Pieces of technology that where too advanced for their time.

[Hikari.EXE]

I was looking at some new phones today, and came across a whole OLED debate, didn't even knew that was a thing. Apparently OLED is now seen as a base for any screen nowdays, and it's almost a crime that any modern device dosen't have it, which made me think... I'm pretty sure the PSVita was the first handheld that ever had an OLED screen, so much so that in it's re-release the 2000 model removed the OLED screen for a cheaper LCD one (I have a 1000 model and found out the difference one of these days). It's so weird seeing this strange piece of "old" technology test the waters to very little reward, almost as if it wasn't it's time to shine yet, maybe if Sony didn't fumble the bag with the Vita, it could have been a blast of technological prowess that paved the way for modern handhelds, but I digress.

So, what piece of old gaming (or non-gaming) hardware that left you in awe at it's tech that you where surprised it didn't take off?

(Pic related)

 

[Stingy Perry Stingy Perry]

The Sega Game Gear is quite ahead of its time when it comes to handheld gaming. The backlit screen and Master System compatibility through an adapter made a power beast against the OG Gameboy. Downside though it uses 6 AA batteries and only lasts for 3-5 hours.

 

[ashgabs]

I'd say it's the Dreamcast. Have you seen the mechanics? Made its own GD disk, before DVDS were created. Kinda sad that it fell.

 

[Bonkers225]

Sega Nomad
TurboExpress
Gizmondo
N-Gage

 

[ciro64 ciro64]

Are folding screens there yet? I want a Switch with one.

 

[Clippy]

I'd say it's the Dreamcast. Have you seen the mechanics? Made its own GD disk, before DVDS were created. Kinda sad that it fell.

DVD debuted in 1996 so well before DC came out. Tech was progressing like mad back then though, it's not unbelievable that it would be too expensive for Sega to include but affordable for Sony just 2 years later. It was a crazy time.

 

[Stingy Perry Stingy Perry]

The PS3 is the most powerful console of its generation.

 

[ATenderLad]

Ohshit no one's said the RDI Halcyon yet!

THE RDI Halcyon! A $2500 Laserdisc console designed to run on voice commands...in 1985!

Did it work? Who cares!

 

[RetroLaw]

I remember a sega genesis joypad with a mini stick that you could screw on the D-pad.

I never saw a controller like that again, I guess the world wasn't ready.

 

[Hikari.EXE]

Ohshit no one's said the RDI Halcyon yet!

THE RDI Halcyon! A $2500 Laserdisc console designed to run on voice commands...in 1985!

Did it work? Who cares!

It looks terrible... I want one.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

Probably the N-Gage... considering phones ARE gaming consoles now!

 

[Hikari.EXE]

Probably the N-Gage... considering phones ARE gaming consoles now!

Good call, reminded me of this:

It had cabled internet... Phone cabled!

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

Good call, reminded me of this:
View attachment 17428
It had cabled internet... Phone cabled!

I un-ironically want that. It looked like a solid effort, and had a lovely homebrew community.

 

[marky]

Not a console, but a car. 1986-89 Buick Riviera with his touchscreen computer. First production car with a touchscreen!

Microsoft Tablet PC's from early 2000's. Here is an HP tablet, but several different manufacturers have produced tablets in this family running a specially adapted version of Windows XP.

and ofc Nintendo Virtual Boy!

 

[PaleFolklore]

Honestly, I'm gonna have to talk about the Turbografx-16, here. It was very impressive for it's time, especially when you consider it launched back in way back in 1987. While it's important to distinguish the Turbografx-16 from the Turbografx-CD — in retrospect, it really would've been interesting to see a console that really, and I mean REALLY doubled down on high quality pixel-art games in the sixth generation, just like the Turbografx-16 did on the fifth one.

The Jaguar, while somewhat technically advanced, had much bigger drawbacks to it though, IMO. But I guess it's an interesting mention, as well

 

[bjork]

I remember a sega genesis joypad with a mini stick that you could screw on the D-pad.

I never saw a controller like that again, I guess the world wasn't ready.

You mean like a Gravis Gamepad? The PC world was ready for sure.

 

[Cu-Neo]

I am the president of the Vita defenders force ?.

 

[Hikari.EXE]

View attachment 17430
I am the president of the Vita defenders force ?.

GOD FUCKING BLESS!

 

[Stingy Perry Stingy Perry]

Any WiiU defenders……?

 

[tropicalavera]

Maybe not exactly too advanced for its time (if anything it's probably the opposite of anachronistic) but it's wild just how forward thinking the Famicom Disk System was in almost every facet!

