Every Major Video Game Console RANKED

The Magnavox Odyssey was the first-ever video game console, preceding Atari Pong, which many have forgotten. A blend of analog and digital circuitry, it marked the true beginning of home gaming. Despite lacking color output or sound, the Odyssey still sold over 300,000 units. It featured a cartridge system, simple box shaped controllers, and it also introduced the first home light gun, preceding the NES. Its game library consisted of basic, single-function titles like Baseball, Basketball, and Ski. Take a guess what you do in those games. Due to the system’s simplicity, no third-party games were ever developed for it. I guess that’s why God of War had to wait a few years.

The lesser known (by today’s standards) Atari Jaguar released around the same time as the SNES. While the SNES boasted cutting-edge 16-bit technology, the Jaguar touted unprecedented 64-bit processing power, making it the first of its kind in the home market. Marketing hype aside, the Jaguar was indeed powerful for its generation, offering superior 2D and 3D capabilities compared to its rivals, yet somehow it didn’t stand the test of time as Sony and Sega were on the horizon with the PlayStation and Saturn. I’d hate to be in a console war and see the PlayStation coming over the horizon. Just put your sword down and run.

The Atari 5200 was originally designed and marketed as Atari’s response to the Intellivision, but after its 1982 release, it found itself in direct competition with the ColecoVision, which launched the same year. While its processor outshone the Intellivision, the ColecoVision’s impressive 3.58 MHz processor ultimately took the trophy for Atari while it was still warm from the Intellivision's hands. That became a common theme in the 80s and 90s - while someone had the title of “top of the industry”, 5 other companies were working on improving upon that leader, and they all released at the same time. It was an all out brawl.

The 3DO may not have been a financial success, but it still made a lasting impact on the gaming industry. Released by Panasonic in 1993, the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer was a 32-bit, disc-based console with the hardware power to compete with the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. However, it was 700 f***ing dollars… 3DO, chill. Despite its high cost, the 3DO featured an impressive range of peripherals and could support up to eight controllers, as well as expansions like memory cards, modems and video cartridges. While it lacked a strong lineup of exclusives, it offered some of the best versions of major franchise ports, including Super Street Fighter II Turbo. It also introduced key innovations such as daisy-chainable controllers and built-in surround sound support, helping to push gaming technology forward.

We spoke about the Magnavox Odyssey 1 earlier, as it began the industry selling 300,000 units. If you want to understand its impact on the industry, the Magnavox Odyssey 2 sold 2 million... Boom, improvement. The Odyssey 2 adopted many of the industry standards of the time, including interchangeable cartridges and a one-button joystick. While its resolution was lower than the 2600’s, it offered notable advantages, such as a built-in full keyboard for programming and educational software, as well as an optional speech synthesizer. The system also had a larger game library than its predecessor, with over 50 titles, including KC Munchkin, a popular Pac-Man clone. Despite these innovations, the Odyssey 2 never achieved the same level of success as the Atari 2600.

Unlike other home consoles of the time, the Neo Geo home console (the AES) was identical to its arcade counterpart (the MVS), making it vastly superior to the Super NES and Sega Genesis in both graphics and sound. However, this power came at a steep price - $800, with individual games costing upwards of $200 each. I mean, that’s more expensive than today!? The justification? Storage size. While Super NES and Genesis cartridges typically maxed out at 16 megabits, NeoGeo games could reach a staggering 330 megabits. Due to its high cost, few retailers were willing to stock the NeoGeo AES, and it faded from the market within two years.

The Atari 7800, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, am I the only person who thinks Atari has the worst branding manager of all time? That b**** should have been fired. Originally intended as the successor to the Atari 5200 in 1984, the 7800 was shelved when Atari’s new owners shifted focus to the computer market. It wasn’t until 1986, following the rise of Nintendo and Sega in the U.S. with the NES and Master System, that Atari finally brought the 7800 to market. However, by then, much of its technology was already outdated. Again, TERRIBLE business decision. Atari marketed the 7800 as a budget-friendly system, with many games selling for under $19.99. Visually, it was quite capable. However, its sound capabilities were underwhelming. Compounding its struggles, Nintendo’s strict third-party exclusivity agreements made it difficult for Atari to secure developers. Decent console, bad business.

