What is the best looking retro console or PC?
from Zombiepirate@lemmy.world to retrogaming@lemmy.world on 01 Mar 23:01
https://lemmy.world/post/26220567
from Zombiepirate@lemmy.world to retrogaming@lemmy.world on 01 Mar 23:01
https://lemmy.world/post/26220567
I’d have to go with the wood grain Atari 2600, I’m a sucker for 70’s designed electronics.
threaded - newest
Might be biased, but the Commodore 64 is just iconic and good looking (what is not to love about a breadbox?)
Well, that was my second choice. Classic.
very nice :)
Personally prefer sx-64, but breadbin is a close second.
damn, I’ve never know that there was a luggable variant of the 64 :D
Oh, that is cool.
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/88741765-d166-47a9-a034-6396c3777f31.jpeg">
My uncle had this. So much Frogger!
Although the wood-grain Atari 2600 was also my first thought upon reading the title, I think the Wii’s minimal footprint is impressive considering that—in the case of the original model—it’s also a GameCube.
<img alt="Wii Mini, Wii, and Wii U" src="https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/pictrs/image/dce35cec-6c62-44d0-9579-36b160ead2e9.webp">
In contrast to the Wii’s 2006 release, the Wii Mini is arguably not yet ‘retro’ with its 2012 release, but definitely looks a lot sleeker, albeit not worth the loss of GameCube functionality for its minimal size savings.
Compared to both, the Wii U is super bulky, and lacks much use beyond improved emulation capabilities now that nearly all of its exclusives have been re-released for the Switch.
Even before the Wii Mini, “regular” Wiis were being made without all the GameCube ports and functionality… then the Wii Mini cut costs even further and did not even have Wi-Fi!
I’m a fan of the Dreamcast and GameCube. Or the PS2 mini. I appreciate that early y2k aesthetic.
Oh and the Master System 1 was pretty cool with its 80s cyberpunk shape.
I love my Gamecube
I'd love it more if it was a Panasonic Q
Happy cake day!
Japan had some killer PC designs in the 80’s and 90’s. But I’d say my favorite is a toss up between the X68000 and the Sony MSX 2
For consoles, I still think the Sega Genesis Model 1 is a masterclass in visual design.
That MSX 2 is sick.
The MSX design space was such an exciting place.
For anyone curious about the above, it’s like this:
Imagine Nintendo said “instead of manufacturing the Switch 2, we released the specs and invited everyone else to build their own. You’re welcome to buy the Xbox Switch 2, the Sony PlaySwitch 2, the Philips Switch 2-i, the Sega Switch 2 & Knuckles, or the TRSwitch80 2. They’re all guaranteed to be compatible with our software lineup.” and then like, that actually happened.
Sounds similar to the 3DO’s situation!
Dreamcast and the first Playstation.
For pure old school retro it would be the old Compaq suitcase-sized laptop PC.
~This~ ~comment~ ~is~ ~licensed~ ~under~ ~CC~ ~BY-NC-SA~ ~4.0~
Six switch woody can't be beat
Original C64 is a close second
Six Switch Woody is the name I’ve given my next bdsm orgy party.
it's can't be beat though ...
Oh, Woodys can be beat by switches. It’s kinda painful though.
Classic C64 is a work of art, inside and out.
That breadbin is iconic. I did have a c64c in the very late 80s, and it wasn’t bad looking either.
Then it’s “classic C64 and VIC-20”.
I had this one many moons ago. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleco_Telstar_Arcade#/me…
Wood grain, triangular, and it had a gun.
PlayStation is one of my favourites but it also comes down to that shade of grey being my absolute favourite shade of grey. And the OG pre-dualshock/analog potentially being my favourite shape of controller too. I have a modded Bluetooth one but sadly there’s not too many modern games (outside of fighters) that don’t need both the dpad and analog.
I also love the Gameboy color’s shape. As an adult it’s great for one handed gaming for rpgs.
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/4972e704-7d4f-4ad7-a6ac-73580f7d54ef.jpeg">
I never understood the choice to put a flowchart on the front of this one. 😆
Very sciencey, not a toy. Hilariously, Nintendo fought hard to get their competing “Entertainment System” recognized as a toy and not a computer, for import tax purposes.
This but the mark III with the FM sound adapter
<img alt="" src="https://sh.itjust.works/pictrs/image/a2849d23-4d4a-4ecc-8154-87f87548e67d.jpeg">
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.ml/pictrs/image/4fdefb6e-cbd1-48bb-8fe0-ed1140019337.jpeg">
PS2 slim deserves a mention, I feel.
