The Video Game Critic

[QUOTE=N64Dude]@ptdebate: Xbox 360 and the RROD would like to say hi

And anyway
 
PONG wins the first no duh

The 2nd goes to 2600 

The 3rd goes to the NES

The 4th goes to the SNES and Game Boy

The 5th goes to the N64 

The 6th goes to the Dreamcast and Game Boy Advance

The 7th goes to the DS (Would've gone to the 360 or Wii but those two  lacked grip on certain genres)

[/QUOTE]

Well, I did say two *of* the worst.

Being objective here and not picking favorites.....

2nd Generation - Atari 2600

Pretty much the clear cut winner here.  Not much to squabble about...move along!

3rd Generation - NES

Again, much like the 2600 there was a clear cut favorite with this generation.  The NES was a powerhouse.

4th Generation - SNES

I'm not going with my favorite here.  I'd rather play the Genesis, but it's hard to argue with the SNES's library.  It dominates with RPGs and Nintendo's 1st party stuff is legendary.  Some of the greatest games of ALL TIME, were born on this system.  Final Fantasy VI, A Link to the Past, Super Metroid...The genesis doesn't have 3 games that can touch any of those.  As a life long Sega lover I can easily admit that.  That being said, the SNES is missing out on those quirky games and intense arcade style games.  

5th Generation - PS1

Again, I don't see how there can be any argument.  I've never been a fan of the N64 and I think Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time are overrated by fans.  Mario 64 has aged horribly and it's sparse worlds lack the vibrant, colorful touches of the SNES games.  Ocarina of Time is great...but it's not the greatest Zelda game.  Again the simpler SNES game trounces it in overall quality and timelessness.  

The Playstation 1 is a fantastic machine.  There is literally something for everyone on here.  RPGs, Sports games, Strategy games, family games, shooters.  Final Fantasy VII- IX destroys any RPG found on the N64.  When you add the rest of Square Soft's and Enix lineup you have 1000 of hours of quality RPG goodness to choose from.  Metal Gear Solid was revolutionary and it's gameplay still hold up today.  Castlevania: SotN is still one of the greatest games ever made.  Add in all of the excellent fighting games to the mix as well.  Plenty of 2D and 3D games.  Then you have the hidden gems to uncover and the PS1 is a literal treasure trove with hundreds of quality games to play. Stuff like Hogs of War, Poy Poy, Sheep Raider, Clock Tower, Strikers 1945, Alundra, Strider 2....the list goes on and on.  When you think about it, the PS1 is probably one of the most diverse and game rich videogame consoles ever made.

6th Generation - PS2

I don't see how an argument can be made for either the Gamecube, Dreamcast or Xbox.  The PS2 destroyed the competition and it's library of games easily beats any of the competitors.  While the Dreamcast is my favorite system of the generation...it's hard to argue with the quality of PS2 games available.  Much like the PS1, the system is flush with great games in practically every genre.  

7th Generation - Wii

It's not as clear cut as some of the other generations, but I still believe the Wii was the best console of the 7th Generation.  For me the easiest way to see that Nintendo dominated was that both the other systems were DESPERATE to mimic the motion controls and get a piece of the pie.  The Wii is also home to the most diverse library of games in my opinion.  While the PS3 and 360 are more shooter focused, the Wii delivered in Platformers, Light Gun Games, RPGs and quirky titles.  I think the PS3 comes close and might even surpass the Wii's lineup depending on personal tastes...but the Wii is the best output on a Nintendo console since the SNES.  Tons of AMAZING first party games, as well as decent output of 3rd party games.  The Wii was also home to several unique experience that couldn't be had on either of the other systems.  That big difference was what made the system a winner in the eyes of the public.


Overall - PS2

This system has so many great titles for it.  PLUS it's 100% backwards compatible with the PS1.  It's like getting two great systems for the price of one.  No matter what type of gamer you are you're bound to find something you'll love.

