Favorite 8-bit consoles?

[Tanegashima]

I just realized I have quite a few 8 bit consoles! Still no NES though...
I think counting the 8 bit home computers is fair too...

My favs, in order:

1) Atari 7800: Midnight Mutants is an amazing game, it alone pushes this to the top + 2600 backwards compatibility! I don't understand, however, why the sound quality is such a step DOWN from the Atari 5200 though...damn...

2) Sega Master System: Really unique games, Alien Syndrome being my favorite along with Teddy Boy. Controllers are for shit reliability wise, I also love to be able to play 8-bit Sonic!

3) Vectrex: What a weird little system, I love it. The overlays are pretty awesome and the few games I have for it are all very unique except Minestorm which is just asteroids...but it's an awesome system Scramble and Bedlam are really awesome games...

[Mr. Ksoft]

I like the NES and the Master System. Though mostly the NES, because I actually own one and because games for it can be found locally. There are classics on both, though.

[TmEE]

I grew up with FC, and moved to SMS immediately when playing Sonic1 on it.

[Joe Redifer]

My favs are the SMS and then the NES of course. Other systems don't come anywhere close. If we are to get technical, then the TurboGrafx-16 would also be somewhere in that short list of favs.

[Nunzio]

I got a SMS with Outrun and 2 controllers for $5 today. So far based on price it is the cheapest 8 bit console I have. Now I just need to track down some hookups!

[havok666]

I got a SMS with Outrun and 2 controllers for $5 today. So far based on price it is the cheapest 8 bit console I have. Now I just need to track down some hookups!

The Genesis model 1 AC adapter and the model 1 AV cables will work with the Master System. (I'm guessing the RF switch too, haven't tried though)

The NES was is my favourite 8-bit system, only due to the fact that I grew up with it. No one I knew had a master system.

[dragonboy]

My favs are the SMS and then the NES of course. Other systems don't come anywhere close. If we are to get technical, then the TurboGrafx-16 would also be somewhere in that short list of favs.

bit count has got to be the worst benchmark ever invented. People think MIPS are meaningless; wait till those guys say hello to bit count.

a system could have 50 16-bit cpus running all at 500Ghz and run in 1080i and still be 16-bit. A system can have one 16-bit cpu running at 2khz with a resolution of 32x40 with 3 onscreen colors and still be 16-bit.


If 16-bit systems processed 16 bits at one time, and had a specific unit of time being "one time" and had graphics and sound chips that each processed 16-bits in the same time unit, and if there was a distinct perfect definition of what one processed bit is, then bit-rating would make a lot of sense.

[Tanegashima]

Well, that explains why the Atari 2600 and NES are both 8-bit then...


BUUUUT I mean its merely a term, I mean how would you get away with selling a console without such insane generalizations? I mean there is a limit (i.e. Jaguar) but what is your slogan going to be?

"Our most powerful system yet, it's sort of technically 16-bit!!!"

[j_factor]

NES and SMS are about even to me. Commodore 64 and Atari XE would both probably rank above them in terms of sheer game selection, but they're kind of a pain in the ass in comparison, and I've never really gotten into them due to their lack of accessibility. I guess Colecovision comes next, despite its crappy controls, because of its awesome library. Atari 5200 fails because its controls are too shitty for me to enjoy the system at all. Atari 7800 fails because it sucks, as does Odyssey2. Apple II also sucks. Atari 2600 goes just below Coleco, and Intellivision (sorry, I just can't consider it a 16-bit system) just below Atari. I don't consider the Turbo to be an 8-bit system really, but if I did, it would be #1.

I have never played the following systems for more than a brief period of time (or in some cases, never at all): Vectrex, Amstrad CPC, Spectrum, Timex Sinclair, BBC Micro, 8-bit DOS, Commodore PET or Vic-20, Apple III, TRS-80, Fairchild Channel-F, RDI Halcyon, Sega SG-1000 or Mark II or Card Catcher, Famicom Disk System, or anything else not named.

