Systems Really worth having.

[3DSStrider]

Get a PS2 compatible PlayStation 3. You have access to PSX, PS2, PS3, and PlayStation Network games.
For handhelds, definitely GBA. You get three console libraries, and it's entirely region free.

[AppleQueso]

Get a PS2 compatible PlayStation 3. You have access to PSX, PS2, PS3, and PlayStation Network games.
For handhelds, definitely GBA. You get three console libraries, and it's entirely region free.

backwards compatible Ps3s are still pretty pricey, aren't they? I think it'd be cheaper right now to just get a regular Ps3 and a Ps2 along with it. Besides, there are a lot more compatibility issues with ps1 games on ps3 vs ps1 games on ps2.

[Broodstar]

For handhelds, definitely GBA. You get three console libraries, and it's entirely region free.

I definitely agree with that.
If you want a handheld console, go for a GBA SP (ags-001 for a cheaper version or ags-101 with better lcd, but harder to find and more expensive).
You'll have access to game boy classic games, game boy color games and game boy advance games.
And all three libraries are huge and full of games worth having and playing.

Also, you can skip the DS consoles for a 3DS, it's new, innovative, worth collecting and also offers access to the entire DS game library.

In my opinion, Atari Lynx, Game Gear or other retro handheld consoles deserve to be collected only if you have the knowledge to fix them, because they break down pretty quickly.

[alienjesus]

If you want systems with the biggest, most diverse and classic libraries, then the consoles people have listed are probably the best options.

Those being:
NES
SNES
Mega Drive
PS2

I would personally consider adding Wii to that pile, especially with GC backwards compatability, but I know it's not a choice everyone would make.

I would also say that certain handhelds should be added, probably a GBA SP and a 3DS. Then you can play the entire Nintendo handheld library, and it is huge and diverse, you're sure to find something you like.


Now, were it me, my list of must-have consoles would be much longer, and would include stuff like the N64, Saturn, Master System and PSP, but I know you're probably looking for a much narrower list than that.

The lack of N64 love on these forums always makes me sad. I think N64 games have aged way better than most of their PS1 contempories.

I'd also say that contrary to Dsheinem's thoughts, the 2600 should go nowhere near this list. It's got a huge library of games that get frankly boring after a short amount of play. It has it's place in a collectors library, or maybe out of some sort of historical appreciation, but as a gaming system I personally feel that it's past it.

[dsheinem]

If you want systems with the biggest, most diverse and classic libraries

I'd also say that contrary to Dsheinem's thoughts, the 2600 should go nowhere near this list. It's got a huge library of games that get frankly boring after a short amount of play. It has it's place in a collectors library, or maybe out of some sort of historical appreciation, but as a gaming system I personally feel that it's past it.

Nowhere near the list? For shame!

For games released in the US:

Atari 2600 - ~500 games
NES - ~700 games
SNES - ~700 games
Genesis - ~700 games

I'd say that the 2600 has one of the largest and most diverse libraries of classic games and absolutely DOES belong on this list. That's about twice the number of US Dreamcast or Saturn games. It is also dirt cheap to collect most of the classics for the system, and there's legions of 2600 fans that don't agree with the sentiment that the games "frankly get boring after a short amount of play". In fact, if you like arcade style games (especially classic ones), there aren't many systems that I'd recommend more.

[alienjesus]

If you want systems with the biggest, most diverse and classic libraries

I'd also say that contrary to Dsheinem's thoughts, the 2600 should go nowhere near this list. It's got a huge library of games that get frankly boring after a short amount of play. It has it's place in a collectors library, or maybe out of some sort of historical appreciation, but as a gaming system I personally feel that it's past it.

Nowhere near the list? For shame!

For games released in the US:

Atari 2600 - ~500 games
NES - ~700 games
SNES - ~700 games
Genesis - ~700 games

I'd say that the 2600 has one of the largest and most diverse libraries of classic games and absolutely DOES belong on this list. That's about twice the number of US Dreamcast or Saturn games. It is also dirt cheap to collect most of the classics for the system, and there's legions of 2600 fans that don't agree with the sentiment that the games "frankly get boring after a short amount of play". In fact, if you like arcade style games (especially classic ones), there aren't many systems that I'd recommend more.

I don't deny the size of it's library, or it's importance in the industry.

I just debate how many of those games are actually still worth playing for any length of time.

I also debate how many of those worthwhile games aren't available on the myriad compilations available on just about every modern system.

[dsheinem]

I just debate how many of those games are actually still worth playing for any length of time.

See, I'm of the opinion that if they ever were worth playing, they likely still are. I know I play either a beloved or a new VCS game probably at least once a month (sometimes on original hardware, sometimes not).

I also debate how many of those worthwhile games aren't available on the myriad compilations available on just about every modern system.

Sure....but the same could be said for many of the classic games for the Genesis, for games on virtual console from the NES/SNES, etc. If we're counting out either legal or illegal emulation as a reason not to buy a system, you could easily rule out everything 16-bit and earlier.

[alienjesus]

I just debate how many of those games are actually still worth playing for any length of time.

See, I'm of the opinion that if they ever were worth playing, they likely still are. I know I play either a beloved or a new VCS game probably at least once a month (sometimes on original hardware, sometimes not).

I guess we just disagree on this point. I've played plenty of games that I enjoyed back in the day that just don't stand the test of time for me nowadays. I'm currently playing the original Tomb Raider and it's a prime example.

I also debate how many of those worthwhile games aren't available on the myriad compilations available on just about every modern system.

Sure....but the same could be said for many of the classic games for the Genesis, for games on virtual console from the NES/SNES, etc. If we're counting out either legal or illegal emulation as a reason not to buy a system, you could easily rule out everything 16-bit and earlier.

[/quote]

Actually, I kind of agree with your point here, although obviously it would offer a rather limited subset of the 'classics' available. I guess that is true of the Atari compilations too. It would also depend on what the OP feels about digital titles. With him saying he's gotten rid of a lot of systems before now, I can imagine digital titles aren't a good option for him as he can't resell them if he has a change of heart.

I guess we'll just have to disagree on this one though Dsh, you'll never be able to convince me that the 2600 is an absolutely essential console amongst the ranks of SNES and PS2. I honestly find that most of the games are too simple and too repetitive to keep me hooked for more than a 5 to 10 minute burst. I'd say it's possibly because I never grew up with them, but to some extent that's true of the 8 bit era too (I was 3 when the SNES came out) and I still find those games to be emminently playable.

[isiolia]

Actually, I kind of agree with your point here, although obviously it would offer a rather limited subset of the 'classics' available. I guess that is true of the Atari compilations too.

Depends on the system, and how interested someone is in it.

You can get a much more extensive 2600 collection via the Atari Anthology than any (legal) disc out there for the NES for example.

[Jmustang1968]

Yeah, sorry Dave, but I am with the group that feels the 2600 is more of a gaming museum piece or collection piece than something that is actually still fun to play. I did have one as a kid and it feels too dated now.