👵 ➡ 💀
It’s now older than the NES was when it was brought back on the Wii via Virtual Console.
Stop it she already turned to dust!
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/pictrs/image/72508eb8-88b3-4d76-970a-47574273e1f3.webp">
I’m very partial to the IMSAI 8080!
Incredible. This might be my new favorite.
I built a replica one that a dude in Australia designed. Its really fun to mess with. I played Zork on it the day I finished it.
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/pictrs/image/58a9219b-8984-4bad-8f80-12d2d82a03c7.webp">
thehighnibble.com/imsai8080/
That’s awesome. Very 1960s Star Trek, in a good way.
gorgeous, had never heard of this.
You can build a replica from this dude!
thehighnibble.com/imsai8080/
That’s so cool!
This scratches an itch I didn’t know I had.
Does anyone here know the thought behind the wooden front trim fascia look?
I think they were trying to make it look like the stereo equipment of the day.
The 70s were big on wood paneling in general.
Faux-wood was just everywhere at the time indeed. It was a mix of the materials getting affordable and a certain commodification of the hippie aesthetic. Electronics were more perceived as appliances back then, and it was a common trend to make appliances less sterile by adding “natural” materials such as wood.
I’ve got to go with the 2600 as well. Mostly because of the wood grain!
Best ever is the pic OP posted along with the game!
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/5f5300e7-c333-44ce-a102-9fd86b6d2112.jpeg">
Game Boy Advance. Actually all 3 variants (GBA, SP & Micro) are beautiful consoles.
Oh yeah right… the Gameboy advance can legally be considered as a retro console…
Good pick!
<img alt="GBA Glacier" src="https://lemmy.today/pictrs/image/99e1b074-facd-4fb0-9ae4-fd478bb7e8c9.jpeg">
I’m partial to the translucent version of the OG GBA.
Completely forgot I had this until seeing this image. Brain skipped straight to the SP.
I went from Glacier OG to Silver SP. Never got a Micro.
God damn marketing! That picture makes it look like it had OLED before it was invented. Of course, these days you can make it actually look like that but it’s ~$60 and you install it yourself.
It’s a worthwhile mod. I prefer this form factor over the clamshell, but it needs a screen that you can see without 1000W of halogen bulbs around you.
I love how the SP looks. The original feels better in the hand but the clamshell looks so good and it feels great to open and close.
I’m tempted to get a foldable as my next phone because I miss that design.
Something about the Power Macintosh 6100, and the chin that does it for me. Plus the name, POWER Macintosh does it for me.
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/pictrs/image/272bd694-6d4b-4af6-92e5-5da1433c6a92.webp">
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/pictrs/image/4cd54d57-2366-4aae-81a6-5a4f182018ef.webp">
Also that prowler on the screen. I wonder if they had some sort of deal with Chrysler.
That display had some cool features that were underutilized — like an s-video port for video camera capture. Also some of the best sound to come out of an Apple monitor.
But I don’t know that I would call this a”console”.I’d love to get one of these displays for that very reason. But I ain’t shipping something like that, and I’m sure people want too much money for it online anyways.
The post is best console or PC.
While I definitely agree the overall best design goes to the Atari 2600, this comes in close second for me:
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/87a51747-1978-4663-a8ba-fde9b94ffa9e.jpeg">
This bad boy (or girl, rather) is the Casio Loopy. Yes, Casio, the company primarily known for making wristwatches. This console was only released in Japan, and when it launched it had a target demographic of girls and young women. The console came with a built-in sticker printer, and the games were woman-targeted games in genres like romance, fashion, and life simulation (like Animal Crossing). Only 10 games were ever made for the Loopy, by the way. Its biggest failure and reason for not selling well was being a console that had games that looked like the SNES but having to directly compete with the PS1 and N64, as well as the replaceable sticker cartridges being very expensive.
Now, I am a man, and I am clearly not a part of the target demographic of this console. The games are entirely uninteresting to me, except maybe the Animal Crossing-like game “I Want A Room In Loopy Town.” But something about the curved shape of the console and its cool purple hue speak to me. The black cover for the sticker ejection port has me imagining a newer version playing an animated logo on that part if a small screen was behind it. The absurdly massive Eject button just looks like it gives the most satisfying “kerchunk” when you press it to eject a cartridge.
