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00:00Welcome to Mojo Plays and today we're taking a look at every one of these perfect magic
00:15boxers that have ever been released and judging them heavily and probably unfairly.
00:19This is every video game console ranked.
00:23Technically we may not have every console on this list but we've focused on the 31 biggest
00:27in the industry.
00:29Let's go.
00:30Before we continue, we publish content all week long so be sure to subscribe and ring
00:34the bell to get notified of our latest videos.
00:37Magnavox Odyssey
00:47The Magnavox Odyssey was the first ever video game console preceding even Atari Pong which
00:53many have forgotten.
00:54A blend of analogue and digital circuitry, it marked the true beginning of home gaming.
00:58Despite lacking colour output or sound, the Odyssey still sold over 300,000 units.
01:04It featured a cartridge system, simple box shaped controllers and it also introduced
01:08the first home light gun preceding the NES.
01:11Its game library consisted of basic, single function titles like Baseball, Basketball
01:15and Ski.
01:16Take a guess what you do in those games.
01:18Due to the system's simplicity, no third party games were ever developed for it.
01:22I guess that's why God of War had to wait a few years.
01:33Atari Jaguar
01:40The lesser known by today's standards Atari Jaguar released around the same time as the
01:44SNES.
01:45While the SNES boasted cutting edge 16-bit technology, the Jaguar touted unprecedented
01:5164-bit processing power, making it the first of its kind in the home market.
01:55Marketing hype aside, the Jaguar was indeed powerful for its generation, offering superior
02:002D and 3D capabilities compared to its rivals, yet somehow it didn't stand the test of time
02:05as Sony and Sega were on the horizon with the Playstation and the Saturn.
02:09I'd hate to be in the console war and see the Playstation coming over the horizon,
02:13just put the sword down and run.
02:21Atari 5200
02:29The Atari 5200 was originally designed and marketed as Atari's response to the Intellivision,
02:34but after its 1982 release, it found itself in direct competition with the ColecoVision,
02:39which launched the same year.
02:41While its processor outshone the Intellivision, the ColecoVision's impressive 3.58MHz processor
02:47ultimately took the trophy from Atari while it was still warm from the Intellivision's
02:50hands.
02:51That became a common theme in the 80s and 90s, while someone had the title of top of
02:54the industry, 5 other companies were working on improving upon that leader and they all
02:58released at the same time, it was an all out brawl.
03:043DO
03:12The 3DO may not have been a financial success, but it still made a lasting impact on the
03:15gaming industry.
03:17Released by Panasonic in 1993, the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer was a 32-bit disc-based console
03:23with the hardware power to compete with the Playstation and the Sega Saturn, however,
03:27it was $700 fucking dollars.
03:293DO.
03:30Chill.
03:31Despite its high cost, the 3DO featured an impressive range of peripherals and could
03:35support up to 8 controllers, as well as expansions like memory cards, modems and video cartridges.
03:40While it lacked a strong lineup of exclusives, it offered some of the best versions of major
03:44franchise ports, including Super Street Fighter II Turbo.
03:48It also introduced key innovations such as daisy-chainable controllers and built-in surround
03:52sound support helping to push gaming technology forward.
04:01Magnavox Odyssey 2
04:13We spoke about the Magnavox Odyssey 1 earlier as it began the industry selling 300,000 units.
04:17If you want to understand its impact on the industry, the Magnavox Odyssey 2 sold 2 million
04:22units.
04:23Boom.
04:24Improvement.
04:25The Odyssey 2 adopted many of the industry standards of the time, including interchangeable
04:29cartridges and one-button joystick.
04:31While its resolution was lower than the Atari 2600, it offered notable advantages, such
04:35as built-in full keyboard for programming and educational software, as well as an optional
04:40speech synthesizer.
04:41The system had a larger game library than its predecessor with over 50 titles, including
04:46K.C.
04:47Munchkin, a popular Pac-Man clone.
04:49Despite those innovations, the Odyssey 2 never achieved the same level of success as the
04:53Atari 2600.
