How many games does it take

[o.pwuaioc]

...before a console/handheld is worth buying? 5? 10? 25? 1?

[SNKnicotine]

for me personally, it takes around 5 games or a really good rpg.

[ZeroAX]

I've bought consoles for anything from up to 10 games that I wanted for it (PS2) down to just wanting 2 games for it (Wii Sports and Excitetruck, though of course later I wanted way more games for it).

I don't think that it's about the number of games as much as it is how badly you want those exclusive games.

For example I can find about 20 games I would like on the PSP.....only I chose to buy the 3DS cause the 3 games that I DID want for it, I wanted them BAD. heck, screw 3 games, Phoenix Wright 5 was enough for me to buy a 3DS.

[Luke]

1

I bought a Genesis just so I could play Altered Beast at home.

SEGA CD for Sewer Shark (I'm still not disappointed).

N64 for Mario 64.

Playstation for MSG.

Gameboy for Duck Tales.

Gamecube for Rogue Leader.

Dreamcast for SoulCalibur.

PS2 for Final Fantasy X.

Wii for Wii Sports.

And if there was a single game I was interested in for the WiiU, I would own one of those too.

Not sure why I bought a 3DO.

[Nemoide]

One game can be the tipping point, but I'd want to be able to easily list five games that I really want. And some other titles I kind of want? Maybe 10 total?

...I currently own a 3DS game and a Wii game but don't own either of those systems yet. I kind of tend to drag my feet!

[SteveyMajors]

Not sure why I bought a 3DO.

The Need For Speed? It was exclusive for a couple minutes.

It's always been one game for me. Donkey Kong Country for SNES, Final Fantasy VII for PS, Jet Grind Radio for DC, Virtua Fighter 4 for PS2, Animal Crossing for GC, etc.

[Opa Opa]

I was expecting a gaming twist off of the lollipop joke. I am disappointed.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I have bought a console for one game.

Vita for Ys IV (not out yet).

3DO for Guardian War.

[TEKTORO]

1

I bought a Genesis just so I could play Altered Beast at home.

SEGA CD for Sewer Shark (I'm still not disappointed).

N64 for Mario 64.

Playstation for MSG.

Gameboy for Duck Tales.

Gamecube for Rogue Leader.

Dreamcast for SoulCalibur.

PS2 for Final Fantasy X.

Wii for Wii Sports.

And if there was a single game I was interested in for the WiiU, I would own one of those too.

Not sure why I bought a 3DO.

Hey leave my 3DO baby alone!

But as luke say's the magic number is 1.
Looking back here's just a few of examples of what I've done, some referring back to launch times.

TG16- Final Lap Twin
360- Bioshock
PS1- Loaded or Twisted Metal (I forget)
Saturn- Panzer Dragoon
CD-i: 7th Guest
Vita- Ys
PS3- 1st time Infamous 2 (level editor), 2nd time Ni no Kuni
Snes- FZero

[BogusMeatFactory]

All it takes is one if that one gives you a lot of enjoyment that will last a loooong time.

For me it really breaks down to enjoyment of everyone. I got the WiiU, because I wanted New Super Mario Bros U, ZombiU, the upcoming Wind Waker re-release, Smash Bros, the Wonderful 101 and Game and Wario. I know there will be more games that do come out that will pique my interest and make the purchase worthwhile. Not only that, but potential for gaming with other people increases that value exponentially for me.

With ZombiU, my wife and I sit down to play and talk to each other about it a lot, even though it is a single player game. I watch her back as she rifles through her inventory. Keep on eye on her radar for any sneaking up zombies in the midst of a heated battle and devise a strategy before heading out for supplies.

These moments have already been priceless as a gaming experience and have made that purchase worthwhile for me. It really breaks down to the memories that a system can create for you.

Have you been hunting for this rare exclusive that is so out there like the FMV games for the Sega CD? Are you searching for the nostalgia rich memories of your childhood? Or looking forward to the potential of future social gaming experiences with family members? These are what make a console worthwhile, the memories you can create and relive.