[Now there are no limits]

Master System. better everything. end.

[Benjamin]

NES, because I don't need the extensively watered down arcade and Genesis ports Sega released on the SMS. Dragon's Trap, Golvellius, Psycho Fox, Fantasy Zone, and some other titles are great, but they just can't compete with the NES library for me.

[Wesker]

Gotta be Master System, but I also like the NES pretty much and its great third-party library. Possibly my favorite Nintendo console ever.

[playgen]

Master System, no competition. Miracle World, Sonic, Shinobi, Fantasy Zone, Rescue Mission... so many awesome games.

I do like the Atari 800 too, some great games like Star Raiders and Caverns of Mars.

[Zebbe]

There are quite many to choose from, everything from Magnavox Odyssey to the Turbografx. I think I will go with the Entertainment System and the Master System.

[gamevet]

The Commodore F'en 64!

I would have never bought a NES, if not for Punchout, Super Mario Bros. and Metroid.

I had/have just about every arcade game from the 80's on the C64, a good portion of the games released on the NES and so many unique titles that were unlike anything found on the home consoles.

[Nunzio]

The Genesis model 1 AC adapter and the model 1 AV cables will work with the Master System. (I'm guessing the RF switch too, haven't tried though)

The NES was is my favourite 8-bit system, only due to the fact that I grew up with it. No one I knew had a master system.

Thanks! I got it up and running with a NES RF adapter too.

After playing Outrun and Kenseiden I see what the deal is with the SMS. The NES just doesn't seem to have as much arcade-ness except in some of the big titles.

[Night Driver]

Atari 2600
Apple II

[Dirt Ball Gamer]

Comodore 64 and tg16 for me

[Now there are no limits]

I'm really suprised theres so many people choosing the NES, must be a nostalgia thing. I'm 100% cetain if you got sombody who had never heard of either - put them in a room with both and the 10 best games for each system there would be no question the SMS would come out tops.

[Benjamin]

I'm really suprised theres so many people choosing the NES, must be a nostalgia thing. I'm 100% cetain if you got sombody who had never heard of either - put them in a room with both and the 10 best games for each system there would be no question the SMS would come out tops.

I seriously doubt that. Choosing the NES over SMS isn't about "nostalgia" but the better quantity and quality of software for the system. Granted, that's largely due to Nintendo's illegal business practices, but it still leaves the system with its legacy.

You also can't arbitrarily deny a system the strength of its vast library "just cause." :p The only "match-up" I can see the SMS beating the NES would be Phantasy Star over Final Fantasy and perhaps a 3-D glasses lightgun game over a similar NES offering.

[Tanegashima]

IMHO I don't think there is a huge difference between the two at all...I just like the Sega franchises far more than the nintendo ones therefor SMS wins. I just enjoy the games more...I think the NES is better...but SMS has games I like more.

[tomaitheous]

You can argue Nintendo and Sega 1st party "feel", but what about 3rd party. Unless you dislike everything not Sega, that's hard to ignore. NES has strong 3rd part support and out weighed NES 1st party category. NES wins hand down just for its 3rd party games alone. It would have been cool if SMS had those same titles (being that it has better graphics), but we got what we got.

Also, I divide the 8bit era into two parts - NES/SMS and pre NES/SMS. I put the 7800 into the pre SMS/NES era.

PSI > FF1? Maybe PS1>Dragon Warrior 1. FF1 was incredible when it came out.

[Black_Tiger]

I like the SMS more than the NES, even if only counting the games that were released over here.

[Benjamin]

PSI > FF1? Maybe PS1>Dragon Warrior 1. FF1 was incredible when it came out.

