Summary
It’s astounding how far video games have come since the days of Pong. What was once a means of playing 8-bit table tennis now allows you to swing through Manhattan as Spider-Man, fly to the moon as Mario, or even enter a virtual reality. Even more impressive are the decades of innovation it took to reach this point.
Each video game generation represents a unique era of history. With each one came new consoles, groundbreaking genres, and ideas that would forever change how video games are made. Some saw the epic battle betweenNintendoand Sega, while others witnessed the rise of digital gaming and online play. But which generation is the best?
There are no bad video game generations, per se, so we’ve ranked them based on hardware, innovation, games, and how well they’ve aged.
1972-1980
Notable Consoles
Pong, Color TV-Game
The first video game generation has a well-deserved place in history as the birth of gaming. Debuting in 1972, Pong entertained millions with just two sticks and a ball - which saw several variations on Nitnendo’s first console, the nowlargely forgotten Color TV-Game. While primitive by today’s standards, no one had seen anything like it at the time.
That said, video games still had plenty of room to grow. The controllers were primarily large, clunky bricks, and games lacked content outside the traditional Pong gameplay. While you might not be eager to revisit this era of gaming, it deserves a nod for putting video games and Nintendo on the map.
1976-1992
Atari 2600, Intellivision, ColecoVision
What other generation can say it simultaneously revolutionized gaming and almost killed it? The Atari 2600, Intellivision, and ColecoVision brought arcade classics like Space Invaders and Asteroids to homes for the first time. These titles had the first semblance of difficulty curves, leaderboards, and many other concepts that shaped how video games are designed.
However, the shocking number of horrendous Atari titles, including a bafflingly awful port of Pac-Man and the infamous E.T. game, paved the way for the crash of 1983. Despite that, this era laid the foundation for good game design and is worth revisiting for a fascinating history lesson.
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
There’s hardly anything to dislike about the ninth generation of gaming. Thanks to their 4K resolutions, better frame rates, and much quicker loading times, thePlayStation 5andXbox Series X|Sare far more powerful than their predecessors, leading to the best-looking games ever made.
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Resident Evil 4, and Baldur’s Gate 3 are just a few of the countless incredible games available for ninth-gen systems. You can even argue that Series X isthe best Xbox console ever. However, in terms of innovation, this generation didn’t take as big a leap as previous ones. Regardless, all gaming enthusiasts should try at least one of these systems.
1983-2003
Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Master System
All video game fans owe theNESa debt of gratitude for saving the industry from extinction. Suddenly, games had stories, discernible characters, and campaigns that lasted more than a few minutes. Not to mention Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid created the platformer, adventure, and Metroidvania genres as they’re known today.
It goes without saying that some third-generation games hold up better than others. Unreasonable difficulty spikes and a lack of save systems were definitely a product of the time. Nonetheless, video games found their footing during this era, and many of the best characters, series, and mechanics started here.
While not as well-known as the NES, the Sega Master System is nothing to sneeze at. Phantasy Star and Alex Kidd are a couple of my favorite titles on the console.
2005-2017
Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
The seventh generation ushered in the modern era, establishing many features that changed gaming forever. For the first time, all consoles had online functionality and a digital store to download games and DLC. Plus, theXbox 360andPS3’sHD support put them miles ahead of their predecessors.
With this generation came a lineup of top-tier hits like Super Mario Galaxy, Grand Theft Auto 5, and The Last of Us. While some may argue the era’s emphasis on motion controls was a bit too gimmicky, the innovative consoles and diverse game library hold up exceptionally well.
1987-2004
Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis
The 16-bit era is renowned for its legendary battle between Nintendo and Sega. The SNES’s Mode 7 allowed games like Pilotwings and Star Fox to simulate 3D movement, creating a groundbreaking experience. Plus, titles like Super Metroid, A Link to the Past, and Street Fighter 2 did wonders for solidifying the identity of their genres.
On the other hand, theGenesisproved that Sega does what Nintendon’t. The Sonic games and an uncensored version of Mortal Kombat provided a cooler and edgier alternative to the Super Nintendo. Both consoles left behind unparalleled legacies that have inspired some of the greatest games of the modern era.
The second generation is one of my favorites. I’d highly recommend Super Mario RPG, Donkey Kong Country 2, and Rocket Knight Adventures to any fans of retro games.
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U
The eighth generation of consoles marked a huge turning point for how games are played. Virtual reality had a breakthrough with PlayStation VR, streaming services like Xbox Game Pass let you play titles without buying them, and theNintendo Switchallows you to take legendary games like Skyrim on the go.
The remarkable lineup of triple-A titles was matched by an equally impressive indie game revolution. While big-budget games like Breath of the Wild redefined the open-world genre, indie titles like Cuphead and Undertale tried bold new ideas, creating many of the most memorable gaming experiences ever.
1993-2006
Nintendo 64, PlayStation 1, Sega Saturn
Famous for ushering in the era of 3D gaming, the fifth generation is arguably the most important. TheN64defined what three-dimensional gameplay should be with games like Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64. At the same time, PS1 titles like Final Fantasy 7 and Resident Evil revolutionized their genres, setting standards that are still upheld today.
In a world where four-player support, rumble features, and disc-based gaming are synonymous with video games, it’s easy to forget that this generation either introduced or popularized those concepts. The outstanding creativity and innovation make this era a blast to revisit.
Even the criminally underrated Sega Saturn has merit for producing some of the most arcade-accurate ports ever.
1998-2013
GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Sega Dreamcast
The sixth-gen video game consoles are nothing short of timeless. The Sega Dreamcast was the first system with built-in internet support, a trend continued by the original Xbox.These consoles were way ahead of their timeand laid the groundwork for the online multiplayer features you know and love today.
Titles like Grand Theft Auto 3 on thePS2introduced gamers to the open-world genre. Meanwhile, the GameCube’s Animal Crossing single-handedly created the beloved cozy game category. Other titles, like Halo, Luigi’s Mansion, and Shadow of the Colossus, are just as excellent today as when they launched. Overall, the sixth-gen consoles are the very best in gaming history.
