The first video game consoles we had will probably be one of our dearest memories. Bringing it home and finally enjoying the thrills and excitement of playing for the first time was a turning point in most gamers’ lives.
For most of us, the first console was the start of our journey in the world of gaming. Nowadays, we old-school players are fine connoisseurs of their strengths and weaknesses, distinguishing those aged like wine from the forgettable.
From old to new, let us take you through a brief journey that hopefully will help you decide which video game consoles you should get next!
1. Atari 2600
This is one of the best video game consoles and the first home arcade. Released in 1977 by the Atari Company, it popularized video games worldwide.
With more than 30 million units sold, the Atari 2600 ushered in portable and interchangeable cartridge video games; the reception was surprising, becoming a hit quickly.
Among the most popular games on the Atari 2600 are the classics: Space Invaders, Donkey Kong, and the famous culture icon Pacman.
2. NES
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was Nintendo’s in the home video game market. Launched in 1983, with high-quality graphics for the time, it caught the market’s attention after Atari’s decline.
NES developed essential Nintendo titles such as Duck Hunt, The Legend of Zelda, and the largest video game franchise, Super Mario Bros.
With more than 60 million units sold, the NES remains one of Nintendo’s most significant successes.
3. Sega Genesis
The Sega Genesis or MegaDrive was Sega’s response to the Super Nintendo, its closest competitor. Many arcade games were adapted for this console, and it had considerable success with more than 30 million units sold.
Launched in 1988, with excellent color quality and 16-bit resolution, the Sega Genesis also made famous the company’s most important Saga: Sonic the hedgehog. Other recognized games on this console are Altered Beast and Disney Aladdin.
4. SNES
Nintendo’s innovation hit the market with the launch of the Super Nintendo. With a more compact and modern design, the console improved the big N’s already successful franchises, with titles like Super Metroid, Super Mario World, and The Legend of Zelda.
Its closest competitor was the Sega Genesis, but Super Nintendo surpassed it, selling more than 49 million units.
5. PlayStation
This console was Sony’s introduction in the video game world, expanding its reach to a more adult audience. The Playstation was a success from its launch in 1994.
The use of CDs instead of cartridges, better resolution, and more movement ability for the player and other functions such as music playback became the Playstation an icon of innovation and progress towards a new era, managing to sell more than 102 million devices.
The most popular titles developed for this console were the first two installments of the Gran Turismo franchise and Final Fantasy VII.
6. Nintendo 64
Launched in 1996 and with excellent graphics, it had the advantage of harboring some of the best games to date, such as Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time.
Nintendo kept the cartridge system for this console, unlike Sony with Playstation.
According to official figures from Nintendo, the Nintendo 64 managed to sell around 32 million units.
7. Playstation 2
Sony was responsible for the most successful console in history, the PS2.
Establishing itself as the favorite of adult gamers, this console sold 160 million units, a record figure.
Since its launch in 2000, it remained in production for 13 years, making it the console with the most games available, with approximately 3,870.
The most popular titles are Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec.
8. Xbox 360
Produced by the technology giant Microsoft, it introduced extra functions like online gaming and downloading movies.
With a compact and innovative design, the Xbox 360 has been successful since its launch in 2005, with more than 85 million units sold.
Its most popular games are Kinect Adventures, Grand Theft Auto V, Halo 3, and The Elders Scrolls V: Skyrim.
9. Playstation 3
Its success on the market was determined mainly by the release of highly anticipated exclusive titles like Uncharted 2: Thieves’ Kingdom and The Last of Us.
Since it was initially expensive, Sony made revisions to lower costs and offered it at better prices. The efforts paid off, and the ps3 sold more than 87 million units.
With their IV and V installments, the Grand Theft Auto saga games were the most popular for the console.
10. Nintendo Wii
I think the history of video games can be divided into before and after the Nintendo Wii.
Nintendo surprised players with a mind-blowing system; the Wii’s motion sensor made it a resounding bestseller, managing to sell 101 million units.
Famous franchises were relegated to second place as the most popular game was Wii sports.
It was no longer about sitting in front of the screen; the Wii made us sweat. We had to use our bodies to play the game; this became a new and fun experience for the whole family.
Get Your Favorite Video Game Consoles!
We probably played some of these video game consoles so much that there is hardly anything new to discover about them. However, video game consoles are not just games, they are platforms in which we develop connections with friends and family. How many Christmases have been filled with happiness thanks to a brand new gaming console taking the stage’s center?
We are sure you will want to revive the emotions of past years. If not, maybe you will still want to get a more advanced console to enjoy a more sophisticated experience.
It doesn’t matter your preference: there is a console perfect for you.
Up next: 6 best hardware emulation consoles to run classic games.
