In terms of video games, it’s quite likely that certain titles will resonate with just a particular segment of the population. While there are undeniably popular franchises like “Sonic the Hedgehog” that are widely recognized, there are also games such as “Bubsy” which have limited appeal and discussion among fans. Consequently, several video games end up being relatively unknown or obscure to many people.
Much like gaming consoles, they often have their standout stars – think Sega Genesis or PlayStation. Yet, for every iconic system, there are others that have largely slipped from public memory – such as the TurboGrafx-16 or 3DO. These forgotten consoles are typically only brought up in specific conversations about gaming history.
The Virtual Boy Was an Innovative Attempt Gone Sour
| Console | Sales (Units) |
| Nintendo Virtual Boy | 770,000 |
The Virtual Boy marked Nintendo’s initial venture into creating a portable 3D video game console. This device served as a temporary solution during hold-ups in the production of the Nintendo 64. Despite being slightly ahead of its time, the Virtual Boy was quite revolutionary for the era. It could display remarkable 3D graphics for any console, making it a precursor to today’s virtual reality headsets.
As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I must admit that, regrettably, the Virtual Boy was not my favorite console to play for extended periods. The games were groundbreaking, no doubt, but they were visually demanding, with those harsh red polygons and sprites that could make your eyes strain. Sadly, this meant the system wasn’t exactly easy on the eyes during marathon gaming sessions. Over time, Nintendo has chosen not to emphasize the impact of the Virtual Boy on their hardware development, let alone mention it casually in conversation.
Despite the Name, the TurboxGrafx-16 Was Only Graphically 8-Bit
The TurboGrafx-16 is a video game system, developed by Hudson Soft and manufactured by NEC. Originally launched in Japan, it’s more commonly known as the PC Engine outside the U.S. The “16” in its name doesn’t signify an 8-bit processor but rather its graphics chip. Essentially, the TurboGrafx-16 was designed to be a graphical powerhouse.
| Console | Sales (Units) |
| NEC TurboGrafx-16 | 7.62 million |
In Japan, the TurboGrafx-16 achieved success, even holding its own against the Nintendo Entertainment System. Unfortunately, it struggled commercially outside of Japan due to poor sales overall. The peculiar name of the console didn’t aid its cause, and its game library was lackluster compared to that of either the NES or Sega Master System, ultimately leading to its downfall. This has been the case ever since.
It Was Used for FMV Shovelware Instead
The term “3DO” encompasses three key aspects of video gaming: the company behind it (3DO Co.), the format for its game discs, and the design concept for a video game console. Interestingly, the 3DO isn’t actually a physical video game console; instead, it served as a blueprint or standard that numerous hardware manufacturers from that era, such as Creative Technology and Panasonic, used to create their own consoles based on this design.
| Console | Sales (Units) |
| 3DO | 2 million |
In terms of standalone video game consoles, the 3DO was indeed potent, showcasing the superior 3D graphics chip compared to other consoles at that time. However, its potential wasn’t fully realized due to video game developers struggling to leverage the 3DO’s hardware effectively. Instead, many games released were FMV shovelware, far from being masterpieces like “The Need for Speed.
The Whimpering End of a Numeric Trilogy
| Console | Sales (Units) |
| Atari 7800 | N/A |
The Atari 7800 was designed as Atari’s resurgence in the video game console industry after the disappointment of the Atari 5200. It not only featured hardware similar to Atari’s contemporary home computers, but it also made the Atari 7800 one of the first consoles that could play older games. This backward compatibility was a significant advantage for Atari, helping to revive its damaged reputation in the market.
Nevertheless, maintaining backward compatibility with the Atari 7800 had its drawbacks. Specifically, using the sound chip from the Atari 2600 in the updated console resulted in lower quality audio compared to games on the Nintendo Entertainment System or Sega Master System. Moreover, the Atari 7800 lacked many notable titles that could have maintained its significance.
