The Essential Pre-NES Consoles

[BoneSnapDeez]

As a collector, one of my long-term goals is to obtain (or at least play/experience) every "major" console from each generation of gaming. Those that had an impact on gaming history. This topic is generally easy to research, but things become a complete mess when you look at the early systems: consoles of the 1st, 2nd, and early 3rd gen of gaming (or as I call it, the "pre-NES" era).

The number of consoles and computers was absolutely overwhelming at this point. I own a number of these systems and have researched others. I've tried to separate them by "Essential" (should be experienced by a retro gamer/collector) and "Non-Essential" (not worth it, maybe just emulate it a few times).

Here's what I got. And note that I'm sticking to consoles released in North America. If you can think of a pressing reason as to why I should import a ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, SG-1000, or PC-88 please tell me.

"Essential" Consoles and Computer Systems
Atari 2600
Atari 5200
Atari 8-bit
ColecoVision
Commodore VIC-20
Commodore 64
Commodore 16
Intellivision
Odyssey^2
TI-99/4A
TRS-80/Tandy Color Computer
Vectrex


"Non-Essential" Consoles and Computer Systems
Apple II - a great computer system but it's now quite rare, expensive, and doesn't have cartridge games
Arcadia 2001 - what the hell is this thing?
Bally Astrocade - again, what the hell is this thing?
Commodore PET - rare and expensive with only a small library of monochrome games
Fairchild Channel F - tough to find, small library of games
Mattel Aquarius - seems tough to find, most decent games are on the Intellivision anyway
Odyssey - amazing piece of history, but extremely expensive these days with only a small handful of games (which require television screen overlays)
RCA Studio II - like a Pong console with only a few games
TRS-80 - rare and expensive with only a small library of monochrome games

Thoughts? Am I off base here? Should I give the Arcadia 2001 a look? Any hidden gems on the Studio II?

[Ack]

So why not the original Odyssey?

[BoneSnapDeez]

Ooops! Forgot that one.

That's another one I'd personally skip due to price, lack of games, and the necessity of the screen overlays.

Great historical piece though.

(I'll add it in my original post)

[prfsnl_gmr]

Arcadia 2001 - what the hell is this thing?

Basically, it is a second-rate Intellivision knock-off with only two or three decent games in its sprawling 23 game library. It was a commerical flop; it is incredibly obscure, and it is far from essential. (The games also boast some of the very worst cover art ever placed on a video game.)

It is very fun to collect, however, and I had the good fortune of acquiring one in new condition - along with 12 sealed games - a few years ago. (Apparently, the little boy or girl who received it for Christmas some 30 years ago liked it so much that she never bothered to open it! )

[BoneSnapDeez]

It is very fun to collect, however, and I had the good fortune of acquiring one in new condition - along with 12 sealed games - a few years ago. (Apparently, the little boy or girl who received it for Christmas some 30 years ago liked it so much that she never bothered to open it! )

That is amazing.

[Duke.Togo]

I'd say you're list is pretty good, and there isn't much I would change. I would argue that the Apple II should at least be experienced, even if emulation is the only option.

The Studio II isn't worth the trouble. Watch a couple YouTube vids to satisfy your curiosity.

[prfsnl_gmr]

It is very fun to collect, however, and I had the good fortune of acquiring one in new condition - along with 12 sealed games - a few years ago. (Apparently, the little boy or girl who received it for Christmas some 30 years ago liked it so much that she never bothered to open it! )

That is amazing.

Thanks! Apparently, however, it is not uncommon to find the games and system in new condition. If you search eBay for Arcadia 2001 games, you will find many more listings for sealed games and systems (albeit at ridiculous prices) than for open ones.

[AppleQueso]

This realm of collecting is one I've long wanted to get into. Unfortunately they're kinda low on my priority list, so it'll be a good while before I dive in. This thread will make a good reference though.

[Fragems]

Love collecting for the Atari 2600. Games are really cheap and if you like variants the system is a gold mine lol.

Plus it's still amazingly fun to go back and play some of the games. They are really basic but you can really tell how much effort and creativity was put into making such simple games enjoyable and addictive. Just blows my mind to play games like Amidar and feel like the AI is zeroing in for the kill only to realize that they aren't targeting you, but instead are following insanely well laid out paths that only make them appear intelligent.

[dsheinem]

I'm not sure I'd include any Commodores other than the 64 personally, and the 5200 and Atari 8-bit are a bit sketchy in my book in terms of what I'd deem "essential".

I'd put the Apple II on the essential list.