04:55Neo Geo
05:01Unlike other home consoles of the time, the Neo Geo home console, the AES, was identical
05:06to its arcade counterpart, the MVS, making it vastly superior to the Super NES and Sega
05:11Genesis in both graphics and sound.
05:13However, this power came at a steep price, $800, with individual games costing upwards
05:19of $200 each.
05:20I mean, that's more expensive than today.
05:22The justification?
05:23Storage size.
05:25While Super NES and Genesis cartridges typically maxed out at 16 megabits, Neo Geo games could
05:30reach a staggering 330 megabits.
05:33Due to its high cost, few retailers were willing to stock the Neo Geo AES, and it faded from
05:38the market within two years.
05:45Atari 7800
05:46The Atari 7800, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, am I the only person who thinks Atari has the
06:02worst branding manager of all time?
06:04That bastard should have been fired.
06:06Originally intended as the successor to the Atari 5200, in 1984, the 7800 was shelved
06:12when Atari's new owners shifted focus to the computer market.
06:15It wasn't until 1986, following the rise of Nintendo and Sega in the US with the NES
06:20and Master System, that Atari finally brought the 7800 to market.
06:24However, by then, much of its technology was already outdated.
06:28Again, terrible business decision.
06:30Atari marketed the 7800 as a budget-friendly system, with many games selling for under
06:35$20.
06:36Visually, it was capable, but its sound capabilities were underwhelming.
06:40Compounding its struggles, Nintendo's strict third-party exclusivity agreements made it
06:44difficult for Atari to secure developers.
06:47Decent console, bad business.
06:53TurboGrafx-16
07:03In 1987, NEC found massive success in Japan with the PC Engine, a console that frequently
07:09outsold the Famicom, Japan's NES.
07:12Hoping to replicate the success in North America, NEC rebranded the system as the TurboGrafx-16
07:19and positioned it as a competitor to Nintendo and Sega.
07:21However, the console struggled to gain traction in the US market.
07:25Maybe because they changed the simple name of the NEC to TurboGrafx-16, I truly believe
07:33if I had a time machine, I could be the Don Draper of video game marketing in the 80s.
07:38Its pack-in game, Keith Courage in Alpha Zones, was a largely unknown title, whereas
07:43Genesis owners got Altered Beast, a well-known arcade hit that closely resembled its coin-op
07:48counterpart.
07:49The console's hardware also worked against it.
07:51While marketed as a 16-bit system, it was underpowered compared to the Genesis.
07:56It even lacked a second controller port.
07:58Players had to buy a separate peripheral just to enjoy two-player games.
08:02Unsurprisingly, the TurboGrafx-16 fell to 4th place behind the NES, Super NES, and Genesis,
08:09and it never recovered.
08:23Finally, a console some of you might have heard of, making me feel really old.
08:28The Wii U was ahead of its time.
08:30In recent years, handheld cloud devices have emerged, allowing players to stream games
08:34from their consoles or PCs without monopolizing the TV, but Nintendo pioneered this concept
08:40first and arguably did it the best.
08:42While not without flaws, the Wii U gamepad wasn't nearly as bad as its critics claimed
08:47in 2012.
08:48Nintendo clearly refined the idea with their next console, but the core concept was still
08:53innovative.
08:54Unfortunately, the Wii U suffered from a short lifespan and weak third-party support, resulting
08:58in a limited game library.
09:00I'm sick of pretending, I'm gonna say it dammit, I love my Wii U.
09:17Designed more like a streamlined PC than a traditional console, the Xbox One featured
09:21multi-core AMD processors, HDR, and 4K video support, cloud storage, game streaming, and
09:26a wide range of multimedia capabilities, but none of you care about that.
09:30What exclusives does it have?
09:33In addition to stunning versions of multi-platform hits like The Witcher 3, Assassin's Creed
09:37Origins, and Fallout 4, the console also delivered standout exclusives such as Forza Horizon
09:424, Sea of Thieves, and Halo 5.
09:45Unfortunately, PS4 had God of War, Spider-Man, The Last of Us, Horizon Zero Dawn, Bloodborne,
09:50Uncharted, Persona, Ghost of Tsushima, Ratchet and Cl- oh shut up now.