Final Fantasy is just Dragon Warrior with a party and much larger world. The overall plot and character development didn't fare much better. I'd easily give Phantasy Star the nod due to having an actual cast worth caring about, good story, and better graphics and music. Of course, seemingly every NES owner played Final Fantasy since Nintendo Power hyped the game to kingdom come. Must have baffled NOJ how NOA could give away Dragon Warrior then constantly push FF, and still the general public wouldn't bite onto Japan's RPG craze. :p

[Ace]

NES all the way for me. It's 8-bit shoot-em-up heaven for me with After Burner, Gradius, Image fight, you name it. The Master System isn't so far behind, if only for the lack of games I like(I only own 3 Master System games, mind you) and its horrid PSG sound.

[havok666]

I'm really suprised theres so many people choosing the NES, must be a nostalgia thing. I'm 100% cetain if you got sombody who had never heard of either - put them in a room with both and the 10 best games for each system there would be no question the SMS would come out tops.

I'm sorry I have to disagree. The fact that the NES has the Contra, Castlevania, Mega Man and Ninja Gaiden series just demolishes anything the Master System has.. These games are LEGENDARY and definitely a big part of gaming history. Also these franchises continue to sell millions 20 years after they were released.

[j_factor]

I always thought the situation was that NES had more games, but SMS had better games. The SMS Ninja Gaiden plays better than any of the NES ones... but then again, the NES has three of them and the SMS only has one. Master of Darkness is a better game than any of the first three Castlevanias IMO.

[tomaitheous]

The SMS Ninja Gaiden isn't as cool as the NES versions. The production value seems kinda bland overall, but the graphics are nice. Had the Tecmo team that did the NES series handle the SMS one, then that would have been awesome.


Final Fantasy is just Dragon Warrior with a party and much larger world.

Did you write that with a straight face? There's a pretty big difference between Dragon Warrior 1 and Final Fantasy 1. Huge - back then, maybe not so huge nowadays. If you'd beaten both in the era, you'd could right away right away though. FF1 was impressive and pure awesome. Had beat it 4 or 5 times back then. Used to have cassette tapes of the music, too.

[Joe Redifer]

Phantasy Star urinates all over any RPG the NES can offer up.

[j_factor]

The SMS Ninja Gaiden isn't as cool as the NES versions. The production value seems kinda bland overall, but the graphics are nice.

I prefer the SMS Ninja Gaiden because it has collision detection that actually makes sense. It's also a faster-moving and smoother game.

[Benjamin]

Did you write that with a straight face? There's a pretty big difference between Dragon Warrior 1 and Final Fantasy 1. Huge - back then, maybe not so huge nowadays. If you'd beaten both in the era, you'd could right away right away though. FF1 was impressive and pure awesome. Had beat it 4 or 5 times back then. Used to have cassette tapes of the music, too.

My face can't possibly get any straighter. :p Seriously, I've beaten Dragon Warrior twice and Final Fantasy once along with owning the strategy guides for both, so I know the games quite well. Final Fantasy's game mechanics aren't much improved beyond Dragon Warrior, and the gameplay and story line isn't anymore complex. The scope and size of Final Fantasy is without a doubt huge compared to DW and the party element does well in offering a bit more variety, but there's not much significant improvement beyond that -- it's a better game by offering more of the same without really improving much on it. I didn't think so much of it back then as each separate FF quest seemed like its own little game of DW until the next one showed up. Guess that's been the basic RPG template every since. :/ To be fare, most genres can be summed up similarly, each next release being a minor refinement of the prior game.

[Now there are no limits]

I'm sorry I have to disagree. The fact that the NES has the Contra, Castlevania, Mega Man and Ninja Gaiden series just demolishes anything the Master System has.. These games are LEGENDARY and definitely a big part of gaming history. Also these franchises continue to sell millions 20 years after they were released.

ET on the Atari is a big part of gaming history.

[tomaitheous]

My face can't possibly get any straighter. :p

... :o


Phantasy Star urinates all over any RPG the NES can offer up.

You make baby jesus and baby nes cry :(

[Black_Tiger]

Final Fantasy is in a completely different league than Dragon Warrior. I'd rate it inbetween DWII and DWIII. DWI could be ported pretty well to Intellivision and AD&D Treasure of Tarmin rivals the NES version. I don't think that story is one of the most important aspects of RPGs, it only compliments a good game.

