77 replies to this topic

[Ze_ro]

Of course, looks have no effect on the system's power, and the jury is still out on how much effect it has on the consumer... but what systems do you think are the best looking systems out there?

Personally, I always thought that the Jaguar was very sleek and cool looking (although the JagCD's "toilet" shape didn't win any awards). The SuperGrafx was also pretty neat looking. Good looks certainly didn't save either of these systems though.

On the other side of things, I don't like the shape of the N64 at all... weird bulges sticking out and all. And the Master System always seemed like it was trying too hard to be futuristic looking... I mean, what's with the flow chart on the front?

--Zero

[liquid_sky]

i dunno i loved the way the sms looked. im also a big fan of the neogeo homecart packaging design and awesome artwork.. but the american versions got some lame art sometimees compared tot he japanese.

[Kyo]

liquid_sky said:

i dunno i loved the way the sms looked. im also a big fan of the neogeo homecart packaging design and awesome artwork.. but the american versions got some lame art sometimees compared tot he japanese.

that's why i only ordered the jap homecarts.

[JB]

The 5200 is the best-looking system ever.
End of discussion.

[chrisbid]

woodgrain pwnz all

as for the master system, i kindof like the 80's aerodynamic/delorean look. the flow chart is kindof cool in the way it incorporates the power LED light

[Raijin Z]

Goldstar 3DO was shore purty... let's see... Definitely the Gamecube. So what if it's square? Everything fits in it so nicely! Dreamcast looked cosy and screamed gaming fun... Ah, nostalgia... "How can you be nostalgic about 'a little while ago'?"

[BassGuitari]

Odyssey 2! Lord knows the keyboard was only for cosmetic purposes anyway

The Video Computer System and Bally system are pretty gnarly too, as is Channel F.

[MegaManFan]

Since the topic seems to mix both vintage and modern consoles, I'd have to say the most beautiful one is the SNES mark one. They went out of their way to make a deformed surface so you couldn't set a drink on top of it, but in doing so also achieved a measure of plastic molding elegance. With those grays and purples, those sinking and rising levels, and those oversized buttons, the whole thing is a modern art masterpiece. But if we want to go back further, you can't argue with the simple elegance of a 4 switch 2600.

[joeybastard]

5200 hands down. The true Big Sexy

[NE146]

The 5200. I remember back in the day I'd polish it up and prop it in the middle of the living room table to add that "touch" to the room. It was pure l33tn3ss

[Classic Pac]

To be honest here the coolest looking system ever is the SMS model 1

[Lemmi]

my fav's are

#1 Atari 2600 vader model (my first atari)
#2 Colecovision (the face plate just looks cool)
#3 Sega Dreamcast - sports model black


anyone see a theme going on here?

[King Atari]

Ze_ro said:

On the other side of things, I don't like the shape of the N64 at all... weird bulges sticking out and all. And the Master System always seemed like it was trying too hard to be futuristic looking... I mean, what's with the flow chart on the front?

--Zero

I loved the the N64's design, especially the black model, sleek and smooth. I always thought it looked cool. I like the SMS design as well, though not as much.

Going purely on nostalgia, I like the NES's box design.

The SNES and Genesis both had great designs, and of the current systems, I like the PS2's design the most.

And it goes with out saying that the 2600 (all variations), 5200, and 7800 are all works of art.

[Tempest]

Hmm... I'd have to say the 7800 was pretty stylin'. The 5200, Goldstar 3DO, and the unreleased 1450XLD are all cool looking as well.

As for plain butt ass ugliness I'd have to say the NES. The Famicom is so cool looking, but the US version is a gray box...

Tempest

[Ferris]

There have been some damn fine looking systems out there. Personally, I think the 7800 is beautiful. I've never seen a more sothical or elegant machine in my life, but hey I'm biased lol.

I'd have to say that the best looking systems, in ranking order are:

1.) Atari 7800 ProSystem
1.5) Atari Video System X
2.) NEC Turbo Duo
3.) Atari Lynx (second generation)
4.) Atari Jaguar
5.) Neo-Geo Gold
6.) Nintendo Super Famicom
7.) Sega CDX
8.) 3DO M2 Accellerator, Graphite Pre-Production Unit
9.) Sega Saturn
10.) Lee's rendition of the ColecoVision Jr.

...and the least desirable looking systems, IMHO would have to be:

1.) Arcadia 2001, Fairchild Channel-F, anything else Pre-2600
2.) Telegames DINA System (Colecovision Clone
3.) Mattel Electronics Intellivision (first generation)
4.) Nintendo Famicom (first generation)
5.) Sega Genesis (first generation)


But hey, that's just my two cents!

[joeybastard]

The first generation Genesis is one of the ugliest consoles of all time. Good system but ugly.

[Tempest]

Quote

5.) Sega Genesis (first generation)  

Really? I always thought it looked rather cool. However mine is really ugly now with a Sega CD model 2 and the 32X sticking out of the top.

Tempest

[JB]

Tempest said:

Quote

5.) Sega Genesis (first generation)  

Really? I always thought it looked rather cool. However mine is really ugly now with a Sega CD model 2 and the 32X sticking out of the top.

Tempest

Frankenstien syndrome strikes another Genesis.

[Miqorz]

Super Famicom! Hands down..

Or the Atari 800.

[SS]

Truth be told, I kinda like the looks of the 2600 JR and the (black) GameCube. In fact, I'm partial to black consoles in general.

[JB]

SS said:

Truth be told, I kinda like the looks of the 2600 JR and the (black) GameCube.  In fact, I'm partial to black consoles in general.

If I recall, the 2600 Jr looks a lot like a small 5200.
Though by necessity it has a few switches breaking the lines up.

[MegaManFan]

I must admit, there's something to be said for the SMS mark one. The black, the brown, the sleek angles, it's all there. Of course my fond nostalgia and hardcore affection for collecting for it may obscure my view of the truth.

[Starscream]

Turbo Duo

[CPUWIZ]

Starscream said:

Turbo Duo

I thought you were gonna say XBOX.

I vote for the Virtual Boy.

Seriously, no idea, too many to choose from.

[Starscream]

CPUWIZ said:

Starscream said:

Turbo Duo

I thought you were gonna say XBOX.

I vote for the Virtual Boy.

Seriously, no idea, too many to choose from.

Nope sorry but the Xbox is one of the most bland looking consoles ever.