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Let's face it. Gaming is in our (The Members of RFGeneration) blood. There are games we love, and games we hate. Without the hardware though, how could we play all of these games? Today, I'm here to reveal the Consoles that have made they're mark in my life as the best of the best. Here we go!
Number 10
[img width=372 height=350]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/7/8/1/915781_4615_front.jpg[/img]
Ah, the Nintendo Gamecube. Popularly known as Nintendo's jump into the Compact Disc market, this console, like most of Nintendo's hardware, carried the title of "Kid's System". Despite this, it features many Triple-A Titles, like Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Mario Sunshine, and Metroid Prime. Even it's lesser known titles are Triple-A, like Virtua Quest, Phantasy Star Online EPs I+II Plus, and Tales of Symphonia. Without a doubt, this console has many fun titles that are sure to keep you busy.
Stand Out Titles:
Virtua Quest
Phantasy Star Online EPs I+II Plus
PC-Genjin Remake (Known as Bonk's Adventure in the US)
Number 9
[img width=300 height=271]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/3/6/6/916366_47872_front.jpg[/img]
The Atari 5200 was not nearly as popular as Atari's previous console, the 2600. This, along with other factors, doomed it to failure. Still, it features a strong fanbase who cared enough to produce Homebrew Titles for it. It also had more power than the ColecoVision, but it's controllers left something to be desired. In this day and age though, you can buy rebuilt controllers that are more reliable than stock controllers. This console features an undeniable charm in my eyes, which is why it finds itself at Number 9.
Stand Out Titles:
Mario Bros.
Pac-Man
Defender
Number 8
[img width=640 height=480]http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7508/12041208075.jpg[/img]
The Neo-Geo CDZ is an upgraded version of the Neo-Geo CD. Featuring faster load times than the original model, it still never caught on, due to a flaw that made it overheat a lot. Still, it's an awesome console, and for good reason: It sports many arcade-perfect ports of some of the most awesome fighting games ever. If not for the overheating problem, it would've found itself higher on this list. Still, you can't go wrong with arcade-perfect ports of the best fighting games ever.
Stand Out Titles:
King of Fighters 97
Fatal Fury 3
Samurai Shodown RPG
Number 7
[img width=581 height=545]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/7/4/4/918744_95028_front.jpg[/img]
The Panasonic 3DO...a console that was doomed to fail when it should have succeeded. It's ONLY failing point was it's high price tag of 700 US Dollars. (!!) Still, when it came to FMV (Full Motion Video) Games, there was none other that could stand against it. It was incredibly powerful for it's time, and featured what is quite frankly the best version of Street Fighter II.
Stand Out Titles:
Mad Dog McCree
Wing Commander III
Street Fighter II
Number 6
[img width=640 height=576]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/3/9/8/916398_13754_front.jpg[/img]
The TurboGrafx-16/PC-Engine was NEC's stab at the NES. NEC's claim was that it featured bigger and better graphics than the NES. While this was true, it failed to gain the attention of gamers at the time. Still, I like this console a lot. It featured many unique games at the time, including the incredibly fun-to-play Silent Debuggers. A fun fact, it was advertised to be 16-Bits, but it was actually just two 8-Bit Processors.
Stand Out Titles:
Silent Debuggers
Splatterhouse
Street Fighter II (This was an achivement on this console, due to space limitations)
Number 5
[img width=349 height=336]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/3/7/7/916377_71936_front.jpg[/img]
"Genesis does what Nintendon't!" That was Sega's answer to Nintendo more than 20 years ago with they're Genesis Console. Despite being slow out of the gate, the switch to a new CEO made this console storm ahead of the NES with an awesome new game, Sonic The Hedgehog. While it is true that the Audio isn't as good as the SNES and that the Add-Ons weren't as popular as Sega had hoped, it still had many great games that were all it's own, one hell of an awesome controller, and let's not forget the Blast Processing.
Stand Out Titles:
Sonic The Hedgehog
Phantasy Star III
Space Harrier II
Number 4
[img width=384 height=200]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/8/4/2/915842_13540_front.jpg[/img]
The Atari Jaguar, Atari's last console, was called the first 64-Bit Console by Atari. Atari tried they're best to market it as being the greatest console ever, but ultimately failed. Nonetheless, the console has a strong fanbase to this day, which still produces homebrew titles for it. This console has been one of my favorites for ages now, and I'm still purchasing games for it to this day. Honestly, I can't explain why I love it so much. I just do. It's that simple.
Stand Out Titles:
NBA Jam TE
Ultra Vortek
Cybermorph
Number 3
[img width=555 height=353]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/3/9/3/916393_47893_front.jpg[/img]
The Sega Saturn is, without a doubt, a love it or hate it console. I obviously love it, and for good reason. Featuring some of the best 2D Games ever, not to mention some 3D Gems, the Sega Saturn proved to be a diamond in the rough for Sega's most loyal fans. Unfortunately, it proved to be a flop in the eyes of consumers. Still, when it comes to hearts of true gamers, the Saturn stands out as one of the best.