It Is Also One of Their Least Known Consoles
The SG-1000 was Sega’s debut video game console, launched simultaneously in Japan with the Nintendo Family Computer on July 15, 1983. Interestingly, Sega marketed the SG-1000 as both a gaming console and a home computer, particularly with the SC-3000 version of the system. Essentially, the SG-1000 serves as the immediate forerunner to the Sega Master System.
| Console | Sales (Units) |
| Sega SG-1000 | 1.92 million |
The issue with the SG-1000 is that, due to its limited distribution outside Japan (it was only released in Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan), coupled with the usual intense competition from Nintendo, Sega didn’t see significant success until the release of the Sega Master System. Unfortunately, the SG-1000 doesn’t boast many standout games that make even Sega’s less successful systems like the Sega Saturn worthwhile.
Or: Baby’s First Sega Genesis
The Sega Pico, a little-known video game console, might have gone unnoticed entirely if not for Sega’s involvement. It can be likened to a simplified version of the Sega Genesis, primarily designed for a much younger audience. This is evidenced by the fact that it shared some hardware with the Genesis.
| Console | Sales (Units) |
| Sega Pico | 3.8 million |
The Sega Pico, which shares a similar educational and entertainment focus with systems like LeapFrog, may not be a priority for dedicated Sega enthusiasts due to its game content. These games are more like enhanced electronic storybooks based on popular Sega characters, rather than traditional games. In summary, the Sega Pico might not be considered essential for any die-hard Sega fan’s collection.
It’s Not Quite an Atari 2600 or an Atari Jaguar
| Console | Sales (Units) |
| Atari XEGS | 100,000 |
The Atari XE Game System, often referred to simply as the Atari XEGS, is a device that serves both as a video game console and a home computer, launched only a year after the Atari 7800 hit the market. In the 1980s, it was one of the 8-bit home computers in Atari’s lineup, allowing games designed for their computers to be played on the XEGS as well.
As a gamer reflecting on gaming history, I can’t help but notice that the release of the Atari XEGS, coming hot on the heels of the Atari 7800, didn’t exactly help its commercial and critical standing. In fact, it barely made a dent in video game history compared to the equally struggling Atari Jaguar. Some even question whether the XEGS should be considered an Atari console at all. To put it simply, the XEGS is often overlooked, no matter how you look at it.
It’s Literally a Neo Geo That Plays CDs
As a gamer, I’d say I got my hands on the Neo Geo CD, which was essentially a more affordable alternative to the original Neo Geo console. It seems SNK decided to port their arcade games onto cheaper CDs, capitalizing on the popularity of CD-ROM technology back then.
| Console | Sales (Units) |
| SNK Neo Geo CD | 570,000 |
These days, the Neo Geo CD system is seldom mentioned, even when discussing the Neo Geo console. Known for delivering an authentic arcade experience to homes with its large cartridges similar to those in real Neo Geo arcade machines, the Neo Geo CD, unfortunately, diminishes this magic and the slow loading times don’t make things better.
Too Bad It Wasn’t an Xbox
The Pippin is a gaming console developed through a partnership between Apple and Bandai. If we consider it as an Apple product, it could be generously described as a precursor to Microsoft’s Xbox game console. This comparison isn’t just figurative; the Pippin actually ran on a variant of Apple’s macOS, and it also featured many games that were initially developed for Apple’s Mac computers.
| Console | Sales (Units) |
| Apple Pippin | 42,000 |
Despite the Pippin’s initial promise, it didn’t reach the same level of success as the Xbox eventually did. This was primarily due to numerous technical issues associated with the Pippin, most notably its long loading times for games. A significant contributor to this problem was the inclusion of the macOS operating system on the game discs themselves, which required games to load through it, causing delays and inconvenience. It’s clear that Apple would prefer people to overlook the Pippin in their history.
It Is Both Strange and Dated
| Console | Sales (Units) |
| Mattel HyperScan | 30,000 |
The HyperScan represented Mattel’s second endeavor to penetrate the video game console market, succeeding their Intellivision console from more than two decades ago. HyperScan aimed to distinguish itself by incorporating cards that could activate special features within specific games, similar to Skylanders and Amiibos. Unfortunately, it proved to be less user-friendly compared to these alternatives.
HyperScan became largely overlooked, barely causing a stir when it was first introduced because there were already superior gaming consoles available at the time. By the time HyperScan arrived on the market, the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii eras had already gained popularity. Consequently, its significance in video game history is limited to a mere footnote.
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2025-04-20 01:44