While there have been plenty of iconic gaming consoles over the years, not every system has managed to leave a positive mark. Some were doomed from the start, plagued by problems that led many of them straight to the landfill (or the return line if you were lucky.)We’re looking at 19 of the worst video game consoles ever released and digging into what went wrong with each one.
19. TurboExpress
NEC’s TurboExpress was a portable version of the TurboGrafx-16, boasting impressive technology for its time. However, its high price and short battery life deterred consumers. The pixelation issues on its LCD screen made it difficult to enjoy text-heavy games, leading to its downfall despite its advanced features.
18. Nuon
The Nuon was marketed as a high-end DVD player with gaming capabilities, but it fell flat with only eight games released, one of which was recalled. The high price tag and lack of compelling content made it a poor investment for consumers, and it died quickly and quietly.
17. Ouya
After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Ouya promised to revolutionize gaming with its affordable price and mod-friendly design. Unfortunately, it lacked good games, and many of titles it shipped with were already available on smartphones. Poor internet connectivity from the unit and controller issues also helped fuel its failure, leading to its discontinuation in 2015.
16. LaserActive
Pioneer’s LaserActive attempted to combine laser discs, CDs, and video games into one device, but its exorbitant price of $970 was a major turn-off. The lack of remarkable exclusive games and the need for expensive add-ons made it a financial disaster, with only around 10,000 units sold before its discontinuation.
15. TV Boy
Launched shortly after the Nintendo Famicom (the Japanese version of the NES), the TV Boy was outdated before it even hit the market. With only six games and no real features, it failed to compete with its more advanced rivals. Poor sales led to the company never releasing another console.
14. Hyperscan
The Hyperscan was a unique concept that used collectible cards to unlock game features. However, its high price and the randomness of card packs turned consumers away. With long load times and a limited game library, it was discontinued shortly after its release.
13. RCA Studio II
The RCA Studio II was a black-and-white console that launched in 1977, but it was quickly overshadowed by the Atari 2600. Its outdated technology and poor sales led to layoffs in an attempt to keep the console afloat – but it was eventually discontinued in early 1978 anyway.
12. Soulja Game
Rapper Soulja Boy’s attempted to enter the gaming market with the Soulja Game (why it was named this when the easy play on the words “Soulja Boy” was staring him in the face is anyone’s guess) and was met with immediate backlash. The console was criticized for being a blatant ripoff of existing emulators and even led to legal action from Nintendo. It was pulled from the market almost as quickly as it was launched.
11. Tiger Electronics Game.com
The Game.com was the first handheld console to feature a touchscreen, but its execution was poor. The small, blurry screen and unresponsive touch capabilities made it difficult to play. Despite having ports of popular games, they were lackluster and only in black and white, making it a tough competitor against Nintendo.
10. Gizmondo
The vaguely taco-shaped Gizmondo was marketed as a multifunctional device but was plagued by poor sales and controversy surrounding the criminal histories of several executives, including the CEO. Launched at a high price, it failed to capture the market and was discontinued within a year, selling fewer than 25,000 units.
9. Action Max
The Action Max was a unique console that required a VCR to play its games, which were all point-based and lacked a win/lose condition. This odd setup and limited game library led to its quick demise in the market.
8. R-Zone
Tiger’s R-Zone was a portable console that used a headband and controller to project games directly into the player’s eyes. The ridiculous design and lack of enjoyable games led to its failure, with all versions discontinued by 1997.
7. Apple Pippin
The Apple Pippin was an attempt to create a multimedia platform but failed to deliver on gaming. Its high price and limited game library led to poor sales, with only around 42,000 units sold before it was discontinued in 1997.
6. 3DO
The 3DO was released at a staggering price of $700, but it lacked compelling games and was quickly overshadowed by more successful consoles. Its discontinuation in 1996 marked the end of a short-lived attempt to break into the gaming market.
5. Atari 5200
Atari’s follow-up to the 2600, the 5200, promised advanced graphics but delivered a lackluster library of games. The poorly designed joystick and market saturation led to its discontinuation in 1984, with sales far below expectations.
4. Nokia N-Gage
The Nokia N-Gage was a phone-console hybrid that failed to impress due to its awkward design and small buttons. The hassle of changing games and poor sales led to its discontinuation in 2006, leaving it as a laughing stock in the gaming community.
3. Commodore 64 Game System
The Commodore 64 was a titan in the early days of PC gaming, but its home console version, released eight years later, was a flop. With a dated design and a lack of compatible games due to the absence of a keyboard, it struggled to find its footing in a market dominated by Nintendo and Sega—only 220,000 of the 880,000 units sold.
2. Philips CDI
The Philips CDI was intended to be a multimedia player but failed to focus on gaming until it was too late. Its high price and underpowered performance in the gaming field led to significant financial losses for Philips, marking it as a notable failure in console history.
1. Virtual Boy
Nintendo’s Virtual Boy promised a revolutionary 3D experience but delivered a cumbersome design and a painful gaming experience. With only 22 games and poor sales, it’s Nintendo’s biggest console failure to date, and lasted just a year on the market.
