traditional Donkey Kong level-crunching festival of patience game. The Superstar Saga is a RPG with like five side-scrolling caves. Blah. Why not put a small group aside to make a Super Mario Bros. 4?? It'ss not like no one would be interested in it, when you think about it.

4. Finally, with less than maybe 50 games left in it's life span, they release the micro. It's a great system. I can't play GBA games on the DS/SP anymore. I really can't. But it's too expensive, the accessories are not in stores, and what the hell is up with the new faceplates? AAGHHH!

I'll post again about the DS tomorrow. Stay tuned!

[jhd7]

Atari 7800 - On the strength of a comment in the DP Guide, I bought one with the intent to get every game. 10 seconds of Galaga turned that thought around. My system and 27 games were sold shortly afterward. My apologies to fans of the 7800, but the NES kicks its' ass.

jeff d

[smokehouse]

What about the Game Boy Advance?

The GBA has been a love/hate relationship. I bought an original GBA but like you said, the shit visibility turned me off to it. Out comes the SP, better but not great, I buy one. During this time I did get quite a library of titles. Finally, out comes the newest GBA SP with what is one of the nicest screens to found on a handheld ever. Did I get one? Yep. Now I have a completely useless GBA and a semi useless GBA SP. There’s $200 down the drain, what a crock of shit.

Then there’s the sweet, the games. Minish Cap, FF IV (and soon to be V and VI), River City Ransom, Metroid, Castlevania, Phantasy Star Collection, Super Mario World, Zelda Link to the Past, the list goes on and on.

I refuse to buy a DS at this time; I will wait until another improved one comes out. By that time the library of games will be worthwhile.

[Gamereviewgod]

My one and only favorite for the 3DO was Super Street Fighter II, if I could have got my hands on a good joystick (did they make one for the 3DO?) I might have kept it.


No arcade sticks, but Capcom made a kick-ass controller for the game. They made them on the Genesis and SNES too. Best and most accurate d-pad I ever used, and the only ones I'll used on the Genesis. I'll use others for the 3DO if the game requires triggers.

[KingCobra]

Sega Dreamcast- I know this will get a collective “Booo, hiss!” from most of the members here but when it came to the DC, I simply never saw the allure. I bought one around 2000 and really tried to get into the experience. I had many games and even the keyboard. I tried playing PSO and even played it online for a while. I quickly lost interest with the game. My DC sat unused for a few years before it too was sold last summer.


That's just wrong! BOOOOOOOOOOO!!! :P You had to be an arcade gamer for sure and Sci-Fi niche gamer, Importing like most Sega stuff is a must!

N64? Hated it! Plain and simple as that.
Atari 7800? Yawn... What happen'd here?
JAG? Loved a few games, didn't age well over time IMO.
3DO? Bought it ay full tilt back in day, OUCH!

[Anthony1]

Turbo Duo- Sadly enough I find that 90%of the good games are Japanese and are not playable (Japanese RPG’s to be exact). I did get Dracula X but I found I much preferred Symphony of the Night. Most of the US released games are OK at best.


You must not like shooters. The TurboDuo is a shooters paradise. The Duo has some decent action games too. The big thing about the Duo that people don't get, is that it's really a 8 bit system on crack, that happens to use CD's as it's media. Those facts result in it having a very distinct retro flavor too it. It's underlying foundation is 8 bit, but it has all the trappings of 16 bit love. The color of the SNES, and the media superiority of the Sega CD. That basically means psuedo 8 bit type games, except with tons of color and superb cd sound.

[gepeto]

I think the missing factor here is time & competition and experience. You see when I was playing the channel f in the late 70's I was having a ball. The football game was top notch for the time. Now when I go back I enjoy the experience but the thrill isn't the same.

I don't even bother firing up the old systems when I have guest in the house because most will find it a waste of time and boring.

You know what is funny, I find that the people that can sit down and enjoy playing an atari 2600 system the most is those that haven't played anything since.

The 3do was great albeit overpriced in its day. Alone in the dark , dragons Lair, Street Fighter as well as batman and 2 stupid dogs. To me the 3do had it's place for a few years in the 90's

With every new system that comes out the easier it becomes to be turned off by an older system. Just think back in the 80/90's consoles systems never were as good as there arcade counterparts. Now consoles are judged against other consoles and the aging process is happening faster just look at the way people treat a psx game.
Some swear they could never go back and play them.