09:53In many ways, it remained a state-of-the-art system throughout its lifespan, and as the
09:58system began to show its age, the Xbox One S and Xbox One X refreshes arrived, enhancing
10:03its power and performance.
10:18Intellivision, a blend of the words intelligent and television, entered the market as a major
10:22competitor to the Atari 2600.
10:25Technologically, Intellivision was a step ahead of the Atari 2600.
10:28They also secured high-profile licenses to enhance their game library, including official
10:32sports games for MLB, NFL, NHL, and NBA, as well as a series of Tron-based games to coincide
10:38with the release of the film.
10:40Brilliant.
10:41While the Intellivision never dethroned the Atari 2600 as the dominant system of the era,
10:45it introduced several noteworthy innovations.
10:48Along with its superior graphics, the system offered a speech add-on for games, and even
10:52pioneered the concept of downloadable games with the Play Cable, a test-marketed service
10:57that distributed Intellivision titles via cable television.
11:01I don't need to tell you how innovative this feature was.
11:09Xbox Series X and S.
11:18I promise, there's no ill intent in the placement of this list because the Xbox Series X and
11:29S are wonderful consoles, but there are a lot of consoles out there and they had to
11:34fit in somewhere.
11:35Ultimately, the hardware is strong and the controller is great, but there still aren't
11:39enough stand-out exclusives to justify investing in this console over the PS5.
11:44I'm sorry.
11:45I wanted to do whatever I could to not bring up the rivalry, but as we've seen, rivalries
11:49have been fundamental to the console wars since 1972.
12:00Sega Master System.
12:08The Sega Master System was the console that almost made it.
12:11Despite being technically superior to the dominant NES, it lacked one crucial element,
12:17Mario.
12:18Without this iconic character and with Sonic still 5 years away from debuting, the Master
12:22System lacked far behind the NES during the 8-bit era.
12:25Sega did, however, release plenty of solid original titles, including Alex Kidd in Miracle
12:30World and the iconic Phantasy Star.
12:32But due to Nintendo's exclusive deals, the Master System saw limited third-party support,
12:37and software releases were frustratingly slow, with months often passing between major
12:42games.
12:43Can you imagine that today?
12:44Despite its small audience, the Master System has remained beloved by a loyal fanbase.
12:48Thankfully, the setbacks faced by the Master System didn't stop Sega from moving forward,
12:53leading to the Genesis.
13:01Sega Saturn.
13:08Jumping past the Genesis, we're looking at the Sega Saturn.
13:14The system made a splash at the 1995 Electronic Entertainment Expo with a surprise launch,
13:20hitting the market 4 months earlier than the initial plan.
13:23Sega aimed to beat Sony to the punch before the PlayStation was released that holiday
13:27season.
13:28Although the Saturn ultimately lost the popularity battle to both Sony and Nintendo, it hosted
13:32a collection of classic titles that highlighted Sega's innovative software during its early
13:37years.
13:38More than anything, the Saturn became a gem for importers and hardcore gamers.
13:42Its architecture, which made it less suited for 3D games like Tomb Raider, was no match
13:46for the PlayStation.
13:47But Saturn owners knew it was the best system to play the finest versions of many 2D fighters.
13:52So while you don't get Final Fantasy, Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid, you get 2D fighters.
13:59What a trade.
14:08PlayStation 3.
14:14The PlayStation 3 alongside the Xbox 360 revolutionized online gaming by setting new standards for
14:20accessibility and functionality.
14:22Gone were the days when everything you played had to be on a disc, and for better or worse,
14:26this generation was one of the biggest for innovation.
14:28With services like the PlayStation Network, players could now purchase and enjoy complete
14:32games without ever leaving their couch.
14:34Plus the rise of downloadable content allowed games to expand in exciting new ways.
14:39The PS3's game library was impressive, and similar to how the PlayStation 2 popularized
14:43DVDs, the PlayStation 3 brought Blu-ray players into millions of homes, helping it secure
14:49Blu-ray's victory over the HD DVD in the high-definition format war.
14:53The console took a certain beating publicly in the console wars, but has retroactively
14:57become more appreciated.
15:05Nintendo Gamecube.
