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The Best (and Worst) Console Game Innovations Ever

News Type: Opinion — Seeded on Wed Dec 6, 2006 8:08 PM EST
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I combed the depths of history and my memory to pull together a (very subjective) list of the best and worst innovations to hit console gaming. Rather than full systems (with a few obvious exceptions), I chose to focus on peripherals and concepts. Enjoy!

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{"commentId":415103,"authorDomain":"russrenshaw"}
Russ R.

"I love the Power Glove. It's so bad."

I want that tattooed across my chest.

{"commentId":415103,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"russrenshaw"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#1 - Wed Dec 6, 2006 9:26 PM EST
{"commentId":416100,"authorDomain":"eric"}
eric

This goes to showing how little thought was actually put into that list. The Power Glove was essentially Nintendo's early foray in motion-based input. The idea shelved but not forgotten and today we have the Wiimote. You'd think that with such a close relationship it would be impossible for one to be the best innovation and the other the worst...

.. that article is complete trash..

{"commentId":416100,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"eric"}
  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Thu Dec 7, 2006 1:25 PM EST
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{"commentId":415129,"authorDomain":"brownspank"}
Brownspank

What, no EyeToy?

{"commentId":415129,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"brownspank"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Wed Dec 6, 2006 9:50 PM EST
{"commentId":416069,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}
Eric Atienza

Virtual Boy definitely needed to be on the "Worst" list. That thing was novel for about 5 minutes and then it became a big red paperweight with legs.

{"commentId":416069,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"deatienza"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#3 - Thu Dec 7, 2006 1:06 PM EST
{"commentId":416758,"authorDomain":"aneckelmann"}
Alex Neckelmann

What about the rumble pack?

{"commentId":416758,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"aneckelmann"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#4 - Thu Dec 7, 2006 6:21 PM EST
{"commentId":417285,"authorDomain":"brownspank"}
Brownspank

Or rumble/vibration/shock, in general.

{"commentId":417285,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"brownspank"}
  • 1 vote
#4.1 - Thu Dec 7, 2006 10:38 PM EST
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{"commentId":416777,"authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}
Michael Sautter

How about one of those fishing rod thingys?

{"commentId":416777,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"michaelsautter"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#5 - Thu Dec 7, 2006 6:32 PM EST
{"commentId":416868,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}
Cash

I am betting this Wii thing will end up on the bad list years from now. I know it is on the top of the good list now and fanboys will want to torch me for heresy but I have never seen anything that looks as stupid as bowling with a remote.

{"commentId":416868,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}
  • 4 votes
Reply#6 - Thu Dec 7, 2006 7:14 PM EST
{"commentId":418304,"authorDomain":"eric"}
eric

You bring up another angle that thwarts that articles credibility - the Wii simply hasn't stood the test of time.

{"commentId":418304,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"eric"}
  • 2 votes
#6.1 - Fri Dec 8, 2006 1:22 PM EST
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{"commentId":417297,"authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}
Steve Watts

... what, no Seaman? Don't tell me no one remembers Seaman.

And yes. The Super Scope 6 was crap. It probably seemed like the logical progression on paper (NES is to SNES as Gun is to Bazooka), but in practice the games were uninteresting and using the device got tiring after 10 minutes.

{"commentId":417297,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"stevencwatts"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#7 - Thu Dec 7, 2006 10:43 PM EST
{"commentId":417806,"authorDomain":"vincentgrayson"}
Vincent Grayson

Blasphemy! Battle Clash and Metal Combat were awesome! Come to think of it, I'd love to see a sequel on the Wii.

{"commentId":417806,"threadId":"59401","contentId":"471794","authorDomain":"vincentgrayson"}
  • 1 vote
#7.1 - Fri Dec 8, 2006 8:42 AM EST
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