In 1987, NEC found massive success in Japan with the PC Engine, a console that frequently outsold the Famicom (Japan’s NES). Hoping to replicate that success in North America, NEC rebranded the system as the TurboGrafx-16 and positioned it as a competitor to Nintendo and Sega. However, the console struggled to gain traction in the U.S. market. Maybe because they changed the simple name of NEC, to TurboGrafx-16… I truly believe if I had a time machine I could be the Don Draper of video game marketing in the 80s. Its pack-in game, Keith Courage in Alpha Zones, was a largely unknown title, whereas Genesis owners got Altered Beast, a well-known arcade hit that closely resembled its coin-op counterpart. The console’s hardware also worked against it. While marketed as a 16-bit system, it was underpowered compared to the Genesis. It even lacked a second controller port—players had to buy a separate peripheral just to enjoy two-player games. Unsurprisingly, the TurboGrafx-16 fell to fourth place behind the NES, Super NES, and Genesis, and it never recovered.

Finally, a console some of you might have heard of, making me feel old. The Wii U was ahead of its time. In recent years, handheld cloud devices have emerged, allowing players to stream games from their consoles or PCs without monopolizing the TV—but Nintendo pioneered this concept first, and arguably did it better. While not without flaws, the Wii U GamePad wasn’t nearly as bad as its critics claimed in 2012. Nintendo clearly refined the idea with their next console, but the core concept was innovative. Unfortunately, the Wii U suffered from a short lifespan and weak third-party support, resulting in a limited game library. I’m sick of pretending, I’m saying it dammit! I LOVED MY WII-U!

Designed more like a streamlined PC than a traditional console, the Xbox One featured multi-core AMD processors, HDR and 4K video support, cloud storage, game streaming, and a wide range of multimedia capabilities, but none of you care about that - what exclusives does it have!? In addition to stunning versions of multiplatform hits like The Witcher 3, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Fallout 4, the console also delivered standout exclusives such as Forza Horizon 4, Sea of Thieves, and Halo 5. Unfortunately, PS4 had God of War, Spider-Man, The Last of Us, Horizon Zero Dawn, Bloodborne, Uncharted, Persona, Ghost of Tsushima, Ratchet and Clank - I’ll shut up now. In many ways, it remained a state-of-the-art system throughout its lifespan, and as the system began to show its age, the Xbox One S and Xbox One X refreshes arrived, enhancing its power and performance.

Intellivision, a blend of the words "intelligent" and "television," entered the market as a major competitor to the Atari 2600. Technologically, Intellivision was a step ahead of the Atari 2600. They also secured high-profile licenses to enhance its game library, including official sports games for MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA, as well as a series of Tron-based games to coincide with the release of the film. While Intellivision never dethroned the Atari 2600 as the dominant system of the era, it introduced several noteworthy innovations. Along with its superior graphics, the system offered a speech add-on for games and even pioneered the concept of downloadable games with the PlayCable, a test-marketed service that distributed Intellivision titles via cable television. I don’t need to tell you how innovative this feature was.

I promise, there’s no ill intent in the placements of this list, because the Xbox Series X and S are wonderful consoles, but there are a lot of consoles out there, and they had to fit in somewhere. Ultimately, The hardware is strong, and the controller is great, but there still aren’t enough standout exclusives to justify investing in this console over the PS5. I'M SO SORRY! I wanted to do whatever I could to not bring up the rivalry, but as we’ve seen, rivalries have been fundamental to the console wars since 1972.