15:18Nintendo's small, purple, cube-shaped Gamecube often faces criticism for its toy-like appearance
15:24and lack of certain technical features found in competing systems, such as digital output.
15:29However, despite its cute exterior, the Gamecube was a powerful console that delivered an impressive
15:34array of unforgettable games.
15:36It marked a significant shift for Nintendo.
15:38While Sony marketed the sleek PlayStation 2 as a high-tech home media device, Nintendo
15:43marketed the Gamecube as a simple, family-friendly gaming console, a shift that stuck throughout
15:49the rest of Nintendo's history.
15:51In total, the Gamecube sold around 22 million units worldwide, about 118 million fewer than
15:56the PlayStation 2.
15:58Despite its sales numbers, the Gamecube boasted a lineup of remarkable games, such as Resident
16:03Evil 4, F-Zero GX, Super Smash Bros.
16:06Melee, Eternal Darkness, Sanity's Requiem, and Pikmin 1 and 2.
16:11PlayStation 5.
16:19It's hard to judge both the Xbox Series X and S and PS5 against these other consoles,
16:25as their historical impact hasn't been recognized yet, but I feel comfortable placing this mammoth
16:30smack bang in the middle, because I use it basically every single day.
16:33The PS5 boasts the best controller of any current-gen console, and has a sleek design,
16:39though it requires a bit of space to truly appreciate its size.
16:42Its launch was hindered by production delays, resulting in limited availability for several
16:47years.
16:48It was one of the shakiest releases of a console to date, but it stood up strong despite this.
16:53Or laid down on its side despite this, whatever.
17:01ColecoVision.
17:09As Atari 2600 and Mattel Intellivision began to age, toy manufacturer Coleco, known for
17:15its plug-and-play Pong clones and licensed handheld games, entered the market in 1982
17:20with its own console, the ColecoVision.
17:23The system became famous for its exceptional ability to replicate popular arcade games
17:27at home.
17:28Coleco secured the rights to produce home versions of successful arcade hits, and the
17:31ColecoVision's powerful hardware allowed for remarkably accurate adaptations, far superior
17:37to what Atari 2600 or Intellivision could offer.
17:40The video game crash of 1983 severely impacted ColecoVision.
17:44Turns out when you're beating Atari at basketball, they just release ET and take their ball home.
17:49PlayStation 4.
17:58Just a perfect day, drink sangria in the park.
18:05Built on similar technology as the Xbox One, and released almost concurrently, the PS4
18:10saw Sony focus primarily on games rather than multimedia features, quickly gaining the upper
18:15hand in the PR battle with Microsoft.
18:18With its excellent controller, significantly enhanced online infrastructure, and seamless
18:22sharing and streaming features, it proved to be an innovative system.
18:26However, its true strength lies in its impressive lineup of first and second party games.
18:30Titles like Uncharted 4, Horizon Zero Dawn, Marvel's Spider-Man, God of War, Bloodborne,
18:35and Death Stranding all pushed the boundaries of video games, and I know I already said
18:39most of these during Xbox One's entry, but it was so good, I had to do it again.
18:43I loved my PS4, and I bet you guys did too.
18:56Xbox.
19:04The original Xbox marked Microsoft's entry into the console gaming world, and for a first
19:09entry, Jesus was it good.
19:12While its design wasn't the most attractive, and its game library wasn't the largest, it
19:16set the stage for many of today's gaming standards.
19:19The Xbox made two major contributions to gaming, Halo, and Xbox Live.
19:24N64 fans might argue that Goldeneye pioneered first person shooters on consoles, but it
19:29was Halo that truly modernized the genre.
19:31Nearly every FPS since has adopted its control scheme, and a modified version of its health
19:36system.
19:37What Halo really excelled at though, was introducing the first console-based 16-player land battles.
19:43It was the first shooter that made PC gamers envious, signalling the start of a shift in
19:47the genre.
19:48The second key contribution, Xbox Live, laid the foundation for the beloved service we
19:52see on Xbox 360.
19:54I had a PS2, and I was still jealous of my Xbox friends.
20:05Atari 2600 This is the console that laid the foundation
20:18for our entire industry.
