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Classic & Retro Consoles

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Iconic systems that shaped genres, franchises, and gaming culture (1977-early 2000s).

This era covers cartridge-based consoles through to early optical disc systems and classic handhelds.

Home Consoles

  • Atari 2600:: The Atari 2600 popularised interchangeable game cartridges and brought arcade-style gaming into homes worldwide. Its success established many of the foundational business and design models of the console industry.
  • Atari 5200 / 7800: The Atari 5200 aimed to deliver more advanced arcade experiences but struggled with hardware design and support. The later Atari 7800 improved compatibility and performance, though it arrived after Atari’s market dominance had faded.
  • Intellivision: Intellivision focused on more complex gameplay and sports simulations compared to its rivals. Its advanced graphics and unique controller helped position it as a technically ambitious alternative to Atari.
  • ColecoVision: ColecoVision delivered near-arcade-quality graphics for its time and gained popularity through strong licensed titles. It became one of the most powerful consoles of the early 1980s despite a short lifespan.
  • NES (Nintendo Entertainment System): The NES revitalised the video game industry after the 1983 crash and redefined console quality standards. It introduced iconic franchises and established Nintendo as a dominant force in gaming.
  • Master System (Sega): Sega’s Master System offered strong arcade conversions and technical performance but struggled against Nintendo in some regions. It achieved notable success in Europe and Brazil, where its legacy remains strong.
  • SNES (Super Nintendo): The SNES expanded on Nintendo’s success with richer graphics, advanced sound, and genre-defining titles. It became one of the most influential consoles of the 16-bit era.
  • Mega Drive / Genesis: Sega’s Mega Drive, known as Genesis in North America, emphasised speed, attitude, and arcade-style gameplay. It defined Sega’s identity and fuelled the famous console wars of the 1990s.
  • Neo Geo AES: The Neo Geo AES delivered exact arcade-quality games at home, but at an extremely high cost. It became a cult classic known for premium hardware and legendary fighting games.
  • TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine: The TurboGrafx-16, known as PC Engine in Japan, combined compact design with strong performance. It was highly successful in Japan but struggled to gain traction in Western markets.
  • Nintendo 64: The Nintendo 64 introduced true 3D gaming to a mainstream audience with groundbreaking first-party titles. Its cartridge-based format limited third-party support but enabled fast load times and innovative design.
  • Sega Saturn: The Sega Saturn excelled at 2D graphics and arcade-style experiences but was hampered by complex hardware. Its difficult development environment limited its commercial success outside Japan.
  • PlayStation (PS1): Sony’s original PlayStation transformed gaming into a mass-market entertainment medium. Its CD-based format and strong third-party support reshaped the industry and introduced many enduring franchises.
  • Dreamcast: The Dreamcast was ahead of its time, featuring built-in online support and innovative hardware. Despite critical acclaim, it marked Sega’s final home console due to commercial challenges.

Handheld Consoles

  • Game Boy: The original Game Boy brought handheld gaming into the mainstream with long battery life and iconic titles. Its simple monochrome design prioritised practicality over power, helping it dominate the handheld market.
  • Game Boy Pocket: The Game Boy Pocket refined the original design with a slimmer body and improved screen clarity. It maintained full compatibility with Game Boy titles while making handheld gaming more portable.
  • Game Boy Color: The Game Boy Color introduced colour graphics while remaining backward compatible with the existing Game Boy library. It extended the life of the platform and bridged the gap to more advanced handheld systems.
  • Game Gear: Sega’s Game Gear offered a full-colour backlit screen and arcade-style experiences on the go. While technically impressive, its high power consumption limited portability compared to Nintendo’s handhelds.
  • Neo Geo Pocket / Pocket Color: The Neo Geo Pocket series focused on high-quality 2D graphics and precise controls, particularly for fighting games. Despite critical praise, limited third-party support restricted its commercial success.
  • WonderSwan / WonderSwan Color: Bandai’s WonderSwan featured a unique portrait/landscape design and strong battery efficiency. It gained popularity in Japan through licensed titles and later added colour support with the WonderSwan Color.
Characteristics: physical media dominance, local multiplayer, genre-defining franchises, strong regional differences.

Plug-and-Play / Mini Consoles

Mini consoles and plug-and-play systems including official re-releases and licensed retro devices. Coverage focuses on game quality, emulation accuracy, pricing, and who they’re actually worth buying for.

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