One Console to Rule them All

[ElkinFencer10]

If we're excluding emulators and modding, then I'd have to go with the launch PS3, but the Wii U is still a close second because of the quality of the Wii U's library and the sheer size of the Wii's library.

[Sarge]

And Virtual Console. It ain't perfect, but it covers a ton of the classics. Heck, you even get some GBA and DS on there!

[RGSPro]

Probably a launch PS3, because I'm not as hardcore Nintendo as you guys, I suppose. That's assuming an emulator-running PC is out of the question of course.

If we're including modded hardware... maybe a OG Xbox. But I'd still probably stick with a PS3.

Really, factoring in modability and emulators that are available!? That's totally cheating.

I guess I want a PC then. That can emulate GameCube, Wii, PS2, and all of the other emulators that an Xbox can run!

The irony of course is that only an Xbox can run Xbox games!

Yeah, I feel like a PC is a different beast because it wasn't designed for specifically for gaming, it just happens to be a powerhouse that can emulate most consoles.

The fun I think in this conversation is from modibility of consoles and unlocking their true potential- you're right though there isn't a good Xbox emulator for PC, but Xbox can pretty much play everything. It isn't the best PSX emulator though IMO, but it does N64 fairly well.

I wouldn't want to say any of the newer consoles because they are not moddable yet, and even the PS4 barely has a few PS2 games that work on it now. It's a shame that they don't have their PSX emulator on it. I am hoping that they are making a modern PSX emulator that can play the games in higher resolution with texture filtering etc. That would be really nice.

[Tanooki]

I didn't think of the PC as it seemed like a cheat, but given the stock parts in the xbox and the fact you can basically turn it into one, that would be a backwards way about getting what you want and keeping in the parameters of a home gaming system. I think I recall people hacking the hell out of it and throwing Windows, Linux, etc on there. You could boot it as an xbox, or a pc, or an emulation box.

[RGSPro]

I didn't think of the PC as it seemed like a cheat, but given the stock parts in the xbox and the fact you can basically turn it into one, that would be a backwards way about getting what you want and keeping in the parameters of a home gaming system. I think I recall people hacking the hell out of it and throwing Windows, Linux, etc on there. You could boot it as an xbox, or a pc, or an emulation box.

It isn't possible to install windows on native Xbox hardware, but for some reason you can run Windows 95 on the 3DS... There are Linux distros that can run on the origional Xbox, but there are linux distros that could run on the PS3 too. I wonder if you can run Steam for Linux on the PS3 now...

EDIT: I guess not...

[Sarge]

Don't really need a XBOX emu that badly for PC, tons of its library are on PC already. The ones that aren't can typically be found on other consoles, too.

[RGSPro]

Don't really need a XBOX emu that badly for PC, tons of its library are on PC already. The ones that aren't can typically be found on other consoles, too.

So it looks like from not choosing origional xbox as the one, you are losing these games...

Lets see here which ones I could possibly care about...
Blood Wake... maybe
Forza (playable on 360 now)
MechAssault was interesting, 2 is 360 BC
Ninja Gaiden (Has the Sigma re-release)
Panzer Dragoon Orta
Project Gotham Racing 1 & 2
RalliSport Challenge

That's a pretty small list of games that can't be emulated or haven't had an HD re-release that I actually care about: Blood Wake, MechAssault, Panzer Dragoon Orta, PGR 1&2 and RalliSport Challenge.

[marlowe221]

Console, though. That rules out PC, but it really is the obvious answer to maximize access to games.

Absolutely.

My answer would be a mini-ITX PC with HDMI out running Retroarch or some other front end for lots of emulators.

And a wireless Xbox One controller would work just fine - I have been very impressed with them so far (even the D-pad!).

[Markies]

I feel the Retron is a bit of cheating along with emulating or modding.

So, if I was allowed to have one console with its entire library and only play that one console, which one would I choose?

Logically, the PS2 or GBA has a step up just because of their massive libraries.

The NES would be in the discussion because of its huge library as well along with the difficulty of games would last me for a while.

The SNES & PS1 would be in there as well just because of the RPG's on those consoles. That's my favorite genre and I could replay many of those games over and over again.

Even though my heart would say NES, I'm going with my head. Give me the PS2 and it's massive library and I'll be good for years to come.

[Fragems]

Most important feature for me if I could only have one console would be library size and backwards compatibility so I think I would have to go with the PS3 or 3DS.
For the PS3 I mean the early PS2 compatible ones since it would give you the ability to play PS1/PS2/PS3 libraries(aside from a few issues) without modding which could easily provide you with a lifetime worth of games to play. The 3DS on the other hand is probably my favorite handheld and also offers backwards compatibility to the DS which has a rather massive library.

If If we are talking only playing games released for a single console specifically I would have to go either PSP or PS3. The PSP just has such an interesting library as well as alot of really good ports/rereleases and the PS3 just has a really nice library including some great exclusive RPGs and quite a few compilations.