The SEGA Master System was the console that almost made it. Despite being technically superior to the dominant NES, it lacked one crucial element: Mario. Without this iconic character and with Sonic still five years away from debuting, the Master System lagged far behind the NES during the 8-bit era. SEGA did, however, release plenty of solid original titles, including Alex Kidd in Miracle World and the iconic Phantasy Star. But due to Nintendo’s exclusive deals, the Master System saw limited third-party support, and software releases were frustratingly slow, with months often passing between major games. Can you imagine that today? Despite its small audience, the Master System has remained beloved by a loyal fan base. Thankfully, the setbacks faced by the Master System didn’t stop SEGA from moving forward, leading to the Genesis.

Jumping past the Genesis, we’re looking at the SEGA Saturn. The system made a splash at the 1995 Electronic Entertainment Expo with a surprise launch, hitting the market four months earlier than initially planned. SEGA aimed to beat Sony to the punch before the PlayStation was released that holiday season. Although the Saturn ultimately lost the popularity battle to both Sony and Nintendo, it hosted a collection of classic titles that highlighted SEGA's innovative software during its early years. More than anything, the Saturn became a gem for importers and hardcore gamers. Its architecture, which made it less suited for 3D games like Tomb Raider, was no match for the PlayStation. But Saturn owners knew it was the best system to play the finest versions of many 2D fighters. So while you don’t get Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and Metal Gear Solid... You get 2D fighters. What a trade.

The PlayStation 3, alongside the Xbox 360, revolutionized online gaming by setting new standards for accessibility and functionality. Gone were the days when everything you played had to be on a disc, and for better or worse, this generation was one of the BIGGEST for innovation. With services like the PlayStation Network, players could now purchase and enjoy complete games without ever leaving their couch. Plus, the rise of downloadable content allowed games to expand in exciting new ways. The PS3’s game library was impressive, and similar to how the PlayStation 2 popularized DVDs, the PlayStation 3 brought Blu-ray players into millions of homes, helping it secure Blu-ray’s victory over HD-DVD in the high-definition format war. The console took a certain beating publicly in the console wars, but has retroactively become more appreciated.

Nintendo's small, purple, cube-shaped GameCube often faces criticism for its toy-like appearance and lack of certain technical features found in competing systems, such as a digital output. However, despite its cute exterior, the GameCube was a powerful console that delivered an impressive array of unforgettable games. It marked a significant shift for Nintendo. While Sony marketed the sleek PlayStation 2 as a high-tech home media device, Nintendo marketed the GameCube as a simple, family-friendly gaming console, a shift that stuck throughout the rest of Nintendo’s history. In total, the GameCube sold around 22 million units worldwide, about 118 million fewer than the PlayStation 2. However, despite its sales numbers, the GameCube boasted a lineup of remarkable games, such as Resident Evil 4, F-Zero GX, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, and Pikmin 1 and 2.

It’s hard to judge both the Xbox Series X/S and PS5 against these other consoles, as their historical impact hasn’t been recognised yet, but I feel comfortable placing this mammoth smack bang in the middle, because I use it basically every single day. The PS5 boasts the best controller of any current-gen console and has a sleek design, though it requires a bit of space to truly appreciate its size. Its launch was hindered by production delays, resulting in limited availability for several years. It was one of the shakiest releases of a console to date, but it’s stood up strong despite this.

As the Atari 2600 and Mattel Intellivision began to age, toy manufacturer Coleco, known for its plug-and-play Pong clones and licensed handheld games, entered the market in 1982 with its own console, the Colecovision. The system became famous for its exceptional ability to replicate popular arcade games at home. Coleco secured the rights to produce home versions of successful arcade hits, and the Colecovision's powerful hardware allowed for remarkably accurate adaptations, far superior to what the Atari 2600 or Intellivision could offer. The video game crash of 1983 severely impacted Colecovision. Turns out when you’re beating Atari at basketball, they just release ET and take their ball home.