JustLikeHeaven, I agree with you 100%, on both the choices and your well-put reasons.  Like I've mentioned before, I think the 7th gen and Overall choices are very open to debate, but I thought the 2nd to 6th gens were absolute, undebateable locks.  I'm surprised that there has been disagreement on those (...but then again, not surprised).  Perhaps it's a regional thing depending where people grew up, or perhaps time has skewed memories (i.e., certain consoles are much more appreciated now by collectors and retro gamers than they were by gamers back when they were current consoles; or, in some cases, less appreciated), or perhaps we've just inadvertently engaged in a social experiment proving that even the guise of "objectivity" can't ward off human bias.

Yet JustLikeHeaven did not say that the SNES was an absolute unbeatable no-argument winner over the Genesis.  The Genesis had a faster CPU even in its base model.  In fact, if you toss in the entire Genesis expansions, it was backwards compatible with the entire Sega Master System library, could play audio CDs, karaoke CDs, could play CD based games with enhanced processor and graphics, and 32x games with enhanced processor and graphics.  On top of that, the Genesis plastic housing has aged better than the SNES units.  The Genesis unit just looks sleek, black, elegant...a trifle radical over the staid off white SNES.  The Genesis unit was 'High Definition' with headphone jacks and adjustable volume...and you could patch that out to speakers if you wanted to.  I also have a whole box of various Genesis controllers and arcade sticks.   Oh, and they are standard 9 pin, which means I can use them on some other older still systems as backups.   And the Genesis was not just cool for retrogaming, it was cool at the time.   The Genesis sports library is often considered superior to the SNES as well, as well as being well represented in many action genres.  

or are we ignoring everything but libraries...cause if so, the colecovision could play all the 2600 games and more.  Does that mean colecovision wins Gen 2?

You still might prefer the SNES, and I love my SNES, but I think the Genesis is a worthy challenger.  

When you think 5th generation, you have to also include the 3do and the Jaguar. I don't view the PS1 and N64 as being significantly better than those systems. In fact, I'd rather have a 3do and Jaguar. But maybe I'm just missing out on some FF7.

[QUOTE=Jon]When you think 5th generation, you have to also include the 3do and the Jaguar. I don't view the PS1 and N64 as being significantly better than those systems. In fact, I'd rather have a 3do and Jaguar. But maybe I'm just missing out on some FF7.[/QUOTE]

Gotta disagree with you on that one.  The 3DO and Jaguar were pretty underpowered, awkward consoles, and their libraries left a lot to be desired.

To each their own though.

[QUOTE=Jon]When you think 5th generation, you have to also include the 3do and the Jaguar. I don't view the PS1 and N64 as being significantly better than those systems. In fact, I'd rather have a 3do and Jaguar. But maybe I'm just missing out on some FF7.[/QUOTE]

I really don't think a Jaguar or 3DO is even in the same ball park and I owned both. The Jaguar has several really good games but there are very few of those small handful that are exclusive to the console. Tempest 2000 was ported to the Saturn and PS1, Rayman was ported to both as well, Raiden was on the Turbografx and Genesis, Wolfenstein 3D was on quite a bit as well, Doom was on everything. I'm not saying that the Jaguar versions weren't arguably the best (because IMO they are) but when you subtract all the great games that were already ported, leave the 85% of junk titles, there are really only 7-10 games that are worth playing.

The 3D0 had the same problem- Super Street Fighter II Turbo? Ported to the PS1 and Saturn in the superior Street Fighter Collection. Gex? Ported to the Saturn and PS1. Need for Speed? Ported to PS1. D? Ported to the PS1 and Saturn. Night Trap? Ported to everything Sega CD, Sega 32x/CD. Leave the 85% of FMV games and unless you are really a die hard in that category the 3DO isn't that worth it either.

