Renewed Gaming Bottom 10 - Disappointing Video Game Consoles

To go with the best list, I thought there should be a worst list. But... worst is subjective here. Just like best was for the other Console list. I was a Nintendo/Sony loyalist. I played Sega consoles, but it wasn't my first choice. Not to say Sega consoles were bad, they just weren't MY consoles.

In that light, this isn't a "worst" list. This is a list of disappoints. You could have a great console and lack of software... you could have the software but the system just be buggy. Maybe it is a bad controller. And maybe it is all of the above.

So let's get into it...

Bottom 10 Most Disappointing Video Game Consoles

Here we go...

Special Mention: Nintendo Wii U: Now, before anyone gets made at this one, remember... this list isn't just for the worst, it is also for disappointments. And... I liked the Wii U. The problem with the Wii U was it lacked any support. And I understand why. It was probably like programming for two systems at the same time. But I did play some good games on it... though... the Wii U does feel like it was a test for how the Switch would end up working.

Dishonorable Mention 1: Atari 5200: The Atari systems were questionable. Partly because those originals had ZERO quality testing for the games. But the 5200 was a cash grab. Why? Remember what the graphics of the Atari 2600 looked like? Well the 5200 was supposed to be enhanced graphics with the same cartridges. Enhanced over... what?

Dishonorable Mention 2: Sega Dreamcast: The final Sega system. The system was ambitious, but the developers making the games for it took that too seriously. Including the WORST WWE game of all time: WWF Royal Rumble. Why? The Royal Rumble match was awesome... and... the most in ring competitors at the same time in any wrestling game. But... play any other type of match, the location would randomize. I'm not saying the location was chosen at random. I'm saying it WOULD randomize. Meaning... during a match, the screen would fade to black and you would be somewhere else. Not a glitch... by design. And don't forget... Seaman. That was nightmare fuel.

10. Nintendo GameCube: Again, a beloved system for plenty of people. I liked a few games for it. But it raised extra vision questions... also... yes, Nintendo is usually a family friendly company, but the best game on the system(Resident Evil 4) wasn't released until the back portion of the lifespan for the GameCube. Third party support should've been better, but Nintendo should made it more accessible.

9. Sega Nomad: A portable Sega Genesis. I'm not talking a unique system like the Sega Game Gear. I'm talking a handheld that played Genesis games. Big enough to take a Genesis cart. Cool idea. But... those of you that played or had a Game Gear knew it ATE batteries worse than the Game Boy. The Nomad... chain smoked them.

8. Sega 32X: A top loading pop in for the Sega Genesis that was supposed to support enhanced games. But did it? Aside from one or two stand outs... did it?

7. Atari Lynx: Look... it's Atari again. Nintendo saved the gaming industry that Atari almost destroyed... and what did Atari think was a good idea? Making a handheld that would compete against THE handheld, the Game Boy. Who remembers it existed?

6. Atari Jaguar/CD: The final Atari console. Powerful... but buggy as hell. No support. And one of the ugliest, unresponsive controllers in home console history.

5. 3DO: Notice I didn't list a manufacturer. Why? There were THREE of them. No joke... there is the Panasonic 3DO, the Goldstar 3DO(now LG), and the Sanyo 3DO. And... they just couldn't decide who was making what. The FZ-10 Panasonic model is highly underrated, but a largely unknown video game console.

4. Sony Playstation Portable: It is what it sounds like. The PSP was Sony's attempt at fighting the Nintendo handheld domination. And... well... the Vita was iffy sometimes, and it was the better system. The mini disc concept was interested, but so brittle. I broke the clear plastic protector on half of my PSP games. And the battery life was terrible. Trying something new, but they couldn't commit to the concept.

3. NeoGeo/NeoGeo CD: The NeoGeo. SNK created this programming system to be used in their arcade machines. And... it worked. Really well. So they decided to turn it into a home console. And... it also worked. Funny thing... I remember this fad of kid's targeted game shows where the NeoGeo and NeoGeo CD would end up being one of the prizes every episode(especially this one on my local WTTV-4 that I can't remember the name of). I didn't know what the hell NeoGeo was. Once I got into gaming moreso, Funcoland and video game magazines became part of my life. And... that is when I realized why the NeoGeo failed. Early 90s... the console brand new was roughly $100. But... the games, the software... new in box... $200-$350 EACH. That is ridiculous. I'm glad I was able to get into the SNK fighting franchises afterward(Fatal Fury, King of Fighters, and Samurai Showdown are legendary)... but... games that were 2x-3x the price of the system itself? Who had that money then?

2. Philips CD-i: I remember this getting pushed at every major and local electronics store. And...... it is laughable. Buggy. Bastardizing the Zelda franchise. Even back then I knew it was horrid. Looking back on it, it looks even worse.

And the number one most disappointing gaming console...

1. Nintendo Virtual Boy: RED. Lots of Red. Virtual Reality... if you could only see red. Controller... suck. Headset... heavy. Color... Red. Color on headset... Red. Gameplay... terrible. Headaches... every time. Neck problems... who played it long enough to have that problem? It was a bad idea from the start. Innovation is what Nintendo does. But... sometimes... we aren't ready for it(or have the tech for it). And... is probably one of the major reasons that Nintendo has a VR unit patent for the Switch and hasn't used it yet.

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These are some of the most disappointing consoles of all time. Any turds that I missed? Have memories of a console that just... sucked... that didn't make the list? Comment down below. Share this thing. Spread the disappointment.

Until next time...

Renewed Gaming Top 10 - Video Game Consoles

While I'm trying to do some research on some BIGGER Video Game list(s), I thought it would be a good idea to tackle... consoles!