20:20While it nearly pushed video games to the brink in its later years, the Atari 2600 was
20:24undeniably phenomenal at the height of its success, serving as the catalyst for a new
20:28era of entertainment.
20:30Atari quickly secured licenses for popular arcade games like Space Invaders, Missile
20:35Command, and Pac-Man, solidifying its dominance in American living rooms.
20:39By 1982, the 2600 had become a $2 billion business for Atari, however the rapid success
20:45was part of the problem, and no game reflects this more than E.T., a licensed title rushed
20:50to market after only 5 years of development.
20:53You guys know what this game did to the industry, so lets skip over that and focus on how good
20:57the Atari 2600 was before this moment.
21:06Nintendo Wii The Nintendo 64 and Gamecube were solid, reliable
21:18consoles with strong game libraries and excellent support, but the growing competition from
21:22Microsoft and Sony made it hard for Nintendo to replicate the victories it had enjoyed
21:26with the NES and Super NES.
21:29Nintendo decided to change course and offer a fresh gaming experience that strayed from
21:33the norm.
21:34Enter Nintendo Wii, a system that focused more on user interaction than on delivering
21:39high definition graphics or surround sound.
21:41The biggest shift wasn't just in the games we played, but in the way we played them.
21:45The goal was to create something intuitive that anyone could pick up and enjoy, and bundling
21:50Wii Sports with the system was a marketing decision that should go down in history with
21:54the greatest business moves of all time.
22:02Sega Genesis slash Mega Drive The Genesis earned its reputation for having
22:13a standout library across nearly every genre with support from Electronic Arts giving it
22:17an edge in the sports category, the bloodier Mortal Kombat and what some consider the greatest
22:22controller ever made, the 6 button model.
22:25I don't, but that's just because I prefer controllers that don't feel like an escape
22:28room.
22:29The success of its software lineup is easy to understand and there are even moments when
22:33the Sega Genesis briefly overtook Nintendo in market share.
22:37This brief period made the Genesis the most popular console in the world, and for good
22:41reason.
22:50Sega Dreamcast
23:07Despite its relatively short lifespan, the Sega Dreamcast was the first console of the
23:116th generation, preceding the Playstation 2, Gamecube and Xbox.
23:16Released in 1998 it hit stores more than 2 years before these mammoths, giving it time
23:20to soak the attention of gamers, and obviously it was the release of the PS2 which contributed
23:25to its untimely demise in 2001.
23:28The Dreamcast sought a broader audience by offering quality software and introducing
23:33several technological innovations.
23:35It became the first console to feature a built in modem for online play, allowing users to
23:40connect globally.
23:48Nintendo 64
24:00We're well and truly into the pointy end and it's getting harder and harder to rank these
24:04consoles because they're all as good as it gets and just when you think you've decided
24:08which is better, a beautiful memory of the other pops into your mind.
24:12It's truly the hardest list I've ever done.
24:14The N64 boasted several major hardware innovations and housed some of the biggest and most beloved
24:19games of its generation and it's made it a contender for best console of all time.
24:24But still, 7th place is pretty good.
24:27The N64 kicked off with a bang, featuring the highly sensitive analog stick and rumble
24:33pack as well as the genre defining platformer Super Mario 64 which remains one of the greatest
24:38and most influential video games ever made.
24:40Despite these triumphs, the N64 never came close to matching the popularity of its rival,
24:46the PlayStation which outsold it more than 3 to 1.
24:49That being said, Ocarina of Time, Goldeneye, Banjo Kazooie, checkmate.
25:01PlayStation
25:10Speak of the devil, not only did the PlayStation help pave the way for Microsoft's entry into
25:14the market in the next generation, but it also played a key role in transitioning the
25:18industry to disc based media and introduced the iconic DualShock controller whose design
25:24remains a standard to this day.
25:26The PlayStation was part of the generation that moved gaming from the 2D era into the
25:303D realm, a shift that continues to shape gaming today.
25:33The PlayStation's library of original titles is essentially a chronicle of gaming history,
25:38introducing landmark franchises like Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Resident Evil and
25:42Tony Hawk which remain some of the most prominent names in the industry.