Both consoles do have there share of titles that do stand out, even minus all the ports of their best titles. But for the average gamer of the 5th generation, you aren't missing out on anything THAT groundbreaking by passing on the two. I'd rather have kept my 3DO then my Jaguar, but I couldn't come up with too many reasons to own either when I considered all my favorite titles were pretty much available on other consoles. Hell, you could make a better argument for the Saturn being a more influential console. At least it had a slew of solid titles- both in Japan and in the U.S. But objectively, all the consoles in the 5th generation (not including handhelds) are flat out owned by the N64 and PS1. And the N64 was owned by the PS1 as well.

But as mOzart said, to each his own I suppose.

Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa..........whoa.  Did someone say the Jaguar or 3DO should get mentioned for the 5th Generation?  

This thread is about saying which is the objectively best consoles of each generation.  I repeat, OBJECTIVELY.  Not your favorite...not which one you have the most nostalgia for.  If we're being objective...the 3DO and Jaguar don't even shine the Sega Saturn's Boots....nevermind the PS1 or N64.

Also don't get me wrong, I'm probably the biggest 3DO fan on this site.  I LOVE that system...LOVE it.  I think it's highly underrated and actually has a solid library of games.  

Star Control 2
The Horde
Captain Quazar 
Theme Park
Slam n Jam
Gex
Killing Time
Samuari Showdown
Super Street Fighter II Turbo 
Out of the World
Flashback
Battlesport
Return Fire 
and many many more...

Yeah the system lost value over time and had most of the wind knocked out of its sail because many games didn't remain exclusives.  However, many of them remaining GREAT versions and in some cases the definitive versions...I'm looking at you Out of this World and Flashback.  

ALLTHATBEINGSAID - I still can't look at the system objectively and say that it was the best console of the 5th generation. I just can't.  It's library of games gets slammed by the PS1.  The playstation controller is also light years better than the 3DO.  The PS1 wins in a landslide in my eyes.

[QUOTE=scotland17]Yet JustLikeHeaven did not say that the SNES was an absolute unbeatable no-argument winner over the Genesis.  The Genesis had a faster CPU even in its base model.  In fact, if you toss in the entire Genesis expansions, it was backwards compatible with the entire Sega Master System library, could play audio CDs, karaoke CDs, could play CD based games with enhanced processor and graphics, and 32x games with enhanced processor and graphics.  On top of that, the Genesis plastic housing has aged better than the SNES units.  The Genesis unit just looks sleek, black, elegant...a trifle radical over the staid off white SNES.  The Genesis unit was 'High Definition' with headphone jacks and adjustable volume...and you could patch that out to speakers if you wanted to.  I also have a whole box of various Genesis controllers and arcade sticks.   Oh, and they are standard 9 pin, which means I can use them on some other older still systems as backups.   And the Genesis was not just cool for retrogaming, it was cool at the time.   The Genesis sports library is often considered superior to the SNES as well, as well as being well represented in many action genres.  

or are we ignoring everything but libraries...cause if so, the colecovision could play all the 2600 games and more.  Does that mean colecovision wins Gen 2?

You still might prefer the SNES, and I love my SNES, but I think the Genesis is a worthy challenger.  [/QUOTE]

There's a reason the SNES vs. Genny debate has never ended: there are so many good arguments for both machines. I personally have a more nostalgic connection to the Genesis. It was a well-made and well-marketed piece of hardware. The Motorola 68000 was great for CPU-heavy games with complex physics. The Yamaha sound-hardware produced some of the most unique game music of the time. SNES's Sony-based sound hardware, although technically higher quality, didn't always produce equally exciting results. It occasionally sounded muffled and unclear. The clock speed of its Ricoh CPU (you'll notice that Nintendo tends to stick with similar architecture from generation to generation) was underwhelming, leading to undesirable performance in certain types of games. The employment of built-in coprocessors in many games, a continuation of Ninty's 8-bit practices, resulted in excessively expensive cartridges, even if it was a clever way to push the SNES's graphics far beyond expectations.

It all comes down to software. In that respect, I consider it to be a straight tie.