Older systems require more imagination and focus the graphic are old and the controls are a struggle.

I still collect none the less. Looking to capture the intensity of the times. You know what is weird. I find it easier to pick up a pc controller and fire up mames and be into the games than hook up an atari 2600 and play like we did in the 70's. If you asked me back then I would have said it doesn't get any better than this.

[Gamereviewgod]

The 3do was great albeit overpriced in its day. Alone in the dark , dragons Lair, Street Fighter as well as batman and 2 stupid dogs. To me the 3do had it's place for a few years in the 90's



I'm thinking you're getting systems confused. No Batman or 2 Stupid Dog titles on the 3DO.

[KingCobra]

Nice post gepeto, I agree with most of that, but some consoles have last'd the long haul as best as they can.

I still find that Colecovision, Atari 5200 and NES to still hang very well over the years. It dosen't take much for a freind to jump into a game of Donkey Kong or passing the controller around in some Super Mario 3 on NES, and even a little Mr. Do! on Colecovision ect... Though they sure aren't gonna hangout all day for a day of Retro :sob:

[Blanka789]

The 3do was great albeit overpriced in its day. Alone in the dark , dragons Lair, Street Fighter as well as batman and 2 stupid dogs. To me the 3do had it's place for a few years in the 90's



I'm thinking you're getting systems confused. No Batman or 2 Stupid Dog titles on the 3DO.

What system did 2 Stupid Dogs come out for? I MUST HAVE THAT GAME!!!

Seriously, my system has to be N64, I was a SNES and Genny gamer, but I was expecting the N64 to kill the Saturn and Playstation. I already had a Saturn and PSone, and really enjoyed them. Then I got an N64 at launch, and Mario was all it had for a while. Needless to say, if you take the top 10 games from each system and compare them, it's a close race. But the 64 didn't have the 3rd party support(or RPGs) to compete.

Of course, I still fire up the 64 to play Goldeneye, Mario, Starfox, and especially Zelda, but I was let down because it was not on a level with the Super Nintendo, while the Saturn was with the Genesis. I guess I felt like the big N cheated me...

[Xizer]

Wow, all this talk of hating systems, and selling them...

You, children, are not true gamers. For shame! I collect all systems, even if they *do* suck.

Edit: Oh, and to you fellows complaining about the Game Boy Advance coming out with new revisions improving upon it, NEWSFLASH: Technology advances with time!

[gepeto]

The 3do was great albeit overpriced in its day. Alone in the dark , dragons Lair, Street Fighter as well as batman and 2 stupid dogs. To me the 3do had it's place for a few years in the 90's



I'm thinking you're getting systems confused. No Batman or 2 Stupid Dog titles on the 3DO.

The 2 stupid dogs and batman were on the 3do demo.
They were just episodes of of there tv show/movie but man were they good and it was well before dvd. I was hook into the Dr freeze story when it cut off.
I loved it but I still have yet to see the episode.

[Ulticron]

I'd have to say the Atari 2600 for one. I guess it's because I grew up on NES and I simply just don't get it. I've played the games and they don't give me the depth I want. Pitfall is a great game up to a point, but after so many screens of dodging rolling logs and swinging over pits w/or w/o gators I get bored and I want a boss to fight, that feeling most likely goes back to the fact that NES games had bosses and endings. Honestly though I'm more upset w/myself than anything that I can't enjoy this system and it's games.

Other than that I'd say the Jaguar and 3D0 go in the realm of dissapointment. Right now they both occupy boxes. So far I haven't played anything for either system that grabs me as GREAT, so packed away they are.

[Anthony1]

You know a "nice" way to look at this post, is what systems do you have, that are stored away in a box, and never get played, or mabye you even God forbid, sold it.



For me, the answer is Sega Master System. It's really not fair though. I never originally owned a Master System. The only reason I bought one now, is because some people on here think it's the cat's meow, and it is the first console I know with RGB output. So I figured, why not give it a shot. I had one, and a batch of games and sold it all. Just didn't do anything for me. Maybe I had the wrong selection of games to play for it.



As for what system I bought when it was actually released, and it turned out to be a dud, I would have to say the Sega 32X. That system is pretty damn horrible if you ask me. I actually have one of them, and I have like 10 carts for it, but overall, I think it was one of the worst video game systems I've ever experienced. It was just such a huge freaking letdown. Supposedly, it was going to be a "real" 32 bit experience for $170 or whatever it cost, and it was going to take the Genesis system to a almost Saturn level, and I honestly think it was laughable.