Stand Out Titles:
Panzer Dragoon Saga
Sonic Jam
Magic Knight Rayearth
Number 2
[img width=480 height=360]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/4/1/2/916412_47907_front.jpg[/img]
Now we're talking. The Sega Dreamcast is popularly known as the first HD Console. Ahead of it's time, this thing was meant to destroy the PS1 and N64, as well as they're successors. Unfortunately, after the PS2 was released, it basically fell off the face of the earth. Still, the Dreamcast was a great console. It also did Online Play first.
Stand Out Titles:
Sonic Adventure
Shenmue
Evolution
Number 1
[img width=332 height=249]http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespot/images/box/3/8/6/916386_62763_front.jpg[/img]
The NES is the BEST console ever. When Nintendo came to power in 1985, they released this monster of a console, effectively saving gaming from the endless pits of darkness. The NES is legendary among gamers now, featuring countless Franchise launches, hundreds of thousands of memories, and of course, great games. There is no console in my eyes that can stand against it.
Stand Out Titles:
Super Mario Bros.
Final Fantasy
The Legend of Zelda
Well, that's it. Thanks for reading!
DISCLAIMER: This list is an opinion. User opinions are subject to differences.
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Nice and well written article, Redd! I can back up most of what you wrote for my own opinions, except the Jag. I bought the thing new and supported it throughout its short life, and loved Tempest 2000 and AVP, and I still just shake my head at it.
Oh, and for all the pioneering the Dreamcast did, if you are referencing the first console that featured online components, the Saturn Modem,Genesis X Band, and even original Famicom would like some words... 
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Groovy, Redd, groovy. Very well written. I think once I get back on my feet financially the 5200 is on my list (after a C64, of course).
@slackur: All true, but the Dreamcast was the first one that did it right. Remember being able to play Sega Swirls by email? The DC had all the hotness.
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My problem is a lack of experience with a bunch of these consoles, including the Saturn. I just haven't played them. I disagree with the lack of SNES on the list, but I'm slightly biased there. There were just SO many great games, including my favorite RPGs.
@slackur: I think he may have been referring to the fact that the Dreamcast was the first console with online built in. Saturn, Genesis/SNES X-Band, and Famicom all had modem peripherals. Dreamcast had the 56K built in and broadband sold separately.
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Oh, don't get me wrong, the original Phantasy Star Online was a revelation for a console heavy gamer like myself, years removed from my PC LANing days.
I'd also put SNES up there as well as C64, probably at the expense of the Jag and 5200. Most of the other systems have very fond memories attached to them.
Bombs, I *may* have an extra c64 floating around here, will keep an eye out.
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@slackur: :-D
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nice article, Redd. Very interesting choices. Also... who could hate the Saturn? I've grown to the love the hell out of that console this year.
@everyone getting nostalgic for Sega Swirl: you all do know that there's nothing stopping you from playing Sega Swirl via email still right? Get a dialup ISP like I did. There's still a small handful of Dreamcast games online. But Sega Swirl will be online forever since it only relies on the existence of POP3 email.
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Interesting choices, Redd. I'm a bit surprised that the Super Famicom/SNES and the Atari 2600 didn't make the list while the 3DO and Jag did, but of course as you said we all have different opinions.
It could be said that the 2600 was the first console to offer online play if you count high score online submission.
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Sega Swirl installs and works on 64-bit Windows 8 for what it's worth. And your ISP probably gives you an email address that works with POP3.
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@bickman2k: yes this is true... but there's something extra special about playing Sega Swirl on a DC rather than PC.
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@noiseredux: I tried this before, but never got it to work. May be worth another shot. Lets you use a 56K modem in your desktop PC for your DC to dial in to and have access to your broadband connection.
http://www.maturion.de/dreamcast/mterlouw/guides/winxp_f.htm
EDIT: Here is an updated guide that uses a Linux box.
http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=9630
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@bickman2k: I spent about 5 hrs over a series of nights (using multiple guides) to get a PC-DC server to work for me, and was never successful. Instead, I found a free dialup ISP in my area and it worked like a charm just dialing up like the old days. I'd recommend anyone interested in getting their DC back online to simply google "free isp" or "Cheap isp" + 'your state' and see what you can find. Doing so will grant you access to online versions of 4x4 Evolution, Phantasy Star Online, Maximum Pool, Sega Swirl, Starlancer and Quake III Arena. There's also rumors of other games possibly getting back online. I'm actually planning a rather big blog post on the subject in the near future.
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I agree that the SNES should be on that list. There are so many great games on the SNES. Great RPG's.
But like stated above, everyone has different taste.
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What?! No virtual boy?!? Blasphemy!
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@noiseredux: Why does that work still but using the broadband adapter does not?
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Great list redd!
I wholeheartedly agree with the LACK of SNES on this list...it doesn't belong there. Genesis does what nintendont.
In all seriousness, im quite surprised about the 5200. The 7800 would be my system of choice in the atari category.
Your mention of the CDZ makes me wanna buy the one sitting in our store....it's too bad the darn things are still way expensive.
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