Although FF is tied'ish as my favorite Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star is in a completely different league than it and every other NES/FC RPG. I also prefer its PSG music over anything on NES. The only game that comes close to PSI is FFIII, but it's also close to FFIV.

Ultima IV SMS is also better than most NES RPGs and has a PSG soundtrack rivaling the ones. Both SMS RPGs have aesthetics much closer to 16-bit consoles than the 8-bit generation.

[jesus.arnold]

8-bit wise, The NES, C64 and Spectrum are massively far ahead of every other 8-bit out there, due to their impressively huge game libraries.

after that would come the Master System and Amstrad which are excellent machines with very solid amounts of good games

lastly is everything else, I'm not including the PC Engine because though technically it is an 8-bit console it isn't really comparable power wise to the others.

[j_factor]

Spectrum

Spectrum is proof that the Brits are all crazy.

[ninjabearhug]

SMS is my favourite 8 bit by far. For every good game on the NES, there's a better equivalent on the SMS, with only one exception Maniac Mansion. I don't have anything against the NES, i've spent hours upon hours playing mine, and it's nothing to do with sentimental value as i didn't have either system growing up, just prefer the SMS.

Big fan of the 7800 too as it was the first console i ever used a light gun on (Barnyard Blasters, Alien Brigade), and that left a lasting impression for some reason.

I really enjoy the C64 and Spectrum too, but have recently sold all of my old computers and games. I just don't have the time to sit and wait for games to load/crash/reload anymore.

Special Mention to the GX4000. Yeah i know it's pretty shit, but i had one when i was a kid so it has sentimental value :p.

[djtwok]

Gamegear (because of stereo sound and more colours against sms) for the great shinobi parts, sonic 1&2, SoR, wonderboy 3,...
Beside that i also still play gameboy classics (tmnt 1&2, supermario land 1, tetris, robocop).

[jesus.arnold]

Spectrum is proof that the Brits are all crazy.
The thing is that in the UK we have nostalgia for the Spectrum because it was around when we were kids, this makes us un-biased when it comes to retro consoles, because we look past all their faults equally,

there was this guy on a website from the US who was just rating every Spectrum game badly due to the colour, and I said do you rate all Atari 2600/VCS games badly because they're blocky? is the original Gameboy worthless because it has no colour? the guy hadn't realised that he was looking past all the faults of the other consoles because he was used to them, and because he'd only just seen a Spectrum it's faults had hit him straight away.

For anyone who has never played a Spectrum, the console that it is most like over any other is the original Gameboy, it was basically a computer version of a Gameboy that you'd hook up to a TV 7 years before the gameboy turned up, very nicely detailed graphics, terrible colour (when the game wasn't just put in monochrome) and masses and masses of quality software.

The two biggest differences between the two is the Spectrum had long load times as opposed to instant cartridges, though where the GB software was being sold for £30 brand new Spectrum software was sold for £3-£10 brand new, you would find the gameboy version of Robocop for £30 whilst the Speccy one was £3 and they were pretty close to being the exact same game (GB version seems to have been ported from spectrum)

[TheEdge]

I never had an 8-bit, I didnt even know they existed until I got heavy into retro gaming. I went from NES directly to Genesis and the directly to Dreamcast.

[dragonboy]

I never had an 8-bit, I didnt even know they existed until I got heavy into retro gaming. I went from NES directly to Genesis and the directly to Dreamcast.


NES is 8-bit

[Gentlegamer]

Are we talking actual "8-bit" systems, or just consoles from what is called the "8-bit" era of gaming?

If it is the former, mine are Atari Video Computer System, Nintendo Entertainment System, and Turbografx-16.

If it is the later, my favorite is Nintendo Entertainment System.

[acdc]

master system

[TheEdge]

NES is 8-bit

Really? I thought NES were 4-bit or something :daze::confused: