Poll
Yep, still looks sexy
Quite a few of these consoles were not directly compatible with the computer they were based on but the fact is they were all based on computer hardware in the first place. The MSX standard was developed and modified while the first machines were being released. The Colecovision, SG1000 and Spectravideo SV were all early adopters of the MSX hardware but were not 100% compatible with what eventually became the MSX standard. This was more problematic for the Spectravideo machine rather than the Coleco or SG1000 as that was a computer and not a console. Spectravideo did actually end up releasing a revised version of the machine that was 100% compatible after the standard had finally been set in place.
The CD32 is a great machine to play classic Amiga titles on, if you can get a decent controller that is!
Question: Take your pick!
Option 1: CBS ColecoVision
votes: 4
Option 2: Atari 5200 Super System
votes: 0
Option 3: Sega SG-1000
votes: 0
Option 4: Commodore 64 Games System
votes: 0
Option 5: Amstrad GX4000
votes: 0
Option 6: Commodore Amiga CDTV
votes: 1
Option 7: Atari XE Games System
votes: 4
Option 8: Fujitsu FM Towns Marty
votes: 0
Option 9: Commodore Amiga CD32
votes: 3
Option 10: Apple Bandai Pippin
votes: 0
Title: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: TL on November 15, 2013, 20:53:12 PM
Post by: TL on November 15, 2013, 20:53:12 PM
[align=center:3rd1lv6x][size=140]Many companies tried to make consoles based on computer hardware and most of them failed, which makes you wonder just why they kept trying!
But the question has to be asked, which one of the best of the bunch and why?[/size]
(http://jscustom.theoldcomputer.com/images/manufacturers_systems/Atari/XEGS/300011xegs.jpg)[/align:3rd1lv6x]
But the question has to be asked, which one of the best of the bunch and why?[/size]
(http://jscustom.theoldcomputer.com/images/manufacturers_systems/Atari/XEGS/300011xegs.jpg)[/align:3rd1lv6x]
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: TL on November 15, 2013, 22:44:59 PM
Post by: TL on November 15, 2013, 22:44:59 PM
For those who might have been wondering what computer each console was based on:
CBS ColecoVision (MSX)
Atari 5200 Super System (Atari 400)
Sega SG-1000 (MSX)
Commodore 64 Games System (Commodore 64)
Amstrad GX4000 (Amstrad CPC464+)
Commodore Amiga CDTV (Amiga 500)
Atari XE Games System (Atari 65XE)
Fujitsu FM Towns Marty (FM Towns)
Commodore Amiga CD32 (Amiga A1200)
Apple Bandai Pippin (Apple Macintosh)
CBS ColecoVision (MSX)
Atari 5200 Super System (Atari 400)
Sega SG-1000 (MSX)
Commodore 64 Games System (Commodore 64)
Amstrad GX4000 (Amstrad CPC464+)
Commodore Amiga CDTV (Amiga 500)
Atari XE Games System (Atari 65XE)
Fujitsu FM Towns Marty (FM Towns)
Commodore Amiga CD32 (Amiga A1200)
Apple Bandai Pippin (Apple Macintosh)
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: TrekMD on November 16, 2013, 03:00:29 AM
Post by: TrekMD on November 16, 2013, 03:00:29 AM
I voted for the XEGS. It has a very nice library of games! I also happen to like the design of the system.
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: Cryptic33 on November 16, 2013, 11:31:39 AM
Post by: Cryptic33 on November 16, 2013, 11:31:39 AM
XEGS but I am biased of course. Still, there were some great games for the system and the whole design just works and still looks good today! :79: 
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: TL on November 20, 2013, 22:32:19 PM
Post by: TL on November 20, 2013, 22:32:19 PM
Quote from: "Cryptic33"XEGS but I am biased of course. Still, there were some great games for the system and the whole design just works and still looks good today! :79: :113:
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: Cryptic33 on November 21, 2013, 00:22:31 AM
Post by: Cryptic33 on November 21, 2013, 00:22:31 AM
Quote from: "The Laird"[align=center:1hjaxljk](http://jscustom.theoldcomputer.com/images/manufacturers_systems/Atari/XEGS/300011xegs.jpg)[/align:1hjaxljk]
Yep, still looks sexy
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: zapiy on November 21, 2013, 00:32:27 AM
Post by: zapiy on November 21, 2013, 00:32:27 AM
Looks too much like a toy to me...
