Your Favorite Console...in Terms of Hardware Only

[BurningDoom]

I really like the Saturn hardware. Except for the flimsy cartridge slot, everything about it just seems well built. The console itself feels rock-solid and it makes nearly no noise when it's running. The controllers are also high-quality and just plain comfortable to use. And the handsome beast just looks so good sitting on my entertainment center. This may see a little petty, but I also like the way the buttons feel on the console when you press them. They just feel satisfying; I have the round-button model, so I don't know how different the oval-button model feels.

And just to clear things up here, I'm not a big Saturn fanboy. I actually prefer the PS1 over the Saturn that generation. I just love the design of the Saturn.

[Nintendork666]

Honest answer: PS3

- Graphics are sick, even if currently outdated by PC standards. Whatever.
- Powerful enough to deliver vast, detailed, and convincing environments.
- Plays PS3 games (on-disc or downloadable), Blu-Rays, DVD's, PS1 games.
- Mine has 160 GB internal memory. Dope.
- HDMI/USB/Media Server/Internet stuff
- Wireless controllers are for pimps.
- Heavily prefer dual shock 3 to 360 controller.
- I like that I can charge my controllers just by plugging them into the system. Wish Nintendo would've done the same with the Wii. Also like how PS3 doesn't make me "sync" anything.

PS2 compatibility shouldn't have been removed however.

More fun answer: [purple] Gamecube

- Stylish design, really like the shape.
- Nearly indestructible.
- Well-ventilated, big fan ports. It even has little notches on the side to prevent anything from getting too close; blocking circulation. Clever.
- 4 controller ports.
- My favorite controller comfort-wise.
- It has a handle!
- GB Player
- Component port
- I really appreciate the toy-like look which seems to bother some.
- DK Bongos.
- Pelican Retro-pad
- The power, reset, and open buttons are level with the flat surface of the console, and are all the same circular shape. Very sleek.
- That shiny black Gamecube circle on top.
- Love the tiny discs.
- Always have preferred the way the GCN handled most 6th gen multi-platform games compared to the PS2 or XBOX.
- Runs very quietly.
- Huge memory cards available cheap.


My only minor complaint is the controller cord length. But even that can be solved with either a Wavebird or extensions.

[AppleQueso]

Honest answer: PS3
...
- I like that I can charge my controllers just by plugging them into the system. Wish Nintendo would've done the same with the Wii. Also like how PS3 doesn't make me "sync" anything.

A minor gripe I have is that the Ps3 won't charge the controllers if its in standby mode.

More fun answer: [purple] Gamecube

...
- I really appreciate the toy-like look which seems to bother some.
...

I think the Gamecube manages to seamlessly balance the look of sophisticated tech with a focus of simply having fun. It is indeed a very well built machine.

[BoringSupreez]

Either N64 or oXbox. N64 was pretty powerful for the time, had a really cool looking controller, and I loved the concept of upgrading the hardware (Expansion Pak.) oXbox had an HDD, which was very forward-thinking for 2001. And it sounded like a PC if you held your ear up to it, with all the clicking noises coming from the hard drive and the little whiny fan in the back. And like N64, it had real nice graphics for the time.

And dark green + black is the best color combo ever for a console.

[Menegrothx]

oXbox had an HDD, which was very forward-thinking for 2001. And it sounded like a PC if you held your ear up to it, with all the clicking noises coming from the hard drive and the little whiny fan in the back.

It's probably the most PC like console there is, more so than Xbox 360. Music player, different kinds of skins and themes so you can modify the consoles UI for your liking, you can check all kinds of different info about your console and it's performance, being able to install emulators on it etc. And a lot of ports of PC games that couldn't run on GC/PS2 (although it started the ugly trend of WRPGs and FPS games being developed for console hardware rather than PCs).

[BoneSnapDeez]

Dreamcast!

A nice manageable size, four controller ports, best memory cards ever, excellent controller, and yes - I even like the drive noises.

I would rank the SNES pretty high too, with it's eject button (why couldn't every console have this?) and phenomenal controller - but the yellowing of the system is a deal breaker for me.

[AppleQueso]

I would rank the SNES pretty high too, with it's eject button (why couldn't every console have this?) and phenomenal controller - but the yellowing of the system is a deal breaker for me.

Since we're talkin the US system obviously, tell me you love those concave X/Y buttons too

[BoneSnapDeez]

Oh yes I do.

Are they not concave on the Super Famicom? I've never seen/played one I'm ashamed to admit.

[AppleQueso]

Oh yes I do.

Are they not concave on the Super Famicom? I've never seen/played one I'm ashamed to admit.

They're all like the SNES A/B buttons.

(I like the US console's purple/grey thing too but nobody else does )

[Hazerd]

N64, damn thing will last forever and it's so simple and easy to use. Along with the carts being super durable, it's only downfall is the controllers wearing out.

If i had to pick a 2nd console in terms of hardware, would have to be GameCube, also a durable little machine with much to offer in terms of addons, GB Player, Broadband Adapter support, would of been nice to have a HDD slot like the Phat PS2 did, but the Phat PS2 is really delicate and breaks easily.

Here's a video of Durability presented by Morgan Webb

Morgan von Webb in "Web of Destruction" Skit