Saturn the worst console ever? You have got to be kidding

[Golgo 14]

The N64... had arguably the single worst controller in the history of gaming.

It certainly did. Or at least in the history of mainstream gaming. (For the Phillips CDi, I've played with both the pack-in controller and some sort of weird Fisher Price looking kid's controller. Neither of those was any fun.)

I wouldn't say the Saturn is the worst console ever, but I'm not much of a fan. I would definitely nominate it's generation (Saturn, PS1, N64) as the worst ever. I don't really like 3D gaming so that kills it for me, but even if you like 3D graphics and gameplay, those systems didn't have the firepower for it.

[slowslow325]

[The N64] had arguably the single worst controller in the history of gaming.

No it didn't. It wasn't that bad, it really wasn't that bad at all. In fact, my only complaint is the analog sticks get loose, but I don't think that's why everyone hates it.

It had a nice layout. On most other consoles with a dpad and joystick, if you were playing a two player game with the Dpad, you would have to hold the controller awkwardly or stretch out your thumb, with the N64, you have two possible ways of holding it.

If you are playing a game with the analog stick, the Dpad (or at least the bottom button) could be used as another button. L could do something, just not something you have to do often. In some games, it could bring up a map screen.

There was a trigger on the bottom, perfect for shooters.

Four buttons that directly addressed the camera issue. If you look at a lot of early 3D games, you use the shoulder buttons to control the camera, and you can only move side to side, so you get problems because the camera isn't good to begin with.

[Kubrickian]

Anyone who thinks the Saturn is the worst needs a lobotomy - it has the deepest import library of any console.

Panzer Dragoon Saga and Radiant Silvergun are two of the best games ever made in their respective genres.

[AppleQueso]

Yeah the n64 controller's design was certainly odd, but its comfy in your hands. I'd argue that the dreamcast controller was far more awkward to hold. I still feel uncomfortable playing games on it.

[CAv]

If you are only counting the NES, Genesis, SNES, N64, PS1, Saturn, Dreamcast, PS2, Gamecube, Xbox, PS3, 360, and Wii, then you would be able to make a strong case. But this guy cited bad marketing decisions and barely talked about games. Yes, it was a commercial failure in the US, but that doesn't mean that the games were bad; it means that Sega could not have made worse decisions with its release and marketing.
If I had to choose the worst from this list, I'd probably go with the wii, but being the worst on this list doesn't mean much. All these systems are pretty good in their own right.

[Betamax001]

All this article did was make me want more Saturn games. I don't have many games, but the ones I have, I like them quite alot.

[benderx]

CD-i was probably the worst console.

[neilencio]

Just a few things that come to my mind:

- I don't mind if the dude's opinion (or take) differs from mine, but the fact that he had the temerity to call others out as "misinformed" when his own article has logical flaws seems iffy.

- and as for logical flaws, he singled out the Saturn and left out the other potential candidates for the title of Worst Console because Saturn was a major system? Doesn't that mean that the Saturn having enough success to be considered a major system means that it was not the worst? The least out of the top dogs, but not the worst ever. The systems that can't even be considered a major player - those are the worst.

- and wtf, he's talking about the worst console ever, not the least successful in terms of sales and marketing. The Saturn is well made and can stand on its own technical merits. If we're going to really look for the worst one, which is a result of being crappy in technical terms and sold poorly - I'd go with the Jaguar and 3DO.

- the dude is either misinformed (which means he's a jackhole for calling others misinformed for disagreeing with his perspective) or he's purposely doing this to get more hits/reaction/publicity.

[Flake]

This makes me wanta Saturn even more. Damn I wish I could drive so I could get to the game shop anytime I want.

My very first reaction as well. This is why I have no money.

[Mendoza]

I think the main issue I have with this is how poorly developed his argument is.

The Saturn did well in Japan, and it had a stable of remarkable games.

What did the Jaguar have? I played the best games it had and none of them compare to the mid range saturn games. The only stand out is Alien VS Predator.

It sold abysmally and had way more design flaws.

They dont sell usb copies of the jaguar controller, but the saturn controler is still a superb non analog controller.

If your going to write an article then at least do some real research.