What systems are built the best?

[ReaXan]

My guess of the lasting longest systems without major problems would be the 2600, SNES, Model 2 Genesis,Dreamcast and N64.

My guess of the least longest lasting systems would be the XBOX360,front loader NES, Model 1 PS1's and PS2's.

[Sniderman]

Any cart based system with few or no moving parts lasts longer than any laser-based system with multiple moving gears and parts. Moving crap wears out and gears wear down. Simple mechanics.

[Oobgarm]

Any cart based system with few or no moving parts lasts longer than any laser-based system with multiple moving gears and parts. Moving crap wears out and gears wear down. Simple mechanics.

/thread

[megasdkirby]

Any cart based system with few or no moving parts lasts longer than any laser-based system with multiple moving gears and parts. Moving crap wears out and gears wear down. Simple mechanics.

Agreed.

Although if I were to choose a CD based console that could last, I would say the Nintendo GameCube, Sega Saturn, and Sega CD. At least for me, those consoles keep working no matter what I throw at it!

Also, the original Xbox has stood up quite well, which is a good thing.

[Xander]

My SNES does seem impossible to kill.

[JohnnyA]

The N64 is the toughest console ever made. I have never had one in my possession that didn't work. I can't think of any other console that I can say the same for.

[Draven]

Front load NES is horrible. The Saturn always performed well, but I remember the disc cover felt a little iffy. My PS2 (large model) worked well, but the DVD player quit in no time. I've heard of others that had the same problem. 2600 gets my vote...look how long they've been around and what they've been through and most still power up, no problem!

[swlovinist]

cart systems: 2600, N64

disc systems: 3DO FZ-1 is a tough mother

[MrSparkle]

im guessing the sunnyvale 2600's are the best of the 2600's for build quality, other than that to reiterate n64, ive seen alot of people say saturn but i think the dreamcast is hella tougher. snes is pretty rugged, nes top loaders, original gameboy.

[otaku]

I've heard of DC's dying recently or needing repairs. THe 360 is one of the worst for reliability. Personally my two best systems have been my neo geo and my aes both built in like 89-90 and still going strong. Cart based ftw.

[walrusmonger]

dreamcasts have issues with reading games which is pretty common, the saturn is built better imo.

[SegaAges]

Yeah, I remember having a problem with my launch dc reading newer games. That was not a broken thing, it was an option on the dc.

i was told by sega when i contacted them that the dc was not designed to read out to the edge of the disc like how pso was pressed, but they redid the dc and the later models could do it just fine.

that has been the only problem i have had with my dc.

well, i shoved a nail into the motherboard when i was modding the shell, but that was my fault.

i have never had any problems with my dc.

when it comes to cart systems, most of my cart systems have been pretty reliable, cept my game gear that lost sound.

[Bratwurst]

Any cart based system with few or no moving parts lasts longer than any laser-based system with multiple moving gears and parts. Moving crap wears out and gears wear down. Simple mechanics.

Some cart built systems are more robust than others. I've personally had an early Sega Genesis model 1 come my way with a history of problems, the video encoder went south and the cart port was badly worn. The Turbo Grafx 16 has a poorly made RF port that eventually makes poor contact and I've also had a completely DOA unit come my way.

In the past few years people have started to report unearthing a Super Nintendo with a dying graphic chip, somewhat worrying as these are custom fabricated parts you can't just replace short of finding another system.

[kaedesdisciple]

For as much as I love the ColecoVision, it is horribly unreliable.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Any cart based system with few or no moving parts lasts longer than any laser-based system with multiple moving gears and parts. Moving crap wears out and gears wear down. Simple mechanics.

Well, if you were talking about an Atari 2600 or a Genesis system I'd agree with that sound statement ...

... but the NES (arguably if not on record as the most popular cartridge based game system of all time) has design flaws (in its input-pin-set) that disqualify it from both the "best built" AND "longest lasting" categories.

NES 2 on the other hand is a tank.

"Any" is just a tough word to flatly agree with when discussing consoles.

[CosmicMonkey]

[Rob2600]

My guess of the lasting longest systems without major problems would be the 2600, SNES, Model 2 Genesis, Dreamcast and N64.

Agreed.

Although if I were to choose a CD based console that could last, I would say the Nintendo GameCube, Sega Saturn, and Sega CD.

I remember the Dreamcast had some problems overheating and the controller ports would somehow go bad. They weren't as widespread as the PS, PS2, and Xbox 360 problems, but still enough to keep it off a list of the best built consoles.

I'd say:

Atari 2600
SNES
Sega Saturn
N64
GameCube
any of the Game Boys


How about the TurboDuo or Neo Geo?

[7th lutz]

Atari 7800, sms, sega saturn, Nintendo gamecube, Nes 2, gameboy advace, and gameboy color.

[Rob2600]

Atari 7800, sms, sega saturn, Nintendo gamecube, Nes 2, gameboy advace, and gameboy color.

From what I remember, the Sega Master System had a cheap feel to it compared to the NES.

[roushimsx]

More love for the Saturn up in here. Really impressed with how reliable that system has been for me over the years (owning multiple US and Japanese Saturns, zero problems across any of them). About the only issue I've seen is related to third party RAM carts or region changers.

The N64 is equally badass as long as you don't have a third party RAM expansion pak. Not sure about 1st party, but most of the problems I've seen come from using Yaboo paks.

While I've had pretty good luck with the Dreamcast, I know too many people that have had the controller ports die out on them.

Likewise, I've had poor luck with the Gamecube. While it can take some nice physical abuse and still work, the laser does have a tendency to fall out of alignment over time. Nothing like getting a disc read error after sludging through one of the less enjoyable and extremely long levels of Metal Arms: Glitch in the System.



Nothing a bic pen, a lighter, and about 10 minutes of work couldn't fix...but still...