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Console Topics (49)
Nintendo 64 Console
0

The Nintendo 64 controller's unusual design was partly influenced by the designers' desire to make it feel comfortable in the player's hands, even during extended play sessions. elaborate

Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Console
1

The SNES controller's distinctive gray color was chosen to match the console's design, but also to avoid looking too much like the Sega Genesis's controller. elaborate

PlayStation Vita Console
2

The PlayStation Vita's OLED screen on the original model was considered by many to be superior to the LCD screens found in later models and other handhelds of the time. elaborate

Nintendo 3DS Console
3

The Nintendo 3DS has a "sleep mode" that allows it to continue downloading games and updates even when the system is closed. elaborate

Sony PlayStation Console
4

The original PlayStation's iconic grey color was chosen because it was the cheapest plastic available at the time. elaborate

ColecoVision Console
5

ColecoVision's Donkey Kong arcade port was so faithful to the original that it even included the same glitches. elaborate

Atari 7800 Console
6

The Atari 7800's controller featured a selectable switch for either 7800 or Atari 2600 compatibility. elaborate

Xbox Console
7

The original Xbox's dashboard was heavily inspired by Windows 2000's interface. elaborate

Nintendo DS Console
8

The Nintendo DS was the first handheld console to feature two screens. elaborate

Game Boy Color Console
9

The Game Boy Color's backlit model wasn't released until years after its initial launch. Many early adopters played in the dark or bright light. elaborate

PlayStation 2 Console
10

The PlayStation 2 sold so many units that at its peak, Sony was producing one console every two seconds. elaborate

Sega Dreamcast Console
11

The Dreamcast's online service, SegaNet, used a modem built directly into the console, making it one of the first consoles to offer built-in online play without requiring a separate adapter. elaborate

Game Boy Advance Console
12

The Game Boy Advance's cartridge slot is backwards compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. elaborate

Nintendo GameCube Console
13

The GameCube's controller was designed to be small and comfortable for children, a significant departure from the larger, more adult-oriented controllers of its time. elaborate

PlayStation 3 Console
14

The PlayStation 3's Cell processor, while powerful, was notoriously difficult for developers to program for, leading to longer development times and higher costs. elaborate

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Console
15

The NES's iconic gray cartridges were actually a cost-cutting measure; earlier prototypes used more expensive colored plastic. elaborate

Nintendo Wii Console
16

The Wii's motion controls were originally intended to be used for a horse racing game. elaborate

PlayStation Portable (PSP) Console
17

The PSP's UMD (Universal Media Disc) was designed to be easily scratched, leading to many players experiencing issues with their games. elaborate

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Console
18

The Sega Genesis/Mega Drive's sound chip, the Yamaha YM2612, was capable of producing more simultaneous voices than the Super Nintendo's sound chip. elaborate

Intellivision Console
19

Intellivision's original controller featured a numerical keypad, allowing for direct input of codes and commands, a feature unusual for consoles of its time. elaborate

Game Boy Console
20

The Game Boy's original design included a built-in microphone, but it was removed before release to reduce costs. elaborate

Sega Game Gear Console
21

The Sega Game Gear's screen, while colorful, used significantly more power than other handhelds of its time, leading to notoriously poor battery life. elaborate

Atari 2600 Console
22

The Atari 2600's iconic joystick was originally designed to be used with the unreleased Atari 5200's light pen. elaborate

Xbox 360 Console
23

The Xbox 360's original dashboard music was composed by Martin O'Donnell, the same composer who worked on the Halo series. elaborate

Sega Saturn Console
24

The Sega Saturn's controller had two distinct parts that could be detached and used independently, a design choice that proved confusing to many consumers. elaborate

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