I'm not saying the 32X doesn't have any good games at all, but does it really have any games that look even remotely whisper.... "I'm 32-bit, hear me ROAR!". Hell no.



However......Having said all of that, I'm glad I have a 32X and those 10 carts, just because I think it's a real oddball system and I should whip it out every now and then just to remember how I used to try to pretend it was really state of the art and try to convince myself that I didn't just waste a ton of money on a total dud.

[OldSchoolGamer]

Definitely 3D0, to expensive on release and I was to young. I drooled at the graphics. Acquired one a while back with tons of games I was also ultimately disappointed. Truly it was not the price that killed the system, it was that the games sucked! Yes the multimedia and graphics were amazing but the load times dragged it down and I found 99% of titles just were not fun, I have had more fun with Atari 2600 and 8 bit NES games. @_@

[evildead2099]

Turbo Duo- Sadly enough I find that 90%of the good games are Japanese and are not playable (Japanese RPG’s to be exact). I did get Dracula X but I found I much preferred Symphony of the Night. Most of the US released games are OK at best.


You must not like shooters. The TurboDuo is a shooters paradise. The Duo has some decent action games too. The big thing about the Duo that people don't get, is that it's really a 8 bit system on crack, that happens to use CD's as it's media. Those facts result in it having a very distinct retro flavor too it. It's underlying foundation is 8 bit, but it has all the trappings of 16 bit love. The color of the SNES, and the media superiority of the Sega CD. That basically means psuedo 8 bit type games, except with tons of color and superb cd sound.

Very well put.

TG16 games that I feel are worth playing:

Splatterhouse
The Bonk series
Legendary Axe 1 & 2
Devil's Crush
Alien Crush
R-Type
Gradius II CD
Spriggan CD
Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo CD
Valis III CD
Valid IV CD
Street Fighter II

[gepeto]

Definitely 3D0, to expensive on release and I was to young. I drooled at the graphics. Acquired one a while back with tons of games I was also ultimately disappointed. Truly it was not the price that killed the system, it was that the games sucked! Yes the multimedia and graphics were amazing but the load times dragged it down and I found 99% of titles just were not fun, I have had more fun with Atari 2600 and 8 bit NES games. @_@

No it was the price that killed it. The new one was going for 700 back then which is probably 1000 today. I was so drunk when it went to 3 or 400 I was happy. The system had decent games. Return Fire, Out of this world etc. The price never gave it a chance. But for it's time it was ahead of its time. If you didn't own it during it's active lifespan and played it after the the next gen systems it will suck. All cd systems suffered from horrible load timed.

[TurboGenesis]

Big let down systems for me lets see...

Atari Jaguar - I bought this new back in 1994 and sold it in 1995. Only games that I really enjoyed were Tempest 2000, Cannon Fodder and Raiden. I didn't buy Raiden since I already had it on Turbo and Genesis at the time. I rebought this system in 2001 just so I could play Tempest 2000 again and also Cannon Fodder. I also have picked up Defender 2000 though it is average at best.

Sega 32X - Bought this new too with Virtua Racing. Major disappointment as I felt the the Genesis one was better. I then picked up Star Wars Arcade and Doom. This was my first time playing Doom and well. I have never liked FPS games since. Sold this in 1995 to a pawn shop.

3DO - Paid a whopping $675 for this thing. I fell into the hype of the time that this thing would be my media center for gaming, movies, music, and even Kodak Photo CD's. Played Crash & Burn for countless hours though it wasn't that great. Big hits for me were Total Eclipse and the original R/T Need for Speed. R/T Need for Speed was the only game I played in the cocpit view since it seem so real at the time with each car having unique and true interiors. I felt like I really was driving those exotic machines! But since 3DO never lived up to all its hype for being the center of media in the family room I sold it to my friend whom still has it to this day. No regret there I have no desire to pick another one up.