In third place I’d have to give a shout out to the Apple iMac G3, even though I really dislike Apple products and its neither a game console.or made for gaming in general, something about the white and bold color combo just looks really cool. The mouse was really bad though. Got a bit of that Frutiger Aero look.
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/4c5538a2-0e24-41de-9cd7-5df380e2cd3b.jpeg">
iMac G3?
More like… eMachine eOne!
<img alt="" src="https://sh.itjust.works/pictrs/image/410d29a8-c546-474c-8ae4-8d6f0ce82f14.jpeg">
The Atari XL seriea computers cut a nice space between retro and futuristic.
They’re much sleeker looking than their 400/800 predecessors, as well as the Apple II and the breadbin VIC 20/64/C16. Only the 64C and Plus/4 really look similarly minaturized and not-in-need-of-a-big-wristrest-for-comfortable-typing.
The use of metal and smoked plastic trim gives it a premium appearance. The 1200XL even hides the cartridge slot on the side to avoid anyone nistaking it for a mere console…
<img alt="" src="https://sh.itjust.works/pictrs/image/aeff4589-848c-4afb-8311-1268dbdfe8b6.jpeg">
Needs a Sonic 3 cartridge plugged into a Sonic & Knuckles cartridge plugged into the 32X plugged into the Genesis to get the full Sega experience.
And the pièce de résistance, a Game Genie.
Ask and you shall receive fellow lover of lock on technology ™️
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/e117b655-2a58-4f19-9a24-70749a874a37.jpeg">
Unfortunately I don’t have a genesis Game Genie or Action Replay to really spice it up
If I could reach through my phone screen, I’d definitely let you borrow my game genie just to complete that lock on power tower.
I can never decide on if the Tower of Power is amazing or a cancerous growth.
It can be two things
I never liked the side-by-side Mega CD.
The stacked one looked better. Like an old hifi system.
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/8b598e1b-1f23-4e81-8ed1-cfdafedea0ae.webp">
Intelligang represent!
Intellevision may not have the best controller design out there, but the versatility with the different card inserts made playing games easier when I was a kid. Basically a guide in the palm of your hands for each game you owned. Losing them did blow however.
BAM THERE IT IS !!!
We had both this one and the 2nd gen gray one! Plus the voice synthesizer addon. My dad would replace the touch pad inserts so we didn’t have to buy new controllers.
Amazing console way ahead of it’s time.
How many consoles look like toilets? <img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/663ff0a3-0871-49ed-a9ab-16af9499ad60.jpeg">
Also, most useful as a toilet.
<img alt="A photo of Nintendos’s GameCube console" src="https://reddthat.com/pictrs/image/f0fd8814-3d5a-4044-a27e-1e3c958b03c9.jpeg">
Nintendo’s GameCube. It’s cubical. Cubical!
It came with a beat carry handle and drug-hiding compartments!
NGL, that fine-wood version of the Atari looked so slick. Too bad I only got the cheap plastic one.
If we’re talking strictly design, my personal favorite is a generic fat PS2, probably tied with my model 1(?) Sega Genesis (none of the things like 32x or CD, which I desperately want to get some day).
If we’re talking like PC with OS, the 90s Amiga lineup because I think the Amiga Workbench 3 line and the icons they used look absolutely beautiful. Definitely would love to get my hands on a 1200, but they’re expensive. So no getting into that hobby for me just yet.
Funny thing about the PS2 Fat design: it’s an Atari design. It was a project for the Falcon 040 that was never released.
About the A1200, I think there’s a niche for Raspberry Pi cases that look like vintage computers. Imagine having a case that looks like an A1200, another one that looks like a Falcon, the Sony HitBit, …
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.sdf.org/pictrs/image/fa626e20-94e4-4fe9-8aa1-944b6f65a0ad.png">
(I’m sad no one uses faux-marble anymore.)
I got my start with atari 2600 but I think the GameCube was the best looking in both form and function. Best looking computer is an IBM Aptiva S <img alt="IBM Aptiva S " src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/9cd7312a-ebe3-48f4-abb0-a4fc2ab7bcaf.jpeg">
Mega Drive 1 and 2, they both looked awesome
The headphone port on the Model 1 was so ahead of its time. Although I was stuck without an extension chord for my Koss Porta Pros (so couldn’t actually use it), it was my first taste of relatively high quality sound.
