The first video games can be traced to the 1960s, played through big computers that were connected to vector displays. Today’s best video game consoles followed the historic success of their predecessors, revolutionalising the way gaming works.
So, which were the best game consoles over the years?
Sega Genesis
Released: 1988
Units Sold: 40 million
Best-Selling Game: Sonic the Hedgehog (15 million units)
Also known as the Mega Drive, the Sega Genesis console sold 40 million units until it was discontinued in 1997 by Sega. This game console was the first one to be marketed towards an adult audience with games like Mortal Kombat.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
Released: 1990
Units Sold: 49 million
Best-Selling Game: Super Mario World (20 million units)
Although the NES was extremely important for gaming the SNES perfected everything that the NES intended when it was released after the late 70s gaming crash. It provided amazing adventure games such as The Legend of Zelda: A link to the Past.
Released: 1994
Units Sold: 102.5 million
Best-Selling Game: Gran Turismo (10.85 million units)
Sporting quality 3D graphics, first and third-party games, and fast loading times, the PlayStation was the kind of its time. As the first ever game console to sell more than 100 million units, it provided fun and joy until 2006.
Nintendo 64
Released: 1996
Units Sold: 32.93 million
Best-Selling Game: Super Mario 64 (11 million units)
Hailed by IGN as the 9th greatest game console of all time in 2015 and Machine of the Year by Time in 1996, the Nintendo 64 provided the world with great 3D games. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is still one of Nintendo best-known and loved games, pushing forward the technology to a whole new level.
Sega Dreamcast
Released: 1998
Units Sold: 10 million
Best-Selling Game: Sonic Adventure (2.5 million units)
Although not too popular and discontinued only three years after it was released, the Dreamcast belongs on this list due to its importance to the gaming world. This console was the first to show the community and the industry how online gaming in the living room could work.
Game Boy Colour (1998)
Released: 1998
Units Sold: 118.69 million, with Game Boy units
Best-Selling Game: Pokémon Gold and Silver (14.51 million units combined)
The Game Boy was released in 1989, bringing Tetris from PCs to gamers worldwide. The Game Boy Colour had a colour display, an infrared communications port, double the processor speed, and three times as much memory as the Game Boy.
PlayStation 2
Released: 2000
Units Sold: 155 million
Best-Selling Game: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (27.5 million units)
Still the best-selling game console ever in the world, the PlayStation 2 had one of the longest runs for a game console. 13 years after its release, the PlayStation 2 was still seeing new games being developed. With online connectivity and the first incorporated DVD player, it provided many more game classics than other consoles.
Xbox 360
Released: 2005
Units Sold: 84 million
Best-Selling Game: Kinect Adventures! (18 million units)
The Xbox 360 allowed for the modern success of the online multiplayer gaming experience with a game achievement award system that is used throughout all platforms. Its controller is hailed as one of the best hand-held devices, and the console still remains many a gamer’s favourite.
Which is your favourite game console? Do you prefer the older ones to the modern ones? At Cheap TVs, we have high-quality and affordable TVs for all of your gaming needs!