Of other note - I bought the Turbo Duo new in 1993 and have been happy with it. I originally had a TG-16 but sold it and the CD player after I picked up the Duo. I have always found fun and enjoyment with Turbo games and play them to this day. My personal favorites are:
Bonk's Adventure & Revenge
Dragon Spirit
Magical Chase
Legendary Axe II
Dragon's Curse
Raiden
Blazing Lazers
Chew Man Fu
Cratermaze
Cosmic Fantasy 2
Military Madness
Moto Roader
World Court Tennis
R-Type
Splatterhouse
Ninja Spirit
+ many more.
I have always had fun with my TG stuff and have held on to it all these years when I was selling off my SNES and Genesis games. Maybe it is because it was harder for me to get hold of TG games back when they were new as many retailers didn't stock them.

[OldSchoolGamer]

Definitely 3D0, to expensive on release and I was to young. I drooled at the graphics. Acquired one a while back with tons of games I was also ultimately disappointed. Truly it was not the price that killed the system, it was that the games sucked! Yes the multimedia and graphics were amazing but the load times dragged it down and I found 99% of titles just were not fun, I have had more fun with Atari 2600 and 8 bit NES games. @_@

No it was the price that killed it. The new one was going for 700 back then which is probably 1000 today. I was so drunk when it went to 3 or 400 I was happy. The system had decent games. Return Fire, Out of this world etc. The price never gave it a chance. But for it's time it was ahead of its time. If you didn't own it during it's active lifespan and played it after the the next gen systems it will suck. All cd systems suffered from horrible load timed.

Point taken but as I stated I had more fun on lesser systems, so really for me it was the titles that disappointed...........

[Zing]

Dreamcast

Me and a friend sat down with his library of around 40 games and played all night. The only games that were even remotely entertaining were Soul Caliber and Chu Chu Rocket. Stuff like "Simpsons Hit and Run" and the hojillion sports and 2D fighters were a huge letdown.

[tom]

Spectrum (UK 80s computer): No comment

NES: lived in the UK, tried to get in the USA spirit of 'Yeah NES rules', even got that stupid ROB, bought games which cost almost $100 at Virgin or HMV, London, but no, I'm sorry USA, the NES never ruled with me.

7800: Had to get the first UK release from a mail-order catalogue, with 2 games. Ouch, that's all I gotta say.

Jaguar: Hunted it down like a wild cat, as it was a sell-out in the UK upon release, played Trevor, thought, this is like shit....

N64: Those fuzzy games gave me an eyeache, and after that a headache.

Still collect them though....

[drwily008]

N64 - Man I could never get into any games besides Mario 64, Paper Mario, and Ogre Battle.

32X - As much as I want to love it, all I play is an occasional Tempo.

Super-Grafx - THAT was something that truly was a holy grail to me and then I played it. I guess all I can say is the games are TOO HARD! I know that is not a gamer mentality (I usually love a good challenge) but c'mon Ghouls & Ghosts is f'in crazy!

[Push Upstairs]

Sega 32X - Bought this new too with Virtua Racing. Major disappointment as I felt the the Genesis one was better. I then picked up Star Wars Arcade and Doom. This was my first time playing Doom and well. I have never liked FPS games since. Sold this in 1995 to a pawn shop.

You played a seriously shitty version of "Doom". I wouldn't own that 32x version even if someone paid me to take it out of thier hands. But then i played the PC verison which was much better.


I'd have to say my "letdown" systems are:

Game Gear: I have yet to find a game on this that makes me wanna play it.

Master System: Better than the NES but the games I have don't lend themselves well to extended playing sessions.

Other than that i am quite happy with my other systems.

[evildead2099]

Dreamcast

Stuff like "Simpsons Hit and Run" and the hojillion sports and 2D fighters were a huge letdown.

1) Simpsons Hit & Run was never on the Dreamcast.

2) Sega's sports games are regarded by many to be superior to EA's sports titles. I'm not much of a sports fan, so I can't comment except with respect to hockey. Sega's NHL 2K games > EA's NHL games.

3) You consider the DC's 2D fighters disappointing?!? The only consoles that have a better record with 2D fighters are the Neo Geo and the Japanese Saturn! @_@

[Ernster]

PSX

Back in the day everyone was going craxy for this system but I have always hated it. Seriously 95% of game games I played were rubbish. Most games had rushed gameplay, slooooooooooow loading times which I hated, and the graphics were so blocky and jagedy, not to mention the poor quality of the system, always breaking down etc. Also having 2 controller ports was a bit of a let down.. I swear people where very stupid back then......Sony did very well for themeselves though, I still don't understand how it managed to outsell N64, that I will never get over :(

[CreamSoda]

Dreamcast

Me and a friend sat down with his library of around 40 games and played all night. The only games that were even remotely entertaining were Soul Caliber and Chu Chu Rocket. Stuff like "Simpsons Hit and Run" and the hojillion sports and 2D fighters were a huge letdown.

