Favorite unsuccesful console

[afureru]

There have been a lot of consoles throughout the history of this art form that, while containing some sort of value, didn't stack up in the eyes of consumers and the general public? Which are your favorites.
I personally stand by both the Dreamcast and the Vita, and love seeing the homebrew scenes unleashing both consoles' full potential :3

 

[RageBurner]

I'd say probably the Neo Geo Pocket Color. It was so quriky and unique, had an interesting library, for the most part and fighting games that actually felt fully fledged on a portable, something unheard of at that point.

 

[Xeres]

I know this is not the most objective one but I've always felt so inclined towards the Wonder Swan because of the gimmick of turning the console to play in certain ways, something that cellphones haven't used very well yet. There are possibilities of merging different types genres in one game. Vertically: a SHMUP like Downwell. Horizontally: an action RPG. I don't know if a homebrew scene is possible for that console but would be cool to see that way of playing on our cellphones.

 

[RageBurner]

I know this is not the most objective one but I've always felt so inclined towards the Wonder Swan because of the gimmick of turning the console to play in certain ways, something that cellphones haven't used very well yet. There are possibilities of merging different types genres in one game. Vertically: a SHMUP like Downwell. Horizontally: an action RPG. I don't know if a homebrew scene is possible for that console but would be cool to see that way of playing on our cellphones.

I agree with you, it's strange that more portables haven't tried this. A scant few DS games were actually designed to be played vertically, but those are very niche cases.

 

[Nevendmisy]

The Dreamcast baby!!!!!

 

[RageBurner]

Yeah, the Dreamcast was a victim of desperation and bad timing, sadly. I never had one (after Sega mishandled the Saturn on the west I lost faith in them), but its mark in the gaming space is indelible.

 

[Smiley Cat]

3DO for sure.
For it's day, it had some good games, and a whole lot of untapped potential.

At least that is if we're only talking about base consoles, and not addons.

Because if we are including addons then my choice would definitely be the Mega-CD.

 

[RageBurner]

That's true. I remember being impressed by Need for Speed running on it at a rental game store back in the day.

 

[Thinaxanel]

The Dreamcast baby!!!!!

Great to see a dreamcast fan.

 

[Cu-Neo]

The Ps vita for sure. I really love playing freedom wars and Soul Sacrifice delta

 

[RageBurner]

The Ps vita for sure. I really love playing freedom wars and Soul Sacrifice delta

Those are two absolute standouts. As a Monster Hunter fan, I get similar vibes from both, and they manage to be very unique all the same.

 

[Waffles]

The Dreamcast.

Still the best console I have ever used.

 

[DunkeyKong]

32x, I love playing those virtua games

 

[Cu-Neo]

Those are two absolute standouts. As a Monster Hunter fan, I get similar vibes from both, and they manage to be very unique all the same.

It's awesome that at least freedom wars is going to get a remaster next year

 

[OldManLav]

Dreamcast & Vita for sure. Still use my Vita all the time.

Though I do have a soft spot for the Saturn as well...

 

[Don Patch]

 

[Smiley Cat]

View attachment 2579

Ultimate: adjective Being last in a series, process, or progression: synonym: last.

Wow, they really chose the right word there... It's almost as if they knew.

 

[Gorse]

It seems weird to list a (non-Virtual Boy) Nintendo console, but I think my answer to OP's question is actually the Wii U. All the single-player games for it sucked the large one, but it was a really fantastic multiplayer console – that gamepad was great for playing one-on-one tabletop games like chess and backgammon. I personally consider Nintendo Land, the free pack-in game, to be the best original title on the system, but me and my siblings also had a ton of fun with Wii Party U, which was really built around the console's unique capabilities. I think, if nothing else, it was a good party machine.

Also, it's notable for being, as far as I'm aware, the most recent console that actually let you buy retro games a la carte, instead of the BS Netflix thing they all do now. I played through a ton of perfectly-emulated N64 games on it, and it was great!

 

[RetroLaw]

The Ps vita for sure. I really love playing freedom wars and Soul Sacrifice delta

The Vita was awesome.

I feel like I'm the only person on the planet that loved Ray Gigant.
Dangan Ronpa 2 and 3 were so good.
Ninja Gaiden was an amazing port, loved it.
Samurai Warriors scratched my musou itch.
Spent about 100 hours on Dragon's Crown.
I played Valkyrie Drive for the fan service, stayed for the story.
I absolutely loved Toukiden, God Eater 1 and 2, and Ragnarok.
I could practice Blazblue and Arcana Hearts on the bus.


Also bought a whole lot of psp and ps1 games on it, Cladun 1 and 2 were great.
I'm glad I got Phantasy Star Portable 2 before it got delisted.
Playing Chrono Cross on the go was fire.

Still play this system today.

 

[Gorse]

I played Valkyrie Drive for the fan service, stayed for the story.

I did the same with the anime of that game. Except I didn't stay for the story, I mostly watched it with the sound off.

 

[RetroLaw]

I did the same with the anime of that game. Except I didn't stay for the story, I mostly watched it with the sound off.

Haven't watched the anime, I probably should to see if the story is as good as the game's. X)

Those are two absolute standouts. As a Monster Hunter fan, I get similar vibes from both, and they manage to be very unique all the same.

Yeah that's a thing I loved about MH "clones" they all feel so different.

God Eater was faster paced, with dashes and jumps, and more accessible, while offering an anime style designs and story.

Toukiden was also pretty accessible and more about builds that allows stuff like tanking and had a more over the top moveset.

 

[gerorisuto]

The Wii U. My most valuable possession.

 

[RageBurner]

Yeah that's a thing I loved about MH "clones" they all feel so different.

God Eater was faster paced, with dashes and jumps, and more accessible, while offering an anime style designs and story.

Toukiden was also pretty accessible and more about builds that allows stuff like tanking and had a more over the top moveset.

GE hasn't quite clicked with me yet. I'll likely revise it at some point, but I don't feel the same kind of weight in the combat that I enjoy MH for.

Toukiden is a pretty honest effort. Some of the unique weapons are very interesting, but I feel some of the mechanics make the combat drag on for too long. It seems to be balanced around having a full party of AI companions/players but I always preferred going at it solo, and Toukiden doesn't seem to be balanced around this.

 

[Srmistarious]

Easley the saturn because it was a 2d power house and its library of games was amazing compose mainly of arcade games, experimental early 3d games and niche rpgs. I know it was successful in japan but it still sold less than the ps1 and n64.

 

[RageBurner]

I personally consider the Saturn more undervalued than unsuccessful, but you are not wrong. Then again, the PS1 outsold everyone, haha.