25:46Without the PlayStation, many of the genres we now take for granted may never have emerged
25:50and just for that, I love you PlayStation.
25:54Also I think you single-handedly ruined my grades in primary school.
26:07Super Nintendo Entertainment System
26:13The true console wars began in 1991 with the release of the Super Nintendo.
26:18With its 16-bit graphics and a superior standalone sound card, Nintendo set itself apart from
26:23the competition with content like Super Mario World, Super Metroid and Legend of Zelda
26:28A Link to the Past.
26:29Also F-Zero, Mario Kart, Final Fantasy 6, Chrono Trigger, Gladius 2, Contra 3, Mega
26:33Man 10, The Simpsons, Secret of- look it's a lot of games.
26:36Few consoles if any can boast such a rich library of AAA titles.
26:41The SNES not only dominated in hardware and software but also set a new bar for what could
26:46be achieved in gaming.
26:47I mean, the SNES controller alone paved the way for the now standard 4-button face seen
26:52on PlayStation and Xbox controllers.
27:05Xbox 360
27:16As the first high-definition game console, the Xbox 360 marked a significant milestone
27:21in gaming hardware history.
27:23It brought the shift to crisp, high-definition graphics featuring advanced shading and physics
27:27effects that were previously only seen in PCs.
27:30Additionally, the Xbox 360 was the first console to introduce an integrated wireless controller
27:35system, eliminating the need for external dongles used in earlier systems.
27:39With its robust online features, the Xbox 360 significantly increased the longevity
27:44of the console, providing endless opportunities for optimization, feature expansions and improvements.
27:50The Xbox 360 may well have been the all-time most important console for the industry, and
27:56I never even owned the damn thing.
28:01Nintendo Switch
28:13The Switch, building on the Wii U's two-screen concept, takes it a step further by making
28:17its built-in HD display fully portable.
28:20This makes the Switch a remarkably versatile home console, effortlessly transitioning from
28:25local multiplayer in the living room to on-the-go play.
28:28It cleverly combines the innovation of the Wii with the portability of the Game Boy.
28:32We can brush over this, but let's talk about how incredible the innovation was combining
28:36Nintendo home consoles with a Game Boy.
28:37Dude, that's just, that shit rocks.
28:40Its standout titles include The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild, Animal Crossing
28:43New Horizons, Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
28:47The Switch is truly beloved by all, no haters, only lovers.
28:59PlayStation 2
29:11The PlayStation 2, with over 130 million units sold by the end of 2008, holds the title of
29:16the best-selling video game console of all time.
29:20This achievement speaks volumes about its impact on the gaming industry and its widespread
29:24appeal.
29:25PlayStation 2's unparalleled dominance, impressive technical capabilities and familiar
29:29development environment empowered studios worldwide to unleash their creativity.
29:34This era birthed iconic mainstream blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto, Metal Gear Solid 2
29:39and 3, Gran Turismo, Burnout and Ratchet & Clank, whilst also showcasing unique gems like Shadow
29:45of the Colossus and Okami.
29:47Additionally, games like Guitar Hero and SingStar turned the PS2 into a go-to platform for post-pub
29:52entertainment for an entire generation.
29:55Does anyone have a fonder memory than on the PS2?
29:58Surely not.
30:12Nintendo Entertainment System
30:13Before 1985, in the US, Nintendo was already a strong presence in arcades with Donkey Kong
30:27and dominating the toy aisles with its game and watch handhelds, however the home console
30:31industry had all but vanished after the market crash and the words video game had a negative
30:36connotation.
30:38Nintendo aimed to change that with the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System, the
30:42NES.
30:44The company had already found massive success with the Famicom in Japan released in 1983
30:48and after two years it was time to bring that success overseas.
30:51The Famicom was reworked with a sleeker, more western friendly design and the NES was born.
30:57The NES wouldn't tolerate unlicensed games, every title had to be approved by Nintendo
31:01and third party developers were limited to producing a set number of games per year,
31:05with exclusivity clauses preventing games from being released on competing systems for
31:09two years.
31:10The NES wasn't going to be responsible for another industry crash and this care and attention
31:15is what made it the greatest console of all time.
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