Gaming has come a long way, with consoles shaping the industry and bringing unforgettable experiences to players worldwide. From retro classics to modern powerhouses, we’ve ranked the Top 10 Gaming Consoles of All Time based on their impact, innovation, and legendary game libraries.
Top 10 Gaming Consoles of All Time
1. Xbox 360
Gears of War and Halo 3. Need I say more? This was when gaming was at its biggest and purest. This console launched the online multiplayer revolution through Xbox Live and collectively ruined an entire generation’s sleep schedule and GPA. We didn’t know it back then, but this was the golden era of gaming because all the best franchises were releasing fantastic games. This was before corporate greed and microtransactional fluff made gaming weird.
2. Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
After the Nintendo Entertainment System came out in 1983 and revived the entire gaming industry, Nintendo released the SNES in 1990 to secure its place in gaming forever. This console brought all the iconic franchises from the NES and made them better in every way. Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Super Metroid introduced a generation of kids to characters like Mario, Link, Zelda, and Samus.
3. PlayStation 2 (PS2)
The PS2 is the best-selling console of all time, with 155 million units sold. It was the first console to have an onboard DVD player built into the same disc drive, which made it the first home entertainment console rather than just a gaming console. The library was stacked with Metal Gear Solid 2, Grand Theft Auto III, and Resident Evil 4. This console helped launch and define some of the biggest gaming franchises of all time.
4. PlayStation 4 (PS4)
The PlayStation 4 was the first console that felt like a real next-generation experience, thanks to games like Spider-Man, God of War, and The Last of Us 2.
5. Nintendo 64 (N64)
The console that revolutionized split-screen gaming with absolutely classics like Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. Many afternoons were spent huddled around my neighbor’s TV, watching him take on Bowser in Super Mario 64 and playing Starfox 64. The 64-bit CPU was revolutionary for its time.
6. Nintendo Gamecube (NGC)
The GameCube was an incredible console. The shape and tactile feel of the hardware were incredible. The controller was one of the best console controllers ever, and it’s still used in Super Smash Bros. tournaments to this day. The start-up screen was iconic, and the library of games was as memorable as any on this list. The Legend of Zelda: Windwaker was a cell-shaded masterpiece, one that I think is the best entry in the franchise. (I miss linear Legend of Zelda games.)
7. PlayStation 1 (PS1)
Sony’s Nintendo 64 competitor ended up being one of the most iconic consoles ever released. Gamers were introduced to franchises like Resident Evil, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, and Final Fantasy VII. The dual joystick controller design is still a staple in the controller market, many pro players use Dual Shock controllers on LAN stages.
8. Game Boy (and Game Boy Color)
The birth of handheld gaming, the Game Boy Color, saved me from so many boring bus trips as a lad. Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow started a Pokemon craze that has still not faded away. This handheld introduced Mario’s mischievous cousin, Wario, to the world and had a host of great Mario Bros. games.
9. Wii
The number of TVs that got Wii-motes hurled through their screens during intense games of Wii Tennis was legendary. This console didn’t stand the test of time, but for five years or so, this thing was the most fun anyone had ever had on a gaming console. However, a Wii-mote + joystick combo is still one of the more fun things to use playing Super Smash Bros to this day.
10. Sega Genesis (Mega Drive)
The Sega Genesis (A.K.A the Sega Mega Drive) was launched to compete with the SNES and triggered the first ever mention of the phrase “console war,” which would become synonymous with simultaneous console releases in the decades to follow.
Top 10 Gaming Consoles of All Time Honorable Mentions
- Gameboy Advanced – Great design and a library of games that the emulator community still fawns over.
- Sega Dreamcast – A commercial failure, but only because it was ahead of its time. Crazy Taxi was an incredible game.
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Feature Image Credit: Nik (@helloimnik) | Unsplash Photo Community