All the gamers have the consoles they love, the consoles they hate or been disappointed by... or... the PC Bastard Race whining about PC being superior, while needing to dump so much more money every year or every other just to keep up when console cycles usually last 6-7 years.(slightly kidding... if you prefer PC, I'm happy for you too... Steam deals ARE pretty awesome).

So I've compiled two lists. One for my favorite consoles I've been able to play. One for my disappointments in consoles. The only real rule for the lists is that I MUST have played the console at least more than once.

So... how about it?

Top 10 Video Game Consoles

Here we go...

Special Mention: Sony Playstation Vita: PS Vita was the second Sony handheld released, and did a MUCH better job that the predecessor. Some great ports, some great original games, and the ability to play PS1 Classics on a handheld. The downfall... not enough 3rd Party Support. It had issues with that Support, but what it had some pretty cool for the time it was on the Market.

Honorable Mention 1: Nintendo DS Family: After the success of the Game Boy, Nintendo wanted to do something different. Thus, the Nintendo Dual Screen was born. And the DS changed portable gaming forever. Touchscreen, stylus, action on both screens, simplified menu systems to separate it from the action screen. Yes, there were a few extra unnecessary models, but it did lead to the first portable 3D gaming console, the 3DS. And... it was pretty damn cool.

Honorable Mention 2: Sony Playstation: The Playstation. Came into existence because it was originally going to be a joint project with Nintendo called the SNES CD... that relationship went south, so Sony turned it into the Playstation. And... changed the business forever. A real contender to the crown, taking existing franchises to the next level

10: Nintendo Game Boy Family: THE Handheld. The Game Boy exploded on the scene... packaged with Tetris. You know I love Tetris, but I got the version with Kirby's Dreamland(where my love of Kirby began). But as the competition changed, Nintendo was slow to react... but when it did, it hit the opposition hard. The Game Boy Advance was an improvement in everyway, with the Advance SP being the Ultimate version. Nintendo won this market. 

9. Sega Saturn: The direct war between the Playstation and the Saturn. And this is why the PS1 was just an Honorable mention... I liked the Saturn more. Side by side, the Saturn has the slightly better graphic, some games were more robust, and I think the controller was better. The reasons why PS won the war... 3rd party support from Squaresoft and the Sony exclusives. Library makes all the difference.

8. Nintendo 64: Nintendo changing the game. Games like Super Mario 64 and Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time innovated the 3D action, the camera system. Nintendo looked at the PS1's 3D and went... we can do better. And they did. But the cartridge and funky 3 pronged controller kept BIG 3rd Party away.

7. Nintendo Entertainment System: The console that saved the ENTIRE industry. The NES gave us franchises that are STILL enduring: Mario, Zelda, Metroid. You know the Nintendo franchise. But it also changed how quality control works. It was my first console. And I will never forget playing Super Mario Bros with my mom on a school night(a few times). It is a wonderful memory.

6. Nintendo Wii: Nintendo changing the game again! Motion controls! Made playing games more fun for the whole family. Even Sony tried to copy it with the PS Move... and look how that worked out(though... the Move led to the PS VR, and that is a positive).

5. Playstation 4/Pro: My system of choice until recently. Some of my favorite games are on this system. And with the switch over to the PS4 Pro, it became a beacon of 4K entertainment... and 3D native for any 3D Blu-rays you might have been duped into getting. This was my go to system for YEARS... until...

4. XBOX Series X/One X: Until I got my XBOX One X. Game Pass is revolutionary. And this was the first XBOX I got that I didn't end up hating after a few months. So... when I was able to upgrade it to the Series X, I jumped on it. I don't like that the interface is exactly the same at the One X, but the gameplay and visuals are so damn smooth. You CAN tell the difference. And I'm so happy that I'm on XBOX now. But... I'm still loyal to my other brands...

3. Sony Playstation 2: The Single Best Selling Home Console In History. And for good reason. The library was large, backwards compatible with the PS1. And a DVD/CD Player in the system. It was Sony's game changer. The system that gave Sega it's deathblow... and made Microsoft go "we can do that too" and gave birth to the XBOX. The PS2 also introduced me to the Persona series(with P3 and P4 on it). The PS2 is Legendary.

2. Nintendo Switch: Nintendo has ALWAYS done its own thing. The GameCube didn't have full size CD-ROM... the N64 had the mutant controller... the Wii has motion controls... the Wii U had that tablet you couldn't leave the house with... and domination of the handheld market. So... what was there to do? How about a Wii U Tablet that could leave the house... that could be docked to your TV... that had a mutant hybrid controller... that also has motion controls... along with Augmented Reality from the DS family... AND superb 3rd Party and Indie game support? And potential for on the go VR? Play it how you want. Where you want. The first even Handheld/Home console hybrid. No one else will come close. Ever.

And My Number One Video Game System of ALL time is...

1. Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Just like the March Blockbuster list, the SNES was my childhood. Playing various games with my Dad and my Brother(Turtles In Time, Magical Quest, and that damned Goof Troop game)... but carving my own love for gaming... Link to the Past, Mega Man X1-3, Magical Quest, Street Fighter 2(pick one), Mortal Kombat, Killer Instinct(that epic black cartridge), Super Mario World, Super Mario RPG!. The list could go on forever. This is the console that shaped the gamer I was going to be. And therefore... my FAVORITE gaming console... ever.

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Yes... I know. Extra Nintendo love... not enough Sega love. I was a Nintendo Guy. I guess I still am, but not as much as I was growing up.

What consoles are near and dear to you? Comment and share...

Check out the companion list for the worst or disappointing game consoles.

Until next time...