LOL, I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But how about you actually spend some real time with one of the greatest systems ever before you bash it?

"Simpsons Hit and Run" never even came out on the system for example, and there were not that many sports games(those of which were mostly pretty good). Well atleast the Sega Sports games(not counting WSB2K1).

Sorry for being an ass, but c'mon!

[Niku-Sama]

i would have to say dreamcast too but atleast i didnt pay any thing for them, found them in a dumpster at work in these huge plastic cases, there were 2 of them one works the other powers on to the menu but the lens is poked out, gonna sell them soon because i figure some one wants them...1 controller 1 3rd party RFU ea.

[sabre2922]

Home console: N64

as far as others such as handhelds the Sega Nomad I wanted one for years and got one at a pawnshop a few years ago and it just sucked used up batteries faster than a nympho in vibrator factory O_O

The biggest let down was spending over $800 U.S. on a new computer only to find out that it couldnt even run DOOM 3 WITHOUT A NEW FREAKING VIDEOCARD fuck PCs I always hated the fact that you gotta "upgrade" or spend more fuckin money on one just because a new game is released 6 months later that requires more memory or a new videocard.
Flame me if you want but I always hated PC gaming and always will and by the amount of new PC games coming out compared to the support and number of console games being released regularly it seems that Im not alone-yeah yeah quality and all that bullshit aside PC gaming is overated and always has been.

If it werent for the incredible amount of classic games that I can play on EMU-from Atari/NES to N64/PSX I would have sold my PC before it lost so much value after only a year and a half in order to get a Xbox360 or PS3.

[Push Upstairs]

I would like to point out that PC gaming is a constantly evolving technology as to where console games are simply a snapshot of technology at the time of thier creation.

Yes the upgrade business sucks, but that is the nature of the beast.

But when anyone on here bitches about the newest Madden "patch" or games that are all the same i do wonder why they haven't discovered the wonderful indie developers and thier creative games that are on the PC.

[Princess-Isabela]

Sega Dreamcast- I know this will get a collective “Booo, hiss!” from most of the members here

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSsssssssssssssss.......... .*

Game Gear- I have to say, at the risk of being flamed by the hardcore GG fans lurking these forums, that this handheld's library still comes off mediocre at best. I'm going to hold out hope that this opinion will change because of some gems in the library I haven't tried yet, but so far this machine's line up has been dissapointing.




BOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSsssssssssssssss.......... .*


Sega Game Gear has Panzer Dragoon, how cool is that!!

[kaneb]

For me, my biggest disappointment has to be the 3DO. I picked up an almost new system at a Garage sale once and went around on ebay to get the games that I had wanted to play. After playing with the games for about a week or two, the system and all games ended up going back on ebay. I found the games (Samurai Showdown, Road Rash, Yu Yu Hakusho, Way of the Warrior) all to be really slow and having even worse loading times then I remembered for when it came out originally. Although, the soundtrack for Way of the Warrior is still classic in my book!

As far as TG16...I don't understand peoples hate. I know it's a hyper-8bit system, but the games rocked. I still play games like Galga 90, Blazing Lazers, Ordyne, and Legendary Axe often.

[mezrabad]

RCA Studio II:
This system looks retro-yummy on the outside, but if I could bottle up the all the "gameplay" and place a value on it, I think that a bottle of my own puke would have more worth. Okay, in truth, I'm sugarcoating my opinion here, but I couldn't think of anything worth even less than my puke.

[Truffle]

As hard as I try to love all VG systems equally...over the years I have had to come to terms with the fact that some systems just dont cut it for me.

GameGear- this system was hyped by schoolmates endlessly. I had a GB and couldnt wait to get my hands on a color portable.
What a letdown. Just because a system has better grafics doesnt make it superior.
At the time it was too expensive, and over the years I have yet to find games for it that really hold my attention.

SMS-Nothing against Sega! I just coulnt get 'into' this console. I really cant put my finger on it....

N64- This was the first console my poor family bought new, and it still burns me. I have always HATED early efforts at 3D. Even the best 64 games look like crap to me.

Playstation-See above. I never saw the charm in this console either. While the PS could produce some jaw-dropping 2D...the 3D games are fugly.