The core idea of a first-party manufacturer/publisher ran on-demand pseudo-rental system (you could use these fancy rewritable blue disks, take it to a kiosk, and download a new game onto it) isn't too far removed from services such as Game Pass...but this was back in '86!

And that's not to mention the FAX!!

Play your game at home, secure your high score, save it to the disk, take it to the nice fax kiosk at your local lawsons or whatever, and UPLOAD YOUR SCORE to the leaderboard! and this ain't no local affair - you don't just get bragging rights in your local bar or bowling alley - this machine FAXED your score straight to Nintendo and you were entered into a national score chasing contest!! (complete with prizes!) And all of this back in '87!!

The famicom disk system is WILD.

 

[ATenderLad]

Maybe not exactly too advanced for its time (if anything it's probably the opposite of anachronistic) but it's wild just how forward thinking the Famicom Disk System was in almost every facet!

View attachment 17442
The core idea of a first-party manufacturer/publisher ran on-demand pseudo-rental system (you could use these fancy rewritable blue disks, take it to a kiosk, and download a new game onto it) isn't too far removed from services such as Game Pass...but this was back in '86!

And that's not to mention the FAX!!
View attachment 17443
Play your game at home, secure your high score, save it to the disk, take it to the nice fax kiosk at your local lawsons or whatever, and UPLOAD YOUR SCORE to the leaderboard! and this ain't no local affair - you don't just get bragging rights in your local bar or bowling alley - this machine FAXED your score straight to Nintendo and you were entered into a national score chasing contest!! (complete with prizes!) And all of this back in '87!!

The famicom disk system is WILD.
View attachment 17444

That reminds me, the JRA-PAT carts for the Famicom (and the SNES, though I think that was called Zaitaku Touhyou System/SPAT-4) supposedly allowed active gambling on horse races using a modem. Wild shit, came on black cartridge shells.

 

[Hikari.EXE]

That reminds me, the JRA-PAT carts for the Famicom (and the SNES, though I think that was called Zaitaku Touhyou System/SPAT-4) supposedly allowed active gambling on horse races using a modem. Wild shit, came on black cartridge shells.

Are you fucking kidding me? You telling me there was Stake before Stake?

 

[ATenderLad]

Are you fucking kidding me? You telling me there was Stake before Stake?

Apparently! Some articles online say they were awfully popular too, making up most of the use cases for the Famicom Network.

None of these articles have *sources*, granted, but the cartridges and the roms exist, I just can't find a mention of how the actual process worked.

 

[miguk miguk]

• Famicom: Had a microphone built into the controller, which wouldn't have a comeback until the DS.
• Family BASIC: Keyboard for the FC. Keyboards for consoles were rare afterwards (Shout-out to the Dreamcast keyboard and that huge Gamecube keyboard-controller hybrid.)
• Neo-Geo: Backgrounds were made of sprites instead of a background layer. Resulted in the most animated backgrounds of any games on the market and influenced later games (especially fighting games).
• TurboExpress: Had 16-bit graphics in the DMG GB era and the highest resolution of any handheld until the PSP. Also had a TV tuner, which even today's phones often lack (Samsung, stop nerfing them outside of Korea).
• Xband: Allowed online gaming with the SNES, SG/MD, and SS.
• Sega Channel: Online gaming for SG/MD with demos to download.
• Sattelview: Like Sega Channel for SNES. Had exclusive games like LoZ remake and broadcasted games with narration.
• other modems: GameLine (Atari 2600), PlayCable (Intellivison), Famicom Modem, RandNet for 64DD & SharkWire Online (N64)
• Miracle Piano Teaching System: A full piano for NES, SNES, SG/MD, Amiga, Mac, & DOS. We didn't get instruments again until the DC Maraca controllers (themselves pretty good motion controllers).
• Dreamcast: Built in modem, screen on controller (via memory card), portable system in the memcard, built-in HD resolution (as apposed to extensible HD like the N64).

 

[RageBurner]

View attachment 17430
I am the president of the Vita defenders force ?.

Can I request a member ID?

• Neo-Geo: Backgrounds were made of sprites instead of a background layer. Resulted in the most animated backgrounds of any games on the market and influenced later games (especially fighting games).
• TurboExpress: Had 16-bit graphics in the DMG GB era and the highest resolution of any handheld until the PSP.

So true! Honestly, if the Neo had wider 3rd party support, it would have completely wrecked the 16-bit race. The Turbo Express was crazy too, though I didn't have one, it was way, way ahead of its time.