Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 51

Thread: Console Variations: Most and Least

  1. #1
    Flawless Rawkality Flack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    OKC, OK
    Posts
    14,273
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4
    Thanked in
    3 Posts

    Default Console Variations: Most and Least

    This last round of PS3 and Xbox 360 hardware revisions got me thinking: which consoles have had the most hardware revisions, and which consoles have had the least? I'm talking about differences in hardware here, not packaging or included titles. So, what say you? Which ones have had the most and which ones have had the least? Back up your claims with evidence in your responses and I'll update this main post with your responses! Any early guesses on which ones had the most and which ones had the least?

  2. #2
    Peach (Level 3)
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    742
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    5
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    8
    Thanked in
    8 Posts

    Default

    Are we counting minor (internal) hardware updates, or actual console redesigns?

    For least number of updates, the Gamecube comes to mind: No hardware revisions (unless you count the Wii ) and I don't think there were even different MB revs. (EDIT: I've been corrected on this one.) The original XBOX had no hardware redesigns either, but the MB and internals were updated through quite a few different revs. Does that count?

    For most number of updates, the PC Engine had many, and even more if you count the Duo systems.
    PC Engine
    CoreGrafx
    CoreGrafxII
    PC Engine Shuttle
    PC Engine LT
    PC Engine Duo
    PC Engine Duo-R
    PC Engine Duo-RX

    Do these count?
    Pioneer LaserActive
    PC Engine GT
    SuperGrafx
    Last edited by jperryss; 08-31-2009 at 11:55 AM.

  3. #3
    Strawberry (Level 2)
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Posts
    467
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    This can be a bit tough to call, since some hardware reivisons are advertised, and some are not.

    For example, while the Sega Genesis has had multiple obvious "models", there also tends to be variations in the specifics of each model that might affect things such as audio/video quality or game compatibility.

    Anyway, for me this will probably be easiest to list the hardware revisions I know of for each system;

    1) NES/Toploader NES/Sharp NES-TV Combo, Famicom/Sharp Twin Famicom/Sharp Famicom Titler/Sharp Famicom-TV combo
    2) SNES/SNES Jr./Super Famicom/SFC Jr./Sharp SFC-TV Combo
    3) Game Boy/Game Boy Pocket/Game Boy Light (and if you count these, Color, Advance and Micro lines, and Super Game Boy?)
    4) Genesis Model 1/Model 2/Model 3/future variants based off model 3, X'eye, CD-X, way too many others to count (Genesis probably has the most hardware variants I know of)
    5) Game Gear... uh, GG Kids? I dunno.
    6) Turbografx-16. Most of the revisions were on the JP PC-Engine "Core Grafx" lines and whatsuch, I don't know much on them.
    7) PC-FX has only one known model I'm aware of.
    8) Sega Saturn has a few subtle model changes. I'm only well aware of the Model 1/2 ones, but I think there were others as well.
    9) Playstation/Subtle model changes before PSOne/PSOne
    10) N64... uh, more or less didn't change besides special casings to my knowledge.
    11) Dreamcasts with Mil-CD/Dreamcasts without Mil-CD.
    12) PS2/PS2 Slim/PS-X
    13) Xboxes with sublte changes, mostly to try to break homebrew mods.
    14) Gamecube/Panasonic Q
    15) 360 Pro/Premium/Elite/Arcade/etc.
    16) PS3 20/40/60/80gb models, upcoming PS3 Slim
    17) PSP, PSP Slim, PSP Go
    18) DS, DS Lite, DSi
    19) Wonderswan, Wonderswan Color, not sure what else.
    20) NeoGeo Pocket, NeoGeo Pocket Color

    ^ Obviously not a remotely complete or comprehensive list.

  4. #4
    Reticulating Splines BetaWolf47's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Naples, FL
    Posts
    2,810
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jperryss View Post
    For least number of updates, the Gamecube comes to mind: No hardware revisions (unless you count the Wii ) and I don't think there were even different MB revs.
    That's not exactly true. They removed the component video output after a while, so later Gamecubes can only output up to s-video. Plus, like Kiddo said, the Panasonic Q.
    Selling gaming accessories. Click

  5. #5
    Pretzel (Level 4) MASTERWEEDO's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    871
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts

    Default

    I have 3 different playstations. one has the composite holes on the back with a door on the back that opens, one has the thing to open on the back with the standard ps cables to use it. and one doent have the door in the back. what was that door for anyway?

  6. #6
    ServBot (Level 11) tom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    USA & RUSSIA
    Posts
    3,681
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Kiddo View Post
    This can be a bit tough to call, since some hardware reivisons are advertised, and some are not.

