Top 10 Video Game Consoles

Kicking off our list is the first true mainstream home console, the foundation of all of gaming, which aimed to bring the arcades home. A phenomenon, it made gaming one of the major pillars of home entertainment. Ironically, it not only created, but also nearly destroyed the industry singlehandedly by allowing a minefield in terms of game quality. Either way, this wood paneled beauty lit the passion that still burns today.

This Sega powerhouse was the company at it’s best. Taking the path of more mature games over the likes of Nintendo, including a Mortal Kombat game with actual blood, this system targeted older audiences. This was evident in its larger library of sports games and edgy action titles. Thus, over 40 million households indulged in blast processing fueled goodness, hedgehogs and all.

Before Sony threw it’s hat in the ring with this system, it had always been a two way console race. Sony blew gamers away by showcasing bigger games with better cinematics and deeper content, all thanks to making CD tech standard. This not only showcased full on 3D console gaming, but lured in massive third part support. Thus, the PS1’s appealed to both kids and adults, churning out a respectable 102 million units.

Signaling a massive leap in every way over it’s SNES predecessor, this
stunning and innovative system truly took gaming to the next dimension. It also innovated with features that are now standard, including rumble, 4-player local gaming, and analog control. Though this console had far less titles than previous Nintendo consoles, and only sold 33 million units worldwide, it produced some of the greatest games of all time and defined consoles for all those 90s kids.

The Nintendo DS and 3DS are incredible systems that gave us the likes of touchscreen, dual display and auto-stereoscopic 3D, all while breaking new records. However, if we had to signal out one Nintendo handheld as the cornerstone of mobile gaming, it’s the original Gameboy. With 118 million units sold worldwide over several iterations, not even Sega’s Game Gear with color display could touch it.

After the N64 redefined gaming while holding onto the past with cartridges, and Nintendo’s purple Gamecube scared off the rest of the hardcore gamers in the wild, Nintendo adopted their now famous blue ocean strategy. Targeting casual gamers directly, the Wii arrived to become a system found in the homes of non-gamers and gamers alike with 100 million units sold. The clever marketing and true motion controls made its affordable price an easy sell.

Next up is the system that miraculously survived a rushed launch prompting the infamous RROD. However, it quickly refined online gaming, introduced achievements, wireless tech, a hard drive, HD graphics and voice communication. While it was inferior to the PS3 in terms of tech, this system was much more affordable, benefited from better multiplatform ports, and showcased a better roster of console exclusives.

After Nintendo seized the hearts and minds of gamers around the world, it amped up the fun with this aptly named successor. Raising the graphical and sound abilities, its library consisted of countless incredible original games and third party titles alike. Talk about starting thing off with a bang, this baby included Super Mario World packed with it; you just don’t see that kinda value on launch day anymore.

While the PS3 deserves much love too, it’s predecessor remains the best selling video game console of all time, with over 155 million systems sold. Produced for 12 years, basically two lifetimes in tech, this system was backwards compatible, using DVD tech for greater experiences. Aside from pushing tech to forward, there was never a shortage of diverse and compelling games for this system. Most importantly, it directly targeted adults, completely ditching the concept of video consoles as kids toys.

Taking the top spot on our list is the Nintendo Entertainment System, known as the Famicon overseas. The best selling games console of its time, this 8-bit wonder made Nintendo a household name and single handedly revitalized the gaming industry following the crash of 1983. Packing incredible games, it not only gave us countless iconic franchises like Mario and Zelda, but became the standard for all systems to follow.

Do you agree with our list? Which video game console is your all time favorite? For more entertaining top 10s, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
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