Why does there have to be just one? So many consoles are awesomely designed and reflect their eras well. I’m partial to colecovision and the Intellivision II. The redesign of the intellivision had an entire suite of peripherals to match the new design, including a musical keyboard.
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/f2515a38-8b77-4742-8c90-a8acad58d8af.gif">
The Sega Saturn, especially the Japan version: <img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Sega-Saturn-JP-Mk2-Console-Set.png">
Although I never owned this model myself, I recently picked up an 8bitdo replica (M30 bluetooth) of the Japan controller and it looks and feels great, although not strictly a direct copy of the original.
Wow
I ended up getting a Japanese Model 1 years ago, but I always wanted the Model 2.
The Dreamcast is up there too imo!
Remember having one of these at school in the late '70s / early '80s <img alt="G7000" src="https://feddit.uk/pictrs/image/c2ea3840-161d-4185-8e6c-965638429136.webp">
OH MY GOD! I had one of those! I haven’t seen a picture of one since.
The keyboard was so awful. I don’t remember getting it as a birthday or other gift so it must have been a hand me down from a family friend or something.
Membrane keyboards are really the worst. I completely understand wanting to cost-cut to get units into schools and into the hands of kids, but that’s too much. It’s like someone saw a speak-and-spell and said “that’s the ticket.”
the atari 2600 looks like it could take you back to the future with enough jigawatts
PC Engine. Not only does it look like a prop from the set of TNG, but it is delightfully tiny. The cartridges are little cards that you slot in the front. There is literally nothing bad about a PC Engine. (Except for maybe that it’s only got one controller port)
<img alt="NEC-PC-Engine-Console-FL" src="https://lemmy.sdf.org/pictrs/image/03a904e8-7f40-435f-88b4-15cdd2e8410e.png">
+1.
Also it can be turned into a coolest spaceship, with its CDRom attachment, a very first in 1988!
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.ml/pictrs/image/e3abc055-796a-413b-a811-796917a750a7.png">
Also the HuCard format for its games is unbeatable!
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.ml/pictrs/image/65cf66e3-c6dd-4efc-9cec-b5a224546db9.png">
Speaking of spaceships…
<img alt="Pc-Engine-Shuttle" src="https://lemmy.sdf.org/pictrs/image/e2ffa96b-dca2-4c5b-b7d3-d191836bda91.png">
Not the most practical PC engine model, because it lacked the extra oomph of the SuperGrafx and you couldn’t attach a CD-ROM² - but just look at it
The PC Engine/Turbagragix 16 also had a handheld (PC Engine GT/TurboExpress) that was way ahead of its time. It had the same power as the home console, was color, had a backlit display, and even had a TV tuner attachment. And it was released in 1990. The Sega Nomad basically copied these features in 1995, and Nintendo didn’t have a colored, backlit handheld until 1998.
I loved mine.
Hol’up.
Atari’s only had 4, not 6, switches on them?
Nope, there were two different versions! The 6 switch is the original. (And in my opinion the better looking one!) The 4 switch came later, and still has 6 switches, they just moved the difficulty switches to the back. I believe it saved them some money and made production a little easier because everything was on one circuit board with that setup.
There were several models including an all-black one that ditched the woodgrain.
Yeah, I should have specified I was just talking about the switches!
I was never a big fan of the “Vader” style 2600, but it seems a lot of people like the aesthetic. I was always partial to the six switch look, I just wish they would have made a Sears Video Arcade sixer with the Atari branding! I like the silver by the switches better than the black on the official ones.
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.zip/pictrs/image/bc38f505-e3b0-4aff-adf0-6c0f399051ff.webp">
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.zip/pictrs/image/3061bbb0-3fdd-4e5b-8d23-555e530c3a94.webp">
The burl woodgrain is also very fancy!
Yeah, it gives it a really nice look!
Is PS Vita a retro console? If so that.
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/ff1bbf44-cfb8-4f42-b34b-6d3a0663acc9.jpeg">
It came out in 2011/2012, I wouldn’t classify that as retro
The 2600 was retro and quaint by 1990.
I’ve still got mine, and it still works great! I sold my PSP to get a used one about a month from launch, and I’ve kept it ever since. It’s a great console, if only there were more games for it.
I modded mine. Once modded it can emulate most gba, gbc, psp or ps1 games (and more). The full extended library is pretty big once emulation comes into play.
I’ve seen people doing that, I should look into doing it sometime. I mostly use the Steam Deck for handheld emulation, but it can’t hurt to have more options!