    For example, while the Sega Genesis has had multiple obvious "models", there also tends to be variations in the specifics of each model that might affect things such as audio/video quality or game compatibility.

    Anyway, for me this will probably be easiest to list the hardware revisions I know of for each system;

    1) NES/Toploader NES/Sharp NES-TV Combo, Famicom/Sharp Twin Famicom/Sharp Famicom Titler/Sharp Famicom-TV combo
    2) SNES/SNES Jr./Super Famicom/SFC Jr./Sharp SFC-TV Combo
    3) Game Boy/Game Boy Pocket/Game Boy Light (and if you count these, Color, Advance and Micro lines, and Super Game Boy?)
    4) Genesis Model 1/Model 2/Model 3/future variants based off model 3, X'eye, CD-X, way too many others to count (Genesis probably has the most hardware variants I know of)
    .
    4: Teradrive, yeah

  7. #7
    Pear (Level 6) Soviet Conscript's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Pittsburgh
    Posts
    1,361
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jperryss View Post
    Are we counting minor (internal) hardware updates, or actual console redesigns?

    For least number of updates, the Gamecube comes to mind: No hardware revisions (unless you count the Wii ) and I don't think there were even different MB revs. The original XBOX had no hardware redesigns either, but the MB and internals were updated through quite a few different revs. Does that count?

    For most number of updates, the PC Engine had many, and even more if you count the Duo systems.
    PC Engine
    CoreGrafx
    CoreGrafxII
    PC Engine LT
    PC Engine Duo
    PC Engine Duo-R
    PC Engine Duo-RX

    And the PSP will have like 4 revs by the end of the year, heh.
    don't forget the PCE shuttle. you can possibly count the PCE GT if your going to count the LT since its just a portable PCE as well.

    does the laseractive PCE module count?

  8. #8
    Peach (Level 3)
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    742
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    5
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    8
    Thanked in
    8 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Soviet Conscript View Post
    does the laseractive PCE module count?
    Yeah I thought about the TE/GT, didn't think about the Shuttle.

    And yeah, if the Panny Q counts then the Laseractive should. I updated my post.

    Can we count the SuperGrafx?

  9. #9
    Key (Level 9) garagesaleking!!'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    1,818
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    haasinhampton

    Default

    ya if you count all the sega genesis and cd hardware i would sega is probably up there if not number 1
    Autobots. Roll out.

  10. #10
    Pear (Level 6) Soviet Conscript's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Pittsburgh
    Posts
    1,361
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jperryss View Post

    Can we count the SuperGrafx?
    good question. i would say no since the SGX was ment to be an entirely new system with backwards compatibility to the PCE.

    it would be like counting the PS2 as a PS variation because it could play PS1 games. you just have to ask yourself was the origional intention of the SGX to play PCE games and a few SGX games or was it intended to play SGX games primarily and have PCE compatibility as an extra feature. the only diffrence between it and the PS2 was that the SGX flopped so hard they never made many super HU cards for it.

    and speaking of pc/console hybrids the PCE had its own as well, Sharp X1 Twin
    Last edited by Soviet Conscript; 08-31-2009 at 12:33 PM.

  11. #11
    Flawless Rawkality Flack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    OKC, OK
    Posts
    14,273
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4
    Thanked in
    3 Posts

    Default

    Wow, you know, I didn't think about revisions that weren't advertised, like the original PlayStation. Hm, maybe I'll have to rethink the guidelines!

    All the info that everyone has provided so far has been great -- keep it up!

  12. #12
    Pac-Man (Level 10) NoahsMyBro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    3,144
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    I'm not even close to expert on either, but I'd guess there were no, none, nada, zero, zilch revisions to the Vectrex or the Colecovision. (I wouldn't count the Adam, personally.)

    The VCS/2600 went through many iterations, and the Intellivision had a few as well.

    And of course there are the systems that failed so clearly there was never any time for a revision - Channel F, Studio II, etc...
    "A 'Radical Centrist' ??? Isn't that like being a Take-No-Prisoners Pussy? " - Stephen Colbert
    My Resume
    My Blog


  13. #13
    Banned

    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Posts
    6,165
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1
    Thanked in
    1 Post

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by NoahsMyBro View Post
    I'm not even close to expert on either, but I'd guess there were no, none, nada, zero, zilch revisions to the Vectrex or the Colecovision. (I wouldn't count the Adam, personally.)

    The VCS/2600 went through many iterations, and the Intellivision had a few as well.

    And of course there are the systems that failed so clearly there was never any time for a revision - Channel F, Studio II, etc...
    The Dina console is a variant of the Colecovision so to speak.

