Which consoles do best and worst in each genre?

[Jmustang1968]

The SNES has the strongest JRPG library of all time: Final Fantasy VI, Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, Lufia 1 & 2, Secret of Evermore, Ogre Battle, etc... The only downside is that many of the games never made it to North America: Bahamut Lagoon, Romancing Saga 1-3, Final Fantasy V, Alcahest, Treasure Hunter G, Terranigma, Star Ocean, Tales of Phantasia, Seiken Densetsu 3, Dragon Quest 5 & 6, etc... So you'll definitely need an emulator or reproduction carts to experience the entire library, unless you speak Japanese of course.

PlayStation 1 has the second best JRPG library. One strength of the PS1 is the fact that nearly every decent JRPG did actually get an American release this time.

Yeah, if you count english releases only, I think the ps1 beats out the snes. If you consider the entire snes rpg library and factor in the translations, then the snes is stronger imo. I think the ds and psp are pretty close to rivaling either of them now though, even though a good % of them are ports or re-releases of the snes/ps1 games.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Yeah, if you count english releases only, I think the ps1 beats out the snes. If you consider the entire snes rpg library and factor in the translations, then the snes is stronger imo. I think the ds and psp are pretty close to rivaling either of them now though, even though a good % of them are ports or re-releases of the snes/ps1 games.

I can read Japanese so I tend to lump SNES and Super Famicom games together.

But I basically agree with you. If we're looking at just North American releases the PlayStation probably wins, the sheer number of JRPGs on the console is staggering.

The DS and PSP JRPG libraries are astounding. I hope the Vita and 3DS can continue the trend.

[brunoafh]

I can read Japanese and I still think PS1 is the best RPG library. SNES RPG library is great, no argument, but PS1 library is the best Japanese RPGs have to offer. The formula was perfected there and the amount of high quality games is staggering.

[AmishSamurai]

Is it cheating if I say that PC is the best for RTS games, Simulator games, and roguelikes?

[Jmustang1968]

Is it cheating if I say that PC is the best for RTS games, Simulator games, and roguelikes?

And fps, and western rpgs, and MMOs...

[Bradtemple87]

Dreamcast also has the best fighting game library IMO, even for today's standards!

I'm going to guess you do not own a sega saturn?

Astra Superstars
Asuka 120%
Cyberbots
Marvel Super Heroes
Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter
Rabbit
Street Fighter Zero Series (Alpha)
Vampire Hunter
Vampire Savior
Waku Waku 7
Xmen Children of the Atom
Xmen vs Street Fighter

Thats only a small sample and not including the 3d entrees such as virtua fighter.

Also to the OP, if you like shmups then its very hard to beat the saturn! PC Engine is the only thing I can think of that comes close.

[sevin0seven]

^yep, i agree that the Saturn has the best fighting library. great d-pad and arcade stick controllers as well.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Now I'm not big into fighting games but I'm surprised Bradtemple87 and others didn't rank the Neo Geo AES as #1.

[Sonicx360]

Thanks for reminding me Bradtemple87 and sevin0seven. Another vote for the best console for fighting games goes to Sega Saturn.

[Breetai]

The SNES has the strongest JRPG library of all time: Final Fantasy VI, Secret of Mana, Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, Lufia 1 & 2, Secret of Evermore, Ogre Battle, etc... The only downside is that many of the games never made it to North America: Bahamut Lagoon, Romancing Saga 1-3, Final Fantasy V, Alcahest, Treasure Hunter G, Terranigma, Star Ocean, Tales of Phantasia, Seiken Densetsu 3, Dragon Quest 5 & 6, etc... So you'll definitely need an emulator or reproduction carts to experience the entire library, unless you speak Japanese of course.

PlayStation 1 has the second best JRPG library. One strength of the PS1 is the fact that nearly every decent JRPG did actually get an American release this time.

I know you didn't ax this question, but the TurboGrafx-16/Turbo CD probably has the best "good-games-to-crappy-games" ratio. You can pick almost any game at random and I guarantee it will be awesome. The console lacks shovelware and movie-licensed games almost completely, I don't think I've ever played bad TG16 game.

Considering that Final Fantasy I, II, III-IX are all on the PS1, along with Chrono Trigger, Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre (so all those SNES games are covered), I'm going to say the PS1 has the edge over the SNES for RPGs. The only bad part is load times. If you consider that all PS2s play the PS1 games, then of course the PS2 is easily the best.


As for the claim that the DC is best for 2D fighters... it's not. The Saturn edges it out with a larger number of quality titles. If the DC had been around longer, it might have had a larger library than the Saturn.

Also, I hate to say it... but the PS2's library of fighters is better than everything. Yes, lots of them appeared on the Saturn or DC first... but as long as you use a good controller (Saturn pad or arcade stick), the PS2 has you covered.


As for shoot 'em ups... ummm... errr.... (other than that damned PS2 with ports of almost everything and ability to play PS1 games?):
1. Saturn
2. PC Engine (including CD games)
3. PS1
3. Mega Drive/Genesis
4. Super Nintendo/Super Famicom
5. X-Box 360 (only if you include XBL)
6. Dreamcast (again, not enough titles and variety in those titles. The short life span hurt here)