Built on similar technology as the Xbox One and released almost concurrently, the PS4 saw Sony focus primarily on games rather than multimedia features, quickly gaining the upper hand in the PR battle with Microsoft. With its excellent controller, significantly enhanced online infrastructure, and seamless sharing and streaming features, it proved to be an innovative system. However, its true strength lies in its impressive lineup of first and second-party games. Titles like Uncharted 4, Horizon Zero Dawn, Marvel’s Spider-Man, God of War, Bloodborne, and Death Stranding all push the boundaries of video games, and I know I already said most of these during Xbox One’s entry, but it was so good I had to do it again. I LOVED my PS4, and I bet you guys did too.

The original Xbox marked Microsoft’s entry into the console gaming world, and for a first entry, JESUS was it good! While its design wasn’t the most attractive and its game library wasn’t the largest, it set the stage for many of today’s gaming standards. The Xbox made two major contributions to gaming: Halo and Xbox Live. N64 fans might argue that GoldenEye pioneered first-person shooters on consoles, but it was Halo that truly modernized the genre. Nearly every FPS since has adopted its control scheme and a modified version of its health system. What Halo really excelled at, though, was introducing the first console-based 16-player LAN battles. It was the first shooter that made PC gamers envious, signaling the start of a shift in the genre. The second key contribution, Xbox Live, laid the foundation for the beloved service we see on the Xbox 360. I had a PS2, and I was still jealous of my Xbox friends.

This is the console that laid the foundation for our entire industry. While it nearly pushed video games to the brink in its later years, the Atari 2600 was an undeniable phenomenon at the height of its success, serving as the catalyst for a new era of entertainment. Atari quickly secured licenses for popular arcade games like Space Invaders, Missile Command, and Pac-Man, solidifying its dominance in American living rooms. By 1982, the 2600 had become a $2 billion business for Atari. However, the rapid success was part of the problem, and no game reflects this more than E.T., a licensed title rushed to market after only five weeks of development. You guys know what this game did to the industry, so let’s skip over that, and focus on how good the Atari 2600 was before this moment.

The Nintendo 64 and GameCube were solid, reliable consoles with strong game libraries and excellent support, but the growing competition from Microsoft and Sony made it hard for Nintendo to replicate the victories it had enjoyed with the NES and Super NES. Nintendo decided to change course and offer a fresh gaming experience that strayed from the norm. Enter the Nintendo Wii, a system that focused more on user interaction than on delivering high-definition graphics or surround sound. The biggest shift wasn’t just in the games we played, but in the way we played them. The goal was to create something intuitive that anyone could pick up and enjoy, and bundling Wii Sports with the system was a marketing decision that should go down in history with the greatest business moves of all time.

The Genesis earned its reputation for having a standout library across nearly every genre, with support from Electronic Arts giving it an edge in the sports category, the bloodier Mortal Kombat, and what some consider the greatest controller ever made, the six-button model. I don’t, but that’s just because I prefer controllers that don’t feel like an escape room. The success of its software lineup is easy to understand, and there were even moments when the SEGA Genesis briefly overtook Nintendo in market share. This brief period made the Genesis the most popular console in the world, and for good reason.

Despite its relatively short lifespan, the SEGA Dreamcast was the first console of the sixth generation, preceding the PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox. Released in 1998, it hit stores more than two years before these mammoths, giving it time to soak the attention of gamers. And obviously, it was the release of the PS2 which contributed to its untimely demise in 2001. The Dreamcast sought a broader audience by offering quality software and introducing several technological innovations. It became the first console to feature a built-in modem for online play, allowing users to connect globally.

We’re well and truly into the pointy end, and it’s getting harder and harder to rank these consoles, because they are ALL as good as it gets, and just when you think you’ve decided which is better, a beautiful memory of the other pops into your mind. It's truly the hardest list I've done. The N64 boasted several major hardware innovations and housed some of the biggest and most beloved games of its generation, and this made it a contender for best console of all time, but still, 7th place is pretty good. The N64 kicked off with a bang, featuring the highly sensitive analog stick and rumble pak, as well as the genre-defining platformer Super Mario 64, which remains one of the greatest and most influential video games ever made. Despite these triumphs, the N64 never came close to matching the popularity of its rival, the PlayStation, which outsold it by more than three to one. That being said, Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye, and Banjo-Kazooie, checkmate.

Speak of the devil! Not only did the PlayStation help pave the way for Microsoft's entry into the market in the next generation, but it also played a key role in transitioning the industry to disc-based media and introduced the iconic DualShock controller, whose design remains a standard to this day. The PlayStation was part of the generation that moved gaming from the 2D era into the 3D realm, a shift that continues to shape gaming today. The PlayStation's library of original titles is essentially a chronicle of gaming history, introducing landmark franchises like Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Resident Evil, and Tony Hawk, which remain some of the most prominent names in the industry. Without the PlayStation, many of the genres we now take for granted may never have emerged, and just for that, I love you PlayStation… Also, I think you single handedly ruined my grades in primary school.

The true console wars began in 1991 with the release of the Super Nintendo. With its 16-bit graphics and a superior standalone sound card, Nintendo set itself apart from the competition with content like Super Mario World, Super Metroid, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, F-Zero, Mario Kart, Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, Gradius III, Contra III, Mega Man X, and Secret of Mana. Look, few consoles, if any, can boast such a rich library of AAA titles. The SNES not only dominated in hardware and software but also set a new bar for what could be achieved in gaming, I mean the SNES controller alone paved the way for the now-standard four-button face seen on PlayStation and Xbox controllers.

As the first high-definition game console, the Xbox 360 marked a significant milestone in gaming hardware history. It brought the shift to crisp, high-definition graphics, featuring advanced shading and physics effects that were previously only seen in PC gaming. Additionally, the Xbox 360 was the first console to introduce an integrated wireless controller system, eliminating the need for external dongles used in earlier systems. With its robust online features, the Xbox 360 significantly increased the longevity of the console, providing endless opportunities for optimization, feature expansions, and improvements. Xbox 360, may well have been the all-time most important console for the industry, and I never even OWNED the damn thing.

The Switch, building on the Wii U's two-screen concept, takes it a step further by making its built-in HD display fully portable. This makes the Switch a remarkably versatile home console, effortlessly transitioning from local multiplayer in the living room to on-the-go play. It cleverly combines the innovation of the Wii with the portability of the Game Boy. We can brush over this, but let’s talk about how incredible that innovation was, combining Nintendo home consoles with GameBoy. Dude, that s**t rocks. Its standout titles include, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Super Mario Odyssey, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. The Switch is truly beloved by all. No haters, only lovers.

The PlayStation 2, with over 130 million units sold by the end of 2008, holds the title of the best-selling video game console of all time. This achievement speaks volumes about its impact on the gaming industry and its widespread appeal. The PlayStation 2’s unparalleled dominance, impressive technical capabilities, and familiar development environment empowered studios worldwide to unleash their creativity. This era birthed iconic mainstream blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto, Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Pro Evo Soccer, Burnout, and Ratchet & Clank, while also showcasing unique gems like Katamari Damacy, Ico, and Okami. Additionally, games like Guitar Hero and SingStar turned the PS2 into the go-to platform for post-pub entertainment for an entire generation. Does anyone have fonder memories than on the PS2? Surely not.

Before 1985 in the U.S., Nintendo was already a strong presence in arcades with Donkey Kong and dominating the toy aisles with its Game & Watch handhelds. However, the home console industry had all but vanished after the market crash, and the words "video game" had a negative connotation. Nintendo aimed to change that with the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The company had already found massive success with the Famicom in Japan, released in 1983, and after two years, it was time to bring that success overseas. The Famicom was reworked with a sleeker, more Western-friendly design, and the NES was born. The NES wouldn’t tolerate unlicensed games, every title had to be approved by Nintendo, and third-party developers were limited to producing a set number of games per year, with exclusivity clauses preventing games from being released on competing systems for two years. The NES wasn’t going to be responsible for another industry crash, and this care and attention is what made it the greatest console of all time.