    There are at least two different Vectrex models.

    Atari Jaguar, 0 revs/variants?

  14. #14
    ServBot (Level 11) tom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    USA & RUSSIA
    Posts
    3,681
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts

    Default

    The Bit 90 is a Coleco variant
    The Bit 60 is a VCS variant

  15. #15
    Key (Level 9) chrisbid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Posts
    1,819
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by NoahsMyBro View Post
    I'm not even close to expert on either, but I'd guess there were no, none, nada, zero, zilch revisions to the Vectrex or the Colecovision. (I wouldn't count the Adam, personally.)

    The VCS/2600 went through many iterations, and the Intellivision had a few as well.

    And of course there are the systems that failed so clearly there was never any time for a revision - Channel F, Studio II, etc...
    the channel f had two variations

  16. #16
    Pac-Man (Level 10) Rickstilwell1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    2,802
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts
    PSN
    TheGameCollector

    Default

    RCA Studio II had a color variation in certain countries.

    One system that is said to have many many clones is the Emerson Arcadia 2001. So many different names and shapes from different countries.
    [quote name='Shidou Mariya' date='Nov 17 2010, 10:05 PM' post='4889940']
    I'm a collector, but only to a certain extent.
    Not as extreme as Rickstilwell though.[/quote]


  17. #17
    ServBot (Level 11) tom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Location
    USA & RUSSIA
    Posts
    3,681
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rickstilwell1 View Post
    One system that is said to have many many clones is the Emerson Arcadia 2001. So many different names and shapes from different countries.
    Wow, licensed too:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arcadia_2001

    I think MSX has the most variants, also licensed, approx 100 perhaps, but it's not a console (uses carts though).
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ible_computers
    .
    Last edited by tom; 08-31-2009 at 02:08 PM.

  18. #18
    Mega Man (Level 19) The 1 2 P's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    The World Is Not Enough
    Posts
    11,193
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts

    Default

    Least revisions: the Wii.

    In Japan a black model was released but that had nothing to do with a hardware revision. As far as I can tell, the Wii has the exact same engine in it that it had when it launched in November '06.
    Last edited by The 1 2 P; 09-01-2009 at 12:30 AM.
    ALL HAIL THE 1 2 P
    Quote Originally Posted by THE 1 2 P
    Why? Once you've seen one partially-exposed butthole you've seen them all.

  19. #19
    OCP Corporate Liason Custom rank graphic
    Robocop2's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    1,066
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    2
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    2
    Thanked in
    2 Posts
    Xbox LIVE
    RAGNAR0K N ROLL
    PSN
    ROBOCOP2

    Default

    I'd say that the Genesis/MD by far has the most different licensed variations because you have
    Genesis 1 high definition graphics model
    Genesis 1 with the lockout chip (mostly to prevent you from playing unlicensed games i.e. Accolade/Ballistic's early releases)
    Genesis 2
    Genesis 3
    The new "sonic head" one
    MD 1,2
    CDX
    X'eye
    Wondermega
    Wondermega 2
    Nomad
    Tera Drive
    Mega Jet
    Amstrad Mega PC
    Aiwa Mega CD
    Samsung Super Aladdin boy
    LaserActive PAC
    not to mention the various x number of games in one plug and play units though I think counting them as console revisions is really splitting hairs.

    I don't think that the Atari 5200, 7800 or Jag ever had a hardware revision but someone more steeped in Atari knowledge would probably correct me.
    Quote Originally Posted by bangtango View Post
    If you have trouble figuring out the meaning of "Multiplayer", "Time Trial" or "Campaign" without the manual, I probably don't want you doing my income taxes for me and I don't want you dating my daughter either.

  20. #20
    Crono (Level 14) Sonicwolf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Abbotsford, BC, Canada
    Posts
    6,610
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    0
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    0
    Thanked in
    0 Posts
    PSN
    Sonicwolf359

    Default

    Genesis most likely had the most major model variations.
    Last edited by Sonicwolf; 08-31-2009 at 05:39 PM.
    DERP

Similar Threads

  1. Console Variations
    By mikesides in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 08-28-2007, 04:28 PM
  2. Any websites highlighting console-to-console game variations
    By The Manimal in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-24-2004, 10:51 PM
  3. N64 console Variations
    By Masco73 in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 02-11-2004, 07:21 PM
  4. Which console variations to keep?
    By Keir in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 01-20-2003, 07:11 PM
  5. List of PSX console variations somewhere?
    By CrazyImpmon in forum Classic Gaming
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-06-2003, 11:34 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •