The 1980s was a groundbreaking decade in the world of gaming. This era saw the introduction of several gaming consoles that changed the landscape of the industry forever. With numerous options to choose from, it can be difficult to determine the best gaming console of the 80s. In this article, we will be exploring the top contenders and why they are considered some of the greatest gaming consoles of all time.

1) Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

The Nintendo Entertainment System, commonly known as the NES, was first released in Japan in 1983 and later in North America in 1985. The NES became one of the best-selling gaming consoles of all time and is often considered the gold standard of gaming in the 80s. It revolutionized the industry by introducing a new level of gameplay, graphics, and sound that had never been seen before. The NES was home to some of the most iconic games of the era, including Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid.

2) Commodore 64

The Commodore 64, also known as the C64, was a home computer released in 1982. Despite being primarily a computer, the C64 was widely used as a gaming platform and was home to some of the most popular games of the 80s. The C64 was known for its impressive graphics and sound capabilities, which made it a popular choice among gamers. Games such as Summer Games, California Games, and Impossible Mission became classics and are still remembered by gamers today.

3) Atari 7800

The Atari 7800 was released in 1986 and was a significant improvement over its predecessor, the Atari 2600. The 7800 was the first gaming console to feature a keyboard and joystick, allowing for a wider range of games to be played. The console was home to popular games such as Pole Position II, Asteroids, and Centipede. The 7800 was also one of the first gaming consoles to feature backward compatibility, allowing players to play their favorite games from the 2600.

4) Sega Master System

The Sega Master System was released in 1986 and was Sega’s answer to the NES. The Master System was known for its superior graphics and sound capabilities, as well as its wider range of games. Some of the most popular games on the Master System included Phantasy Star, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, and Sonic the Hedgehog. The Master System was also the first gaming console to feature a built-in FM sound generator, allowing for more immersive audio experiences.

The 1980s was a transformative decade for the gaming industry, with numerous consoles released during this time that changed the landscape of gaming forever. While many of these consoles were considered groundbreaking and innovative, some failed to live up to the expectations of gamers. In this article, we will be exploring the worst gaming console of the 80s and why it failed to meet the standards of its time.

5) Atari 5200

The Atari 5200, released in 1982, was the successor to the popular Atari 2600. However, despite its promising potential, the 5200 was considered a disappointment by many gamers. The console was known for its confusing controllers, which were often criticized for their lack of precision and awkward design. Additionally, the 5200 was also plagued by hardware issues, with many units suffering from hardware failures and malfunctions. These problems, combined with a limited game library, led to the 5200 being considered one of the worst gaming consoles of the 80s.

6) ColecoVision

The ColecoVision, released in 1982, was a home video game console that was designed to compete with the Atari 2600 and Intellivision. Despite its impressive hardware and graphics capabilities, the ColecoVision failed to live up to its potential. The console was known for its confusing controllers, which were often criticized for their lack of precision and awkward design. Additionally, the ColecoVision was also plagued by software compatibility issues, with many games not working properly on the console. These problems, combined with a limited game library, led to the ColecoVision being considered one of the worst gaming consoles of the 80s.

7) Magnavox Odyssey2

The Magnavox Odyssey2, released in 1978, was a home video game console that was marketed as an educational tool. Despite its marketing efforts, the Odyssey2 was considered a failure by many gamers. The console was known for its limited graphics and sound capabilities, which were significantly behind the standards of the time. Additionally, the Odyssey2 was also criticized for its limited game library, with many games being considered lackluster and uninteresting. These problems, combined with its confusing controllers, led to the Odyssey2 being considered one of the worst gaming consoles of the 80s.

In conclusion, the 80s was a golden era for gaming, with several gaming consoles that changed the industry forever. The NES, Commodore 64, Atari 7800, and Sega Master System are all considered some of the best gaming consoles of the 80s and are remembered fondly by gamers today. While each of these consoles had their strengths and weaknesses, they all played a significant role in shaping the gaming industry and making gaming the popular pastime that it is today.