Top 10 Most Influential Gaming Systems

Les Listes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You used to only be able to play video games in a video arcade. However, with new technological breakthroughs, the advent of the home gaming system revolutionized the gaming world. Now you could be able to play the same games that you used to play in the arcade on your home TV. There have been many different gaming systems to come and go. Check out the top 10 most influential gaming systems and how they influenced video gaming around the world.

10. Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Nintendo)

By the early 80s, the video game console industry in the United States had burned out. However, in 1985, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System came and saved the day. It was based on the cheap 1.79MHz 6502 processor and the seminal 5 channel sound chip. With it, the NES brought the American video game audience great games like Zelda, Metroid, and Super Mario.^[1]Nintendo – History

However, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System also brought great 3rd party games. This was because Nintedo put into place a great quality control process to make sure that there weren’t low quality games on their game system.

Lastly, the NES helped revolutionize the game console system by making the gamepad the new user interface over the joystick.

9. PlayStation (Sony)

The original Sony Playstation is one of the most influential gaming systems of all time.

Originally, the Playstation was supposed to be a partnership between Sony and Nintendo. It was going to be a cross between the SNES and a CD-Rom drive. However, Sony had to go it alone when Nintendo pulled out of the deal.

What made the Playstation so revolutionary was that it was the 1st console designed specifically to play play 3D games with fast visuals. In addition, rather than targeting young kids, the system was aimed at well off 20 somethings.^[2]How Stuff Works – How PlayStation Works This can be seen in the marketing strategy that Sony took by promoting demo units in nightclubs and bars as an after hours activity.

8. Gameboy (Nintendo)

When in came out in 1989, no one thought that the Gameboy would become one of the most influential gaming systems ever. In fact, it was bulky, had a weird green screen, and required 4 AA batteries. However, it managed to beat out technologically superior rivals such as the Sega Game Gear. This was mainly due to its low price at $89 and a list of great games such as Pokemon, Super Mario Land, and Tetris.^[3]PC Mag – The 10 Greatest Video Game Consoles of All Time In fact, to this day, Nintendo is still riding the wave of handheld gaming dominance due to the success of the Gameboy.

7. XBox 360 (Microsoft)

When Microsoft decided to try and get into the gaming console system market with the original Xbox, it was quite interesting. However, they did not perfect it until they came up with the Xbox 360. In fact, this gaming system is one of the best gaming consoles of all time. It revolutionized multiplayer gaming with Xbox live.^[4]The Top Tens – Best Video Game Consoles People could now easily play online with others. In addition, the Achievement points and GamerScore kept people coming back for more. Due to the Xbox 360, almost all gaming systems are now connected in some sort of way.

6. Wii (Nintendo)

The Nintendo Wii is one of the most influential gaming systems ever. However, when it came out in 2005, there weren’t high expectations for it.

The Wii introduced the Wii Remote. It brought a new type of intuitive physical interaction into home gaming consoles that had not been there before. In fact, Nintendo claimed that it should be so easy that mothers could easily pick it up and play. Remember, before this, game pads had dominated the market. Now with the new remote device, players could physically interact with the gaming world!

The designers for the Wii remote were inspired by remote control devices and mobile phones. They took 2 years to make sure that everything was perfect.^[5]Encyclopedia Britannica – Nintendo Wii

5. Dreamcast (SEGA)

Despite its commercial failure, the SEGA Dreamcast is actually one of the most influential console gaming systems ever. It brought several firsts to gaming consoles including: a built in 56k modem for online play and a second built in screen.^[6]IGN – IGN PRESENTS THE HISTORY OF DREAMCAST Unfortunately, it didn’t have a lot of games to go with it. In addition, the PlayStation 2 came out not too long after, quickly dooming the Dreamcast to failure.

4. Atari 2600 (Atari)

 

Coming out in the 1970s, the Atari 2600 was one of the most influential gaming systems ever. Despite having many other competitors, it came out as both the victor and first console to resemble a modern gaming system.^[7]The Guardian – 10 most influential games consoles – in pictures

With the addition of popular in-house games such as Adventure and Breakout as well as the license to the home version of Space Invaders, the Atari 2600 became extremely popular for home gamers everywhere.

3. Nintendo 64 (Nintendo)

 

When it came out in 1996, the Nintendo 64, or N64 in short, came out with a bang. It was Nintendo’s first 3D capable gaming system and it didn’t disappoint. In addition, to the 3D graphics, it also brought great games such as Super Mario 64 which in itself revolutionized games. Also with the help of games such as Golden Eye, the N64 also started the modern multiplayer gaming experience.^[8]funstock – A BRIEF HISTORY OF: NINTENDO 64 (N64)

2. PlayStation 2 (Sony)

 

Despite being extremely successful with the original Playstation, Sony didn’t sit back and relax. In fact, they came out with something even bigger and better in the Playstation 2. Despite coming out later and being weaker technologically than other rivals out in the market, the Playstation still managed to beat them out.

This was due to several reasons including:

• Full backwards capabilities with the original Playstation. This meant that they could hold onto their original large fan base.
• Built in DVD player.
• Extremely large library of games. In fact, 3,874 titles were made for the Playstation 2!^[9]Computing History – Sony Playstation 2

1. Nintendo Entertainment System (Nintendo)