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: triverse on November 21, 2013, 00:58:55 AM
Post by: triverse on November 21, 2013, 00:58:55 AM
I was partial to the CDTV based on the adventure titles they advertised with it (most never were a reality).
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: tomwaits on November 21, 2013, 01:15:59 AM
Post by: tomwaits on November 21, 2013, 01:15:59 AM
Not sure if the Colecovision or SG-1000 really fit the category since they're not based on the MSX operating system... similar hardware but they pre-date MSX computers. I don't think the Coleco Adam or SC-3000 computer 'upgrades' were MSX compatible either.
But, since it's on the list, I voted for the Colecovision. It had the most unique games and offered a huge library of quality arcade ports.
But, since it's on the list, I voted for the Colecovision. It had the most unique games and offered a huge library of quality arcade ports.
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: TL on November 21, 2013, 01:26:11 AM
Post by: TL on November 21, 2013, 01:26:11 AM
Quote from: "tomwaits"Not sure if the Colecovision or SG-1000 really fit the category since they're not based on the MSX operating system... similar hardware but they pre-date MSX computers. I don't think the Coleco Adam or SC-3000 computer 'upgrades' were MSX compatible either.
But, since it's on the list, I voted for the Colecovision. It had the most unique games and offered a huge library of quality arcade ports.
Quite a few of these consoles were not directly compatible with the computer they were based on but the fact is they were all based on computer hardware in the first place. The MSX standard was developed and modified while the first machines were being released. The Colecovision, SG1000 and Spectravideo SV were all early adopters of the MSX hardware but were not 100% compatible with what eventually became the MSX standard. This was more problematic for the Spectravideo machine rather than the Coleco or SG1000 as that was a computer and not a console. Spectravideo did actually end up releasing a revised version of the machine that was 100% compatible after the standard had finally been set in place.
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: SnakeEyes on November 21, 2013, 21:12:00 PM
Post by: SnakeEyes on November 21, 2013, 21:12:00 PM
Not played on a whole host of these to be honest. I do have the Gx4000 and know for a fact that that is not worth considering in this poll.
probably the XE, or purely down to the fact I really want to try one, the CD32.
probably the XE, or purely down to the fact I really want to try one, the CD32.
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: TL on November 29, 2013, 19:46:24 PM
Post by: TL on November 29, 2013, 19:46:24 PM
Quote from: "SnakeEyes"Not played on a whole host of these to be honest. I do have the Gx4000 and know for a fact that that is not worth considering in this poll.
probably the XE, or purely down to the fact I really want to try one, the CD32.
The CD32 is a great machine to play classic Amiga titles on, if you can get a decent controller that is!
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: dougtitchmarsh on December 01, 2013, 11:08:55 AM
Post by: dougtitchmarsh on December 01, 2013, 11:08:55 AM
CD32 for me, but it was a tough call between the CD32 and Colecovision.
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: Gorf on June 12, 2017, 20:47:26 PM
Post by: Gorf on June 12, 2017, 20:47:26 PM
I for one was down with the Astrocade as the best Computer based console... since it was the heart of a computer injust about every way.
Title: Re: What's the best computer based console?
Post by: ArcadeAction on June 13, 2017, 01:34:00 AM
Post by: ArcadeAction on June 13, 2017, 01:34:00 AM
The Sega Dreamcast has some similarities to consoles listed, but in a different way and in a different time period. It used Microsoft Windows CE and had keyboard, mouse and web browser.
Mostly though I'm thinking about the game portability perspective...
From Wiki:
Microsoft developed a custom Dreamcast version of Windows CE with DirectX API and dynamic-link libraries, making it easy to port PC games to the platform,[36] although programmers would ultimately favor Sega's development tools over those from Microsoft.[32]
Mostly though I'm thinking about the game portability perspective...
From Wiki:
Microsoft developed a custom Dreamcast version of Windows CE with DirectX API and dynamic-link libraries, making it easy to port PC games to the platform,[36] although programmers would ultimately favor Sega's development tools over those from Microsoft.[32]