...which console would you choose? I already have an Atari 2600 and lots of games for it. I work at a game store that carries just about every console ever made and games for each one. I get a 25% discount and am very tempted to get one of the classic consoles. When I was a kid, I went from the Atari to the computer without getting any consoles in between. I've played a few games on the NES, SNES, N64 and Sega Genesis at different friends' houses but never owned a console besides the Atari until the Xbox, PS2 and Gamecube came out. I went nuts and got all three "next gen" consoles. I played all three of them for several years and played pretty much every game I wanted to on them. When the Xbox 360 Halo 3 edition came out, I traded in my consoles and games to get it (except for a few Xbox games I knew would play on the 360). I kept my Nintendo DS too. Then traded up to the DS Lite.

Now, working at this game store, I am very tempted to get one of these classic consoles so I can play the old games on it instead of just playing the ports on Xbox Live and Nintedo DS Lite. Some of the ports and remakes are not too bad, but I want to play some of them on their original console too.

My favorite game genres are strategy, RPG, shooter, platformer, racer and sports in that order, if that helps. I've played quite a few PS One games on my PS2 already too.

Advice please?

N64 or Megadrive.

N64 has a few brilliant shooters and adventure games like Zelda and Goldeneye/Perfect Dark. I am aware that n64 is not from before the PS1 era, but it is very good.

Megadrive has Sonic and Micromachines from when they didn't suck, so platforming and racing.

In response to your original question, I'd personally go with the Mega Drive (or Genesis, to you Yanks). Sonic, Ristar and Toe-Jam and Earl. That'd be me sorted.

To be honest, if you want to play old games as they were meant to be, I'd suggest *cough*emulation*cough, or, more legally, the Virtual Console selections on the Wii. There's a surprisingly good selection that's only getting bigger, and if you're playing NES or Master System games, the Wii Remote held sideways makes for a surprisingly satisfactory old-skool controller.

If you're really going to get a retro console though, it all comes down to the games. Which system has the most games that interest you? I don't really know as I wasn't into gaming as much back then as I am now, so you'll have to look into the titles you not only like, but can also get as well. For example, best of luck finding an original Chrono Trigger cartridge for cheap.

Nintendo 64... that way i get golden eye, Mario64, SSBM and all the rest

edit: just like a Wii but without a lightsaber and slightly better graphics

Sega Master System. In fact, I still have mine.

Genesis... Not gonna lie. And the first game I would buy would be Vectorman

I'd have a hell of a time deciding...NES for the classic 8-bit sports games (Baseball Stars, Tecmo Super Bowl) and platformers (SMB1-3, Mega Man 1-6) or SNES for the games that made me the gamer I am today (Aerobiz and its sequel, Uncharted Waters and its sequel, that awesome port of SimCity Classic, Pacific Theater of Operations 2, not to mention the three greatest JRPGs ever made in FF4 and 6 and Chrono Trigger)?

I'd go with the SNES. Now that I really look at it it's not much of a contest.

smallharmlesskitten:
Nintendo 64... that way i get golden eye, Mario64, SSBM and all the rest

The PS1 came out before the N64.

NES in a heartbeat. It was my first one and really had the best game in the pre PS1 ERA (Super Mario bros/Duckhunt)

shatnershaman:

smallharmlesskitten:
Nintendo 64... that way i get golden eye, Mario64, SSBM and all the rest

The PS1 came out before the N64.

NES in a heartbeat. It was my first one and really had the best game in the pre PS1 ERA (Super Mario bros/Duckhunt)

Awww..... SNES then

SNES all the way. I could play Kirby Superstar. Wouldn't need anything else.

SNES, with out a doubt. So many great games. The best pre-Final Fantasy VII games were all on SNES. Super Metroid! So damn cool. Makes me want to go buy an old school SNES to play with my 9 year old daughter.

So all I saw in the thread previews was "If you could have only one console" and I thought "oh no not another one to lock". So kudos on doing something that's not normally done.

I will cast you another vote for SNES. Simply so many amazing games in all genres came out for that system.

Get a PC thats less then 10 years old.

Download them all.

F**k the man.

Though I suppose I must agree with the Moderator- SNES. It's library is simply too huge.

SNS. Final Fantasy and mega man X us all I need

Jobz:
SNES all the way. I could play Kirby Superstar. Wouldn't need anything else.

I remember that game.....Oh, the memories......

SNES for me- it was just such a classy system.....

C64 maybe. It had Psycho Soldier. <3

I'd like another Mega CD, as mine has long gone to silicon heaven. Because they fucked up the rerelease of Sonic CD in the UK, and gave it the shitty US version soundtrack.

Looks like it's kinda narrowing down to Sega Genesis aka Master System and the SNES. As much as I love the original Sonic on the Genesis, I'm leaning towards SNES after reading your posts.

Thanks guys.

SNES
About half of my favourite games are SNES

Get an Amiga 500! I realise it's not a console, but how can anyone resist reliving the days of swapping disks, decrunching and guru meditation?

Whichever one had road rash

Snes. Still have it, not that many games though, need to go retro hunting! :D

dukethepcdr:
I already have an Atari 2600

damn man, you've kept a console that long? my gamecube died after 3 years...

urprobablyright:

dukethepcdr:
I already have an Atari 2600

damn man, you've kept a console that long? my gamecube died after 3 years...

I still have atari 2600 as well, It was a great little system.

If I was in your postion I would either get a Snes or a Megadrive(Genesis), they both are great systems. They have quite a few games that overlap on both systems like Zombies ate my neighbours which is a great game.

I'd say the Snes has a better selection of (J)Rpg's and although it has some iconic racing and platformers, Fzero and Mario just off the top of my head, The Genesis seemed to have a better selection of them.

Making a choice would be tough but I personally got way more play time on my Genesis then my Snes, So I would recommend the Genesis. If you have the money though I would definatly consider getting both then you can get the best of both worlds.

Get a Genesis, it has Vectorman, Sonic, and many other amazing games.

id go with the sega dreamcast i have alot of good memories with that thing

SNES obviously.

Well, maybe not obviously, but it's far better than most.

SEGA MegaDrive. Sonic, Vectorman and Ecco the Dolphine.

I have to go with SNES (emulator with a XBOX 360 controller attached to my PC, tho it does have the downside that I don't have any games for it all because that would be both illegal and immoral).

There's just so much out there for it, and so many classics, including the only good Shadowrun.

Megadrive

Ghosts and goblins ftw

actually cme to think of it that was on snes as well.

why is nobody saying the sega saturn? that thing was awesome

*sarcasm* N64