Top 5 Forgotten Consoles That Deserve a Second Look

The Sega Saturn is maybe one of the most forgotten consoles in Sega’s lineup, stuck between the unusually popular Genesis and the cult-classic-but-doomed Dreamcast. It was released in 1994, and the Saturn was a monster for 2D games and had decent 3D capabilities… on paper.

The problem? Sega released its U.S. launch too early to counter Sony’s PlayStation in the market, catching developers and retailers off guard. Add to that a muddled architecture and a high price, and the Saturn struggled outside Japan.

But gems like Nights into Dreams, Panzer Dragoon, and Shining Force III make the Saturn a treasure to return to.

2. TurboGrafx-16 / PC Engine (1987)

Developed by Hudson Soft and NEC, the TurboGrafx-16 (launched as PC Engine in Japan) was introduced in 1987 and generated a buzz with its compact size and large library of arcade-style games. Technically, it was the first 16-bit console to hit the market, beating even the Sega Genesis.

Although it never caught on in the U.S. due to poor marketing and a weak third-party lineup, it was popular in Japan. Games like Bonk’s Adventure, Ys Book I & II, and R-Type are cult favorites among old-school gamers.

Though it’s one of the many forgotten consoles out there, as it stands today, the TurboGrafx-16 is a collector’s darling and an excellent example of a console that was ahead of its time.

3. Atari Jaguar (1993)

The Atari Jaguar boasted about being a 64-bit gaming platform, something that would prove to be more of its own deadly flaw. As it turned out, it was actually a pretty difficult dual-processor configuration that few developers knew how to code for. Its library had very few good titles other than some good gems like Tempest 2000, Alien vs. Predator, and that weirdly fascinating Cybermorph.

Atari’s advertising went spectacularly wrong, and the Jaguar was one of the most recognized failed, then promptly forgotten, consoles of the ’90s. However, for its daring and cult status, it’s a system that’s worth remembering and maybe even collecting!

4. Nokia N-Gage (2003)

Quite the infamous forgotten console this one was! Prior to the era of the smartphone as a go-to gaming device, the Nokia N-Gage existed. Part phone, part handheld game system, and altogether clumsy. The N-Gage, which launched in 2003, tried to make mobile functionality blend with portable games, but execution was clumsy. Replacing games involved removing the battery, and as a phone, it had been dubbed the “Taco Phone” due to its peculiar shape.

However, the N-Gage did see the future. It included online multiplayer and some really excellent titles such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Pathway to Glory, and Pocket Kingdom.

It was visionary in design but not in delivery.

5. 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (1993)

The 3DO was a high-end console that was launched by The 3DO Company and manufactured by companies like Panasonic and GoldStar. Launched at a jaw-dropping price of $699 (over $1,300 today adjusted for inflation) in 1993, it was among the most expensive consoles to be sold on the market.

The 3DO was promising, with its advanced graphics and CD-based games when that was still new. But the price and lack of strong third-party support guaranteed its doom from the start.

Road Rash, Gex, and Return Fire were a few of the games that showcased the system’s potential. Unfortunately, that potential never got to really bloom, as now it’s in this forgotten console list.

Why These Forgotten Consoles Still Matter

These forgotten consoles may not have been business giants, but they were instrumental in pioneering new ground. Whether it was experimenting with 64-bit gaming, combining play with phones, or embracing CD technology before it was cool, each of these consoles introduced something new to the mix.

So next time you’re shopping for old games or contemplating a retro purchase, take a second glance at one of these quirky yet forgotten consoles. They may just surprise you.