Colecovision- I only dispise this console because I cant seem to find one that functions %100.
Its probably pretty cool if yours works for more than 3-4 seconds.

[Captain Wrong]

Funny...I just blogged about something close to this topic. (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/weblog_entry.php?e=2446) I confess, I'd never planned on owning a Laseractive, so I had no expectations, but I know for some this is a holy grail console. I think it's pretty neat, but pretty "meh" all at the same time.

[Tron 2.0]

Turbo Duo- Sadly enough I find that 90%of the good games are Japanese and are not playable (Japanese RPG’s to be exact). I did get Dracula X but I found I much preferred Symphony of the Night. Most of the US released games are OK at best.


You must not like shooters. The TurboDuo is a shooters paradise. The Duo has some decent action games too. The big thing about the Duo that people don't get, is that it's really a 8 bit system on crack, that happens to use CD's as it's media. Those facts result in it having a very distinct retro flavor too it. It's underlying foundation is 8 bit, but it has all the trappings of 16 bit love. The color of the SNES, and the media superiority of the Sega CD. That basically means psuedo 8 bit type games, except with tons of color and superb cd sound.
Agreed sold my TG16+Turbo CD ages ago.

Afther, many years i miss it and got a Duo-R. Then i started to buy many u.s and japan games again and i'm enjoying every minute of it.

The only down side to it... the collectors are keeping the prices up :angry:

[Anthony1]

I would have sold my PC before it lost so much value after only a year and a half in order to get a Xbox360 or PS3.



Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything that loses it's value faster than a PC or laptop. You can buy a 3 grand Alienware PC and 3 years later, you'll be lucky to get $500 for it. That's just the way shit is. If you are going to have a PC, you need to know that going in, or it could begin to drive you crazy. I just bought a laptop recently, that I know will be horribly outdated in a few years, but I don't care, cause for what I need it for, it will do the job.

One of the main reasons that I no longer play games on my PC (other than emulators or older PC games), is because of all the bullshit you need to go through just to get the thing running correctly. Plus if you really get into it, and you have to have the latest and greatest, you can really sink a fortune into a PC, if you want to make it a top of the line gaming rig. There is always some new much faster memory on the horizon, or some new motherboard with a new chipset or some new video card. It's never ending. I jumped off that train when the Dreamcast arrived back on 9-9-99. Most of 97 and 98 and 9 months of 99, I was a PC gamer. But the Dreamcast caught up and slightly surpased what you could do on a PC, so I left and jumped back on the console bandwagon. I've been with consoles ever since. When Doom 3 first came out on the PC, I thought about upgrading my rig to play Doom 3, but then I decided it would be better to wait and just play it on Xbox. Same thing with Half Life 2, although I've heard that the Xbox version is pretty watered down, and not quite the same experience. Still, I'm happy to stick to the console side of the pond considering the XBOX 360 has given consoles the lead again. Sure, Quake 4 on the PC is better than the Xbox 360 version, but that's just because it was a port. With the 360 and PS3, the consoles will temporarily have superiority again. Plus, playing games while sitting on a sofa is the way to go.

[blue lander]

I could say systems like the RCA Studio II and APF-M1000, but I expected those to be crap so it isn't much of a let down when they turned out that way. Although I was a little suprised by how crappy the APF-M1000 was. I was expecting an "incompetant ripoffs of popular games" system like the Emerson Arcadia, but the games are even worse than that. They're hardly even games.

Timex Sinclair 1000. I know it's a super simple computer that's like 25 years old and sold for next to nothing, but it was an awfully popular computer so I expected at least some of the games to be okay by 1980 standards. But so far I haven't found a single game to be worth the time it takes to load. I bought one at a thrift store about 10 years ago and gave it away when I couldn't think of anything interesting to do with it.

Amstrad CPC464. When I decided to get one (and go through the huge pain of making it work in the US and pay for the tremendous shipping costs) I looked at some screenshots and thought "Wow, the graphics are all colorful and Commodore 64ish". But when I got it, I realised that while the graphics look great in screenshots, the thing can't scroll or even move sprites at a reasonable speed! And 90% of the games are just ports of Spectrum games that don't use any of the extra colors anyways.

The Amstrad GX4000 was a relative let down, too. The graphics are better than the CPC464 and there's a couple decent games for it (Switchblade and Robocop come to mind), but half the games are extremely simple Pole Position rip-offs. Just look at Burnin' Rubber. Who would release a racing game with one track that never ends? You just race until you run out of time. That might have been okay in 1981, but 1989? And no pause button, either?

