The Greatest Console Ever

[AmigaJay]

Again good enough for what? To be a good console sure. But to be the greatest ever? No chance because of the reasons that keep getting raised - lack of software and poor handling of the console by Atari.

N64 was a 64bit cartridge based console from a successful and respected games company. Same as the Jaguar was, that's why I say they are good to compare.

Pace of change and differences in generation doesn't come into play here - I nearly nominated the 2600 as greatest ever but eventually plumped for the PS2.

I was replying to the ability that the Jag had the potential to be the best console ever, of course in reality it was nowhere near in terms of software.
Regarding the N64 i was just referring to had the Jag taken off and led the market then its chances of beating the N64 were possible.

Again its all what if's.

[WiggyDiggyPoo]

But potential and what ifs have to be irrelevant in choosing the greatest ever. We have to look at the reality of what actually happened.

[Shadowrunner]

There's really no correct answer here, just different opinions. Also it really depends on what you mean by the greatest. If we're talking sales and software available, yeah the Jag doesn't really stand a chance against most consoles. If we're just talking about the greatest in terms of the memories you have playing it, and the fun you have had with it over the years, then the Jag could easily be a persons choice. Never underestimate the power of nostalgia 

[bogstandard]

"Greatest console" is indeed a matter of perspective.  Like I mentioned, my PSP gets the most love because it can play a huge portion of my games from other systems.  It's so great because the other systems are great

[Bobinator]

It really all depends on what you're judging a particular console with. I mean, is the console you like the best because of the hardware, the games library, the controller, or something else? It's a pretty complicated issue, is the thing.

[Cryptic33]

Wow

I can't add much to what has been debated above and accept the points raised.

To reiterate slightly:

It is a question of how we judge
It is perspective
Yes, the Jag failed in sales and support
Potential is a part of the judgement IMO because it is a question of what the system could do at the time of launch.

On this basis, the Jag, albeit for a relatively short time, was the most powerful console in the world for two years and was 3D capable. Only last night on the Gadget Show, they mentioned 3D for the latest machines. Considering it has been over 20 years since the Jaguar VR headset was demonstrated and only now is the industry taking this to the consumer, the Jag was an incredible machine. It was critically revered. So, for that reason and that very small window in time, the Jaguar took the world wide gaming community by the short and curlies and made them take note.

True, history tells us of the demise of Atari and the Jag and little about how it blew away everyone who saw it.

Also true: I am biased but that does not mean I am wrong. I lived the dream and it was very, very exciting back then because the 2600 was the greatest thing since sliced bread in it's time (even though there were better systems around) and the Jag was the butter spread thickly on top of that bread. The Jag is one of the few consoles that did live up to the hype and more.

I concede however, that it is very much how you define the parameters. I love you guys and want to hug you all

[Shadowrunner]

I like to think I'm a pretty big Jaguar fan, but even I can't agree with a lot of what you're saying Cryptic


Oh, but being a huge 3DO fan as well, I have to say I think it was the more powerful console, and it was available at the same time as the Jag 

[Cryptic33]

I like to think I'm a pretty big Jaguar fan, but even I can't agree with a lot of what you're saying Cryptic


Oh, but being a huge 3DO fan as well, I have to say I think it was the more powerful console, and it was available at the same time as the Jag 

[Shadowrunner]

Looks like we have a winner. . . congratulations PS2 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/b?ie=UTF8&node=5176781031

[TrekMD]

Cool!

[WiggyDiggyPoo]

Woop!

Might have to have a play on mine later in honour of it (-;

[AmigaJay]

The N64 beat the Megadrive...now i have really seen everything 

At least the PS2 beat the PS3, some people still have brains!

[JoeMusashi]

The N64 beat the Megadrive...now i have really seen everything

I know, thats pretty crazy. Have you seen the poll results for this too: Nintendo 64 (62%) vs Mega Drive (38%)
I'm quite surprised by the margin there.

Its a public vote though so I guess its the voice of the people........

I thought either the PS2 or XBOX360 would clinch it.

[WiggyDiggyPoo]

360 I couldn't vote for, having had 4 consoles RROD its too unreliable for me!

[Greyfox]

I think the ps2 was the perfect winner, as when the leap from ps1 which at the time thought nothing could be bettered, they showcased the ps2 and that truly was a leap from one gen to the next in terms of visual fidelity and next gen graphics , even the xbox360 or ps3 didn't capture this when they arrived, until the likes of Heavy Rain and Modern Warfare.

So it has stool the test of time and rightly so, with games like God of War 1 & 2, Devil May Cry 1 & 3, the Onimusha Series and the Metal Gear Games, wow, that's some gaming experiences right there. Off the 16-bit machines the Mega Drive and Snes should of out shined the N64, although great in its own right, just didn't compete to the older machines here, like what's been said, about the Jaguar and 3do, great starters, lack of good software, fades into obscurity, just terrible. But that's history for ya. Again the right machine won. Off to boot up Reservoir Dogs for the crack on my ps2 with infinity