To me, no. PS2 is a retro console, but PS3 (Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X., Crysis 2) is not. I mean, look at those games’ graphics, they look FENOMENAL.
I’d say PSP is, but Vita isn’t. DS is, but 3DS isn’t.
Humm, for PCs I’d have to say iMac
<img alt="" src="https://www.macworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/bondi-blue-imac-2008-100756817-orig.jpg?quality=50&strip=all">
For game consoles it’s a hard debate between the GameBoy Pocket or the GameBoy Micro. One is the essence of a GameBoy shrunken down to a power efficent and usable design. While the other is the smallest you can make a console while still having it usable.
<img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Game-Boy-Pocket-FL.jpg">
<img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Wikipedia_gameboy_micro.jpg">
Apparently, the Micro was the last Game Boy product that Nintendo made.
Very elegant.
I would say the cutoff is Game Boy Advance SP and Micro is a poseur, because Micro can’t play original Game Boy or Color games. If one is counting GBA, then the DS and DS Lite could still play those.
Edit: Get a flash cart and you can unofficially play old GB on any GBA-compatible using Goomba Color. Micro is awesome at what it does, I just hate that it has the Game Boy name yet can’t play GB games and had yet another different link cable and charging port because Nintendo!
I still have that GBA micro laying around somewhere. An ex GF stole my reloadable cartridge though. :(
Mine has a black face plate.
I would choose the Super Famicom. It just looks so sleek. I don’t know why they changed it with the SNES, it looks ugly.
The 2600 depicted in the article thumbnail, was absolutely a beauty in its native environment of the late 1970’s:
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/1229408a-dc78-48ab-9c02-ae04e8bc7f4a.jpeg">
I’m a fan of how ENIAC really used the space
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/00fa74fa-ee05-445a-ac8d-d4715b38360b.jpeg">
If we’re also talking old computers then it’s hard to beat the Cray-1 <img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/95cdee6a-3cc9-4dfc-94f3-3527a0ae654b.jpeg">
Also had the advantage of fooling your house guests into thinking it’s a weird, modernist couch that makes conversation really hard.
Vectrex, hands-down. <img alt="Vectrex-Console-Set" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Vectrex-Console-Set.jpg/1920px-Vectrex-Console-Set.jpg">
Original sony playstation. I don’t know why, i just love it
I think I preferred the design of the ps2, personally.
I love that one too
The Mega Drive is the best looking retro console, I mean look at it
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.ml/api/v3/image_proxy?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgame2gether.de%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F11%2FSega-Mega-Drive-1.jpg">
Best looking and best name.
This one looks a little naked. Needs more “High Definition Graphics” or whatever it says
Damn, wood. Or wood-looking material at least.
while not necessarily the prettiest console by any means but i always thought the Og xbox home menu went way harder than it needed to, now that’s presentation!
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/42bf95a5-9239-466a-aaf0-234b9eac4df7.jpeg">
They said retro, the Xbox can’t be retro, its only been around for- oh. Oh no.
<img alt="The 3DO FZ-10" src="https://sh.itjust.works/pictrs/image/976b5c34-8d4d-4075-8f6e-cdf6fd0ed80e.jpeg">
It just looks so sleek. For me, it was the future of gaming.
One more vote with OP. That Atari is a nice looking machine.
The Atari Portfolio (the one John Connors uses in Terminator 2) or the ST Book.
Console: Sega Dreamcast
PC: Any IBM beige box from the 90s
<img alt="" src="https://lemmy.sdf.org/pictrs/image/0e65ea88-f264-46b6-b7bf-5385eeeb787d.png">
Technically neither a console nor a PC (in the IBM-compatible sense), but the Commodore PET has a certain kind of 70s futurism about it.
Note the integrated tape deck for all your storage needs.
The keyboard pictured, while interesting looking, is a complete POS. Later PETs had a more usable keyboard with a better layout.
Edit: I don’t think that red button at the bottom right is stock. It’s almost certainly a hardware reset button, which on the Commodore machines is typically done by shorting a couple pins on a user expansion port.
I like the woodgrain look, but I don’t think the Atari 2600 is a very good example of it. Lots of audio equipment from the time does it better. Especially when combined with brushed aluminum or stainless steel.
<img alt="" src="https://midwest.social/pictrs/image/ce284d2c-183b-4367-9cf6-b5f03fe4c14e.png">
Purple GameCubes are retro now, so I’ll go with that as my favorite.