And I guess a couple of super-obscure Japanese systems I've bought like the Tomy Pyuuta Jr. and Casio PV-1000 and Epoch Super Cassette Vision were somewhat dissapointing as well. It's not that the systems are that bad, it's just that it took a ton of effort to get them and none of the games are anything to really write home about.

[attilathehun]

Over time there were systems that I put on a pedestal. I clearly remember reading about many systems that at the time, I couldn’t afford. In my years of retro collecting I have picked up some of these systems and found them to me massive disappointments, some because the were piles of garbage, other because I had higher expectations and the system couldn’t deliver. What are your not-so-holy-grail finds that turned out to be losers?

3DO- I know many like this system and I have to admit that when I finally got one around 1999 I was stoked. Over time however I found this system to be lackluster. I tried many games and simply did not like the system. It was sold last summer.

Atari Jaguar- This is one system I never understood. I got a great deal back in 2000 on a sealed unit and some sealed games. I did find Tempest 2000 to be a great title but every other game I played I found to be rather lame. Yep, including the elusive A-vs-P. I found it to be really rough and clumsy. The low meg cart also made for some horrible soundtracks on most of the games I tried. Simply put, this system was a HUGE letdown. It too was sold last summer.

Sega Dreamcast- I know this will get a collective “Booo, hiss!” from most of the members here but when it came to the DC, I simply never saw the allure. I bought one around 2000 and really tried to get into the experience. I had many games and even the keyboard. I tried playing PSO and even played it online for a while. I quickly lost interest with the game. My DC sat unused for a few years before it too was sold last summer.

Turbo Duo- This is a big one. I had a TG-16 for years and found it to be OK. Most games were mediocre and I only played them from time to time. I finally got a region modded Duo R last summer and wanted to try some if it’s games. Sadly enough I find that 90%of the good games are Japanese and are not playable (Japanese RPG’s to be exact). I did get Dracula X but I found I much preferred Symphony of the Night. Most of the US released games are OK at best. I will not sell this system anytime soon as it truly is a collector treasure but it really doesn’t see much use.

I guess I’m beginning to find that most limited systems aren’t really that great. Some are (the Neo geo is a favorite) but most really suck. They look great sitting on the shelf but my PS1, SNES, NES, Genesis and Neo see all the action while others sat there looking good.

Please take in mind that I’m not saying that these systems are crap, I just don’t see the good side to them and like most gaming, its all opinion.Fortunately for you. The disappointing systems you listed you bought at a low price. Imagine if you bought 3do for $700 or the system you like Neo-Geo for $700 and $300 per game.

My disappointment is the Sega Saturn. I bought it back in 1995 it came with 2 games and 1 regular controller and 1 programable for $400. Two years later I got burned by the 3rd party bail out. I still play it more than any of my other systems. I just wish I had a crystal ball and wait till 97or 98 to buy it.

[attilathehun]

Sega 32X - Bought this new too with Virtua Racing. Major disappointment as I felt the the Genesis one was better. I then picked up Star Wars Arcade and Doom. This was my first time playing Doom and well. I have never liked FPS games since. Sold this in 1995 to a pawn shop.

You played a seriously shitty version of "Doom". I wouldn't own that 32x version even if someone paid me to take it out of thier hands. But then i played the PC verison which was much better.
No way. That was the second best port behind the ps.
I bought 32x with Doom at Kmart 10 yrs ago for $30. A excellent bargain bin investment. But a few years later I gave my genny/cd/32x/games to my nephew cause in the end bulky add-ons really suck.

[Push Upstairs]

I wouldnt use "best" anywhere near a game with a flaw that won't even allow you to to get 100% on kills in one of the early levels.

Doom has seen better...but at least it wasnt the SNES version.

[attilathehun]

You know a "nice" way to look at this post, is what systems do you have, that are stored away in a box, and never get played, or mabye you even God forbid, sold it.



For me, the answer is Sega Master System. It's really not fair though. I never originally owned a Master System. The only reason I bought one now, is because some people on here think it's the cat's meow, and it is the first console I know with RGB output. So I figured, why not give it a shot. I had one, and a batch of games and sold it all. Just didn't do anything for me. Maybe I had the wrong selection of games to play for it.



As for what system I bought when it was actually released, and it turned out to be a dud, I would have to say the Sega 32X. That system is pretty damn horrible if you ask me. I actually have one of them, and I have like 10 carts for it, but overall, I think it was one of the worst video game systems I've ever experienced. It was just such a huge freaking letdown. Supposedly, it was going to be a "real" 32 bit experience for $170 or whatever it cost, and it was going to take the Genesis system to a almost Saturn level, and I honestly think it was laughable.


I'm not saying the 32X doesn't have any good games at all, but does it really have any games that look even remotely whisper.... "I'm 32-bit, hear me ROAR!". Hell no.



However......Having said all of that, I'm glad I have a 32X and those 10 carts, just because I think it's a real oddball system and I should whip it out every now and then just to remember how I used to try to pretend it was really state of the art and try to convince myself that I didn't just waste a ton of money on a total dud.The 32x a system? LOL Just another flop addon by sega. Anyways if they were going to upgrade the genny to next gen they needed to make it play 32 bit disc media. Cartridge was way too out dated and expensive at that point.

I bought it at kmart with doom for $30 and chucked those stupid spacers. I wasn't disappointed in the 32x cause I knew what I was getting. A novel idea but shouldn't of never been done just like the sega cd.

Sega should of left the genny alone and then in the mid 90's release a backwards compatible 32 bit cd system. Then maybe it could secured a close second to sony's playstation.

[attilathehun]

I wouldnt use "best" anywhere near a game with a flaw that won't even allow you to to get 100% on kills in one of the early levels.

Doom has seen better...but at least it wasnt the SNES version.Sorry I just readjusted the 32x doom ranking.
Doom Rankings In the 90's
1. P.C. Online
2. Play Station(It's really ultimate doom and doom II)
3. Jaguar (No soudtrack but it's a cart and the original soundtrack not that hot to begin with)
4. 32X Can't Save
5. Doom 64(Great Screenshots, but somewhat of a let down when I actually played it. Paper thin ghost like monsters)
6. Saturn a bad port with slow frame rate
7. 3do not not good
8. Super Nintendo Entertainment System(really crappy but still playable. Like 32x no save feature.)

[Matt-El]

What about adventurevision? I take it the few that own THIS holy grail love all its aspects? At the price it is now, in collector terms, I'd have to really want it. Reflective mirror for a screen, fragile, and few games. Does anyone who has it, enjoy it?


Holy grail in the sense of "Personal" holy grails such as wanting that 3DO system is a bit different from this perspective. Don't want to get too off topic.

[attilathehun]

I'd have to say the Atari 2600 for one. I guess it's because I grew up on NES and I simply just don't get it. I've played the games and they don't give me the depth I want. Pitfall is a great game up to a point, but after so many screens of dodging rolling logs and swinging over pits w/or w/o gators I get bored and I want a boss to fight, that feeling most likely goes back to the fact that NES games had bosses and endings. Honestly though I'm more upset w/myself than anything that I can't enjoy this system and it's games.

Other than that I'd say the Jaguar and 3D0 go in the realm of dissapointment. Right now they both occupy boxes. So far I haven't played anything for either system that grabs me as GREAT, so packed away they are.Since you still have them boxed up. Tell me what games of Jag and 3do you got and let me know if you want to sell or trade some.

[keiblerfan69]

Sega Dreamcast- I know this will get a collective “Booo, hiss!” from most of the members here

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSsssssssssssssss.......... .*


Yeah I second that.

PSP- I bought mine at launch and I have to be impressed. I think I'm just gonna start playing only Imports on it.

[idrougge]

I tend not to idolise systems that much, and do my research, so I can't recall any great disappointments. We all have systems we dislike, but that is another thing than a let-down, because you shouldn't expect too much.
On system which has been a bit of a let-down for me, though, is the Lynx. Mind you, I haven't played a real Lynx for more than a minute, and that was over 10 years ago, so this is judging from emulation. I expected worthless games, but I never expected the low resolution! It must be the lowest resolution in the history of gaming.
I wish that Atari/Epyx would have produced a stand-alone console with Lynx technology and normal resolution, though. Those sprite-scaling effects would have been impressive back in the day.

The GBA was terrible. Not because of games or number of buttons, but simply because the screen was invisible in anything but direct light. I think that even the Wonderswan Colour had a better screen, and slower games to boot.